1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

A very long road

Posted , 8 users are following.

susan02074
susan02074

I have been a member of this site for 4 years, ever since my first hip replacement in October 2013.

I have found it most helpful in my very long journey.

I would just like to relay my story and hopefully give hope to others out there.

As mentioned above, my first hip (left one) was replaced in October 2013. I wasn't sure at the time that they were replacing the worst one first, I had been having pain in both. During the next 12 months I was still suffering a lot of pain. After X rays etc it was decided to do a second operation, late October 2014. It was found that I had multiple adhesions. These were all separated and I felt no more pain in that leg.

In October 2016 I had the right hip replaced. On the 9thvJanuary this year I fell down outside of the physiotherapists office, suffering 3 fractures in my left ankle and 2 in my left wrist.

Cutting a very very long story short, I remained in constant pain in my new hip. I went back to my surgeon and X rays etc were again ordered. They could see I had a problem but couldn't identify it. He wanted me to have exploratory surgery on my new hip but I said no. I did go and have a second opinion but was not satisfied with that. I spent the next few months having intense physio and working in the gym in the physio centre to strengthen my muscles. All to no avail.

I was in so much pain and limited to what functions I could perform on a daily basis.

I again went back to my original surgeon and said okay lets do the exploratory surgery. I had this done 4 days ago. There were a few adhesions this time but also an enlarged bursa, which he removed but to my astonishment; there was a tendon that was not attached to the gluteus minimas.

I am now 4 days post op? I have no pain whatsoever, just a slight discomfort from the op.

The lesson I have drawn from this is, if you have a problem, to keep going back until you get answers and what are they going to do about it.

I am priveledged in that I live in Spain and I have had everything done privately.

I just hope this helps someone as much as some of the posts I have read, helped me.

Thank you

8 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • lesley5362
    lesley5362 susan02074

    Posted

    Thank you for your post Susan. I am still having problems since my dogs pushed me over following surgery in April. I went for a CT scan last week and on Friday recieved a text appointment for this week to see consultant as he has results of scan.  I just hope it’s not bad news but on the other hand I hope they have an explanation for my pain. I feel like they think I’m mad but I know something is wrong!! 
  • mike_NY
    mike_NY susan02074

    Posted

    Hi Susan , very good point , I had my hip replaced left side January 9 this year, February 13 this year it dislocated it sounded like a gear shift in the car I heard the loud shift and slid off the couch was two hours In tremendous pain luckily I had my phone near me I live by myself in New York upstate a little bit, they pushed it back in , this is about eight months post this location and I have nerve pain so bad that I have pain in my foot rear end my knee, thigh, on that side hurts  constantly ,  you have a good point a lot of us in pain except where we are instead of fighting on I have a appointment hospital for special surgery for my back November 7 I need an EMG already which dome nerve damage in back,,,, l like what you said ! God bless you Mike ,,,
  • jimbone
    jimbone susan02074

    Posted

    Hello Susan-

    Your experience does indeed provide encouragement.  Realizing a THR is inevitable and preparing for it it a daunting proposition on so many levels.  I never wanted to become bionic but have accepted no amount of physical effort will heal the OA and both the pain and loss of mobility will only increase.  Having accepted that I will need to turn my health over to someone else, a decision that is very difficult for me, I want to be sure whoever is taking over is not only the right person but they will get it right.  Holding the medical industry to its obligations and responsibilities can be a David and Goliath story.  I'm so glad you had the tenacity to not give up, to hold their feet to the fire and the courage to see it through.  Even happier that your outcome sounds to finally have come to a positive resolution.  Hope you continue to repair and strengthen your body so you can again enjoy life fully.  Congratulations.

    Jimbone

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK susan02074

    Posted

    Susan, congratulations on coming through your 4 surgeries, 2 on each hip, and working hard to get the answers that you needed! You are 4 days post op, and it's wonderful that you are pain-free, with only minimal discomfort. I hope that you will allow yourself time to heal and not push too hard too soon. I was put on 25 pound weight-bearing for 6 weeks after I had a gluteus medius tendon surgically repaired.

    I have been through half of what you have experienced. I had a THR 2 years ago, and after surgery I was unable to put my full weight on the surgical leg without pain and the leg collapsing, even 6 months and after. I had to go for a second opinion when my original surgeon could not help me. The second opinion surgeon diagnosed tears of my gluteus medius and minimus tendons, and peformed surgery a year ago to repair them. 

    I am not 100% yet, and probably never will be, but I am much better than I was both pre- and post-op THR. I had to persevere to get the answers to my pain and disability, like you did. Not all the physicians have all of the answers. I hope you have an easy recovery!

  • renee01952
    renee01952 susan02074

    Posted

    dear Susan, 

    Warm official welcome to the hippies forum and thank you for sharing your first discussion ... 

    wow ... what a journey ... and what a happy ending ...

    I am sure your recovery will continue to go well, one day, one step at a time .

    be gentle with Susan 

    big warm hug

    renee

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.