Hip muscle problems

[happyhopper]

Can anyone help?
I had a hip resurfacing operation nearly 26 months ago.  I have had a lot of problems due to issues with my surgeons assistant (he has now gone back to Greece-poor Greeks!) and the hospital where I was operated on.  After extensive Pilates work my muscles have now recovered but am now left with a fixed forward flexion of the operated hip and inner thigh muscles which go into spasm when abducted.  (I used to horse ride).  The hip flexor problems are basically 'Protective muscle guarding' a neurophysio problem as the hip muscles can release but still think they have to protect my hip.   I have been promised some specialist physio but the waiting list is very long.  It will be April before I can go on the rehab  (I have been waiting since July) and in the meantime my other hip has deteriorated badly.  Surgeons won't operate on my left hip until the right hip has fully recovered.  My right hip released for a few seconds last week when I sneezed!
Any suggestions welcome please.

[OtterDriver]

Hello HappyHopper!

Just happened to be here about the time you posted...I'm sure you will soon get all sorts of useful input from the very knowledgeable folks that are members here.  Your question is out of my area of experience, so all I can offer is maybe carry a pepper shaker around with you!?

Good luck!

Bruce

[hernanu]

HappyHopper - welcome to the site, sorry to hear about your problems.

The way I hear it, it is a muscular issue due to an imbalance created by weakened core muscles which put stress on the outer edge muscles, causing the spasms when they are overloaded by trying to do both the support of the capsule (which should be done by the core muscles) and their own work. The spasms act to protect the area that the body thinks is in crisis.

Don't know what the surgeon's assistant did, but it seems like when you do get the physio, it should work itself out well. April sounds like a long wait, hopefully you can find a specialist sooner. It sounds like massage is one of the therapies, is that a possibility (just to alleviate some of the issues), or maybe look at a roller or even a tennis ball to roll in the affected area to help in releasing the muscles a bit.

Maybe doing some of the core exercises listed on this site will strengthen the muscles and help tide you over until the physio can get to you.

Good luck, it sounds like it can be dealt with, sorry about the fact that you have to.

[happyhopper]

Thanks for your replies.
I am presently doing about an hours Pilates with a Swiss ball and foam roller.  My core muscles are now fine but the issue is that the brain and the hip flexors are not communicating.  I recently have been rolling on a tennis ball as my periformis was sore and this has now improved.
The surgeons assistant never examined me physically, so never identified that I had major muscle weaknessess.  Additionally, I didn't receive the PCA button which has contributed to my post op stiffness.   He also substituted a page of my consent form as a surgeon was supposed to go through the consent from with me rather than the anaethetist.  All in all, very little info was given, but as I thought I was dealing with a very good surgeon I just trusted him.  The main problem is that he is too busy and has taken his 'eye off the ball' and allows assistants to do too much.
Just going to do another Swiss ball session.
Bye.   

[ScubaDuck]

I had alot of problems early on during recovery and rehab with my hip flexor.  I had horrible problems before surgery so this wasn't surprising.  This has gone away even after long walks or heavy workouts.  I suspect the exercises they had me do helped immensely.

I still have some groin pain from time to time.  I think this is due to my leg now moving in the original and proper direction when walking and cycling.  For so long my leg splayed out to the side.  So I think these muscles adjusted to that and are still strengthening in the new position.

I have found my physical therapist extremely helpful with exercises and identifying problem areas.  Hopefully you can get one soon.

After surgery I did alot of walking, shallow and deep water jogging, swimming, and stationary cycling.  I also have been stretching and doing some weights.

Let us know more specifics and maybe we can suggest exercises that we have done.

Dan