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Femoral nerve damage after THR

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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

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  • keysha93100
    keysha93100 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Deb, I was dx with femoral mono neuropathy after surgery in 2010. Unable to do a leg raise,pain in the thigh area and lots our muscle wasting I endured for 3years. I had tremors when the nerve would try to regenerate the muscles. When the femoral nerve is effected, you won't be able to go up and down the stairs normally. The nerve take a long time to heal and even if it does some ppl have so much atrophy that they never completely get their mobility back. That's me but things are better..I'm walking but please get pt so you can a better chance of healing. See a neurologist.
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 keysha93100

      Posted

      Hi Keysha  thanks for your post.  I am  now  one  year  post op. I have improvement on  the  stability of  my  leg ie it  doesn't  give  way but  sometimes  it feels like  it  might. I have  had  extra  physio  for  the  last  3 months which  has helped me discard using a crutch indoors and slightly  more strength in my leg. But try as much as I can I just can't go up or downstairs normally.  I just don't have the strength in the muscle. I have now been signed off physio so I suppose I should just keep up the exercise. The numbness from the top of my inner thigh right down to top of my ankle and half my shin is still there. No improvement.  In fact the more I am active the more the muscle seems to hurt. Physio seems to think I should try and use one crutch when out walking to build the strength. Don't think they realise that walking is not a pleasure and to cope with any distance I need to use them otherwise I would not walk outside at all. I know my own body,  al add on been using them for 22 years since pelvic and ankle fracture left me with chronic pain. THR was supposed to relieve the groin pain. Ironically I am worse now then pre op. Still when you watch the news these days life for me is good and I just cope as like others there is no choice! I did have further nerve tests about October  and they show the weakness in my muscle and skin sensitivity. Hope you are coping well. I  assume that you have not had great progress. My surgeon thought that I would be fine after a year. Seeing him in January to see how I am after the physio. I think he feels bad about the outcome of the surgery. 
  • val_54026
    val_54026 debbie04463

    Posted

    hi debbie i to have numbness in my feet i had my lft knne done 10 years ago my right hip now 3 years ago and my left kneedone 8 mooths ago and i get numbness in both my feet and up to my knees so uncomfortable my feet swell and i can not get nice shoes to fit me i am seeing my dr again on tuesday i have had enough of it now it is so un comfortable
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 val_54026

      Posted

      You have certainly had  difficulties. Has your  numbness  been there  since  you're  first  op? Apparently apart from physio and time I don't think there's much they  can  do  for  us apart from 5 tablets!! I have read  they  can  do  an  operation  on  a nerve but  personally I am  not  prepared to go through another op. Hope you get some answers from your doctor. 
  • val_54026
    val_54026 debbie04463

    Posted

    i am not going to have another op eithr never the same after horried isnt it
  • Genesis1
    Genesis1 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Debbie, About a year and a half ago I fell and broke my left shoulder. I had to have shoulder replacement. I had no trouble with my shoulder it was pain down my arm in the back of my hand. It was terrible pain. No numbness. I Now know it was nerve pain. I am happy to say the pain is gone and I can use my arm! First surgery I ever had. I was 70 years old. Then I was told by a specialist that I needed both hips replaced starting with my left one. Again I had no problem with the actual surgery , But I was left with nerve pain and numbness in my leg from my knee to my foot. Went through PT and was doing good. Then the cold weather hit and I have had a setback. Waiting for an approval for a nerve test and more  PT. I am now 72 and I've had enough of this I want my life back. I hope you get answers from the doctors. He tells me it could take six months to a year and it SHOULD Come back! 

    So glad I found this site to find I'm not alone!

     

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 Genesis1

      Posted

      Hi Glynis  A lot to go through in a short time. I have had the nerve tests. Last Feb and late September.  Some improvement in the muscle since February but none in the sensory nerve. I have recently finished second round of physio and had small improvement in muscle strength but not enough for my leg to pull me up on a stair or down. It's been 13 months since my THR and was told it should be back to normal  within year. It's not! So more than likely  might get small improvement over time but less likely after a year. Sounds like you have sciatic  nerve  damage. You have had to face a lot of change in a short time so takes a while to accept it. Hopefully  for you your nerve will repair. I noticed more pain when I went out in the cold. Numbness feels strange when I walk large area feels tight tingly burning and electric shock type pains. All strange and Alien to how normal leg feels. I admire anyone that goes through 2 replacements very big operation to recover from not plain sailing for everyone.  
  • Genesis1
    Genesis1 debbie04463

    Posted

    Thank you Debbie for responding, I hope and pray that you start improving. You say you've had the nerve test. Did it hurt, I admit I'm chicken.After physical therapy I was doing real good. It's hard for me to go back in when I've   Had this setback. I was walking outside with a cane but inside my home or church I would do some walking without my cane. I don't know why I had this setback. Have you heard of people talking about a setback?
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 Genesis1

