Whistling and swelling 7 months post op

[Feldspar]

LHR in December 2012 (Dr. Su) = no issues with this hip at all.

RHR in January 2024 (Dr. Hickman): I had no issues until a backpack trip in late July. I experienced some whistling/creaking (like a metal hinge) during a difficult day of hot hiking (we had to hike from 11500' to 9000' then back to 11500' in elevation. The creaking resolved after only 2.5 days, but three weeks later I am still experiencing swelling and mild discomfort/pain throughout my upper right leg. Generally not enough to keep me from activities, but unpleasant and completely different experience than my left leg BHR which is coming up on 12 years. If it were not for the scar on my hip, I never even remember than I had that surgery.

Have folks experienced these precise symptoms? I see surgeon for follow-up in 3 weeks and might learn something from an x-ray if taken. However, I am eager to hear if others can share similar stories and what they learned.

Thanks very much.

LBHR Dr. Su 12/2012
RBHR Dr. Hickman 01/2024

[catfriend]

Hmmm. You had your hip resurfaced about seven months before going on this very strenuous high altitude (multiday?) backpack trip. Presumably you've been building up to this with other walks/hikes/etc. I'm guessing that you became dehydrates during this hike. I have heard anecdotally that dehydration increases the clunking with a BHR. I don't know that for a scientific fact, and my devices are not BHRs. Maybe others here can chime in if they have experienced this. As for the soreness, it sounds like your strained some of the soft tissue/muscles. Remember, your soft tissues can take up to a year or more to heal. While you felt fine, and are no doubt in excellent shape, it sounds like some of the bits inside had something else to say. It's like if you've ever sprained an ankle, and then went for a hike a few weeks/months later, and it swelled up again even though you've recovered.

I can remember overdoing it more than once during my recoveries and being sore for a few days afterwards.

[Feldspar]

Thanks for the response. I had been very physically active within a few short weeks following surgery (skate skiing, then cycling), after easing into activity on a bike trainer. I hope you are correct about the dehydration; the whistling has not returned at all. But I suspect the soft tissues are unhappy. My primary fear is that the prosthesis had shifted under duress and that I was now releasing ions into my tissues. I do not seem to have those symptoms though, nor is there any clicking on movement.

So maybe this will end up being a brief rough patch in an otherwise successful surgery. Thanks again,

[Feldspar]

I saw my surgeon about 8 months post-op. Films show no movement of implants, nor improper wear. Provider indicated that dehydration during the first year post-op can lead to the whistling I experienced. Effects are usually short-lived (and were in my case). My swelling has subsequently resolved and I am back to my normal post-op (full activities) condition.

[IRONMAN]

That’s really good news.

Did you get clicking and clunking ever?

[MattFL]

It's surprising to me that you guys are so active so soon.  My dr. recommends 6 weeks with crutches after surgery, then nothing high impact (running, etc..) and no lifting more than 40# for a year.  It seems a lot of other people are getting back into life much sooner than that. My surgery was 10 days ago.