Hip recovery .

[Viv54]

Hi everyone , all is fine with my hip replacement im 4 weeks in .I am fine with pain etc but my problem is im limping more than i hoped and still get very tired by the afternoon. My question is has anyone had similar problems with a new hip and i can not help but think 7.5 of steroid may be slowing down my recovery. Im due to see the Surgeon in two weeks but would really like to hear from anyone who has been in this situation. With thanks Viv.

[Charlie1boy]

It does take time to settle down, as I’m sure you know, and four weeks isn’t that long. Just keep up with the physiotherapy, and gradually it should improve.

All your muscles have probably been underused in your long wait for the procedure, so they need to be woken up again, and they probably don’t like that too much.

Hopefully, everything will work out for you.

Good luck!

[Viv54 in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thank you so much, fingers crossed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good news on replacement-and agree with Charlie1boy need to give it more time - as steroids affecting recovery - it the wound they worry about more than anything -so if that’s okay -don’t worry .

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you the wound is fine, I'm just worried about the limp, I was wondering how I would have been without the steroids, but that's something we will never know. Nice to hear this .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Viv54]

Suggest you discuss with surgeon at 6week review -but he’ll probably say it will improve as your muscles strengthen.. and the fact that you aren’t in pain is a good sign. It all takes time… 😊

[Kendrew]

Hi Viv54,

I can't speak about recovery from a hip replacement whilst on steroids but my neighbour who's 70yrs old had a hip replacement almost 8wks ago.

She's still using her walking stick when walking outside and definitely still limping.

She also tires very quickly, so I would suggest that maybe your expectations have been a little optimistic in terms of recovery time.

Are you doing your post-op physio exercises as I do know that these are fundamental to a good recovery.

Others with more knowledge will be along shortly I'm sure.

[Viv54 in reply to Kendrew]

Hi Kendrew ,yes doing all my exercises very happy with how flexible my leg is just worried about the limp, I'm sure your right , trying to run before I can walk, excuse the pun!!! Thanks for your reply.

[Kendrew in reply to Viv54]

😄......a common trait of most of us I suspect!I'm hopeful others will be able to give you the same reassurances so as we're told constantly....just be patient... slow & steady wins the day! 😄

[Viv54 in reply to Kendrew]

Yes your right I will try to be more patient😊

[Kendrew in reply to Viv54]

❤ xx

[SnazzyD]

Having seen many go through major surgery I would say 4 weeks is early days, especially if you had a general anaesthetic.

The body is likely still having to adjust to yet another change. You manage mobility by adapting before the op and then the surgeons go and change things. You then have to adapt in many subtle ways and the body can complain. Then you have the exercises to do. I suspect that even without an op, having a new regimen of exercises would make one notice.

However, which bit of you makes the limp happen exactly if the pain is ok as you say?

[Viv54 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi thanks for replying, yes it makes sense of what your saying, I feel that one leg is longer than the other.I have read the is fairly common. It sounds strange but I can't make up my mind which feels longer, hoping at my 6 week check up with the surgeon he will be able to throw some light on it. I'm panicking abit because after limping and in pain for so long I was so happy when I came round from the anaesthetic I thought that I would be walking all over the place by now. I suppose I have to be patient.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Viv54]

I suppose I have to be patient.

Yes you do… body/muscles don’t just leap back to normal after years of being under stress… we are humans not machines.. 😊

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

Well said 😊

[SnazzyD in reply to Viv54]

Well I doubt your pelvis has been the model of balance for a start. The surgeons have sorted the nuts and bolts bits but the rubber bands holding you together have got to strengthen, and tighten or stretch according to what they were force to do before. Don’t forget the brain too; it has been ‘trained’ to get the body about with a particular wonky set-up which is lucky for us. But when it has to unlearn that, it is the annoying downside. Unfortunately, most of us have a very small ‘patience glad’.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

A perfect example of that is a friend of mine in Germany who had his hip done in March, he was in the rehab unit over Easter. Because he is totally convinced he is indispensible, he refused to have the op when it was first offered, had to wait until some concert or other was done and dusted. It was bone on bone, couldn't walk - but he could ride his bike and get about so wasn't bothered. However - the abuse of the poor joint has resulted in the attachments to the pelvis etc and the muscles to be in spasm, shortening the operated leg in a similar way to what is seen with a broken hip! They worked on it intensively at the time of his rehab - but it wasn't entirely successful and he has an impressive limp while waiting for further physio to sort it out!

