Excrutiating pain after total ceramic hip replacement

Jules what sort of attitude is that from surgeons? Wait until metal counts in blood are life threatning.! Sounds like a walking timebomb! I would be so worried, what country are you in? Surely you should not have to wait. I think you should insist on getting it changed now especially as you are also having problems with it. They would have to take extra care though as a second replacement is more difficult. All the best to you hope you can get it sorted.

Paulus your muscles might still be weak from lack of use pre op so perhaps need more physio. Hope you get good news on your check up.

Debbie I live in Pa in the US.I have been actively fighting this for the past two years I wish it was that easy as to just tell them to replace the metal on metal hip we thought we were finally getting somewhere this past December they were going to go in and replace the metal cup then a week before surgery called and told me to wait for recall or until my metal counts got higher because they were not life threatening yet.I have read so many blogs and articles online of thousands of people experiencing the same thing.It is a very frustrating ordeal.

I have read articles stating that you guys in the UK and other countries have banned the use of metal on metal implants I truly wish the US would be as proactive in the health of its people.Kudos to you guys. I'm ready to move overseas.

I've never actually met the surgeon who performed my THR, but I saw his registrar this Monday,for my six week check up.

Have to say he was excellent..

He listened to my concerns about my slow progress,and the aches from the replacement joint area.

After examining the new joint area he said the joint was fine and the pain was coming from muscles,nerves and tendons which are stretched when doing the op and that they would eventually settle down,but this would take many months.

Interestingly he advised me against over researching,and reading comments from on line forums,saying it can set seeds of unescessary worry in the mind,and that I was guilty of over thinking things,leading to a negative mindset ?and I needed to be positive and try to live as normally as I did prior to the op and not dwell too much on the aches and pains?

This is in no way decrying anybody who has had a bad outcome from their surgery he said,but that they represent a very small percentage of those having THR surgery, which is no consolation to those sufferers I know.

but In all honesty his advice has changed my attitude completely and I am feeling much more positive,and have far less pain today,even walking a short distance without my crutch,and done some light work in my workshop which took my mind of the hip for a few hours..this could be coincidental,I don't really know.

I'm not saying my new approach can help anyone who has a bad outcome from their THR,but I do now realize that my new positive mental attitude is speeding my recovery.

Good luck to all.

Jules I am sorry for your awful situation. I have read a little about it and there is a recommendation to replace them if they are causing problems apart from the metal in the blood. I suppose a lot of the problem in the US is the fact that you have insurance system thst tries to reduce their costs because of profit margins. Thank God we have the NHS not perfect but we don't have to worry about cost if we need treatment. Though we have a government that is trying to privatise our NHS which belongs to the people of the UK. Do you have to pay upfront if you need to sue Johnson and Johnson for the medical costs incurred by the faulty hips? Compensation does not bring back health but takes financial pressure off you.

My surgeon is a lecturer on the problenms caused by metal on metal and does not use them. Though I don't know what I have I assume ceramic. I wish you all the best and hope you keep well.

Paulus I agree with the positive approach which I am using but if I did not research why I was having problems I would not have known how to cope. Because we have to wait for the six week check up if we have any worries we need support from people having similar problems. My surgeon told me that I had femoral nerve damage and because I had found that out before my visit I knew what questions to ask. All the questions aboutrecovery after our ops aren't always on the information leaflets we are given. I also think which I experienced myself we do get a low period initially which if shared can help us be more positive. I am aware that only a minority experience genuine problems but without doing some research you are left wondering why am I not experiencing the great recovery and no pain and walking for a mile with no sticks that you hear about before the op. I certainly did not expect to be in the position I am now in. I did not know because I had previous surgery, that my replacement is less likely to be successful. I am in more pain than before and no amount of positive thinking stops it. I have learnt to live with it as I have had 22 years practice! My beautiful grandchildren have helped me enjoy my life despite my difficulties. I don't think doctors like us to be as informed as them. I wonder if your registrar has had a replacement. I dont think it is possible for someone who has not been through the same experience to be able to really understand how someone feels. Although his conversation wirh you has been positive for you. Life is good but we all have our life obstacles to overcome, it akso helps to surround ourselves with positive people.

Sorry to hear you are having pain Debbie..hopefully given time the damaged nerves,muscles will repair themselves..

It's in the interests of surgeons not to talk about failure or mistakes,which with the best will in the world everybody makes occasionally.

I doubt my registrar will , have ever had any surgery,being I would say only in his thirties,however I'm sure he was only trying to give me help and reassurance,which he did.

I agree that some people say they have no pain from their new hip,but I did and it was quite worrying tbh,especially after reading of others with complications..but as you say it's best to be aware of this.

