Slow Process

DBuzzy

Hello again,

I thought that I would give everyone an update on my progress.

57 years old, was trail running and racing prior to surgery, 700- 900 miles per year.

THR mid June 2020.  Surgery went very well.  Began PT 3 weeks afterwards and was able to perform all requirements relatively easily.  Therapist mentioned that runners generally are able to do very well with post surgery PT due to the fact that they are in such good shape.  Around early August, approaching 8 weeks post surgery, I began to develop intense pain when taking weight off of my leg.  Pain would shoot down my quad and last for 30 seconds or so and would gradually diminish as I walked.  Went in for x-rays the end of August which showed the implant looked great.  No movement at all.  I was told by my surgeon that for whatever reason I was healing slower that what is considered “normal” and to hang in there.  He stated that if I was having this type of pain in January he would be more concerned.  I’ve gone back to work, 8 to 9 hours on concrete, which I am sure is not helping.  I do notice though that the more I walk and get warmed up, the pain is not as bad.  That being said, when I do sit down for a bit and get up, the pain returns as I put weight on the leg and take weight off of the leg.

This has been very frustrating for me, as I am so ready to be without pain and to begin some light running / hiking.  If I compare where I was 4 weeks ago to now that there has been some progress.  I’m realizing that willing the pain away or trying to ignore it and go about my day just is getting mentally draining.  No choice but to take it one day at a time and hope things continue to heal.  I am interested if anyone has had a similar experience?

DBuzzy

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    • October 2, 2020 at 7:07 am #18914
      DBuzzy
      Participant

      Hello again, I thought that I would give everyone an update on my progress. 57 years old, was trail running and racing prior to surgery, 700- 900 mile
      [See the full post at: Slow Process]

    • October 3, 2020 at 5:23 am #18922
      Petemeads
      Participant

      Hi DBuzzy – I had this thigh pain that appears on unweighting the THR leg, from about the same time as you and certainly still up to 6 months. As a climber it was very concerning as it was pretty painful after standing on that foot for any length of time, especially since it was in the area where the end of the implant spike would probably be trying to press against the inside of the bone. Physio had no explanation for the pain and I was cleared for running very early, about 6 weeks, and this did not seem to make things worse. Gradually it went away and all seemed well until I overdid things somewhat by racing 5k on the Saturday and walking 12 miles over rough hilly terrain on the Sunday followed by a treadmill session on the Monday – I was limping for a couple of months, and this was at the 18-month stage of recovery, very concerning…
      Fortunately the 2 month layoff did the job and I got back into long walks and 5k races with no problems for just over a year, only to break myself again in May attempting Chris Kelsall’s virtual hour race. This time the pain is like an electric shock that makes the leg give way, possibly caused by a nerve being squeezed. Working around it at the moment but wish it would go away for good – it seems strange that I can walk/jog around 40-odd miles of hills and bogs with no problems, other than regular exhaustion, one day but be stopped in my tracks a few hundred yards from home on a gentle warmup a few days later. Good luck with your return to running, see how it goes because you have waited long enough!

    • October 3, 2020 at 5:28 pm #18924
      Hip Brother Tom
      Keymaster

      Hi Buzzy,

      After my hip replacement I was elated to be without hip pain anymore. Then the recovery began. It felt like it was slow going. Started running at 3 months (12 weeks). It was awkward and painful at times. Recovery takes time. Be patient. Stay optimistic. Each day will get better and better!

    • October 9, 2020 at 1:40 pm #18934
      Evansimmons
      Participant

      Hello Buzzy,

      I know your frustration. My replacement was in early May 2020. I had no pain whatsoever post operation. The pain began when I stopped using the cane and moving on my own. I could then feel a mostly dull pain both on loading the operative leg and most recently on unloading it. It is getting better however, but its taking much longer than I anticipated. My goal has been and still is to be able to run the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October 2021. With patience and by the grace of God, I will get there. Hang in there, be patient and you’ll be back doing what you love to do.

      Evan

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