Ways To Manage Pain After Hip Or Knee Replacement Surgery
1. Take Your Pain Medication Like Clockwork
A lot of people are afraid of prescription pain medication . Everyone has heard horror stories about addiction and the opioid epidemic. However, when used responsibly for a short period of time, pain medication can be of great assistance in your recovery. After all, pain medications are created toyou guessed ittreat physical pain!
When taking your prescribed narcotics, make sure that you know exactly what youre taking and when you should be taking them. Be sure that your physician knows of any other medications that youre on that could interfere with the prescribed narcotics. Do not take more than prescribed dose. In a similar vein, do not take a lower dose than your doctor has recommended before speaking with your care team.
Its important to take your pain medication like clockwork in the days and first week that follow surgery. If you lower your dose without your physician signing-off, you may notice spikes of pain at night, have trouble sleeping, and actually roadblock your own ability to complete the necessary steps in your recovery. If youre experiencing too much pain, you wont sleep well, you wont perform the required exercises, and you will take-away from your own recovery.
2. Ice and Elevate
3. Keep-Up with Exercises and Physical Therapy
4. Get Tissue Massages
5. Try Pain Management Alternatives
Greater Trochanteric Pain After Hip Replacement
Many surgeons consider trochanteric pain a relatively minor complication following arthroplasty, however the impact can be substantial, with significant reductions in post-operative satisfaction, quality-of-life and functional outcomes.1,2,3 Those with greater trochanteric pain have been reported to have quality-of-life and levels of disability similar to those with advanced hip osteoarthritis.4 Therefore, the benefits of alleviation of joint pain by arthroplasty may not be realised by many patients who experience abductor pain and dysfunction after hip replacement surgery.
Abductor dysfunction in the form of weakness and functional deficits such as a Trendelenburg gait may also persist or worsen after hip arthroplasty. This may be related to trochanteric pain or to neurological injury or mechanical impairment associated with the surgical technique. Even in the absence of hip pain, a significant gait disturbance associated with iatrogenic hip abductor muscle impairments may result in a longer-term reliance on walking aides. Pain may also develop in adjacent regions, most commonly the lumbar spine or knee, due to the hip abductor muscle dysfunction, altered kinematics and loads transferred to these regions.
If a patient presents to your clinic with abductor pain and dysfunction after hip replacement surgery, there are usually 3 main scenarios:
Strengthening The Muscles Around Your Hip Joint Is Key To Keeping Them Strong And Mobile With Age
Lets get this important misconception out of the way: Done correctly, working out is not going to exacerbate your hip pain or make your arthritis worse. But not exercising can make your arthritis worse, which is why doctors recommend exercises as an important part of your arthritis treatment plan, whether you have osteoarthritis or an autoimmune, inflammatory form such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
Heres whats happening in your hip when you have arthritis, and why exercising and moving more helps relieve pain and stiffness.
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Why Does My Groin Hurt After Total Knee Replacement
Referred pain refers to this type of pain. Your hips, lower back, groin area, and calves may feel strained in the first few days as a result of your new stance and walking style. To be honest, sore muscles are natural during your recovery because your body has had enough time to rest in bed.
According to physical therapist Tony DAntoinette, an anterior hip or groin pain following a total knee replacement is not uncommon. My right groin is killing me and hurts when I try to lift my leg, according to one patient. Another patient reported that she thought something had gone wrong with her right artificial hip. To determine the source of the pain, I would first go into the clinic and try to determine what the structure is causing it. It may also be beneficial to test various types of assistance devices. If something hurts during exercise but then feels better later in the day or the next morning, its usually a good thing to continue doing those exercises.
Hip and groin pain is frequently caused by a variety of factors, making it difficult to determine its true cause. If these symptoms are combined with other symptoms such as stiffness or shooting pains, it is often an indication that the patient is suffering from a mus musclain. If your pain is due to internal health issues such as a hernia, endometriosis, or other condition, see a doctor right away.
Why Do I Have Groin Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery
Some patients continue to experience groin pain after THA. Scaggsyness can be caused by a variety of conditions, including infection or a tumor, aseptic loosening of the components, and soft tissue. Flare ups are a feature of combustion. In some cases, tendinitis of the iliopsoas tendons is the source of soft tissue inflamma.
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What Is Normal Pain After Hip Replacement Surgery
What are normal levels of pain after hip replacement? Hip replacement is frequently accompanied by swelling and initial pain at the joint. Rest between therapy sessions can help you reduce pain.
