Post Op Week 5: Is Hip Popping Normal?

I see this concern being posted all the time and wanted to share what I've learned regarding popping in the hip Post op.  Obviously, this is a tense subject.  You go through all this trouble and then the fear sets in...what if?  Especially when you do something as simple as stand up from the couch or roll over in bed and you hear and feel a jarring hip pop that sends you into a panic.  So, what's the deal??

Joints pop and your post-op hip will too, but a pop related to tearing that repaired labrum is not likely to leave you guessing.  If you compromise that repair, you're gonna know because it's going to hurt.  The joint can pop due to fluid and gasses and this is normal.  It might happen up to a year or even forever!  It could also be breaking up of scar tissue.  So, talk to your OS or PT if this is happening, but find some comfort in knowing, it's most likely nothing to worry about.  I've found it happens most often when I've been working my hip hard and it gets a flare up or really stiff.  Especially from a standing to sitting position, but always feels better afterwards...it does take my breath away everytime it happens though!!  Yikes!
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I've been off crutches over a week now and life seems to be pretty normal again.  Don't get me wrong, it's hard to keep up with housework and the kids, but I'm managing.  I actually drove several hundred miles yesterday with the kids on my own to see my brother's first baby girl on the day she was born!!  So happy to have healed up enough just in time to be there, something I certainly was not expecting!

As I mentioned before, i was allowed off crutches two weeks early.  And this week got to add some new and exciting work to the PT program.  12 minutes with light resistance on recumbant bike, 5 minutes eliptical (broke a sweat, felt awesome, no pain whatsoever!!).  Also started some light squats, toe raises, more challenging bridge work and a little bit of weights.  It was a great day.  Also got the go ahead to start swimming laps.  My hip actually held out longer than my shoulder.  That was pretty depressing actually, can't enjoy my first swim due to my bad shoulder, but hoping to get that worked out soon.

As for progressing, there is some limping, especially after a long day, but I haven't picked up my crutches in about 4 days now.  Every day is some improvement and I'm getting pretty close to forgetting altogether, which can be bad.  Yesterday I squatted down to help my daughter put her shoes on and my hip screamed at me!!  It's easier to forget as I get more mobile.  But that is also a great, great thing.  I've taken a total of maybe 3 ibuprofen all week, so pain is tolerable.  It's really only sharb jabs of pain when I turn certain ways, getting out of car, etc.  But hardly any of that pre-op aching.  I think I'm crossing the point of where I'm better off now, but I know it's still a long road ahead and even my PT told me I'm going to hit a point where it gets hard and I'll have to push through the pain.  I'm up for it though, bring it on!!!  I'm just ready to be healed and on with it.

Sorry for the extra long message!
Vanessa:)