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

Back again

Posted , 12 users are following.

edarlingb
edarlingb

Most of you won't remember me. So many new names here.

Quick résumé: 2007 LTHR. Disaster. Left in dreadful pain and nerve damage. 2 years of myriad tests showed nothing. 2009 eventually suspected heavy metal contamination so revision. Didn't work.

Left to get on as best I could with morphine and other meds. Had to retire.

October 2014: obvious I needed LTHR. Had lost all confidence in original surgeon so sought alternative opinion. Felt immediate rapport with new guy. Op went ahead and was an absolute breeze. Apart from developing blood clot on lung. At checkup, however, he took me back through all old xrays of right hip and showed me that the head of the device had become detached and was free floating up through my pelvis. Bit of a shock.

He was convinced he could fix it, despite the three-fold risk factors. Didn't really have an option anyway.

So. Had op 2 weeks ago. (He said he was able to just put hand in and lift the head out, complete with its 7 screws.). Some complications (muscle on side of bum is 'dead'; not attached to any bone) and altogether quite a bit more painful but really feeling very optimistic. Am more flexible than I expected; exercises going great; sleeping well and generally being good to myself.

Told I'll always have a limp because of the muscle damage, but, hey, if I can get through with less pain, that's good enough for me.

Be well, everyone. Take cheer.

Elaine UK

4 likes, 43 replies

43 Replies

Prev Next
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee edarlingb

    Posted

    Dear Elaine,

    I am so happy to hear of this surgery success despite all odds! I remember you and yes there are a lot of new names on here, and perhaps that is because of the excellent reputation this site has developed with its wonderful caring people.

    Life changes so dramatically when excruciating pain is lifted doesn't it? I cannot be happier for you!

    Love and hugs

    💛 Dawn, USA

    • edarlingb
      edarlingb DawnDedee

      Posted

      I totally agree. And bless you for your kind wishes.

      Elaine

      x

  • Sredni393
    Sredni393 edarlingb

    Posted

    EDB wow you've been through  yet another harrowing journey.  Sleep is so important so that's a good start.  What have you been advised re butt muscle. I find that if that's weak, then merely standing is tiring.  There are lots of videos online for strengthening those glute muscles and the ones underlying, but found it's been a v slow process.  Esp in yr and my cases where the implants are not custom made for us tiny women but our frames must accommodate unwieldy components.  Anyway it sounds as if things are more positive for you now.... Thinking back to your clot etc and all those loose bits of metal migrating around your skeleton, you gave been through purgatory poor thing. Onwards and upwards. Take it easy .... Elaine and May your progress increase exponentially..   S
    • edarlingb
      edarlingb Sredni393

      Posted

      Great to hear from you again, G!

      Yes, we certainly seem to have gone through the wringer.

      I'm still not sure where things are at with the 'dead' muscle': just told that it will never be functional. Don't even know which it is - just the one at the side of the hip. Will have to ask. Doing masses of exercises to try to work up compensation for it.

      The new component he put in is known as a 'bi-polar'! Apparently mega strong and flexible. Again, will have to look up.

      Be well. Take care x

    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 edarlingb

      Posted

      Good on you for working the muscles. Do you mean around the entry scar?  Mine has/have completely atrophied around there, like an emaciated equine! Yet we're told they (muscles) have memory. I guess it's all the layers not just the muscle, knitted with scar tissue. There is a constant pull under the incision.  But the mere fact you can exercise is a wonder. Brava again. Nite.Sarah
  • dorothy40208
    dorothy40208 edarlingb

    Posted

    OMG and I thought I had suffered, you poor thing, I had TKR on 19/3 this year, ended up with cellulitis in my leg and phlebitis in my arm from the cannula, sent out in this state too.left to my own DR to sort out, 9 days after discharge from one hospital rushed back into another with a blood clot on right lung, 6 months blood thinning tablets, still achy painy knee and very stiff on mornings but hoping things get better, so much support on this site,as no one tells you what to expect. Hope all your troubles are behind you,( excuse the pun) take care, x
    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 dorothy40208

      Posted

      D I feel v strongly about your point "no one tells you what to expect".  I've been pulled up on here for doing just that. Someone actually corrected the number of failed THRs. What about the number of unsatisfactory results, surgeon error, unrelenting pain, and all things in between before revision is undertaken.  Failed May be construed as component failure, when in fact we all know there are hundreds of thousands of us who had less than satisfactory surgeries.  Those of us who must look forward with trepidation to the other side being operated are rather too well informed now!!  The dread is overwhelming.  Your case is horrific.  But it's still early so you'll improve too, exponentially (littering that about a bit today!). S
    • dorothy40208
      dorothy40208 Sredni393

      Posted

      Because everyone is so different,( thank goodness) each one has different experiences of the op itself, and the pain afterwards, fellow patients in my ward were in and out after four days, for hip and knee surgery, I was in for two weeks, put it this way, they are not getting my other knee, D
    • edarlingb
      edarlingb dorothy40208

      Posted

      Thank you so much. Sometimes, not much fun, is it?

      Never mind - onward and upward x

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee dorothy40208

      Posted

      Oh Dorothy, you have also suffered so much! I sure hope things become better for you.

      💛 Dawn, USA

  • barbara17317
    barbara17317 edarlingb

    Posted

    Good to hear things are going well for you now after all your problems.  Lets hope it continues to do so.
  • roy13298
    roy13298 edarlingb

    Posted

    Hi Elaine

    Wow you been through it there makes my problem seem nothing....hope you carry on making good progress and wish you all the best....take care roy

  • nicolasav1975
    nicolasav1975 edarlingb

    Posted

    Hi Elaine.

    What you have been through is amazing and an absolute inspiration. Im so so pleased for you. Whats a limp if you can be pain free!! Well done. Xxx

    • edarlingb
      edarlingb nicolasav1975

      Posted

      Nicholas

      Thank you so much and - on that subject - a bit of an update.

      I'm told by friends that the 'limp' I have is virtually imperceptible. Not bad for a few weeks, even if I say so myself.

      Everything crossed.

      Thanks again

      Elaine x

    • nicolasav1975
      nicolasav1975 edarlingb

      Posted

      You'll probably find that the limp will slowly disappear over time as your body adjusts. I had THR in january & felt that one leg was very much longer than the other. Ive had lots of physio & home exercises & have found things slowly levelling out. I definitely still have a limp as i sometimes catch a glimpse of my reflection..but im confident this will lessen as time goes by.

      Keep us updated on your progress.

      Good luck x

Back to top
Prev Next

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.