After TWO years of THR I am still using a crutch

Posted , 9 users are following.

THR was September 30th 2015 and surgeon said sometimes it doesnt go right!! 3 X-rays done 5 weeks ago, Nuclear Scan, CT Scan and Orthopedic Scan show hip is good but operated leg is 10mm shorter now. Pain is 24/7 in the Muscular ares on the outside of the new hip. Surgeon said it is Tendon/Muscle damage and offered me Shock-wave treatment to dull the nerves. On Zap-pain and use Biofreeze. Doctor today gave me Gabapentin tablets to take 3 every day! AND Co-codamol tablets. I am not a lazy person, I have a business (Cattery) which I now have to have Husband doing and do all my own housework. Gardening is a No No and I still unable to drive. I get very bad leg/foor cramps at night too. Anyone else experiencing more pain AFTER their Hip Replacement. So depressed, i actually broke down in frony of my doctor today. My life has changed so much since the operation and honestly worse then before the hip relpacement.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    So sorry that you’re going through this Jennifer. Is this all from the length discrepency? How about physical therapy, no help? I hope it improves. They should be able to heal muscular and tendon pain. Post when you need to. We’re in your corner!
  • Posted

    So sorry to hear that I guess the leg cramps and are something we expect I’m only day 9 and still getting them but to go as lng as you have is sad my heart goes out to you I suffer from depression do I no how you must feel hope things pick up for you x
  • Posted

    Hello Jennifer....sorry to hear of your pain.  I sympathize as I too have had problems.  I dislocated my first rhr and wound up having a total hip revision 3 weeks later. Was 6 weeks non weight bearing and no hip exercises or hip flexion past 80 degrees.   Dr diagnosed me with tendonitis and bursitis.  Then 5 months later I started getting severe sensitivity in my thigh. Turns out that the femoral cutaneous nerve was injured.   Very hard nerve to treat.  Have had injections in the nerve and not much relief.   It got so bad that even the softest blanket was  bothering  me    All this summer I could only wear shorts and had to hike up the leg of the shorts so it wouldn’t touch my thigh in a certain area.  Pain Dr has me taking 75 mg of lyrica 3x day.  It helps some.  I am now using a spinal stimulator that wa put on yesterday. Pain dr said it would help with nerve.  I’m hoping.   I get good days and bad days.   I’m 14 months out now.  It’s been a very long and slow recovery.  I cried every day for months.  I was so sad and mad what had happened and how I was feeling.  It was hard.  I’m getting better but it’s been slow.  So don’t give up hope that you will get better.   Unfortunately for some of us we have problems and out healing takes longer.   Prayers that you will get better soon.   And come here anytime to vent and to let us know how you doing.  Hugs 🤗 Linda

  • Posted

    Jennifer95507,

    I wish I could turn back the clock. I would never have had th I surgery. I feel like My life has been destroyed. I have cats, too, and thank God every day for my 2Ragdolls and 1 Siamese. I have to take of them because I have no one else. I'd take a bullet for any of them. Let's just.hope and pray that One day we'll wake up pain free. Take care. Dana

  • Posted

    Jennifer, I am so sorry for your pain. I have posted to this forum before saying I wish I had never had my THR. I am in pain 24/7, have trouble sitting, driving, sleeping, and I can't do most of my former activities. Unlike you, however, I am only 9 months out. My good news is that I see a new doc for another opinion on the 31st of this month. Things that have helped me include gentle water exercises, deep tissue massage, and meditation. I am also lucky to live in Arizona, and am able to have a license for medical marijuana, which helps me sleep. It is really hard not to get depressed when you are in pain all the time. But hang in there, keep trying to get answers and solutions, and know that everyone on this forum understands and is rooting for you!

  • Posted

    Hi Jennifer, sorry you are having so much trouble. I was in agony after my THR, pain in side of leg. Eventually found out I had nerve damage. Was put on Amitryptaline which worked. I had gabapentin when I had a nerve out in my foot and had pain in foot after op and burning, it worked brilliantly, Being in pain constantly really brings you down. Have you thought of a second opinion? Hope you find a resolution soon xx
  • Posted

    Hello Jennifer

    Sorry to hear you are still having pain.  I had my hip replacement January 2016 just after you.  I'm still having pain but mine is in my foot.  After seeing various Physiotherapists and doctors I have been diagnosed with damaged nerves in my foot.  Apart from taking pain killers, Gabapentin, which don't seem to give me any relief, I'm told there's nothing they can do for damaged nerves.  I saw an orthopaedic surgeon who told me the problem came from an old injury.  It's 55 years since I was knocked down by a motorcycle causing multiple injuries one being a broken tibia and fibia on this leg.  He says the pain in the foot is coming from this injury.  The 2 Physiotherapists say it's from my spine.  I was in pain before the operation and when it got too bad to be able to walk with my rambler friends I decided to have the operation. Now I'm Ina worse position with my foot than before.  Like you I feel useless, I have a cleaner and a gardener because last may I dislocated my hip gardening and was back in hospital.  I have a husband but he's not interested in the house.  I get bad leg/foot cramps at night too.  My left has changed also.  I used to go line dancing an energised dance for the over 50 group and on long walks with the ramblers.  I'm not able to do these now but at least I'm driving and go out with my sister for a little walk and call in a cafe.  When I go out with my husband he is a fast walker so he goes off in front and I amble round.  We do meet up for a coffee.  I feel my situation is worse than before and I get depressed.  I tip that I am older than you, 71.  At least I am retired and don't have to worry about a business.  I can understand your frustration and I feel so sorry for you.

    Brenda

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