Hi all! Some useful info:
As a result of any hip prosthesis, muscle imbalances occur, we know that from experience on this forum and others.
But what females need to be aware of (and I guess males too!) is that those muscle imbalances can wreak havoc on our urinary and defecation systems, to the point of discomfort, pain and symptoms mimicking UTIs and tailbone trouble.
My hip was done in April, and I spent 2 months on crutches and another month on a cane, and kept using the cane periodically until I felt better. When I finally started walking unassisted, it took about 3 weeks for pelvic symptoms to set in.
For the last 2 months, I thought I had chronic UTIs or maybe even cystitis. I finally went to see a urogynecologist, and she diagnosed massive pelvic muscle imbalances that are pulling on my urethra, of all things. I was getting the usual discomfort, pain, etc. tailbone pain as well. Sex seemed to be a trigger as well- the friction would always cause flares. My husband was bummed, indeed!
So I'm getting some pelvic floor physical therapy for 3 months to sort things out, and she also prescribed an internal cream from a compounding pharmacy that's doing wonders to alleviate my symptoms in the short term until I can retrain my muscles.
Dr Gross' office is a little behind the curve here- they just told me to take ibuprofen and sit on a donut. He's a surgeon, and his job is to cut, so I get it, but I didn't want to stop with a band aid.
If you're having urinary, defecation and other pelvic issues after hip prosthesis, I strongly urge you to check this out!
All Best to everyone!
Cara