Thigh pain after hip replacement: Treatment, causes, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Is it normal to have thigh pain after a hip replacement Medically reviewed by Daniel Wiznia, MD — By Steph Coelho on May 31, 2022Most people experience some pain after a hip replacement. In some cases, pain may radiate to the thigh. Doctors call post-hip replacement surgery pain in the thigh femoral stem pain. A hip replacement is a common procedure that replaces a hip joint that is no longer functional. Some people may need hip replacements as they age due to wear and tear on the joint. Others need them due to degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. According to older data from 2002, thigh pain is a common symptom following hip replacement surgery. More recent findings suggest that the rise in the use of cementless femoral stems has increased incidences of thigh pain. Historically, surgeons used bone cement to secure cemented hip joints. The new cementless joint allows the bone to grow and attach to it. Despite its benefits, cementless surgeries are more likely to cause femoral stem pain than cemented procedures. However, while thigh pain is a possible complication, it does not usually persist over the long term. Most hip replacement surgeries result in a significant reduction in pain and improved quality of life. Read more to learn about how long pain can last, how to cope with it, and more. How long should pain last Share on PinterestChooChin/Getty ImagesPain after surgery is fairly typical, and a hip replacement is no exception. When a person has this procedure, their body has undergone significant trauma to replace the damaged joint. While this will reduce pain and discomfort in the long term, it can cause acute pain in the short term. Most people can expect mild to moderate swelling and pain to subside in 3–6 months. According to 2015 data, post-operative pain becomes chronic in about 10% of people who receive a total hip replacement. This means the pain is ongoing. If a person experiences pain several months after they have healed from surgery or has pain that interferes with sleep or daily function, it may be a good idea to contact a doctor. Treatment options For some people, thigh pain after hip replacement surgery will go away on its own without treatment. However, others may have pain that lingers for several weeks or months. Strategies for recovering well at home and reducing pain can include:Preparing the home: Making sure the home is a comfortable, safe place to recover is an important way to avoid unnecessary pain. Proper wound care: People should pay careful attention to wound care to avoid infection and additional pain. Elevation and ice: Elevating the affected leg and icing it can reduce swelling and pain. Pain medication: Most doctors will prescribe or recommend some form of pharmaceutical pain relief. Others may experience chronic, or long-term, pain. When typical pain treatments and at-home remedies do not work, a doctor may recommend further options to fix the issue. If a person experiences ongoing pain, they should contact their doctor to discuss their options. Symptoms In most cases, thigh pain after a hip replacement is mild to moderate. This pain typically occurs in the mid-front of the thigh. It may feel as if an ache and come and go. Some people may also experience discomfort that presents as numbness in the thigh. Causes Various factors can contribute to thigh pain after a hip replacement. The type of surgery, natural biomechanics, and type of hip replacement a person has are all factors. Several of the main causes of thigh pain are:a loose implant, meaning the bone cannot grow into the implant, causing small amounts of movementan infectionthe bone is more flexible than the stiff stem, causing the implant to painfully press into the cortical bonea thigh bone fracturebone remodeling, which occurs when new stresses make the bone remodel According to a 2019 study, the hip joint design may affect a person’s pain following surgery. The study found that people who had short-stem uncemented hip replacements were more likely to experience chronic thigh pain than those who had wedge-shaped, straight-stem uncemented total hip replacement surgery. In addition, the researchers found that bow-leggedness had links to mid-thigh pain. Some people may be more likely to experience complications due to physical differences and biomechanics, such as being bow-legged. According to a 2020 retrospective study, physical differences in bone shape likely play a role. Because it takes time for the bone to attach to a cementless hip joint, a person may need to avoid activity for several months. Returning to activity too quickly may increase their likelihood of complications such as thigh pain. Sometimes, the joint may loosen with activity, causing pain to radiate to the thigh. Although some people think age, weight, and other factors influence postsurgery pain, this is likely not true. Results from a 2020 study suggest that the following are unlikely to cause thigh pain:sexageweightheightbone density When to contact a doctor A person should contact a doctor for mild to moderate pain lasting more than 6 months. Severe pain that makes it difficult to function may also be cause for concern. Additionally, if other symptoms accompany the pain, it may be a sign of infection. Symptoms that may indicate infection include:swellingrednessdiscolorationhigh feverdrainage or pus coming from the wound pain that worsens with activity or rest Summary A total hip replacement surgery can significantly improve a person’s quality of life, but it is a major surgery that takes time to heal. Thigh pain is a common complication after surgery. For most people, it will go away on its own, and a person can manage it with medication and home remedies. Before a person undergoes hip replacement surgery, it is important to discuss potential risks and complications with a doctor. Last medically reviewed on May 31, 2022Bones / OrthopedicsPain / Anesthetics 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Brown, T. E., et al. (2002). Thigh pain after cementless total hip arthroplasty: Evaluation and management [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12470040Chung, H., et al. (2020). Correlation between anterior thigh pain and morphometric mismatch of femoral stem. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6986963/Gielis, W. P., et al. (2019). Increased persistent mid-thigh pain after short-stem compared with wedge-shaped straight-stem uncemented total hip arthroplasty at medium-term follow-up: A randomized double-blinded cross-sectional study. https://www.arthroplastyjournal.org/article/S0883-5403(19)30041-5/pdfHayashi, S., et al. (2020). Risk factors of thigh pain following total hip replacement arthroplasty with short, tapered-wedge stem [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32767085/Hip replacement surgery. (2020). https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/hip-replacement-surgeryOrthoInfo. (n.d.). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/Wylde, V., et al. (2015). Preoperative widespread pain sensitization and chronic pain after hip and knee replacement.https://journals.lww.com/pain/fulltext/2015/01000/preoperative_widespread_pain_sensitization_and.9.aspxFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Daniel Wiznia, MD — By Steph Coelho on May 31, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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