I am not out of the woods yet by any means,as my right hip will need replacing once I am recovered from the left,in fact it is now giving me more pain than the operated one,but I shall live with it for a while..don't fancy going through the last seven weeks of pain again just yet.

Hopefully given time to heal your hip will gradually show some improvement..easier said than done when your in pain,but try and keep a positive mental attitude if possible.

Hi Debbie,

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have a positive approach to things and have tried every trick in the book to get this pain to go away, some my own, some recommended by the hospital - but I still have this pain. No matter what I do it will not stop!

Have not put anything on this forum for a while. Thought I would give a update at were I am now at. Its been 13months since I had total hip replacement and suffered nerve damage that resulted in drop foot. My foot is still numb on the top and my big toe is still numb. I still have some pain but it is no we're near as bad as it was, don't know if this is a good sight or not keep thinking to myself if there is no pain is the nerve dead I am due to see the surgeon in 2 weeks but don't hold much hope to finding out if I am likely to get the feeling in my foot back the last two times I have been back he promised me he would find out the result from my nerve conductor test but still nothing. I also have finished physio they said just carry on with the exercises given to you. These I have kept up with daily still hoping I will recover from this nightmare but I am trying to keep positive and get on with my wife as long as I can

Thankyou paulus and Sue for your comments. Paulus I don't blame you for not wanting your other hip done it is quite an ordeal. I was reluctant to have mine done as I did have a lot of trauma and a year to recover from my accident I was worried about going through another major op. I did not have any stiffness in my joint it was very mobile although very painful. I hadnt seen a specialist for years I was told that I would need a hip replacement eventually but was surprised when cortisone did not help surgeon suggested a new hip. I thought that as I was still in my fifties it would be a better recovery for me than waiting. If I new what I know now I would have put up with it for longer!

Pauline sounds like your damage is the sciatic nerve from my knowledge you should be having some recovery as there would have been some nerve regrowth by now but depending on the amount of damage how much it recovers is dependant on that. I have experrienced more numbness down my leg where it was not originally so that concerns me. I am 4 months post op and this week for the first time I lifted my lower leg off the bed. Dont know if that is nerve rejoining the muscle needed to lift it or that my hip muscles are stronger and it is that enabling me to lift it. It is still painful to lift it which I assume is because some of the muscle has not been used for a while I did chuckle when I read the last of your messagedwhen you said you would try and get on with your wife as long as you can I assume you meant life! I would be interested to hear how you get on in 2 weeks Let us know what the surgeon says. I don't see mine until May.

Sorry Debbie I must have pressed the wrong key teach me to preview it in future. When I got the results from the conductor test the doctor I saw said it was my peroneal nerve that was damaged his words were a serious lesion but the hadn't put in the report what the recovery if any there would be and that's what I have been trying to find out. I was on holiday in Blackpool when I broke my hip so the operation took place at the hospital there, I did ask to be refered back to my local hospital and the surgeon said he would like me to see him again to follow it through. Well I have not seen him since its been other doctors each time I have been. This time I am going to insist I am refered back to my local hospital. My hip is fine but I must say it took me a few months to be without pain. We're is your nerve damage and have you had the conductor test. Sounds like you are getting a little stronger. Can you get around on a stick I am not to bad walking short distances but need wear my brace. Will keep you updated what happens. Hope you improve soon Debbie

Something which is given little or no attention in post op advice is the phsycological effects of what is major surgery..namely, being in constant pain for weeks,months and in some cases years..serious sleep deprivation..feeling like a prisoner in your own house..having to rely on your nearest and dearest to be almost like an unpaid servant,and worst of all the fear,real or not,that something has gone drastically wrong..

The combination of all these things I believe could understandably add depression to the list.

I can't pretend to have any answers for these issues,so any advice would I'm sure be very helpful.

Thankfully I may be turning the corner at last,but some of you clearly have some way to go,and I hope you all get the medical attention you need to make a full recovery.

As already said,our NHS is considered by most other countries to be the best in the world.

