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
  • pam01620
    pam01620 debbie04463

    Posted

    MY name is pam,  I had hip surgery last july. since then I can't lift my left leg to walk normal. I can hang on my walker and lift ,kick it back and forward but can't lift leg my right leg seems so weak to lift my left leg to walk.  I have not had any answers, I went to a spine Dr. no luck,  alot of dr's and no answers. why I can't walk normal..
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 pam01620

      Posted

      Hi Pam which side was your replacement? I could not lift my lower leg on the operated side for 4 months after surgery .suddenly one day I was concentrating hard to lift it up from the bed and it lifted. I was so relieved as I thought it would be hanging doing nothing forever as it was so unresponsive. It was related to femoral nerve damage. I have not fully recovered I have a weakness in my leg and the inner side of my leg down to ankle is numb and feels unpleasant when touched. Have you any symptoms similar? Look up femoral nerve damage and sciatic nerve damage to see if any relates to you. I would see your gp and ask if you can have any nerve tests to test if that is the problem. You may also have muscle wastage due to lack of use which will make your legs weak.
  • pauline87
    pauline87 debbie04463

    Posted

    It's just over 2yrs since my operation fot THR and sustaining nerve damage. I have got  feeling in 4 of my toes but my big toe is still numb also  outside of my leg from the knee and the top of my foot also. I can't lift my foot as well. I have resigned myself to the fact it won't recover. You need to exercise to stop the muscle from wasting. I don't use a stick now or wear a brace but I have a limp and throw my foot when I walk I can't wear high heels thankfully I only have the nerve pain occasionally. Good luck to you all. 
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 pauline87

      Posted

      Hi Pauline like you I am resigned to my lot. I have had improvement in muscle strength but can't go up and down stairs normally, it's painful. I used brace for about 9 months which stopped my leg collapsing until my muscle increased. I do use two crutches when out. Too much pain, increases as I walk so walking is restricted for me. Good luck to you too.
  • pauline87
    pauline87 debbie04463

    Posted

    I also have trouble going up and down stairs I can do it but have to take one step at a time and go slowly. My walking isn't so good but I manage without my stick. But again I have to go slowly. I have to see my consultant at the beginning of June.  He did talk about a tendon transfere so I would be able to lift my foot up but I would be very nervous of another operation after whats happened to me.take care Debbie you still have a chance of recovery xxx
  • Azaila
    Azaila debbie04463

    Posted

    Hi, My dear

    My name is Mohamed, I have had Vnus Closure Procedure, As I have been for an open surgery operation.

    They have removed a small part from a vein a it became varicose and painful, in the meanwhile My right foot calf and my right leg generaly feels weak, numbed and tight as the varicose veins returned and i'm just in twenties (24 yrs).

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 Azaila

      Posted

      Hi I have sympathy for you especially at your young age. Have you had any confirmation why this has happened? Has your surgeon made any comments about wether you will recover from your symptoms? I think you need to speak to a doctor to give you some answers. I hope you get some answers. Good luck.
  • jamie4080
    jamie4080 debbie04463

    Posted

    HELLO DEBBIE!

    I JUST REGISTERED ON THIS SITE NOW, PRIMARILY, DUE TO HAPPENING UPON YOUR POST. WHICH I FRIGHTFULLY RELATED TO...

    I 'VE HAD MAJOR IMMUNE MEDIATED DISEASES FOR MANY YEARS, BUT IT CAME TO A HEAD IN 2008 WHEN I STARTED HAVING "STRESS FRACTURES". I HAD 9 SEPERATE FRACTURES OVER THAT YEAR & A HALF.

