Excrutiating pain after total ceramic hip replacement
Posted , 147 users are following.
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
lisa_68170 chris.b
Posted
Chris,
I had a titanium and no pain whatsoever..but it was a recall..to be replaced with
A ceramic 7 years later.I have problems becausr it's my 2nd
Replacement on the same side..mine are adhesions...but you should not have all that problem...something is definitely not right..you should feel good!!.not all that pain...if u have groin pain and all u mentioned it sounds ur replacement wasn't fitted properly...in so sorry
marci35481 chris.b
Posted
I had a hip replacement in Oct of 2015. The ceramic ball broke after 3 weeks. I was back into surgery a week later. After a normal healing process, I went back to work the following feb. I work at Target so I'm on my feet and walking for 8 hours. I had intermittent pain increasing in frequency and length as time goes on. I now have excruciating pain a lot of the time. My X-rays look normal. I just had a CT and it looked normal. I'm so,upset. I have to work but it's horrible. Taking enough Oxy to help,with the pain would be constant and addictive. I'm so lost and upset.
hope4cure marci35481
Posted
Dont nut give up contine to research if necessary go to a different state to visit a revision specialist .
marci35481 hope4cure
Posted
Thank you so very much. I can't give up. I walk anywhere from 5 to 10 miles a day at my job. I must get some relief or I'm out of a job and at almost 60, I can't just get retrained etc.
zbunnster chris.b
Posted
OMG!!!! The pain you describe is what I have been describing to a multitude of MD's following my LTHR in 2015. I was only 53 and very active when I had my surgery. Im worse off now because of the UNKNOWN pain that I am having since then. I have seen other 4 Hip Specialists, 3 Pain specialists, Back Surgeon, and a Orthopedic Hip Revision specialist and they all are scratching their heads. I have had every type of test invasive and not so invasive to try to locate the pain source. Still to this day...Nothing. My next option is Nerve Ablation. This is short of a Revision. A revision is the only real way to see what is causing this pain from my Groin to my knee to the top of my foot. Its the weirdest thing cuz it doesnt hurt all the time, but only when that leg is in certain positions and during movement especially if my leg are apart and I do a squat like to pick anything up off the ground. I have no support in that entire leg and must use a counter or use my hand to support myself when I bend down or try to rise from a bent position. I cant run because it fees as though my replacement is rubbing on another bone. Its that deep of a feeling. Although it does not hurt to a scale of 10 at all times (except when movement), daily walking and normal chores throughout a day makes the entire area from my leg to pelvis and up my back very sore and inflamed. I must livve on Aleve every day. I cannot go a day without taking anti-inflammatory meds or the pain gets intolerable and I can hardly sit or lay still throughout the day or at night. I had pain in my leg and glute prior to surgery but now I have excruciating pain in the groin as well and is worse than before surgery. I dont think I needed the THR. And dont let them tell you its your back. Ive had Myelogram done and multiple MRIs, and Psoas and Back injections, NOTHING has helped with that Groin pain. Nothing!!!!!!!
I feel your pain Chris. Best to you. I wil keep you posted on what happens with the Ablation. I was scheduled for next week 3/15/17 but since Im on Aleve, I think they are going to have to postpone. I may need to be off them for 2 weeks.
hope4cure zbunnster
Posted
So sorry to hear your story sounds ver familiar. See my post below. I was using a cane for 4 years waiting to find an explanation for my pain all docs knowing that my hip was recalled by manufacturer, It was intolerable. Saw tons of docs too from spine specialists PT, to rhuemys. Changed everything in my life.
I would do a revision find a doc to see if there are any ways to help relieve the pain from revision,
many thr docs just just don't admit they made a mistake. THR is so commonly accepted that it's difficult to find other docs to do their research and find any reasons for the pain.
hope4cure chris.b
Posted
Hi Chris.b,
i Am very sympathetic about your circumstances. I also had severe back pain after THR. I have anklosing spondylitis. I went to three different docs and they all said the pain in my hip and glute muscles and femur area was from my back.
Long story short it wasn't from my back in my case it was a loosened femur implant causing the pain hip and back pain and a impinged muscle.also the manufacturer recalled the implant devices.
this post is over a year old just wondering if you have resolved the cause of your pain and feeling better.
none of my issues showed up on MRI, X-ray until the recalled hip was revised last Jan. Then open surgery also,found a hairline fracture in the greater tochanter area at the top of the femur.
Every circumstance is different and it took 5 years to finally sort out what the cause my pain was thru revision surgery.
I know now how frustrating this must be and so many issues causing anxiety sleep issues as well and finding a doctor to find the reason for your pain.
We make the decision for THR expecting to end the pain and move on to a better life and some times we find ourselves caught in a quagmire of uncorporative docs and searching for treatment. I hope your better and resolved this or a better quality of life.
anneee95728 chris.b
Posted
I had a ceramic hip replacement 1 week ago. I am so sorry you are all suffering so.
I was feeling desperate tonight because the pain was better post op than pre op, probs the meds, for a couple of days and now it can be really really painful at times and the GP meds don't help.
It was just everyone says it's so much better immediately after and obv not.
It's just reassuring, in a sad way, that there is pain and that's just how it is, not necessarily popped-out new hip, the big fear.
Night all.
Hope some sleep for all
mark30182 chris.b
Posted
Hi Chris
post op 16 months and still in svere pain from hip surgery I'm new to this site and am due to see mr cronin my surgeon tomorrow and am hoping that it will be a little better than youre experience
monday I am due for pre op assessment for the other hip replacement but right now there's no way i'm having another hip replaced
mark30182 chris.b
Posted
coco_bear mark30182
Posted
Hi Mark,
What kind of pain are you having??
If you don't mind sharing
Thanks
Jackie
Zipman chris.b
Posted
I had a total hip replacement got a surgical infection that messed me up so bad I'm still on painkillers 3yrs on as like Chris I have all the same pains to-date I have had 4 hips RE put in after going 8weeks with no hip I have had 11 washouts and my scar still opens and bleeds to-date and I have just been told it might be my back WTF my back was find until the 15 operations and now to add to it my foot has tripped in size kinda nice to know I'm not alone but sad for them going through the same
Jordan000 chris.b
Posted
At 19 years olds. Due to snapping the ball off the
Top of my femur three times in 4 years
Because I us to race motocross bikes
So they give me a hip replacement and
I also get all the same pains as you
Did you ever find out what was wrong
Or did you sort it at all ????
loni15321 chris.b
Posted
My son has excruciating intermittent pain is it sounds like yours he also had a vascular necrosis caused by cancer treatment when he was 13 years old he had his hip replacements 10 years ago he's 26 now and the doctors can't find anything wrong
amyjoy14 chris.b
Posted
juliet_81364 amyjoy14
Posted
Hi amjoy
I'm so sorry for your pain. I'm a 46yo fm and had a hip replacement in 2015 and a then a revision of that same hip a year later. I also have pain and my hip feels like it's 'grinding in the socket' (only way I can describe it) when I walk for more than 1-2 mins or if I climb stairs. Then it feels like it can't go and I have to stop and re set myself. I do have back issues so that complicates the pain. But my hip revision surgeon is happy with his work and thinks the pain must be coming from my back, I am due to have a back operation at some point soon (NHS waiting lists!) so am hoping that's going to help. I keep questioning whether a replaced hip should hurt like this, will it be for the rest of my life? I take painkillers or would not be able to do anything without pain. I also love a heat pad for the relief. I don't have suggestions just empathy.