Groin pain after hip replacement surgery is a common condition that affects thousands of people each year. Groin pain after hip replacement occurs when the scar tissue around the hip joint becomes inflamed and painful.
Scar tissue develops over time due to the healing process following hip replacement surgery. The scar tissue does not go away completely until several weeks after the operation. The scar tissue and surrounding muscles become stiff and inflexible, causing the hips to lock up. This causes pain in the groin area.
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Causes
Hip arthroplasty (hip joint replacement) surgery is performed to treat severe arthritis of the hip joint. Arthritis causes inflammation of joints resulting in pain and stiffness. A hip joint replacement involves replacing the damaged bone with metal prosthesis. Hip replacement surgery is done to relieve pain and restore function.
Groin pain after hip replacement surgery may occur due to nerve damage caused by surgical trauma. Nerve injury occurs when the nerves are stretched, compressed, cut or bruised. Pain may occur at the site of the operation, along the scar, or around the thigh area.
Hip replacement surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. Anesthesia helps relax muscles and prevents movement. Patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery should avoid strenuous activities for 2-3 weeks.
Groin pain after total hip replacement surgery is usually mild and lasts for few days only. However, some patients experience prolonged pain and discomfort. If you experience any type of groin pain after hip surgery, consult your doctor immediately.
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How to Cure a Groin Pain After Hip Replacement
The best way to treat groin pain after hip replacement surgery involves addressing both the underlying problem and the symptoms. The underlying problem is the stiffness of the scar tissue and surrounding muscles. To address this issue, doctors prescribe exercises to strengthen the affected muscles.
Doctors also recommend stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles.
Doctors may recommend physical therapy to improve range of motion and flexibility of the hips.
Doctors may also recommend steroid injections to temporarily relax the scar tissue and surrounding muscle. Steroid injections are injected under the skin at the site of the hip replacement. Cortisone injections are preferred over triamcinolone injections since cortisone injections are less likely to cause side effects. Side effects associated with cortisone injections include nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, thinning of hair, increased appetite, weight gain, and mood changes.
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Home Remedies for Groin Pain
Home remedies for groin pain after hip replacements involve taking supplements and eating foods rich in omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are essential fats that play a role in maintaining good health.
Eating fish regularly is a great way to get enough omega fatty acids. Fish contains high levels of omega fatty acids.
Other foods containing omega fatty acids include flaxseed oil, walnuts, and almonds. Flaxseed oil is particularly helpful for reducing scar tissue formation.
Walnuts and almonds are also effective natural remedies for groin pain after surgery. Both nuts contain high amounts of omega fatty acids.
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Conclusion
Groin pain after surgery is a common condition affecting millions of people every year. It is important to address the underlying problem of scar tissue formation and stiffness of the hips. Once the underlying problem is addressed, home remedies like omega fatty acid supplementation and nut consumption can help alleviate the discomfort of groin pain.