    ONE WAS MY RIGHT HIP. THEY PINNED IT, BUT A FEW DAYS LATER MY FEMUR SNAPPED IN HALF AND THEY HAD TO ROD IT AND RE PIN. IN 2009 AFTER I WAS ALLOWED TO WALK ON IT I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY LEFT ANKLE ETC. THEN THE WORST... I KNEW MY LEFT HIP WAS BROKEN. XRAY & MRI CONFIRMED. WE DECIDED TO NOT DO SURGERY. STRANGLY A WEEK LATER MY LEG WENT NUMB FROM HIP TO KNEE, BUT ONLY ~ 75% AROUND, MEANING A SMALL AREA ON MY INSIDE THIGH WAS "NORMAL". THE DOCTORS ALL SAID THAT IT WASN'T CAUSED BY THE FRACTURE!!!! OK? ALL THE SUDDEN A WEEK AFTER FRACTURING THAT HIP THE ENTIRE AREA BECAME NUMB. WHEN I SAY NUMB, I STILL HAVE FEELING IN THE LEG, I CAN STILL FEEL DEEP PAIN.

    I TEND NOT TO COMPLAIN UNTIL THE "ISSUE" IS SO GREAT I CAN'T LIVE WITH IT... SO, AFTER BEING DISMISSED I EVENTUALLY SHUT UP & DID NOT REPORT THE CHANGES THAT FOLLOWED UNTIL JAN 2013. BY THEN I WAS HAVING WHAT FELT (FEELS) LIKE ELECTRIC SHOCK AND BURNING AS IF IT WAS (IS) ON FIRE. THOSE ARE EXAMPLES OF SYMPTOMS IN THE SEVERE CATAGORY. OTHERS CAN BE CRAMPING,STABBING, ITCHING ON THE SUFACE TO DEEP UNDER SKIN AND THE LIST GOES ON... BY NOW I CAN UNDERSTAND YOU ARE LIKELY THINKING I'M CRAZY, IF YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS OR HEARD OF IT.

    MY POINT, THE REASON I FELT I HAD TO COMMENT, IS ON THAT DAY IN JAN OF 2013 I WAS TOLD I HAVE RSD A TYPE OF NEUROPATHY! FOR ME, THE WORST POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS AS I'D ONLY HEARD OF IT ONCE IN MY LIFE AND AT THAT TIME THE STATISTICS WERE MUCH WORSE THAN THEY ARE NOW. ANYONE CAN GET STRUCK W/ RSD FOLLOWING A TRAUMA AS SMALL AS AN ANKLE STRAIN/SPRAIN, ANY TYPE OF INJURY, MINOR TO MAJOR.

    I REALIZE YOUR POST IS FROM 2014, BUT JUST IN CASE IT IS POSSIBLE YOU COULD HAVE THIS (OR SOMEONE ELSE READING), THE SOONER THE DIAGNOSIS THE BETTER CHANCES ONE HAS! YOUR FIRST POST SOUNDED A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO HOME. I PRAY YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE BETTER AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO THINK OF THIS AGAIN. BUT IN GOOD FAITH I COULD NOT IGNORE MY INSTINCTS...

    I HAVE RSD (AKA:CRPS). IN THE U.S., AT LEAST, IS A BIT RARE, IN THAT MANY DOCTORS EITHER HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS OR THEY HAVE A MISGUIDED UNDERSTANDING OF IT.

    IF JUST ONE DR CAUGHT WHAT WAS STARTING (RSD) IN 2009 I MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE FEW THAT AGGGRESSIVE ACTION COULD STOP IT TOTALLY, OR DECREASED RISK OF IT GETTING WORSE AND/OR HAVING IT SPREAD... NO ONE KNEW, NO ONE TOOK IT SERIOUSLY, AND THOUGH I WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY NERVE DAMAGE, BUT IT WAS NOT FROM THE FRACTURE!?!? NO ONE LOOKED FURTHER.

    I DO NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS! I WOULDN'T WISH IT ON ANYONE! HOWEVER AT THE SAME TIME I WANT YOU AND/OR ANYONE CONCERNED, TO HAVE A CHANCE TO JUMP ON IT NOW!

    BECAUSE RSD WHEN AT IT'S WORST SCORES NEARLY AS PAINFUL AS HAVING YOUR LEG SURGICALLY AMPUTATED WITH OUT ANY PAIN MED, ANESTHESIA- NOTHING TOTALLY AWAKE & AWARE- THAT'S HOW IT RANKS ON OFFICIAL PAIN SCALES.