I had a hip replacement in December of 2009 and have never been without some sort of pain in the hip region since then. Currently I have so much pain in my groin/hip area that walking is difficult and I am back using a cane. it is the same type of pain I had before the replacement. I have consulted with 2 orthopedic docs who tell me the replacement looks fine. Another doctor seemed to think it was bursitis and gave me two injections which made matters worse. He then ordered a back MRI which I did not have. Both my chiropractor and

physical therapist think it is muscle related and I am doing exercises and stretches. After a week I see no improvement whatsoever. So I guess my next move is to once again consult with an orthopedic doctor and see if I can get to the bottom of this. I am SO frustrated!!!!

after a fall {June 2011}, had THR due to breaking top of femur { my replacement is a metal one} my progress was brilliant, everyone said how well I was doing, The following February I walked in the snow and had to lift the leg a bit higher to get over tufts of grass covered in snow, two days later I was in the most excruciating pain, x-rays were normal, strong pain killers of no use, then ultra sound scan and steroid injection for possible bursitis, , injection didn't make any difference, slow but gradual improvement with help of physio, have had relapses since then at various times. Treatments recently have included the normal physio exercises plus acupuncture, then a few weeks ago pilates classes were suggested, the first two were fine just gentle movements on the mat and standing, the third class { with different leader} we had to use some of the apparatus, the ball, bike, trampoline, wobble board etc, and since then I am now using a walking stick again, the pain in my left thigh and groin is unbearable am on pregabalin,naproxen,and co-dydramol with very little relief.have had 3 ultra sound scans, an mri scan of lower back, all normal. Surgeon says the implant is fine, nothing has moved, nothing is loose, so he is happy with what he has done, doesn't really know what else he can do! The whole of my thigh from the groin down to the knee feels like it has a tight band round it which is being pulled tighter,as soon as I put weight on the leg the pain intensifies walking is now a real struggle, weight bearing is the worst problem. Am now waiting for referral from GP to go back to clinic sooner than the end of June. at times it feels like someone is cutting my thigh with a sharp knive or sticking a screw driver in to me and twisting it! Please tell me if anyone else is having these sort of symptons.

Had my hip replacement February 2009 and I am still in pain. It feels heavy all the time

And tight like a tight band that is being pulled and still very sore where the scar is and can get hot and painfully to touch. I can only walk for a short time with out having to sit down and walk with a stick.

Been back to the surgeon a lot over the years since it's been done, and had a MRI that he said

Showed that the muscle had not joined back and something about the bursitus.

Had my shoe built up half a inch but that did not help also been to gym that did not help.

Some days when it rains it is very bad and a very bad back ache.

I have groin pains too I am on co-codamol for the pain but that dose not help,

Very surprised how meany people that the hip replacement have not been a successes

The stress of the pain has affected my skin also,

Had my hip replacement February 2009 and I am still in pain. It feels heavy all the time

And tight like a tight band that is being pulled and still very sore where the scar is and can get hot and painfully to touch. I can only walk for a short time with out having to sit down and walk with a stick.

Been back to the surgeon a lot over the years since it's been done, and had a MRI that he said

Showed that the muscle had not joined back and something about the bursitus.

Had my shoe built up half a inch but that did not help also been to gym that did not help.

Some days when it rains it is very bad and a very bad back ache.

I have groin pains too I am on co-codamol for the pain but that dose not help,

Very surprised how meany people that the hip replacement have not been a successes

The stress of the pain has affected my skin also,

Had my hip replacement February 2009 and I am still in pain. It feels heavy all the time

And tight like a tight band that is being pulled and still very sore where the scar is and can get hot and painfully to touch. I can only walk for a short time with out having to sit down and walk with a stick.

Been back to the surgeon a lot over the years since it's been done, and had a MRI that he said

Showed that the muscle had not joined back and something about the bursitus.

Had my shoe built up half a inch but that did not help also been to gym that did not help.

Some days when it rains it is very bad and a very bad back ache.

I have groin pains too I am on co-codamol for the pain but that dose not help,

Very surprised how meany people that the hip replacement have not been a successes

The stress of the pain has affected my skin also,

Had my hip replacement February 2009 and I am still in pain. It feels heavy all the time

And tight like a tight band that is being pulled and still very sore where the scar is and can get hot and painfully to touch. I can only walk for a short time with out having to sit down and walk with a stick.

Been back to the surgeon a lot over the years since it's been done, and had a MRI that he said

Showed that the muscle had not joined back and something about the bursitus.

Had my shoe built up half a inch but that did not help also been to gym that did not help.

Some days when it rains it is very bad and a very bad back ache.

I have groin pains too I am on co-codamol for the pain but that dose not help,

Very surprised how meany people that the hip replacement have not been a successes

The stress of the pain has affected my skin also,

Update on the nerve damage I have got after hip replacement. I have been back for my check up. I had a x-ray on my hip and that Was fine. My drop foot and numbness he says is slightly improved and because I am feeling tingles down my leg and foot it is a good sign the nerve is growing. He is sending me for another conductor test to compare with the first one if there is improvement. He said he didn't think the nerve had been cut just stretched. I have another appointment in 4 months.