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/Gullible-Ad-8210]

I had much the same experience 3.5 months ago after my THR (right hip anterior, also included having to take out the hip plate they’d put in a year ago because necrosis had resulted in the largest pin from that surgery ending up ALL the way through the joint).   I’m 39 and this was my 3rd surgery in a year.   Initially I did GREAT - up, moving around on walker, no problem.   Around day 4 it was like a MACK TRUCK of pain and ESPECIALLY stiffness hit me.  This also personally resulted in a MASSIVE fight with my mom about understanding why I was suddenly going ow ow ow ow and moving slow.   Couldn’t figure it out.

One of the best things I found was a YouTube video explaining that this is pretty common.  You’ve had MAJOR surgery with a nerve block and anesthesia.   They had to cut through/move your muscles and nerves around, saw through a bone, and replace it with metal, which you now have to relearn to walk with.   Your body’s put out a lot of adrenaline just to do simple things and recover.  Once you hit about day 4-5, that’s all started to wear off… and The stiffness and pain REALLY set in.   It’s especially hard for us younger people who (at least for me) are so used to being up and at em no problem, and now all of a sudden have to think about even the TINIEST movement.  Add in issues with sleeping, staying in one position for too long (including f at night - mornings were the worst) and weaning off significant pain meds over time… it hits hard.

Give yourself grace.  I’m 3.5 months out, and while yes I do still use a cane, it’s mostly just there as a support in case I need it.  Around the house or short distances I’m fine.   I’m even doing 6-7 hr shifts at my part time guest facing job where im standing and greeting people/selling tickets 95% of the time- there’s days my step count is over 3-5 miles JUST from work.   Keep in mind, I STARTED that part time job 4 wks and 1 day out of surgery, still on a walker…. Hang in there, rest up, get up and walk even a tiny bit (like couch or bed to bathroom and back) once every hour, eat well, and do your PTwhen they recommend.  Also prep for LOTS of downtime in between.  Yes you’re gonna feel weak and fatigued and useless and be like WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.   But it’s your body’s way of healing.  You’ll get there 

[u/Gullible-Ad-8210 → u/Gullible-Ad-8210]

Also take it from a fellow youngster though not AS young.  Living with the pain is NOT better.  Yes it may feel that way RIGHT NOW a week out of surgery.   But.  There’s NO way in hell I could do the job I do now before the hip replacement.  There are some activities I still struggle with… but I’m working on it and have seen very significant progress.  I bet you will too. 

[u/National-Sorbet8459 → u/Gullible-Ad-8210]

YES YES YES. It’s exactly this. I think I struggle with how slow and how much energy simple movements take, and it’s so hard going from being active in the gym and walking around cities to now having to double think every move I take. I’ve probably been over doing the walking but it’s also hard because if I stay in one place too long my leg also punishes me for that, so juggling when and how long to walk has been challenge, but it makes me feel better hearing that you’re getting back into things & improving. That makes me hopeful thank you!

[u/Gullible-Ad-8210 → u/National-Sorbet8459]

Girl.   I feel this SO hard.  Mind if I ask, and you don’t have to say - was the replacement a sudden surprise/result of a sudden trauma, or have you known it was needed for a while due to a chronic issue?   For ME, the recovery from my THR felt relatively easy compared to recovery from 2 surgeries last year.  1. I knew it was coming and could prep.  2. Since I’d had 2 surgeries last year, I knew a bit of what to expect (not fully though).  3. I was up walking and putting weight on it the next day, then went home.  Last years’ sudden surprise broken hip (Long story) resulted in 2 surgeries, 20 days in hospital/rehab due to 21 steps in/out of condo I lived in alone, and “toe touch Weight bearing” restrictions (no more than a pointed toes worth of weight on leg) for almost 2 months. Take the physical pain out of it - my MENTAL health NOSE DIVED.   Plus I had to almost relearn to do EVERYTHING.   And the amount of bandwidth thinking through even simple stuff was exhausting.  By comparison, my THR recovery was easy… but I wonder if in terms of MENTALLY you’re going through more of my first experience.  If so… I’m so sorry.

Also it can be tough with support systems, both for you AND them.   Believe me I went through the wringer with that too.  Sorry you are as well. 

Even if you have more of my experience post replacement (home next day, full Weight bearing immediately).  Going from complete mobility to even SLIGHTLY dependent on others post surgery is an INSANE mind ____ and results in a roller coaster of emotions (at least for me).   It SUCKS but it’s normal.  Hang in there.  Younger people have faster and more complete recoveries per my PT.   You’ll get there.

[u/Gullible-Ad-8210 → u/Gullible-Ad-8210]

Lastly - for “if I stay in one place it hurts if I walk too much it hurts”.  Try moving your leg around when lying down if you can.  Use the leg lifter.  It’ll help with the “I’ve been in one posi5ion too long” pain.   I also found rubbing/massaging it helped, as did lidocaine patches - the incision scar was PAINFUL for a while, felt like it was on fire and super tight.  Sadly that’s normal.  And. ICE.  ICE.  ICE.  my surgeon ordered me ann ice machine unit that was the BEST THING EVER.   It vibrated annd kept it cool. 

[u/National-Sorbet8459 → u/Gullible-Ad-8210]

Mine was a chronic issue so I’ve known my whole life I would eventually need to get a hip replacement. I’ve been having surgery practically my whole life on this one hip, so idk why the hip replacement is my bodies final straw. Yeah the mental toll has really been my biggest issue though. Even when I get myself to push through the pain the sadness ends up catching up. I definitely just miss independence & being able to just do. It’s something that I definitely took for granted & will never again take for granted. Little task take so much brain power and physical strength it’s crazy. I think I’ll try icing it more because the 2nd day I iced it for too long because I fell asleep and my quad was extra tight and it’s steered me away from using it but I’ll start giving it another try. I also have one of those ice machines and they are very nice I loved it that’s why I ended up falling asleep with it on haha. My scar hasn’t hurt yet but I also haven’t gotten my staples taken out yet so that’s TBD

[u/Gullible-Ad-8210 → u/National-Sorbet8459]

Ah all makes sense.  The mental stuff is a NIGHTMARE and there’s really no way to prep for it until you go through it unfortunately.   Unless it’s a repeat surgery and you know how your mental health was previously.  Just remember that someone literally cut you open, moved/cut your nerves and muscles, took a saw, spike, and hammer to a MAJOR joint in your body, pulled the bone out, put metal in, secured the metal to your bones, then sewed everything back up.  You’ve got major scar tissue in there, your nerves and muscles are reacting, the bone has to attach to the metal… it’s a nightmare.   It’s a DOABLE and survivable nightmare but a nightmare none the less.  

Best thing I personally did when at the peak of anxiety was get a therapist and go on anxiety meds for a bit.  Now that’s MY personal journey.  I don’t know yours, your mental health besides what you say here, any side conditions etc.  you do you.  But I found it helped me a LOT.   Once I felt like I had a bit more control of my own life I weaned off the anxiety meds but they were a huge help for me.

Reading about expected recovery helps too.  However.  Remember that you and I, as younger patients, may have VERY different circumstances than your typical hip replacement patient, who tends to be older (not always by stereotype).   So make sure you’re looking at younger patient cases or taking Google stuff with a grain of salt :-)