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Chronic pain following total hip replacement

Posted , 55 users are following.

sue87388_UK
sue87388_UK

Hi,

I'm Sue and I had both hips replaced in Feb and Sept 2011. Prior to this I had many years of pain and a great deal of difficulty with medical fields trying to determine what was causing my pain. Anyway once it was decided to replace both hips I was happy they had at last found a cause and what I thought was a solution. My first his replaced was my right and this seemed to go okay, it was a total different story with my left. I have been in excruciating back and leg pain since, I cannot walk any distance or stand for any more than five minutes. I need to use a wheelchair if I go out and crutches also, I am stuck at home all day while my family go out to work - I am frustrated and feel useless.

My pain is across my lower back and generates down my legs, my last three toes on my right foot go numb constantly. The pain is tingling, numbness, sharp, deep pulsating pain and electric shock type pain. The more I try to do the worse the pain gets. I spend most of my time with my legs raised as this helps, the pain never goes away but does ease when resting. I have painkillers and muscle relaxants but they do not really help. My hip surgeon like most of the forums I have read told me my hips are fine according to the MRI scan. He then referred me to the Spinal consultant, after nearly a year of seeing the spinal people they have now turned round and said the pain is not coming from my back and there is nothing they can do to help. I asked them what I was supposed to do and they said they had no answers!! I have attended all the physio appointments and even did a three week intensive course along with hydrotherapy - nothing has made a difference.

I lost my job due to all this pain and I am now registered disabled. I had more mobility (although painful) prior to my surgery than I do now. It was nice to read that other people are going through what I am experiencing (although I would not wish this on anyone) it somehow makes me feel better.

I have had numerous cortisone injections in the hips, nerve block of the L4/5 nothing has worked for me post surgery. I had cortisone injection prior to my surgery and guess what it helped - work that one out. I am now being referred to the Pain Clinic (again) and Rheumatology as it was noticed on one visit to the hospital that I had a butterfly like redness on my face and they queried Lupus (still waiting for those appointments - surprise, surprise).

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if anyone would like to respond I would be very grateful.

12 likes, 174 replies

174 Replies

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  • LillySue
    LillySue sue87388_UK

    Posted

    I just read this and I'm having the same problems. Although, yours sounds worse than mine. I have some info from a google search on Trocanteric inflammation. I just finished 10 months of rehab and tingling in my feet comes and goes as well as muscle spasms lateral to L3-5. I'm in the USA in northern New Jersey. You can email me at ____________. I'm also on FB. 

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK LillySue

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your post.  I looked at trocanteric bursitus many years ago.  What rehab did you do and did it make any difference?

      If I can be of any help please ask and good luck wih any further treatment.

  • Rasmust25
    Rasmust25 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    My name is Traci and I'm experience the same exact thing as you I got my labral well doing lunges in exercise class. I then had Hip replacement in Chicago, IL. I started with the lower back pain and leg pain. They found at the University Of Michigan that the leg I had the hip replacement was longer than my other leg by 3/4 of a inch. I found a Doctor out of Beaumont Hospital in Michigan to do the revision, during revision we found out the wrong size stem was also used. The only thing is he did did not replace the ball or socket, so of course I'm back to same pain. I ended up seeing neurosurgeon, then had L4-L5 Fusion with decompression of the L4 nerve root was better for month then back to neurosurgeon he did a right sided SI Joint Fusion, I was better for month back to same thing so the plan is to do a SI Joint fusion on left side where I had hip replacement and revision but before that I need to have my rotator cuff fixed, due to torn from using crutches for so long. Anyways I am wondering if this is all from not replacing this ball and socket. I have had every back injection you can possibly have, even burning of the nerves but no results I spend most of my days in bed and just turned 43. The worst is the pain meds aren't working anymore. So I sympathize with you!

  • edarlingb
    edarlingb sue87388_UK

    Posted

    This happened to me in 2007. It kicked in on 4th day after RTHR. Won't bore you with details, but they eventually conceded it was nerve damage from op. Spent years on opioid patches, though nothing really helped.

    Two more THRs on it later, the pain and other symptoms - cramping, fierce pins and needles, and festiculations - have eased. But they got to the point where they said they had exhausted help and all I could do was pain management.

    Had to retire and register disabled.

    Elaine.

