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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.

18 likes, 376 replies

376 Replies

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  • kim46130
    kim46130 chris.b

    Posted

    Do get in touch. It would be good to speak to you about this.

    Best wishes.

  • jay74137
    jay74137 chris.b

    Posted

    Hi there i am a remidal massage therapist just wondering.

    When you go to sleep are you bring your legs up towards your chest or even sleep with a pillow inbetween your leg.

    If so there might be some muscular tension in your psoas or in that region

    • ginger47520
      ginger47520 jay74137

      Posted

      Yes I still do. But the bend is not all the way to the chest.and that muscle still causes problems at 15 months post op.

      Had four sessions PT.even walking on Treadmill under water.

      Still hard to lift my leg up crossover the other or getting into the car ect.

  • brenda92532
    brenda92532 chris.b

    Posted

    It's only been just over 2 weeks since I had THR surgery. I experienced pain in the foot after surgery but I thought that was normal. When I attended physio no one else had the same pain so I went to the doctors. He dismissed it as nerve damage and said it was too soon. I keep researching the problem as it is getting worse and I have difficulty lifting my leg and pain at the top and bottom. I have asked to see a neurologist and I'm going the doctors this afternoon but he still seems to dismiss the fact that I have nerve damage. I want to know exactly what the problem is so I can get it sorted sooner than be too late. Thanks you for your comments I hope to hear if you have any success
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 brenda92532

      Posted

      Hi Brenda sorry to hear about your pain. The following symptoms for nerve damage are numbness,electric shock type pain,unpleasant feelings in some areas when touched hypersensitive

      Weakness of the knee which feels like it might give way. .Inability to lift lower leg unless you pick it up and place it on chair etc. These are symptoms of Femoral nerve damage and can be felt on the inner thigh over the knee and inside of the lower leg. Sciatic nerve damage is similar but

    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 brenda92532

      Posted

      Hi brenda,  Go see neurologist asap and have them do nerve test thats your next step . Two years ago I had revision done and woke up with me foot not feeling right turns out I now have sciatic nerve damage from that surgery, but it wasnt diagnosed until 6 months after the surgery. Im not saying thats what you have ,but go see neurologist to make sure. I have numbness on left side of my calf and top of my foot with pain standing or sitting to long and weakness burning pain down my leg thigh . I hope you find answers please let us know what you find out

      Jackie 

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 debbie04463

      Posted

      Hi Debbie.

      Thank you for the reply. My pain sounds exactly like you describe it but I can't seem to get my doctor to send me for a nerve conduction test. They just keep saying it's too soon to tell. It's 3weeks now but seems to getting worse. They have given me codine but I can't tell any difference.

  • brenda92532
    brenda92532 chris.b

    Posted

    Hi chris my main problem is my foot. It feels like an elephant foot swollen, tingling and shooting pains. With the added pain in the upper limb and not being able to lift it I feel worse than before the op. I know it's only just over 2 weeks since the total hip replacement but so far no-one will consider nerve damage. I just feel like you that doctors dismiss the excruciating pain and just want to give pain killers. I don't go to see the surgeon until 15th March have you any suggestions as to what to tell him
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK brenda92532

      Posted

      I suggest you google "foot drop" (22,800,000 hits showed up on my search). It is caused by nerve damage and is definitely a possible complication after hip replacement surgery, very rare, but it does happen. Your surgeon should be familiar with it, but may not want to acknowledge it. So the more education you get beforehand, the better.
    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi AnnieK I mentioned foot drop to the doctor and she told me i hadn't got foot drop because my foot doesn't hang limp but I will google it before I see the surgeon on 15th March. Thank you
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK brenda92532

      Posted

      You also might want to google "nerve damage after hip replacement" for more general information about nerve damage. The swelling of your foot sounds very concerning to me, and I would think that alone would warrant an early appointment. Wish you could get in sooner!
    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi AnnieK I have rung the hospital ward today and explained the situation. They are going to have a word with the doctor and ring me back will let you know what happens. 

       

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK brenda92532

      Posted

      So glad to hear this! Will be looking forward to hearin what they say.
  • brenda92532
    brenda92532 chris.b

    Posted

    Hi chris

    After 3 weeks I'm still in pain but not with my hip it's with my foot. I've suffered with my back most of my life from curvature of the lumbar part. This was diagnosed when I was 30 and they told me the severity indicated it was something I was born with. I've managed to work but now I'm retired I've been going dancing and joined a walking group. I was told this was what kept me going. I'm 70 this year but I'm getting frustrated with my foot feeling numb and heavy. I know it's early doors but I just want to know what is happening to it. I haven't seen the surgeon yet but like yourself I keep going to the doctors and ask for a nerve conduction test but they keep saying it's too soon. I'm going again on the 22nd and will keep trying. I've been told you've got to keep pushing.

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK brenda92532

      Posted

      Definitely keep on pushing for an answer. That is not normal. Hoping for the best for you.
    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 AnnieK

      Posted

      Thank you for showing concern. All this time I've been posting it doesn't seem as if anybody has the same complaint with the foot. I'll keep trying
    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 brenda92532

      Posted

      Hi Brenda, like i said 2yrs after my surgery top of my foot is numb side of my calf. I have nerve damage from surgery. I had to find different doctor. Nerve damage is risk we take from surgerys i can't work lost my job still on disability. My first total hip replacement went fine no problems, but the second on the same side left side didnt turn out as good. I was born with hip dysplasia from birth. My nerve damage want diagnosed until 6months after the surgery. Bottom line is you know your body if you feel something doesn't feel right have it checked asap. Take care let us know

      Jackie

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 jackie56101

      Posted

      Hi Jackie thank you for your reply. No-one seems to understand how it feels. I don't want to go 6 months like you had to, My hip seems fine not as much pain but still a bit sore but it's only been 3 weeks. My foot feels so heavy and like a block of ice, is that how yours felt. Like I said I suffered with the cold feeling and pins and needles before but way was it as bad. I've made another appointment with th doctor for 22nd and will try to peruse the nerve conduction test. At least it may tell me what's happening.

      Love Brenda

    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 brenda92532

      Posted

      Hi Brenda, Thats good step glad you able to get appt with your doctor. My foot still feels cold I wear socks alot and when its hot I retain water weight in my foot and leg . I live in the US today its 80 degrees my foot swells alot. I hope you get answers please take care and let me know what you find out

      Love

      Jackie

    • brenda92532
      brenda92532 jackie56101

      Posted

      Hi Jackie i booked on line. I owe at socks even in bed. I don't retain water but my foot is swollen like an elephants foot. I keep it elevated all the time but it doesn't feel any better.

      Love Brenda

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