Pelvis
Postoperative problems affecting the pelvis (part of the hip) include
- Appearance. Although this can be minimal (if a tiny tube of bone has been taken) and is usually covered up, a large bone graft or flap can leave a long, sometimes itchy scar. Stitches that run under the skin leave a less obvious scar than those that crisscross the incision and which are removed after 10 days. This is enough time to create small stitch scars that are much less often seen on the face where stitches are removed after 5 or 6 days.
- Pain and discomfort. There are a variety of ways to minimise this but the hip takes your body weight, has numerous large muscles attached to it and if these have been interfered with, your hip will be sore for many days and stiff and uncomfortable for weeks.
- Limp. You are likely to walk with a limp for a variable amount of time depending on the amount of bone removed and muscles interfered with. You may need aids to walking for the first few days.
- Difficulty with bowel movement and passing urine. This is usually because of discomfort or constipation created by opioid painkillers.
- Altered sensation. Particularly with large bone grafts or flaps the sensory nerve to the upper thigh may be damaged and leave the area numb.