    • Rasmust25
      Rasmust25 edarlingb

      Posted

      I have an appointment with neurosurgeon and orthopedic surgeon Monday, I am gonna bring up the idea of they replaced the ball and socket, if they think it will help. Also I just had MRIZ that says there is mild defacement of the the cal Saxon the left anteriorly at L4-L5 but may be post operative. CT Scan L1-L2 and L2-L3. Mild and broad based disc bulge with moderate ligamentous and facet hypertrophy without significant central canal stenosis or neural for foraminal impingement. L3-L4 effacement of the the cal sac by broad based disc bulge, moderate facet hypertrophy. There is left sided neural foraminal narrowing without significant improvement.L4-L5 not made of lack of bridging ossification in the leftlateral aspect of the disc at this level. Pseudoarthrosis cannot be excluded. L5--S1 mild and broad based disc bulge and moderate hypertrophy, but was hospitalized for 2 days. What should I do?
  • charleen42685
    charleen42685 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Sue - I feel for you - My husband is in the same boat and has had an SI joint fusion, total hip replacement, discs repaced in his back and then a fusion over that. He has had infiltrations, facet blocks , inections and you name it he has tried it to eleviate the pain. he has been also told that they cannot find where his pain is stemming from. He even tried to have a spinal cord stimulator fitted but they couldn't get it in because they said that the muscles were too hard from all the spasms etc.

    We have recently found out that the hip that he had fitted years ago are the metal arm and cup and are of the varity that have been recalled as they have experienced some problems with the metel on metal and it sometimes causes a toxicity that can cause pain in other areas of the body - and which would not show up as a problem unless specifically looked for. He has just had and  MRI and blood tests done (for toxicity) We wont know the results of the tests for about 6 weeks but we are really hoping that it comes up with something so that we can, after many years find a reason for unaccountable pain.

    I am only mentioning this as it might be an avenue to expore - that is if you have had that particular hip fitted 

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK charleen42685

      Posted

      Hi, My hip is ceramic so I don't have the issues relating to the metal on metal.  Thank you for thinking about me though and I hope your husband gets some answers soon.
  • candykon
    candykon sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Sue. Sorry to hear your injections didn't work.  As far as the Rheumatologist I would find another.  I was just referred to a Rheumatogist by my neurologist and she prescribed eight blood test which I will be getting next week. I have the almost the same symptoms as you plus a few more like Fibromyalgia, severe nerve damage in lower extremities.  The electric shocks are the killer though.  I have so many epidurals, fiscets, sacro you name it injections they are just too numerous to count. I have sciatica, spinal stenosis, arthritis and with my latest MRI both contrast and without contrast I have arachnoiditis (nerve clumping). I am suppose to non invasive surgery L4/5 by my Neuro surgeon but my neurologist wants to know from him if this will substantially reduce my pain if not it is not worth going under the knife.  I try to do my own research on the computer to find someone who has or who has had symptoms like mine and what the diagnosis was or cure.  One thing with having arachnoiditis there is no cure, yes there is severe pain.  Besides all this I need both my knees done.  When I go out with my family I look at people walking around, going up and down steps, jumping, kicking and they don't realize how fortunate they are and to appreciate the ability to do these things that I cannot.  I thought it was terrible the day I had to start using a cane, now I just purchased scooter to get around, my new found legs. Pain management and physical therapy neither can help me.  I have had so many different kinds of pain killers and patches prescribed that just don't work and PT just aggravates my condition.  You by far are the closest person that I have found that has gone through the same test and has almost the same symptoms.  My arachnoiditis is not my only diagnosis they think it’s more besides everything else. Please let me know if you hear or find out anything new that could help either one

    of us.

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK candykon

      Posted

      Hi,  Sorry to read your story.  I know exactly how you feel especially not being able to walk any great distance!  I hope you find some sort of relief and if so please let me know and I will do the same to you.  All the best.biggrin
  • L0rissong
    L0rissong sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Sue,

    Hi I'm Lori.  I had a left hip replacement done in May 2012, as of about 6 months ago I started having pain in my back.  i got nerve ablation done and it helped a litte. I do have herniated and bulging discs along with SEVERE degenerative disc disease.  There is a lot going on with my back too, but I specifically have pain with the area around the ball and socket joint.  I've been to orthopedics who did bone scans and found a lesion or a fracture on my femoral shaft but was supposed to be followed up with a hip exray an no one did then I was referred to a neurosurgeon who was supposed to set me up for spinal fusions but that didn't happen.  I'm at the point where I ABSOLUTELY HATE DOCTORS to the point that I don't think they know what the hell is going on anymore. Did they REALLY graduate with medical degrees or techs overtaking the medical scene.  Any advice, I'm in so much pain right now I sit on the couch all day on ice packs, I take 8 Tylenol and 16 motrin 2 alleve, and 8 tramadol a day.  My kidneys are sufffering but I don't know what else to do.  Thanks for listening.