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

I'm not sure if this is ment to reassure me or not .😞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

Sorry - it was meant as an example of how much the muscles have to adjust - the doctors fully expect the physiotherapy to allow the muscles to return to the length they should be,

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh i see, thats good to know .

[DBE46 in reply to Viv54]

I have had both hips replaced, now have one leg shorter than the other. Don’t expect too much from your 6 week appointment this is all about post op recovery, wound healing, pain and general new joint mobility. My surgeon asked me to remove my double insoles I had started to wear and allow my body to compensate as much as possible. My 1yr post op appointment was last month I no longer limp however if I stand a while it’s almost like leaning on one leg and it gets fatigued. I’ve been referred to Orthotics for professional assessment. My mobility is brilliant and no longer having that pain is wonderful. Good luck.

[Viv54 in reply to DBE46]

Thanks for your reply. Yes im sure one leg is longer, its good to hear what people have to say , it is amazing to be out of pain! I will keep plodding along hoping the limp will go , fingers crossed .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

It may be your pelvis is tilted - it is worth asking for a physio assessment.

[BonnieMagic in reply to Viv54]

I believe a leg length discrepancy is almost a given in hip surgery (and knee too). Sometimes it corrects itself with physio etc but sometimes a good podiatrist should be sought.

[piglette]

I was told it is very important not to let the limp take over. A friend had a big problem and she had some system of walking along looking at the horizon trying to walk evenly, if I remember rightly?? I really concentrated on not limping after both my hip ops, particularly as I managed to dislocate one hip a couple of days after the op. Luckily I was still in hospital. You should allow a couple of months or perhaps a bit more for the limp to go away though totally.

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

Thanks for your reply, I'm struggling not to panic about it.I'm trying my best to walk normally but it's hit and miss atm.! Fingers crossed it will get better.

[piglette in reply to Viv54]

Give it a few weeks and the muscles will get stronger and it should sort out OK.

[SheffieldJane]

Everything crossed for you! No experience to impart.

[Linlang]

this is my best friend

[Linlang]

best friend

[Linlang]

a folding seat/ walking stick

[Appledore6]

Hi Viv I had the same in April. I had total left hip replacement and was limping very badly. When I saw my surgeon at 6 weeks post he told me I had to walk more. He said forget the physio now and walk in the morning and afternoon as much as you can. He was right limp went in 2 weeks. Problem was my other hip became a problem which is common. Good Luck

[Viv54 in reply to Appledore6]

Yes , i think possibly i have done all the exercise and not enough walking, my plan is to walk more. Thanks for your reply it really helps to know your not the only one .🙂

[oscarandchloe]

Hi Viv54, I've had both hips replaced, one exactly one year ago and the other 7 months before that. I was on 5mg Pred all the way through and I am just recently reducing down. I think you might have rather high expectations! By 4 weeks I was still using crutches but walking a little outside and I sure did have a limp. I know this was absolutely normal as I had hydrotherapy for 6 weeks after op and I was actually moving much better than the other people who had the op same day as me and were in the pool with me. Some were still taking heavy doses of painkillers whereas I was taking none. They made us all use walking frames to get into the pool and out of it. By 6 weeks I was walking using a stick only. A year and a half later my muscles are still weak (thanks to years of under-use and 2 years of PMR), I walk every day , do a little yoga and still have to take it gently. I don't limp at all! Go slowly, listen to your body and do the exercises religiously, good luck!

[Viv54 in reply to oscarandchloe]

Thanks for your reply, yes I suppose I'm rushing things, I'm walking with one crutch now. I just limp when I put it down ! Imtaking a slower pace after all these positive reactions !

[S4ndy]

Hi VivLike everyone says it's early days yet. A few weeks more should see the muscles strengthen and the brain working out you have a new hip.

Just wondering are you the lady from Essex who recommended Dr Mani (Peddasomayajula)to me? If so then big thanks as he is lovely and still looking after me.

Ask your surgeon about exercise and swimming. If he says yes then why not try the free Nuffield management scheme. The one on Chelmsford runs it but don't know exactly where you live.

Hope you are walking better soon x

[Viv54 in reply to S4ndy]

Hi,S4ndy thanks for your reply, it makes sense what you say, I have to be more patient! I live in Dorset so I'm not the lady .take care best wishes Viv .

[ncfaaeos]

Hi Viv54, I had my second hip replacement about a year ago while I was still taking approximately the same amount of Pred as you mention. Everything went well though it took a while to "straighten up" after the operation. I had been using a walker for a while before the operation as I was unable to put any weight on my left leg. As a result, I had to wean myself back to a normal, straight stance, which would have been impossible without the physiotherapy sessions I had. It took several months but I can happily say that I am "straight again". I wish you the best in your journey to becoming more as you were before..

