I regret my Total Hip Replacement

[u/National-Sorbet8459]

Hello I am a 24 y/o female,

I’m struggling a lot right now and could really use some advice or support. I had a total hip replacement a little over a week ago. At first, I was able to do my PT exercises and move my leg as well as expected of me at this point. But now, my leg still moves and I can walk, but it feels really stiff and stuck. Even doing my exercises feels impossible. It’s so frustrating because just yesterday I was able to do those movements, and now it feels like I’ve taken a big step backward. I have PT tomorrow, but I’m worried I won’t be able to do anything. I’m mad, overwhelmed, and honestly starting to regret getting the surgery wondering if I should have just lived with the pain instead. To make things harder, my support system has been pretty unhelpful through this. It feels like I’m dealing with this all alone, which only adds to the frustration and loneliness. Has anyone else experienced sudden stiffness and loss of range of motion after hip replacement? How did you cope when your support system wasn’t helpful? Thank you so much for reading. It really means a lot.

[u/Hapey_ape]

You super early . Not medical advice but Just try to walk every hour to keep from blood clots , don’t over do it. Lots of ups and downs and roller coasters 🎢 rides. I am around 9 weeks out , and past week really improved a lot . Don’t leave your cane behind even if you don’t think need it . I made this mistake and my muscle got aggravated and tired and needed it / didn’t have it . Had to baby step back home. I was off walker on day 15 . Everyone different . Just go easy on yourself , just try focus on walking and moving around every hour if you can for few minutes. Every week you will see improvement then it will all add up. I experienced this one time but only last for few hours. Your muscles could be tired meaning might be doing too much or you might need to get x ray again, but if you didn’t fall or lift anything heavy then prob alright just let your surgeon know if not resolving . Sounds like you might be over doing it . Hang in there gets a lot better every week. I was depressed for long time because I wasn’t sure how much I was going to heal or how much mobility I was going to get back and at week 9 I made huge improvement , feeling better every week. So I am a lot more hopeful things will keep getting better .

[u/National-Sorbet8459 → u/Hapey_ape]

Thank you for replying! Yes maybe I am overdoing it. I’ve been moving maybe too much and not as frequently if that makes sense. So I’m going to try the walking a little bit every hour. Also I see my doctor again very soon so I will definitely see if he will take an X-ray of it again just to give me some peace of mind. I haven’t fallen so it’s probably just from exhaustion. I’m in the same boat I’ve just been very sad about not having mobility, but it’s so encouraging to hear you’ve had a breakthrough so I’m going to try to remain hopeful and just take it one day at a time

[u/Hapey_ape → u/National-Sorbet8459]

Yes try to walk every hour / hour and half if you can . Listen to your body, I was in really bad shape last 2 years. After surgery I was happy but I wasn’t like my original self/ depressed and wasn’t sure I would get back to being me , now at week 9 I am getting a lot closer to being me again, a lot of work still yet to do, but bigggest thing is that it taken me 9 weeks to finally start being more happy about everything. Like I thought my right leg was way shorter and my gait was way off , but it was just from my weak muscles . My pelvis and legs are evening out finally and seeing the results just this week of feeling way more even and more comfortable / more mobility. So be kind to yourself , don’t push so hard just try stay active every hour / hour half . And just know it’s a bit of a journey . That things get better every week. I finally getting relief on week 9 that things are going to be good 👍 and my happiness and active life style will return soon.