I have severe RLS that affects my legs. It is well controlled by a combination of low dose morphine sulfate and 300 to 600 mg. of Gabapentin
taken at bedtime. In addition, I stretch and massage my legs for about ten minutes before bed. Sometimes I need to get up during the night and repeat that process. My symptoms were better controlled on bupenophrine but it made me so drowsy I opted for the ms and Gabapentin.
I am scheduled for a total fight hip replacement on 4/7 and am very nervous about an extreme exacerbation of my symptoms. Also, Iwon’t be able so stretch and assuage y legs for a few days after surgery. I plan to go back on the bupenophrine which should help control the RLS but still am very worried.
Has anybody with severe RLS in the forum gone through this type of surgery and lived to tell the tale? Any suggestions.?
Thanks so much.
Mac McCulloch
Hip replacement surgery &RLS
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badnights
- Moderator
- Posts: 6400
- Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:20 pm
- Location: Northwest Territories, Canada
Re: Hip replacement surgery &RLS
Hi mackmann
You should get thru the surgery well enough if the surgical and recovery-room team is well-educated about WED/RLS. I have not had hip replacement, which is a major surgery, but I've had ligament surgery on both knees and an ankle, and everyone was pretty good about the WED/RLS issue.
The Foundation published a brochure on how to manage WED/RLS during surgery (Surgery and RLS: Special Considerations for the Surgical Team). Go to https://www.rls.org/Member-publications and click the last tab, "For Healthcare Providers". It would be best to print out 4 copies of this, and at every appointment hand one out! One to the anesthesiologist, whom you should meet during the pre-surgery prepatation meeting. One for the surgeon and one for the recovery-room nurse, whom you'll probably talk to the same day. And one just in case.
There are certain substances that should be avoided during and after the surgery; the anesthesiologist and recovery-room nurse are in control of that. The surgeon should understand, though it might not affect her directly (if you were getting a spinal, she would need to be prepared for possible involuntary movements, but that won't happen with a general anesthetic).
The Foundation also publishes hand-outs for you, as a patient about to have surgery. Go to https://www.rls.org/Member-publications and click the Specific tab. The fifth row has two publications of relevance. Unfortunately, you have to become a member, but the small fee is very much worth it to get all the publications offered.
Prepare well, don't be shy to talk to people and explain WED/RLS to them, and you will be fine!
You should get thru the surgery well enough if the surgical and recovery-room team is well-educated about WED/RLS. I have not had hip replacement, which is a major surgery, but I've had ligament surgery on both knees and an ankle, and everyone was pretty good about the WED/RLS issue.
The Foundation published a brochure on how to manage WED/RLS during surgery (Surgery and RLS: Special Considerations for the Surgical Team). Go to https://www.rls.org/Member-publications and click the last tab, "For Healthcare Providers". It would be best to print out 4 copies of this, and at every appointment hand one out! One to the anesthesiologist, whom you should meet during the pre-surgery prepatation meeting. One for the surgeon and one for the recovery-room nurse, whom you'll probably talk to the same day. And one just in case.
There are certain substances that should be avoided during and after the surgery; the anesthesiologist and recovery-room nurse are in control of that. The surgeon should understand, though it might not affect her directly (if you were getting a spinal, she would need to be prepared for possible involuntary movements, but that won't happen with a general anesthetic).
The Foundation also publishes hand-outs for you, as a patient about to have surgery. Go to https://www.rls.org/Member-publications and click the Specific tab. The fifth row has two publications of relevance. Unfortunately, you have to become a member, but the small fee is very much worth it to get all the publications offered.
Prepare well, don't be shy to talk to people and explain WED/RLS to them, and you will be fine!
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
Re: Hip replacement surgery &RLS
Thanks so much for the info. Much appreciated!
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KoolKestrel
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2025 11:36 pm
Re: Hip replacement surgery &RLS
I had a right hip replacement last June 2024 before I even knew I had RLS! (Diagnosed in Oct. 2024) I received a spinal, but they made sure I was nicely "relaxed" before they gave it to me. I came through the surgery without any accommodations for RLS. Sleeping was difficult for a while because of the pain. I don't remember the RLS being much of a problem during that period. The good news is that the newer anterior hip replacement surgery is much easier on the body than the older style of hip replacement where they had to cut muscle. For me, the recovery was fairly quick. My surgeon didn't even want me to see a Physical Therapist. He said PT's just mess up his surgery and that walking was the best therapy. I was able to drive myself to my 6 week checkup. Now, I also had a knee replacement in October. That's a totally different story--still recovering from that 5 months later! Good luck with your surgery. You will feel so much better afterwards.