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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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  • drblessed
    drblessed sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Oh my God im going thur this exactly and it true. Thank you im gping to show this to my doctor and let them know this happens for real
  • drblessed
    drblessed sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Oh my God im going thur this exactly and it true. Thank you im gping to show this to my doctor and let them know this happens for real
  • melissa531
    melissa531 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Sue. My name is Melissa. In 2014 I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in both hips. I had my right hip replaced in June 2014. The pain obviously got better after surgery but I could barely walk and I still have pain in the hip area. I realized my right leg was shorter than the other so I went for a second opinion. While this new sugeon ran all these test and an MRI. He said everything looked fine besides my leg being shorter and requested that I get a lift in my shoe. While seeing him for my right hip my left hip collapsed and he ended up replacingy left hip. This was September 2015. I since have lost my job and am on long-term disability. All he could tell me is he doesn't know when I'll be better. I'm in pain everyday all day and still need a cane and wheelchair for long walks. If you find a Dr. that can help you please let me know as I have already been through 2. This sucks!

  • jean22973
    jean22973 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi all,

    ?I realize that this discussion hasn't been active since about a year ago, but I happened upon it while doing a search, as I sit here recovering from my own THR, which was 5 days ago. Has anyone suffered something akin to menstrual cramps following the procedure? Of all the other aches and  pains following surgery, this has been early constant, dull crampy pain and I'm wondering if it is just from trauma of the pelvis in general, having had the screws put into the acetabulum. Any thoughts?

    Jean

  • lizzietahoe1369
    lizzietahoe1369 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    I also had 2 hip replacements in last 2 years, first was a breeze. This last one March 2016 was much harder! i am 60, and in pain all hours, in lower L4-L5 (L5 herniated 3 times) can't even sit on couch  and watch TV in evening. I also have 4 toes and ball of right foot alseep due to pinched sciatic nerve for 7 months. He said he possibly could do a nerve decompression but no guaranteess. I am getting injections every 3 weeks, but that can't be good for me either. Still walk my dog to beach and do the things I need to do. Pain has taken my "joie de vivre" want to get back to working and enjoying life again..

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK lizzietahoe1369

      Posted

      Hi,  sorry to hear you are having issues with pain following your THR.  My right foot feels like ice at times and also have numbness in some of my toes.  I have had lots of treatment as you can see from my previous comments.  I am just about to do an update for all to see so I hope this may be of help to you.
  • jennifer95507
    jennifer95507 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Sue...just read about your Hip Replacements. I had Right Hip replaced September 2015...and still use crutches, as pain and limping when I walk, 6 months physio, then 3 months private physio (on-going) and tomorrow I am supposed to have Steroid injecyion under X-ray at the same hospital where I had the Hip replaced and by the same surgeon

    What was the outcome of Lupus and what is it and is there risk of me getting it with the injection.

    Hope you are at least better now. Jenny x

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK jennifer95507

      Posted

      Hi,  I hope your injections were successful, I have had many in the past and am just about to do an update and I hope this may be helpful to you.  As regards the Lupus I would advise you to read about it on this site.  As far as I am aware there would be no risk to you getting this through any injections.  Hope this helps.
  • sue87388_UK
    sue87388_UK

    Posted

    UPDATE - Its been a long time since I posted on here.  After becoming very frustrated at the hospital I was being treated at I asked my GP for a second opinion at another hospital.  After a long wait and multiple appointments later I saw a consultant in a combined clinic (spinal/hip/pain clinic).  I saw a top consultant and after discussions and an examination he feels my pain is being caused by my sacroiliac joint.

    ​I was to be put on the waiting list for a CT sacral nerve root injection.  This is carried out using a special X-ray machine.  This will show if my pain originates from this area and try to relieve this pain with an injection of anaesthetic and a cortisone drug.  Well I have just got my appointment - Monday 27 March 2017.  This diagnosis fits with my pain - pain on standing/walking and very uncomfortable when sitting.  I will update on here after my appointment, it can take 24/48 hours for any relief to take place.  I am very hopeful that this will work (advised if this does not then there is nothing else they can do).  If this injection is successful there are various other options that can be taken, for full info read up on sacroiliac pain and treatment.

    I hope this proves helpful to anyone in a similar position to myself and I wish you all the best of luck in finding answers to your pain.  Good luck everyone.

    • lynne88756
      lynne88756 sue87388_UK

      Posted

      Hi Sue

      ​I can really understand where you are coming from I had a THR july 2015 and noone is giving me any answers . I am also reg disabled and lost my job through a routine operation. I have a ongoing complaint with the Nhs where i also have worked for 23 yrs.. Its a joke had a biopsy taken last month due to fluid and servere inflammation around my hip joint , and still no answers I am being referred to a Professor now and await my appt which will be 6 months i wish i had not had it done now as in more pain and walk with crutches and a heavey limp and have a built up shoe. I hope you get answers and keep pushing them . Lynne

  • david47594
    david47594 sue87388_UK

    Posted

    I had both hips replaced same time right hip is great like you left hip night mare well I think it's my back now barely can put weight down on foot sometimes pain goes from lower back to foot  if they can't figure this out I hAve made a big mistake having hips done hope they figure out your situation

  • teri-USA
    teri-USA sue87388_UK

    Posted

    Hi Susan et al,

    I am in the USA.  I found this site by doing the standard internet search for "post THR chronic pain".  I have read all 168 replies in this thread and was surprised the same symptoms/pain you all have are the very same I experience.

    I had my left hip replaced July 2013. I had a longer recovery (I am by nature a slow healer) Long story short; I was doing OK with the normal post-op lifestyle changes associated by THR until January 2017.   I'll try to make this short.  I have the Zimmer Triligy non-cemented system. The lower back pain started to be problematic, I attributed it to doing something I shouldn't have like moving my garden table by myself.  (I am a naturally strong woman so I know my limits and moving my garden table was not outside of my limits)  The low back pain progressed.  I am at the same place with my experiences as almost all of you;

    1. Low back pain.

    2. Hip/Buttock pain

    3. Thigh pain

    4. Pain while walking and standing

    5. Pain bending over

    6. Pain while standing up from a sitting position

    7. Pain turning from different positions while trying to sleep.

    8. Pain just getting out of bed.

    I have had the facet nerve blocks in L3,4,5.  I've had an MRI to determine the arthritis in my spine.  (we all have arthritis to some degree) I also had to tell my ortho surgeon that I wanted a standing AP x-ray to determine the actual leg length discrepancy because all he would do is a hip x-ray while I was laying on the table.    

    I am leaning towards Sacroiliac joint dysfunction.  I have an appointment 12/27/17 with a colleague of my Ortho surgeon that did my replacement to pick his brain.  I'm not sure why the medical professionals cannot be straight up about these proven problems. 

    I am going to most likely take matters into my own hands for a diagnosis by reviewing muscle groups to narrow down what my precise problem may be.  I am going to focus on the Sacroiliac joint dysfunction first.

    I hope all of you here can find some relief.  I feel blessed I can still work and do other things without the need of a cane, walker or wheelchair.

    Positive thoughts,

    Teri

    • sue87388_UK
      sue87388_UK teri-USA

      Posted

      Hi, after demanding a second opinion I have now seen a consultant who deals specifically with sacroiliac pain. This year I am having further more in depth injections into the sacroiliac joint. If successful outcome they will do an ablation, no time limit as to how long this will last as nerves grow back slowly in some people and fast in others. The procedure can be repeated if necessary. This is the best news I have had in a very long time. Good luck in getting pain free and never give up 😊

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