      Posted

      To Glynis  and 2 Val. The nerve tests are not too bad. One is where they put pads on certain areas of your leg. The recent one was tested on both legs. They turn machine on and you can feel slight stimulation of the nerves. They monitor the reaction that your nerves make on a computer screen. I think  the reason they do both legs to compare the electrical activity in the damaged nerves. The second test is where they insert a needle into a muscle and try and stimulate the muscle to see if it is getting nerve messages. This is slightly uncomfortable. They then write  a  report of the degree of activity in the nerve. I think they are done to check the amount of damage to your nerve. My muscle is better than it was last February as there was no response at all then. Slight improvement.  When physio tried to stimulate it nothing at all happened. It wasn't until about May that I could finally lift my lower leg without having to pick it up myself! Val I don't suffer from swelling. Sounds like you also have water  retention my legs don't swell. Apparently the lymph fluid goes to where there is damage in your body. 
  • val_54026
    val_54026 debbie04463

    Posted

    hi debbie i read tat you had nerve test what did they do only i am suffering with very swollen feet that fel like lumps of lead i have ha both my knees done and a hip i am waiting for a app to see a dr at the hospital
  • Genesis1
    Genesis1 debbie04463

    Posted

    Thank you Debbie for your response on the nerve test. You've help to relieve some of the concerns of had in taking the test.
  • pauline87
    pauline87 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Debbbie think I have spoke to you before but  it's a while ag. I had a fall and broke my hip after a hip replacement I woke to find I had peroniel nerve damage and foot drop. It's now nearly 2years ago and though I have got a lot of the sensory feeling back I still have foot drop. I have had Two nerve conductor tests wich showed slight improvement. I do the exercises lifting my foot up and lifting my heel up  and I can now walk without any aid I have stopped wearing the foot brace but I throw my foot when I walk but it's more comfortable then wearing the brace the last time I saw the consultant he said it may still come back. But as time goes on I feel it may be about the best I can get it. I feel for everyone that's gone through this. Good luck to you all from Pauline x
  • paul19337
    paul19337 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi Debbie

    I do hope your situation has improved since this posting? I have just joined Patient as I am experiencing similar problems, I had my left hip replaced in 2013 with very little problems, but because I had a spinal fusion in 2013 laying on my back for 6 weeks was a big issue. Because of that I researched direct anterior hip replacement which is much used in the USA I found a surgeon at The Royal Orthopedic Hospital in Birmingham that specialises in this procedure.

    It all seemed to go well and was able to move without pain after the op.

    However four days after discharge the pain started I had Meralgia Parenthetica in the leg and like you was unable to put any weight on my leg without the most excruiating pain in my thigh knee and calf. The surgeon re-assured me by email that it would improve, needles to say it didnt. The added complication is the hospital is 160 mile from where we live in Essex.

    He didnt refer me to my local hospital and the situation got worse, so a friend drove me to the hospital a 6 hour round trip (agony) they found a large hematoma in my leg which they couldnt aspirate as it had congealed.

    Once again I was sent away with a big bag of re-assurance that all would be well.

    Needless to say 3 months post op still the same, I have refused to speak to the surgeon and demanded that I am referred back to my local hospital.

    I have waited 6 weeks for an MRI and yesterday underwent EMG nerve conduction study.

    Obviously I am very concerned prior to the op I was a very fit 67 year old man playing golf twice a week, painting the complete outside of my house, I am now under virtual house arrest as I am unable to walk without great pain.

    I was hoping that your story had a happy conclusion from when you posted this article.

    Please let me know and anyone else that have had similar problems, my own conclusion from my research suggests they have damaged my Lateral Cutaenous Nerve and the Femoral nerve

    Paul

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 paul19337

      Posted

      Hi Paul I have written two posts to reply but my page has crashed twice and lost it. So third time lucky! I am slightly improved but still unable to go up or down stairs all skin numbness and irritation still same. EMG tests show slight improvement on muscle receiving messages. I hope you get answers and help you should have.
  • elaine02151
    elaine02151 debbie04463

    Posted

    I think I am glad to find your site.  At lease I know I am not alone.  But I know know I will continue having trouble. I am from USA and has a THR 1 1/2 years ago.  I have went to the Dr. numerous times But I know now I will continue having trouble.  I am from USA and has a THR 1 1/2 years ago. I have went to the Dr. numerous times but he kept telling me everything looks fine. I would go back and he would order another test.  I have had an ultrasound, bone scan, MRI and Physical therapy sessions for 2 different times (they knew something was wrong because of the weakness that never got better) and he still says everything looks fine. The last time I went back I was so frustrated that when he told me it looks fine I cried. He told me that I need to go to my primary care Dr. to get medicine to get me through the depression. I said what! He said he could see that I was frustrated and depressed. I told him wouldn’t you be if it was 1 1/2 years later and kept paying money out and still no answers? He finally referred me to another Dr. And after he looked at me for 5 min. he said I think you have Femoral nerve damage.  He is sending me for a EMG and NCV. I will go at the end of the month. 

