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Excrutiating pain after total ceramic hip replacement

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chris.b
chris.b

I had a ceramic total hip replacement 6weeks ago and I'm in agony. I'm 40 yeats old and had avascular necrosis of the rigjt hip.I had a titanium disc replacement 6 years ago in my lower back so I was aware going into surgery it would not be easy. However, when the epidural wore off after the hip repkacement I was in agony, in fact I was in tears and did not sleep a wink until after 5 days when sheer exhaustion set in I have pain in my groin when I move my leg it feeks like it's grating on something.I also have pain down to my knee including my knee. My lower back again is in agony also my right buttock feels like it's being pinched all the time all the way down the back of my leg which I guess is sciatica. I saw the surgeon who preformed the hip replacement today, he says all my pain is coming from my back. What I can't umderstand is why am I in more pain after the op then before. My surgeon was very unhelpful saying I need refered on for my back by my G.P. Has anyone else had excrutiating pain after a total hip replacement. I can't believe the surgeon dismissed my pain and said the hip is fine when the horrendous pain im in only started after the operation. Like I say I'm looking for people with similar situation or knowledge and advice.

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  • angie75811
    angie75811 chris.b

    Posted

    Hi, I'm currently 10 months post THR. 35yrs old. Ceramic implant via anterior approach. About 5wks post op all was well and felt confident on full recovery. Until a crazy hour long physical therapy session. Ever since then I suffer from chronic bilateral calf pain.  Clots and tears ruled out. Had exertional comparment syndrome test. It was slightly positive but Dr claims it should've healed on its own by now.  Also had popliteal artery entrapment test, negative. Basically anything that could be MRI has been since. I struggle to get out of bed each day. The pain is with me at all times. I fear since I have not been able to walk far enough to maintain hip strength that my new hip is suffering the consequences. Because now simple house work kills my hip. Leaving me days of barely weight barring. If anyone has any advice or similarities I would gladly listen. Desperately needing relief. Thank you from Illinois !
    • charles02368
      charles02368 angie75811

      Posted

      Hello Angie:

      I did not have the anterior approach but posterior approch. But I do have a ceramic THR and after 15 month still have excrusiating pain getting out of bed in the morning, getting out of my car, getting up from a chair and to a lesser degree when I walk.

      My 3 orthopedic surgeon are clueless and am changing my health plan from a HMO to a PPO so I can search for a Dr. who has a clue!

      Wish I could shed light on the propblem but I've don't have any insight as to why my condition is the way it s??

      Charles

    • Paulus1949
      Paulus1949 angie75811

      Posted

      Hi Angie.

      I had a similar experience at 8wks post op,severe pain after a half hour physio session.

      Im a great believer in that if something's giving you pain to stop doing it.

      Needless to say it was my first and last session.

      I just did my own basic easy exercises and lots of walking since then.

      Im now 12mnths post op and the hip is pretty good,apart from some pain in the joint after driving.

      Good luck.

       

    • ginger47520
      ginger47520 angie75811

      Posted

      Greetings from the U.S..I'm eight month post opp from anterior THR it is ceramic too.just last week I can now lift that leg into the car by itself.Also getting in and out the bed. Sometimes getting up from a small sitting loo is hard.I have to pull up on something. Physical therapy helped loosen the tight muscles and tendons.pain is almost gone not taking any pain pills.life is looking so much better
    • Hermionie109
      Hermionie109 ginger47520

      Posted

      That's wonderful news, Ginger! I'm so glad to know that your perseverance has paid off!
    • ginger47520
      ginger47520 Hermionie109

      Posted

      Thank you.Actually got wks.So the surgeon suggested more surgery to remove the muscle from the bone.

      That did not make sense.I refused.I'm very glad I did.lol

    • angie75811
      angie75811 charles02368

      Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles too. Hopefully we will find someone or something that can help. 
    • angie75811
      angie75811 ginger47520

      Posted

      That's awesome! I'm going to my ortho dr next tues.  I refuse to accept this is how I will live my life. It's very encouraging to hear how others have overcame these obstacles.  
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 ginger47520

      Posted

      Hi Ginger I was unable to lift my lower leg until 4 months post op. I have femoral nerve damage and Dr said it was because the nerve is not connecting to relevant muscle and that it must have started repair. I am still left with other issues relating to the damage. However I came across a Web site where several people had the same issue of the leg not lifting. Like some of them I used a belt to lift it up to get in the car /bed etc. Nerve damage was not mentioned so perhaps it is something that does happen to some that puts itself right after a few months. Very strange that this distressing side effect is not mentioned by surgeons before going under the knife!
    • ginger47520
      ginger47520 debbie04463

      Posted

      Thank you for your post. My next door neighbor is six months post opp and she still cannot lift her leg into the car tub or bed.

      I had a leg lifter thing I used fire a while.

      I have nerve pain too.down the side of my leg to my knee. Sometimes the nerve pain feels like a bolt of lightning.Also that side is numb.

      Should warn us so we won't feel so alone.

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 ginger47520

      Posted

      My nerve damage is similar area, numbness from inner thigh over knee and down half lower leg to ankle. I liken pains to electric shocks, they are intermittent. It feels unpleasant if anything touches It feels weird when I walk. Have you been diagnosed with nerve damage? Not that getting official confirmation of it helps. Apart from physio and time it seems that if it doesn't improve within a few years then it will always be disabling! I have been discharged from seeing my surgeon unless I have any problems with the replacement hip.
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jackie56101

      Posted

      Hi Jackie my nerve damage was caused by the surgery. Surgeon explained that it was likely stretched when moving the hip joint away from socket. As I probably had a lot of scar tissue from previous surgery for fractured socket(ACETABULUM ) it may have not been clear for him to see.
    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 debbie04463

      Posted

      hi Debbie,  My  nerve damage was from surgery as well I had alot scar tissue , and bone loss . Im doing little better going back to have another nerve test done to see if anything improving . Take care

      jackie

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