Hip Replacement Patients Beware: Study Finds 67 Percent Develop Neuropathy
The study was conducted by Nathan S. Kline, a physiatrist at the University of Michigan Medical Center, and his team, which studied 207 patients who had had hip replacement surgery between 2004 and 2006. The average age at the time of surgery was 73 years old. According to the study, 67 percent of the patients developed peripheral nerve disease, which is most common in the lower limbs . More than half of the patients reported worsening pain after hip replacement. Patients who have had hip replacement should be concerned about any changes in their peripheral nerves, according to Kline. If there are any changes, you should consult with your doctor. The lower extremities are the most likely to have nerve damage following hip replacement, with 56 percent of patients reporting worsening pain. This study focuses on the sciatic nerve, which runs down the leg and controls sensation, in the case of a hip surgeryâan isolated area within the hip.
The Problem With Knee Replacements
Patients who had knee replacement lost a greater amount of bone on that side in the head of the femur bone as well as in the hip as a whole than patients who did not have the procedure. Muscles were also lost as a result of these patientsâ weight loss. A stiff knee joint is one of the most common problems that people experience after knee replacement. These symptoms, in addition to causing difficulty in the usual activities of walking down stairs, sitting in a chair, or leaving a car, frequently lead to other issues. When a knee joint is stiff after a replacement, you may have difficulty managing it. Why does my hip hurts after I have a hip replacement? When an implant loosens, it will rub against the bone. As a result, bone loss can occur, making repairing the joint more difficult. The psoas tendinitis, also known as hip flexor tendonitis, could be the source of the pain. An inflamed or irritated tendon is known as a tendons.
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Using Medication To Control Pain
There are lots of different types of pain relief to help joint pain, including paracetamol and NSAIDs.
Night time pain that affects your sleep is common in end-stage arthritis. Taking pain relief before bed may help to improve these symptoms.
However, for some, pain relief may become less effective over time. This is usually the case if you’ve reached the stage where you and your orthopaedic team are considering joint replacement. This means many people may need a different way to manage pain.
However, these medications can often have side effects, including:
- long-term dependence
These side effects often get worse if you take opioids for a while or take them a lot.
Taking opioids before your operation can also be problematic. This is because it can impact on your recovery and increase the risk that you’ll have to continue to take opioids afterwards.
This means it’s really important to think about whether the pain relief you’re on is still helping. If it’s at all possible, try to slowly reduce the amount you take before the date of your surgery.
The Different Causes Of Groin Pain And How To Treat Them
In general, the most common cause of groin pain is a muscle, tendon, or ligament strain, especially among hockey, soccer, and football players. Pain is likely to appear shortly after an injury or over a period of weeks or even months. It usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks to fully recover from a muscle, tendon, or ligament strain. If you have groin pain, you should consult with a physician first. If the pain is mild, you can take your doctors prescribed painkillers or try home remedies such as heat therapy or ice. If the pain becomes unbearable, your doctor may advise you to take an anti-inflammatory drug or to rest the injury. In the event of knee replacement surgery, the doctor will provide instructions on how to use the tourniquet. If you are planning to perform a total knee arthroplasty, you should use the tourniquet at a pressure of 100 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure. As a result, it will provide a bloodless field and will be less painful to go through the surgical procedure.
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Airrosti Stops Knee Pain Fast
If knee pain has set you back, kick it to the curb with Airrosti! At Airrosti, our Providers will create a treatment plan that can help fix your pain right at the source. In addition, you will receive education on how to continue your recovery at home!
For more information, call or schedule an appointment online today!
Read our Medical Disclaimer here.
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What Else Can Help With Knee Pain
Finding relief from knee pain depends on the cause or issue thats making it difficult for you to go about your daily activities. Carrying excess weight puts extra stress on your knees, which may lead to osteoarthritis.
In this case, the most effective treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is weight loss. Your doctor may recommend a combination of diet and exercise to help you lose weight and strengthen the muscles in your lower body, especially around your knees.
A 2013 study found that adults with overweight and knee osteoarthritis experienced a reduction in weight and knee pain after 18 months of a diet and exercise program.
But if overuse is the culprit, your doctor will likely suggest RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation and physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to develop a program that includes range of motion exercises, stretches, and muscle strengthening movements.
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Patients May Still Be Undergoing Knee Replacement For Degenerative Lumbar Spine And Hip Osteoarthritis
Patients may still be undergoing knee arthroplasty for degenerative lumbar spine and hip osteoarthritis. . . We suggest heightened awareness at pre-and post-operative assessment and thorough history and examination with the use of diagnostic injections to identify the cause of pain if there is doubt.
In other words, patients received a knee replacement when the cause of pain came from the hip and spine.
In the journal Modern Rheumatology, Japanese doctors wrote:
We suggest that rheumatologists be aware of hip disease masquerading as knee pain or low back pain.