    I wish I would have found you sooner maybe I could have helped myself sooner. There was things that I was never able to do after surgery like lifting my leg. They told me I needed to try harder. It was so painful to lift my leg into bed I thought about sleeping on the floor. The stairs is another one. I was told to keep working on it. I have stairs at my house and I push my self to do them daily.

    Enough complaining maybe I will know find out something. I try to remember to thank God everyday that I have legs and am able to walk. I know that there are a lot worse people out there but I needed some answers. 

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 elaine02151

      Posted

      Hi Elaine I can't see all of your message on the site but it has shown in my email. I can't believe that your surgeon did not know about the symptoms you presented . I am so sorry it had taken that long for someone to diagnose you with femoral nerve damage. I am going to write this on several replies sometimes I lose connection and have to type again. Do you have the following numbness, tingling ,tightness, unpleasant feeling where damaged area is touched. Weakness in your muscle no knee reflex. Trouble walking up and downstairs and sometimes leg giving way? I feel all this in my inner thigh over my knee and under all on the left/inn er side of my lower leg to just above my foot. Also electric shock type shooting pain in those areas.
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 elaine02151

      Posted

      I have had the tests which is confirmation of the damage. Unfortunately after this amount of time it is less likely there will be full recovery. We are unlucky as this is a rare complication during THR. Although hip revision and previous hip surgery increases risk. We need to have physio to try and get the muscles to work better and repair. I have had some improvements but not any on the sensations on the skin which apparently can take longer if they do improve. It makes me angry that you have been treated as though you are making a fuss. I have had read many on this forum who have doctors that do not acknowledge that have damaged them and try and say it is from existing back problems etc.
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463

      Posted

      I am fortunate that my surgeon acknowledged the damage was done during THR. He sent me for the tests and extra physio. I am now left to get on with my life as there is no cure and I have accepted that. I am lucky that I live in the UK and I have not had to worry about affording all the tests and extra therapy and appointments. Although our current government seem to be wanting a USA type of health service!! I do hope that your pain and difficulties improve but if they don't I hope you find the inner strength to live with it as I know it can get you down. I checked my symptoms on the Internet before my six week check up as I knew something was not as it should be after the op. I had all the symptoms of Femoral nerve damage so at least I was prepared when I saw my surgeon.
    • pauline87
      pauline87 elaine02151

      Posted

      I have nerve damage after total hip replacement mine is   perennial nerve damage that has given me a drop foot and numbness up my leg. It's now 2years ago so have had to except it will not get better. I can now walk without a brace but I throw my foot and limp a bit. I have worked hard with the physio and the daily exercise they gave to me I have not got much pain now just occasional  electric shock like pain in my toe. I have had the electrical conductor tests and the last one showed it had not improved much hope you do get some recovery and the answers you want keep strong and don't give in.x
    • elaine02151
      elaine02151 debbie04463

      Posted

      Thank you for answering.  I also forgot to tell you that he said it was my back.  I can see it .. it is your back.  SOOO I went to our spine center and has a series of 3 shots in my back and it did nothing.  They then told me that it wasn't my back.. It was my hip.  SOOO I went back again and that is when he sent me to Physical Therapy again.  The PT had 30 years and said something was wrong.  It was so incredably weak that she didn't see short term help.

      II have 2 friends that had the surgery and couldn't understand what was happening with me,  I will keep in touch.   Thank you

    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 debbie04463

      Posted

      Hello, I have all these symtoms as well !!!! Im at 14 months post op didnt find out about nerve damage until 6 months after my revision. MY FOOT FELT STRANGE AFTER i WOKE UP FROM SURGERY  My doctor said will get better with time never did . Im trying to except that  i lost my job , im depressed I know i need to take one day at time . Im now seeing new pain doctor which i really like
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jackie56101

      Posted

      Hi Jackie sorry for late reply. It's a nightmare for us that thought we were going in for this wonderful hip replacement and came out with other problems. I understand you feeling depressed. If you are left with these horrible symptoms it takes time to accept that this is how it is from now on. I just get on with life as best I can. I do have occasional low times mostly in bed when my leg pain is gnawing away but the next day I see my grandchildren and realise I am still blessed. Hope you are coping better now. I am 17 months post op and don't think I will have anymore improvement.
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