    I AM SORRY TO BRING UP THIS HORRIFIC SUBJECT AND WRITE SO MUCH. THE LAST THING I WANT IS TO SCARE YOU OR ANYONE. I SIMPLY DO NOT WANT THIS DISEASE TO STAY SILENT, AS IT HAS FOREVER & IT WILL IF WE DO NOT SPEAK UP!

    SO, IF YOU HAVE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG +/- GOTTEN WORSE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS DISEASE. IF THIS CONCERNS YOU I RECOMMEND YOU SEE A DR THAT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER RSD PATIENTS. I PERSONALLY WENT TO SEE ANOTHER DR, THAT I HAPPENED TO ALREADY HAVE, FOR A SECOND OPINION. AGAIN, I REALLY WANTED SOMEONE TO SAY HE WAS (IS) WRONG!

    WELL, I PRAY MY INSTICT WAS/IS WRONG. THOUGH AT THE SAME TIME I PRAY THIS WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE THAT MAY READ THIS, CREATE AWARENESS AND INCREASE THE ODDS OF PEOPLE GETTING PROMT TREATMENT.

    MANY BLESSINGS, JAMIE

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jamie4080

      Posted

      Hi Jamie after reading your post I looked up RSD thankfully the symptoms don't relate to me. I understand that some are similar it seems it is more extreme than damage to a paticular nerve. I have had improvement but mainly in the muscle strength as the nerves regenerated but do still have numbness irritation when parts of leg are touched . Electric shock type shooting pains are not as frequent. I have increased pain if I walk more than a few yards. In my top inner thigh it is painful when pressed I assume that is where the femoral nerve is. Your diagnosis sounds horrendous on top of your other immune problems. For some reason surgeons don't like to admit that surgery has caused the nerve damage from what you say it is very likely. The main nerves down our legs are sciatic and femoral. If you look it up as they are so close to our hip joints etc it is very likely damage from surgery. My surgeon admitted it was caused by the surgery but it is very rare. Because I had original surgery of plates and screws from a hip socket fracture from car accident years ago scar tissue would make it more likely. I have also read it could have been damaged in original surgery. I was lucky to escape the first time. Sadly I only learnt all this after having the THR and getting the nerve damage. I think I would have been more prepared if I had known of the possibility. I thank you for posting this and hope it does help other people to look up if they have RSD symptoms after surgery. It seems that surgeons and doctors don't come across these rare injuries to recognise them, so think some patients kick up a fuss. I think they need educating on this issue and admit they aren't god and do sometimes make mistakes. I don't bear any grudge to my surgeon his intention was to improve my life but our bodies are all different and react different. I have accepted this is how my life is but it does get me down on more painful days. I hope you cope with your difficulties, when I compare my problems to yours I am very lucky. Thanks Jamie. I live in UK .
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 jamie4080

      Posted

      Just reread your post and realise that your fracture was not operated on. But as it is close to the major nerves it is likely the cause.
  • roxanne33903
    roxanne33903 debbie04463

    Posted

    I'm having kind of a similar, but not exact problem with my right leg. In February, I fell and fractured L1 and L2 in my back. Wore a brace and had physical therapy. Since that fall, I have fallen quite often. But twice now, when I have fallen; all of a sudden I cannot move my right leg. I can not get it to do what it is supposed to do without putting a great bit of thought and concentration into just walking. I actually have to force myself and think about nothing else than to connect my thoughts with moving my right leg. It usually lets up after a few days. But, it can be really frightening and I cannot seem to get any answers as to why this is happening.

    So, in responding to your leg issues, I am a newbie at this "forum" site and don't want to sound rude that I'm using your post to ask ANYONE for any help as to what is going on with my leg.

    I appreciate any help you can give.

    At this point, I don't even know what type of doctor to start with! Is this a nerve issue? A neurological issue?