    • dean73761
      dean73761 L0rissong

      Posted

      Lori I am in the same boat as many of the people who have replied to Sue post. We are all looking for answers because it seems that the doctors have been paid and they are looking for new patients to fill their pocketbooks, and aren't worried about their patients that had problems with the THA. I originally went through a hip scope to fix a labrum tear in my right hip and after several unsuccessful months of PT to relieve the pain then I got a second opinion at which time the new doctor said that the first surgery was done incorrectly and I was bone on bone and will require a total hip replacement. I was all for the surgery after being told that this would take care of the constant pain that I was going through. My replacement was done in October of 2014 and it did take care of some of the pain located in the hip joint, but it also created new problem pain and numbness in my feet. I am unable to bear weight on the leg that received the new hip joint or sit in a chair for too long. My injury was work related so in between dealing with doctors that didn't seem to know what the heck they did to me and a work comp insurance company dragging their feet to get me some medical treatment right after the fact in December of 2012. I have dealt with too much of the doctors bs. I spend my days on my couch laying on my left side taking medication non stop. I did go to my PCP in the beginning so he could prescribe me something for the pain. He prescribed morphine extended release tablets 30mg every 8 hours which helped take away the pain, but now they aren't working like they use too. Only took my body 11 months to build up a tolerance to them, but hopefully next week they will prescribe something new to give me the relief I once got from the ms contin. You might want to check to see if your doctor will prescribe ms contin for you. I was actually able to have somewhat of a life till just recently. Never expected to be benched by a doctor screwup at the age of 43, but I haven't given up and continue to push to get something done. Eventually they may find the root problem. Finding blogs such as this one in a way helps me to know I am not alone in this battle of finding a cure for the problems and pain I deal with every hour of everyday. Keep your head up!
  • suep67
    suep67 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi there sue, OMG i swear reading your story was like reading my own near word for word. I'm sorry to here your going through this but now i feel I'm not alone and mine isn't just all in my head....

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK suep67

      Posted

      Hi,  Sorry to hear you are going through difficulties similar to mine.  I would love to hear from you if you get any answers to our pain and I will also keep you up to date if I get any further developments.
  • carol25526
    carol25526 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi sue, I know eacxtly what your talking about. I had a THR of my left hip 6 months ago. I have numbness in both lower legs.horrible buttock pain.thigh pain., horrible pain in my feet, especially when I walk. No Dr. Knows why?? My hip surgeon or my ORTHO dr. They said to do pool therapy & 3 hrs. After I do water  excercises I can hardly walk I'm so depressed .I think I should go to a physiologist for my pain & depression ! I can't stand going through over 1 yr. of pain with no relief in sight If anyone has had these symptoms I wo
  • amy49848
    amy49848 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Sue I have had the same situation I have had both hips done the first hip was fine the second hip was done in October and I had to have a revision surgery done in March due to the fact it came out 3 times I have had nothing but problems pain numbness can't walk now they're sending me to a neurologist for a study was just wondering I am also considered disabled and didn't know if you had applied for any type of Social Security benefits or whether there was any benefits out there I also have been off work for 4 months and I'm going to have to quit my job I no longer Drive only in emergency cases can you give me any input. I am also like you the doctor can't give me any answers and sometimes he acts like he doesn't believe me when I tell him that it's still numb from my hip down to my knee and it only feels better when I lay down and have it up and cannot stand on it only maybe 10 minutes
    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK amy49848

      Posted

      Hi,  Very similar situations, I like you was off work for a considerable time then I was no longer able to work due to pain on sitting for long periods and not being able to walk any great distance.  I had to claim benefits (not something I am proud of) and this was a real battle! My first attempt was unsuccessful so I appealed the decision and this again was unsucessful.  My next course of action according to their procedures is to take it to a tribunal so I did and won.  It should not take all this pressure and stress to get what we are entitled to, I  have worked all my life until this.  I also get disabled now which was slightly easier.  You have to fight the system! I have lost my driving license due to my condition too. Keep me informed on how you get on and if you get any answers that would be a bonus for both of us.  Good luck with everything biggrin
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