1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Femoral nerve damage after THR

Posted , 71 users are following.

debbie04463
debbie04463

Hi I have had THR last November and sustained femoral nerve damage. I have posted on other discussions but want to ask if anyone else on this site has had the same damage. I am now 8 months post op I have been told by surgeon he thinks  my nerve will recover but nerve specialist cant promise. So far I have had no improvement in the feeling of my inner thigh knee and half lower leg. It is still as bad with also electric type shooting pains. I still need 2 crutches when out dometimes I still use leg brace inside if I have grandchildren as not easy to be with them using a crutch. I now see significant muscle wastage in top of thigh and shin. I can't walk up or down stairs normally my leg muscle won't take my weight to lift me up the step. I I am seeing surgeon tjis week and want to ask for more nerve tests to see if nerves are connecting. Has anyone had this and recovered if so what time period? Thanks in anticipation. 

11 likes, 239 replies

239 Replies

Prev Next
  • mark357
    mark357 debbie04463

    Posted

    Debbie04463

    I must add about a month later I could not feel part of my foot and that was opposite to the surgical site/s, I told my consultant who arranged for a second specialist to come and take a look, he opened up the smaller of the surgical sites did what he needed to do and my foot is a lot better and warmer.

    I can now walk around the house bare footed, I have never done that in all of my 48 years.

  • jane74996
    jane74996 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Debbie

    I had a hip resurfacing done in 2008 and woke up unable to feel my leg. I spent 4 weeks in hospital with excruciating pins and needles and electric shock type pain down the whole of my leg. When I finally got home I had to sleep downstairs as I was unable to get up the stairs due to my leg not having the strength to hold me and fell and crashed in the kitchen badly damaging my knee. The consultant kept insisting things would get better in a few weeks that it was either a bruised or stetched nerve. I sued the trust and won my case because it was proved that they had damaged my femoral nerve and sciatic nerve. Last year I had a spinal cord stimulator fitted which has helped a hell of a lot with the nerve pain. I had to have a total hip replacement in 2009 and five weeks ago I have just had a total knee replacement. I still do not have any proper feeling in my leg, the only way to describe it as if someone has replaced my leg with someone elses. Six years down the line things have improved within reason, but I am still disabled and need to use a crutch to get around and have had to have my car adapted. I was told that if the nerves do not heal within two years they will not heal. Have you had nerve conductive tests, would be an idea to push for the tests to find out the extent of the injuries to the nerves.

    All the best

    Jane

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jane74996

      Posted

      Hi Jane sorry not replied earlier. I have just been back to my surgeon for another check up on my progress.  I have only improved slightly in terms of my knee  does not give way so easily but it still feels as though it will. I am using one crutch indoors most of the time as I still don't feel confident. Numbness drives me mad as does the weird sensation s on my lower leg when touched. I still get the electric shock type pains. I use both crutches outdoors and a wheelchair if I am with family and there would bea lot of walking. I have given up swimming as I cant feel what my leg is  doing and I get increased pain. 

      I can't use the stairs normally either my affected leg has no strength to lift me on to a step. I have had one set of nerve tests outcome was I may get feeling back . As felt no improvement since day one now nearly 9 months post op am feeling worried. Surgeon is referring me for more nerve tests and more physio. I think he is doing as much ad he can to help. At least he is not denying that the op has caused damage. He has also said that unfortunately part of the sciatic nerve that serves the lower  leg is causing the numbness there. I am not sure about suing as I was told as I signed a consent form that has nerve damage as possible risk it cant be done. Though I had the conversation with surgeon last week that he did not explain at the time what would happen if a nerve was damaged. I hope your recovering from your knee replacement well and you get some relief.  I have been driving an automatic with adapted left foot accelerator for 22 years and been using crutches for that amount of time. But the replacement has restricted me further. It hasnot relieved me of pain which is now worse! I am never going under the knife again could not go through it again.

  • joy47826
    joy47826 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi, it's was a bit difficult to register here....also I'm U.S. person so hopefully accepted here.

    I've been looking for this type of group since I FOUND OUT it is Femoral Nerve Damage I ended up with from anterior hip replacement in Oct 2010 in So. Cal.

    Surgery went relatively well, but after 5th month post op, all went down hill..

    Also I ended up wiith IT band damage down outside of thigh. I had a couple months work done on that via A.R.T. release work, and it helped but all is numb and tiingling there too.