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 roxanne33903

      Posted

      HI Roxannne sorry for late reply, if you have similar problems it could be related to your nerves in yor back which connect to the legs. Not being a doctor but only by my experience it is a route to go down. Go to your doctor and tell him your symptoms I am sure you falling down is that your motor nerves are not getting all the messages. I am sure this is very distressing for you it was for me. Ask him to send you for nerve tests which will show up if your nerves are not getting messages through to your leg muscles. It may be temporary but you certainly need to see if there is any pressure on the nerves in your back causing this. You dont want it to get worse if there is something they can do. Let me know how you get on. It's not rude, we all need support and if this is where you have found similar problems then that's good. Hope this helps.

  • mike1964
    mike1964 debbie04463

    Posted

    and with all this they then tel you its all in the head, so the pain etc is nothing wrong with you, its all in your head and the MRI as showed up nothing, or xray or ct scan, thats what they have told me, and now i am on all sorts of meds, 75mg fent, i now have a stair lift fitted, i used a stick, mobility scooter, and walker for in doors, and i was all ok last year up until nov 14th 2014, when they messed up, and i was told i can not sue them becasue i sugned a consent form
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 mike1964

      Posted

      Hi Mike have you the same issues with nerve damage? You have my sympathy. Have you had any Nerve conduction tests for a diagnosis? If not ask Dr to refer you at leaSt that can confirm if that is the problem or not. I had my op Nov 2013 and am a lot worse with walking and pain because of nerve damage done during the op. I am now 18 months post op and think I have reached a plateau of recovery no improvement on pain or unpleasant feelings in my leg from what I read it won't Improve, maybe a little after this amount of time.
  • brian_41807
    brian_41807 debbie04463

    Posted

    Hello Debbie my name is Brian and I feel ur pain lol

    I know it's not a laughing matter but sometimes it's the only thing to do. I can only hope ur doing much better now. I'm a 45 year old male that worked my hip to death with an unknown birth defect. My right hip was shaped like a football instead of a baseball an blew it out lifting a truck part over 200 pds. Needless to say I went under the knife. They performed a hip resurfacing witch I was told was going to be a walk in the park for them Lolol. Boy did they ever eat those words! When I came too the doctor started to tell me how that was the most difficult operation he ever performed for hip surgery. My tendons and muscle were so tight and strong from the work I do that it took 2 men to open up the entry clam and the same to pull and dislocate the hip!! Needless to say they tore the crap out of my femoral nerve. Ok. My operation was May 29 2012! It took an entire 1 year to start to recover and 2 years to fight the muscle back to some what of a exceptable mass and strength. And now the pain has returned and my doctor wants to put a new hip in me! I told him that I'd rather deal with the pain than to ever let him operate again. I'm doing stem cells now and I'll will let u know how it works out.

    Keep strong in ur mind and body. I know it hard to do at times but keep trying and never give up. My thoughts are with u and hope ur on the road to recovery.

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 brian_41807

      Posted

      Hello Brian thanks for the kind words. It's tough living with physical injuries. I do laugh about my situation at times and generally get on with living life within the physical limits. There are times when I have bad days. It depends on the intensity of pain really. Last week had a bad day caused by trying to exercise my leg in the pool and stepping up stairs to strengthen my muscle. It's not the pain you get from using muscles not use to extra work. I had intense burning pain Ali g the femoral nerve. I managed to pull myself up the steps which was really painful. Stairs in the home are a bit higher and can't go up them yet, despite physio. If I tried to go down them normally I would fall from the lack of strength. I haven't had any improvement for about 9months so I think I have reached the peak of recovery. I don't blame you for refusing further surgery I am like you if my hip needs replacing later in life I would rather carry on as I am. Do you still have numbness and hypersensitive sensations when your leg is touched.? Mine hasn't improved I will ask for another nerve test to see if there is any change. Probably about August about 10 months after the last.

      I asked a specialist in Southampton to see if my hip was suitable for stem cell treatment prior to agreeing to go ahead with THR. Unfortunately because of metalwork in my pelvis it would not work. It sounds like maybe it is good for you. I wish you all the best with that. Keep me posted. I would love to hear it worked for you.