[Viv54 in reply to ncfaaeos]

Thanks for your reply, I'm hoping to be straight again without the limp ! I'm doing all I should but going to walk more !Best wishes Viv.

[BonnieMagic]

just to reinforce what others have advised here. Be gentle on yourself as far as recovery goes - it’s not a race. It’s natural that you’re tired - post anaesthetic contributes to that plus the trauma your body has experienced. Use a stick or crutch if you’re limping and, as others have said, wake up those muscles with your exercises. Good luck

[Viv54 in reply to BonnieMagic]

Thank you ,I feel better for everyone's comments, I will take it all in board!😊

[Skier123]

I i am now 72 years old and have been diagnosed with PMR in sept 2014 and have been on prednisone ever since . I have had 2 hip replacement one in 2016 and one in 2018. Have no issue with limping however I have been diligent at doing all the exercise assigned by my physiotherapist. Whenever I started limping I would stop reset my stand and start walking again without limping until it start again and I would repeat., stop reset ang go again. I might be a lucky one but I am still able downhill ski spend 6 weeks skiing in the Canadian Rockies every year although not doing black run any more lol bike kayak and hike on a regular basis. There is hope I strongly believe in physiotherapy find someone who is familiar with PMR . Good luck

[Joseph14612 in reply to Skier123]

I am 74 and due for a hip replacement at the end of November....however I doubt they will do it since I had a flare at 17.5 prednisone and am now back up to 40 mg. A few days ago I came down to 35, and hopefully I will be down to 30 or 25 by the end of Nov.... Still might be to high, don't know....I never heard of the problem with the longer leg...interesting.

[Viv54 in reply to Skier123]

Thank you ,great tips !

[Poetryb]

Hi Viv,

I hope all the comments were helpful. I was diagnosed with PMR/GCA in 2020 and am no longer on pred but I am awaiting a hip replacement/ or partial procedure, not sure yet as see my consultant in two weeks. I am interested to know whether everyone who replied to you had PMR/GCA prior to needing the operation? I am assuming yes. I believe Pred does some damage to tendons and ligaments, but it also saved my sight.

I know one of my legs is shorter than the other and do my best not to limp. I am happy sitting at my desk but do a couple of hours domestic work most days.

Good luck to everyone.

Poetryb

[Viv54 in reply to Poetryb]

Hi thanks for your reply, yes I believe it has damaged tendons etc, I've had lots of problems with them.Yes I had PMR before my hip operation. Goodluck with your op, it was great for me the pain went from my hip instantly now I have to master the limp.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Poetryb]

I am interested to know whether everyone who replied to you had PMR/GCA prior to needing the operation? I am assuming yes.

If they are members of this forum, then yes ….. but there are a lot of people that need replacements who haven’t…. Can’t blame PMR/GCA nor Pred for everything.

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi to be honest i was not really focusing on PMR , but yes a lot of my replies did have PMR or had been on steroids either now or in the past . Dont know about any other people apart from a friend who had her knee done . I feel in my case steroids have played a big part in the way my health is and not all for the good hope this answers your question . Best wishes Viv.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Viv54]

Guess wasmeant for Poetryb not me 😉

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

I did wonder😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

If someone replies to someone mid-thread it does actually say who it is in the top line of the box: PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poetryb]

Everyone on the forum has PMR/GCA and is/has been on pred. Some who have had hip replacements may have had it done pre-PMR/GCA and so pre-pred.

[Sumojo]

Hi, in July I had my Gluteal minimus and gluteal medius both reconstructed after full thickness tears in both. The tendons were retracted and he had to find them and reattach using a strengthening material. I was on crutches for eight weeks. I was taking six mg pred. I’m now down to five and walking without a limp. The surgeon was amazed at how little pain I seemed to be experiencing. Although it was painful and back sleeping for eight weeks was annoying I honestly believe it was the pred which has helped with my recovery. And physiotherapy of course.

[Viv54 in reply to Sumojo]

Thanks for your reply, yes I think physiotherapy is the way to go.I've had very little pain from my hip operation, like you I hate sleeping on my back! I've been doing this for over a year and really hate it, I'm not the best of sleepers this just makes it harder. I think my limp may be due to another back issue I have.My 6 week appointment it due in 2 weeks time, will see how much progress I have made. I have been reading the hospital notes and it say they can refer you for physiotherapy , think I need all the help I can get.Best wishes Viv.