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20 weeks post op still pain

Posted , 7 users are following.

georgina1957
georgina1957

I don't know what's wrong had trhr start nov and pain am getting is nearly as bad as before,more I try to excersise more I try to walk worse the pain. I have to go hospital on Tuesday to have an injection only thing is not sure what the injection is, if anyone knows what it is I would be grateful. My doctor said I couldn't have steriod injections cause of the prostisis and also the ones I had before op did nothing

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee georgina1957

    Posted

    Georgina,

    Hi. I want to share my experience, not to scare you, but instead give you a question to ask your doctor.

    Within the first 6 weeks of my hip replacement, there came pain that was worse than before the surgery. Ultimately my surgeon could not find the cause. He took xrays of the device and kept saying that the prosthesis was perfect.

    The pain ended up CRIPPLING me with excruciating pain that would cause me to scream. I had to give up exercise because it hurt.

    A year and a half later I went to a different surgeon for a second opinion and he discovered that my prosthesis had come loose and was hanging there twisted and tilting forward. I just had my revision surgery 18 days ago.

    Keep this in mind because it can happen and maybe your doctor can rule it out as the source of your pain. Also, make sure you know everything about the injection you are about to have.

    We are here for you! We can cheer you on, encourage and support you. Let us know of your progress, ok?

    Hugs

    💛 Dawn, USA

    • sally36012
      sally36012 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Dawn,

      Do you understand why your surgeon thought the prosthesis was perfect, when it was actually twisted and tilted?

      What can we all learn from your experience?

      I do hope you and your new, revised hip are doing well.

      Best wishes and hope for a really good new hip. (I'm 13 days post revision , 22 years post THR and my hip hurts a lot - the scar is about 40cms long)

    • MarthaUK
      MarthaUK DawnDedee

      Posted

      Hi Dawn

      I'm so glad you've got it sorted out. You say the pain started 'within the first 6 weeks'. When did it start? I was really pleased with my progress up to about 5 weeks but then it reached a plateau and now seems to be getting slowly worse. Trouble is I don't know if I'm doing too much as I'm back at work. being self-employed I couldn't stay off too long but most of what I do is sitting at the computer anyway. I haven't been going out for walks as the physio told me to ditch the crutch and it's too painful without!

      I'm going back to the crutch today as I can't bear being indoors all the time any longer.

      This morning I was walking round the office, went to hold onto a table (as I do) and missed - it jarred my hip and the pain was dreadful, it made me cry out. Miserable Me sad

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee MarthaUK

      Posted

      Poor miserable you! That was too cute! I believe that my pain began around the 3rd or 4th week. I have forgotten exactly, however, I do recall complaining of the pain at my six week check up and it never stopped and I am right now 18 days post op From the revision and I can tell that this good.

      Since you shared a few more details, I have some more thoughts. First let me say that YOU live inside your body, NOT your doctor, so if using aids to help you walk is what YOU consider helpful, then by all means use the aids. And we only have one time to heal right. Not using aids when you need to be can create an improper walking style that could cause pain your whole life. Walk with good posture and walk heel to toe and use any walking aid that helps you the best. And buy new shoes. Closed toe and heel and only wear those, because we wear in our shoes when we were walking improperly due to hip problems, so if we wear those shoes with our new hip, it will be easy to pick the improper gait again because the shoes will force it.

      Secondly, while sitting at work you can set an alarm if you have to and once every hour make yourself get up and move around, stretch for 5 or 10 minutes. While you sit, you can pump your ankles to keep good blood circulation going. Also, invest in an incredibly comfortable ergonomic desk chair. For me it matters which place on the back of my thighs my chair touches me. Certain places hurt me after a while.

      I hope you can get back to walking. Hang in there and I hope soon that you can sign off as Happy Pain Free Me! Ha!

      Hugs

      💛 Dawn, USA

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee sally36012

      Posted

      Hi Sally,

      My original surgeon only took xrays of the hip in question, never side by side with my other hip which he had also replaced and that one was perfect. The new surgeon took an xray of both hips in the picture and when I saw it, even I could see that the two prostheses did not match in placement.

      I do not know how difficult it is to search for a particular post back in January, but I posted the xray. My post was entitled something like "I wish I knew how to post an xray". I am on my cell right now and cannot post a photo with it. The tools to do so do not show up.

      Another lessen I have learned is go to a surgeon who specializes in joint replacement only. My first surgeon was a Jack of all trades. A surgeon who truly only does joint replacements will have more skill and focus.

      Another lessen I learned is to ask the doc how far he will go to help fix a problem should something go wrong. Some act angry toward the patient, some find the way to kick you out of their practice, some will drag out finding the root cause of the problem while you continue to pay full price for help with a problem that would not be there if the surgeon had not made a mistake or whatever the reason.

      Sally I do not know how he could not see the prostheses had come loose. It could be that he did not care or it could be that it did not show up until it became nearly detached later on.