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 brian_41807

      Posted

      Thanks Brian for your tips. I pressed my scar from the hip replacement which is quite deep as surgeon went along the same scar from my original pelvis repair. Didn't get any tingle in any nerve! I have never been able to lay on that side since first op as pressure hurts too much and wakes me. I still have no knee jerk response which is part of diagnosis. Part of the numb area has had some improvement and replaced by the unpleasant feeling when touched. I do get the occasional electric shock type shooting pain, which were initially constant in the first 6 months. I will keep exercising but it is disheartening when it is followed by increased pain. I will try the massage on scar area. Though I have done it on the affected area. My numb and tingling area is from my inner thigh down to over my knee and the inner side and half the front of my lower leg. Still very numb in the inner ankle area. It's been 17 months since my op but the main improvement was when my lower leg lifted after 4 months and last August, after extra physio my muscles were able to support my leg and I was able to stop wearing a leg support. It was scary in the early months I fell over a few times until I used the support. So yes there had been improvement but the skin nerves seem to be a lot slower. Are you just looking at stem cell treatment or are you going through the treatment now? I think it is a brilliant alternative and seems to work on a lot of people.
    • brian_41807
      brian_41807 debbie04463

      Posted

      Hey Debbie

      I was hoping that u would have the same response that I had but ur scar could be a little away from the nerve. I know you've seen pics of were the femoral nerve is. Try to find it on yourself from Google pics of the femoral nerve and start to massage the area. What they probably did was stretch or crushed the nerve. Yes,the adipose stem cells from body fat were put in my hip on the 15th and from what I understand they are more adaptable and more in number than the bone marrow Stem cells. My Dr. Went to Europe to learn this new procedure that is very new here in the U.S.. They have been getting great response from it.

      Don't stop trying!!!

      My leg now is no comparison to what it was a year ago. Remember it's been 3 years for me and ur at 17 months. If it gives u any hope at 17 months I was at were you are know. I fell down stairs a lot too and one time I fell right into the cat litter Lolol don't stop building the leg up, give it everything u got cause there's not one coming in the mail because I would have bought it before you Lolol. I know it changed ur life cause it changed mine too but we can change it back just keep fighting it and u will see results. I'll ask my Dr. If stem cells can help nerve regeneration.

      Click here to view image

    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 brian_41807

      Posted

      Hi Brian,

      ThankYou for your inspiring messages. Yes I have done my research online, that's where I found a diagnosis of what was wrong, beforey six week check up as I knew it was not a normal post op feeling. I have my scar shaped liked a Mercedes badge on the top outside of my leg with part of it on my backside. I think I can feel the femoral nerve from the top of my inner thigh as when I follow it down with slight pressure it feels painful and bruised. So perhaps that's where I should massage it.

      Don't envy you falling in the cat litter! That must have been distressing at the time but it is something to laugh at after the event !

      I do hope this stem cell treatment works for you it sounds promising and a lot less traumatic then a major op.

      Keep me posted and I will let you know of any improvements on my side. I am in England, great to be able to contact and share information with people around the world. It's surprising how different our health systems are in terms of getting the help. Seems you need excellent insurance or lots of money in USA. I value our NHS but we have concerns that we our slowly going to be privatised. Lots of private companies being offered some of our common operations due to the increasing population. I had my hip done in a private hospital paid for by NHS. The same surgeon operates different days in the NHS hospital next door!

    • brian_41807
      brian_41807 debbie04463

      Posted

      Wow! England, lol I thought u were probably around the corner somewhere here in the U.S. Lol. I guess things are tough all over. Ur right about r insurance here, man it's rough.

      I believe that stem cells will be the new medicine of the future. If u want to watch something that will blow ur mind Google Stemcell spray gun for burn patients on video, u won't believe ur eyes. The Doctors and inventors r thinking outside the box and if it's just a seed very soon it's going to blossom like a weed with big beautiful flowers. Look at the phones that we use lol if it's exciting to build u can't stop them from going nuts with it. The only thing I'm afraid of is human nature for greed that would put the brakes on it. But that hasn't stopped scientists in other parts of the world like Germany. U got to hand it to them, they r the leaders in Stemcell research and giving it to the world. I forgot to ask, do u have a bruise down by ur inner knee? Just curious. I never had one but after that surgery I have one that will never go away. How does that happen when u have hip surgery lol

      Click here to view image

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.