    My numbness runs just a little down from incision to top of knee....it's been a nightmare and I have NOT gone to nerve specialist as what CAN THEY DO?

    I don't want drugs, take ibuprofen as it is, so how would they do anything for damaged and/or dead nerve along femoral muscle.

    So for me, it's going on 4 yrs with this nightmare....so much has been worsened by this replacement.joy

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 joy47826

      Posted

      Hi Joy nice to hear from USA what a nigtmare when things do go wrong with the nerves. My surgeon explained last week that they have to pull the hip bone over the socket which can result with femoral nerve damage. They have no choice as it gives access to the socket. As I have scar tissue from my fracture repair of acetabulum (hip socket) the odds of damage were a lot higher than normal.  I was not informed about this before the THR. Nerve specialist test the nerve activity and I suppose can tell the likelihood of the nerves repairing their selves. I hate taking tablets but would not cope without pain killers to at least reduce the pain.
  • joy47826
    joy47826 debbie04463

    Posted

    Have you had HELP going to a nerve specialist?

    What can they DO? If this is nerve damage, it MAY repair some on it's own or it may not.

    Except for prescribing drugs, what else can they do, if anything?

    I muscle test and Pendulum dowse and asked this question to my pendulum and got a strong NO, do not go.

    I'm the last person who runs around to docs with every pain ache etc...I do a lot of my own healing....use my gut on what to do.

  • joy47826
    joy47826 debbie04463

    Posted

    Debbie,, did you have the Anterior Hip Replacement? I didn't think those who had Posterior approach sustained nerve damage.

    My friend who had posterior a few months before I had the anterior, has none of this nerve damage....

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 joy47826

      Posted

      Joy , I dont know the difference between posterior and anterior not asked surgeon what I had. I have a line running at the side of my leg  and it turns to my buttock! I am waiting for an appointment for further nerve tests. I will post when  I  know the results. I hope you are coping with your difficulties, it is hard to live with but we have no choice but to carry on.
    • joy47826
      joy47826 debbie04463

      Posted

      Sounds like you have the posterior. The anterior "cut" is in the very front of thigh and the incision, mine anyway, is about 6" long. It starts at the top of the leg.

      I didn't think the posterior gave nerve damage but I guess it's all possible.

      I just ordered some Acetyl L Carnitine, it's an amino acid and said to help with nerve pain and repair....I'm willling to try almost anything... Vit C is helpful too, 2000mg per day or more, spread out.

    • georgia61514
      georgia61514 joy47826

      Posted

      I had the posterior June 29 2016 , I now have fermoral never damage .. Any surgery any approach theirs is risk of complication . 

         I sign and paper on complications and never believed this would happen to me ! 

  • joy47826
    joy47826 debbie04463

    Posted

    So has ANYONE gotten any positive comments on IF nerves will be restored? Ever or some restoration.

    I had a reply here that was deleted, don't know why and what I even said to get it deleted...

    Hoping the amino acid will help, but don't hold my breath on anything I try...if it works, it's a real GIFT.

    • patricis
      patricis joy47826

      Posted

      I saw this and am interested to know why the forum? would delete this??
    • joy47826
      joy47826 patricis

      Posted

      I don't know, it's rather baffling...don't even know what I said there...

      Well, I just ordered the Barbara Hendel Nerve Pain remedy so hoping it will help....if I'm going to have this nerve damage might as well try to keep it calmed down if I can. Homeopathics can calm things down pain wise. Much of the world use them and the U.S. has been catching on. Finally!!

  • joy47826
    joy47826 debbie04463

    Posted

    I use some homeopathics THAT WORK for me. One in my sleep combo and the other to help reduce pain. I've "messed" with homeopathics for years. I know the UK is a major homeopathic world.

    Hypericum, as a homeopathic remedy, is known for its use in nerve injuries. ... to

    be an important remedy in pain relief for injuries to areas rich in nerve endings.

    I'm probably going to buy this and see if it helps.....homeopathy can do wonders if it works.....