      Take care and it is well to ask ask ask questions.

      My new hip feels right. Thank God!

      Hugs

      💛 Dawn, USA

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 DawnDedee

      Posted

      Glad your on the mend Dawn.

      A very informative post for all prospective hip op patients.

      I nearly made the mistake of choosing a general trauma surgeon for my first operation..fortunately I was given the advice you said,ie to find a joint specialist,I was very lucky.

      After saying that my 1st op was performed by a stand in surgeon as my surgeon couldn't do it for some reason..I didn't find this out until I went for treatment on my other hip.

      My first THR took 6 months before it could take my full weight and 12 months on still gives some pain after long walks.

      The new hip can take my full weight after only 5wks..the latest op was done by the specialist surgeon who was supposed to do my 1st op.

      I do worry that my first THR may give trouble in years to come,but I'll worry about that if and when.

      hope you make a speedy recovery Dawn,you deserve some good luck.

       

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee Paulus1949

      Posted

      Thank you Paulus! I feel so blessed that my pain level is near zero just 19 days post op. However this also makes it more difficult to remember my restrictions. I so do not wish to accidentally ruin the new hip.

      Take care and hugs!

      💛 Dawn, USA

  • sue59299
    sue59299 georgina1957

    Posted

    Dear Georgina,

    its awful that you are in such bad pain. There should be no pain that is,nt accounted for, there must be a reason for it and you need to find answers.  Look at what happened to poor Dawn!  

    You should know what they intend to inject into you, the Doctor should have discussed it with you properly.  Have you had an updated XRay to check the position of the prosthesis?   It's time you stuck up for yourself and make a fuss!  

    Are you in the USA?  Or the UK?

    Please do keep in touch, we are all here for you!  Good luck at the hospital tomorrow.

    Sending you love and hugs,

    Sue.  UK

    • georgina1957
      georgina1957 sue59299

      Posted

      Am in uk had xray few weeks ago and they said nothing wrong with prostisis but the pain is just awful work won't allow me back till I am well as I cook at a nursery full time and do everything on my own so on stat sick pay. The doctor said something about muscle sacks when I went to see three wks ago but cannot lift leg up very high when I sneeze the pain is crippling in my groin and still have to lift op leg up as I get into bed.
  • MarthaUK
    MarthaUK georgina1957

    Posted

    Hi Georgina. That's rotten for you! I'm nearly 9 weeks post op and still in pain, wondering whats wrong. You get told it'll all be wonderful and it isn't! The physio says to keep doing the exercises, for which I have to take pain killers as they're so painful. I don't see the surgeon again for another 3 weeks but I feel like crying. It seems hardly worth having had it done 😒

    Let us know after your visit what the jab is and if it works. Lots of love Martha

    • sue59299
      sue59299 MarthaUK

      Posted

      Hi Martha,

      i just feel so sad for you.  Nobody should be in so much pain, no wonder you feel like crying.  I could,nt do the exercises because of a back condition.  When I tried, I developed very painful Sciatica.  I stopped them and just concentrated on my walking.  The world won,t end if you stop yours!  You really have to make a fuss Martha, try and get an earlier appointment to see the surgeon to get it sorted.

      its a slow journey, but you will feel better soon, God Willing.

      We are all here for you, please keep in touch.

      Sending you love and hugs

      Sue.  UK

    • georgina1957
      georgina1957 MarthaUK

      Posted

      I will I have all questions written down so I know what's what gotta be at hospital seven tumoro morning nothing to eat or drink after 11 tunite.
  • paul19337
    paul19337 georgina1957

    Posted

    Hi Georgina,

    DawnDee is right I had a direct anterior right hip op in Oct 14 four days post op I experienced thigh pain like nothing I have ever had in my life, agony just to cross the living room each time I put any weight on it. Whereas with DAA ops you are full weight bearing day one. Having had my left hip op a year previous that was my reference point to judge the difference. We immediately thought it was nerve pain as the pain radiated down through the knee and calf. After endless tests MRI CT EMG studies the surgeon admits the prosthesis is undersized and not incorporated into the femur, creating what they call pistoning. After months of pain and disability they have agreed to do revision surgery although the prosthesis has partly incorporated they plan to change the upper components to address the 9mm shortening of my leg. I would advise you get them to give you a CT scan to discover if the stem is loose as it seems your symptoms seem very close to mine. I am now waiting for another date for my op Happy Days NOT.

    Good luck and hope you get it sorted,

    Paul

    Essex UK 

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee paul19337

      Posted

      Paul,

      So glad you are doing well finally. What I wish to know is how an MRI can be done with metal in the hip?

      Thanks!

      💛 Dawn, USA

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee paul19337

      Posted

      Sorry Paul, I meant glad you are headed into feeling better soon!

      I am 19 days post op and still on pain meds! That is my excuse and I'm sticking to it! Ha!

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