In the case of chronic joint pain, a thorough examination is imperative in identifying the correct diagnosis. That sounds like common sense, but the sad truth is that the source of pain is often missed because of misinterpretation of MRI and other imaging scans. Please see our article on MRI accuracy.
Research: 10% To 34% Of Patients Are Not Satisfied With Knee Replacement
In August 2017, doctors at the University Hospital Leipzig in Germany opened their published research in the medical journal Patient Safety in Surgerywith this statement:
- In spite of the improvement of many aspects around Total knee arthroplasty , there is still a group of 10% to 34% of patients who are not satisfied with the outcome.
- The therapy of chronic pain after total knee replacement remains a medical challenge that requires an interdisciplinary therapy concept. .
What this paper deals with is an ever-growing population of people for whom knee replacement did not work.
In their paper the Leipzig researchers were looking at effective means to help the patient with pain after knee replacement, a brief summary of their findings is presented here:
The treatment of patients with chronic complaints after total knee replacement is a challenging task. Therefore, an adequate therapy is only possible due to an interdisciplinary team of experienced orthopaedic surgeons with great knowledge in the field of endoprosthetic , qualified physiotherapists and pain therapists.
The researchers then assessed the following of having some benefits:
- Acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine which assisted in reducing knee swelling in some patients
- Gentile Physiotherapy .
- Injections of bupivacaine and lidocaine for very temporary relief
- Treatment should be supported by psychotherapists or psychologists with experiences in the area of psychosomatic medicine.
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Which Hurts More Knee Or Hip Replacement
Typically, knee replacement surgery hurts more than hip replacement surgery . After surgery, pain is no longer achy and arthritic but stems from wound healing, swelling and inflammation. Hip replacement patients often report little to no pain around the 2-6 week mark.
Knee Pain Treatment After Hip Surgery
How Long After Replacing One Hip Should I Wait To Replace The Other
If you suffer from severe arthritis in both hips, you could get both joints replaced at the same time . This might actually be safer and lead to quicker recovery in some patients, says Thakkar.
Having a double hip replacement reduces the risk of many complications that come along with anesthesia. Recovery is actually shorter but may require double the effort, because you would need to strengthen both legs at the same time. It may also be more challenging to get around the house initially, so you might need more support at home.
If you want to have two separate hip replacement surgeries, it is best to wait at least six weeks between the replacements to lower the risk of blood clots.
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What Is Considered A Normal Amount Of Pain After A Hip Replacement Surgery
Some swelling and initial pain at the joint are normal after hip replacement. To help reduce pain:
- Take time to rest between therapy sessions.
- Ice the leg and the incision site.
- Take anti-inflammatory medications, after consulting with your doctor, to help with these symptoms.
Keeping the leg elevated above the heart when you lay down can also help the swelling to recede, advises Thakkar.
Its important to pay attention to your pain levels. If you feel like you are consistently at a 6 or more on a 110 pain scale, mention it to your doctor, because it could be a sign of infection or another complication. As you continue physical therapy, your pain levels should slowly decrease to about 1 or 2 in 12 weeks after the hip replacement.
Interference With Daily Activities And Sleep
Before proceeding with hip replacement, your hip arthritis should markedly impact your daily living. Patients who are unable to climb stairs and put on shoes or who need a cane should begin to think about hip replacement. Also, when patients must change their activities or avoid social outings because of hip pain, it may be time to consider this procedure.
Patients who have hip pain that, at the end of the day, keeps them from sleeping despite the use of pain-relief medications should consider hip replacement.
In This Section:
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Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve
During the anterior approach to a hip replacement, the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve travels near the incision. The nerve can be stretched or cut during surgery. Injury to the nerve can cause numbness to the thigh region. Sometimes the damage can create a neuroma, which can become painful.
Some surgeons routinely cut the nerve during an extensive surgical approach to the hip. Dr. Morton is a fellowship-trained hip specialist and is careful to minimize this risk as much as possible by performing a minimally invasive procedure.
Suppose you are having pain or numbness to your anterior thigh. In that case, a physical examination will help determine if this is the cause.
When To Contact A Doctor
An individual should contact a doctor if hip pain interferes with their daily activities. And if pain persists after the wound has fully healed, they can discuss this with a healthcare professional.
Additionally, if someone suspects they have a joint infection or blood clot, they should seek emergency medical care.
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What Causes Thigh Pain After Hip Replacement
There are two different categories of post-surgery pain we want to discuss. One is completely normal, while the other may indicate some sort of issue.
It should come as no surprise that you experience some pain in the replaced hip and surgery area after you go under the knife. The process of undergoing hip replacement is very taxing on the boney formations in that area, along with all the muscles, ligaments, and even your skin where incisions were made. Lets cover some of the specific potential causes of pain after surgery.
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