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed a link as it was to a commercial selling site and we do not allow these. This was also the reason the post above was deleted - it was basically the same as the previous post but with a link to a selling site. If users want these specific links please ask the poster via the message facility for these.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398316-adding-links-to-posts

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

  • jenn97588
    jenn97588 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Debbie,  I am 29 years old, in 2011 I had a knee scope in which my femoral and peripheral nerve were permanently damaged. I have 85% atrophy in my leg, my leg is 5.5inches smaller then the other from the knee up and 2inches smaller from knee down, numbness, tingling, severe pain, and sciatica. I walk with the assistance of a stabilization acl lock brace or custom AFO and was using a cane until I fell and tore 3 ligaments in my wrist. In the beginning I went through therapy and every 3months had a EMG and NCV test done to see if the nerve(s) had any change. There wasn't only worse each time. First test done my good leg read 7.3 and my injured leg only read 0.9  second was 0.3, my last test was done December of last year and it 0.01. 

    Not sure if you have had any test done but that's what I had done along with mri. Also look into a good sterdy stabilization brace. My treating physician sent me to a Hanger Clinic to get me set up with my brace(s). 

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jenn97588

      Posted

      Hi Jenn Thanks for your information I am waiting for an appointment for further nerve tests. After10 months I have not noticed any improvements in the feeling in my legs. Infact I think the numbness tingling etc has spread to front of my shin. Do you get a sensation of coldness moving down your leg? I sometimes get this sensation which is really weird. I have used a leg brace for about 6 months which gives me confidence to walk outside. Although also use crutches. My top thigh has muscle waste so surgeon sending me for more physio which starts Saturday. My leg won't lift me up a step its too weak. Surgeon says should get strength back through therapy. I have not measured my legs yet. I have had one inch difference in the shin muscle from my original injury and that had not increased to equal the good leg in 22 years. So  maybe he is not right. I have no knee reflex at all. I have been told it may recover so I live in hope. We have no choice but to cope.
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 joy47826

      Posted

      Hi Joy interesting to hear about your natural remedies. I can't imagine how much more difficult it must be With you having oa as well. I just take tramadol for pain. So the fact you are 4 years from injury you have no prospect of recovery. It is a waiting game for me. I hope your rash continues to heal. Must feel strange on numb area.
    • joy47826
      joy47826 debbie04463

      Posted

      Well, the strange thing is the rash turned up on the numb area....so could be the homeopathics are doing some healing inside the body under the skin.

      The OA I deal with came on at 18 and I've lived with it, and the hip was a break down of cartlidge in groin....didn't you have arthritis to do the replacement?

      I tried Tramadol after surgry and it didn't help me, ibuprofen is my best bet and DGL to keep my stomach happy. DGL is called the stomach lining tamer.

      My acupuncturist used a Tens unit on my knee yesterday along with his needle work and I feel somewhat more flexible today re: knee.....just when I think I'll stop acupuncture, I feel some relief the day after.

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 joy47826

      Posted

      Wow such a young age  to have to suffer that  how awful. I had post traumatic arthritis from damage to my hip joint. Luckily I am blessed with good health apart from my physical disability of my right leg. I have just had a week with back pain. I have had llower ba ck spasms  by my pelvis. I have had several in the  last 3 years. But this was the first for a year. Very painful physio ssid my si joint moves out of place and strains my muscles. I just leant ov er and it went. Finally able to stand upright today. I need to do more back exercise to strengthen it.
    • joy47826
      joy47826 debbie04463

      Posted

      Oh Debbie, I didn't suffer all those years, I worked 40 yrs and my misery came on with groin pain issues at about age 70, replacement at 72

      I had chiro work all my life, even when I travelled and had a wonderful osteopathic MD for 30some yrs in my 30's on to 60 something....he was a wonder back worker...

      My back has been a problem all my life but manageable....started wearing a back support in my mid 60's as I still was goiong to my gym...wore a knee support too....now since hip replacement I wear a ankle support so three supports and all worse since replacement....Spinal stenosis hit me about a year post op and had lots of work on that area, I could hardly sit for 5 minutes, bought a donut pillow and now thank goodness I can sit for hours but I get up often. I play bridge and that's lots of sitting.

      I need to go and ice and stretch too much computer sitting.....

      Back work can be so helpful and so can a suppport help the back...I stretch a lot too.....sure HOPE you get some relief with the back. j

    • jet_martin
      jet_martin jenn97588

      Posted

      Hi jenn, I don't know if you are still monitoring this thread but if so I'm curious if you ended up getting a brace and wondering how it well it worked. My dad had femoral nerve damage and I'm looking for a brace that might help him walk.

      Thanks.

      Jet

    • jet_martin
      jet_martin joy47826

      Posted

      If you did find a brace that worked I'd appreciate it if you could share the specific brand and model # of the brace. 

      Thanks,

      Jet

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.