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Hip dislocation after total hip replacement

Posted , 59 users are following.

hughesy
hughesy

Hi all,

I'm 20 years old and had my first total hip replacement in December 2012 after having problems with my left hip, since birth.

I had a great 5 months with my new ceramic hip and was able to do so much more than I was ever able to pre-op.

However, on May 2 2013, my replacement hip dislocated - while I was with my physiotherapist. I was taken to hospital where my hip was manipulated into place under a general anesthetic. The surgeon there told me that my hip was a little unstable in one position but to go about my day-to-day business as normal and have a follow up appointment with my own consultant who carried out the procedure. Just shy of a fortnight later, I was due to see my consultant at his clinic, as I was putting on my shoes, my replacement hip dislocated again. Again, I was rushed to hospital where my hip was manipulated back into place under a general anesthetic, this time by my own consultant. Since then, it has been decided I require further surgery, which I will undergo next week. Not me, nor my surgeon knows what the procedure will entail as my x-rays look fine but my hip feels unstable.

I am absolutely devastated and wondered if there is anyone out there who has gone through the same thing or can give me an indication into what may be done and recovery times?

Thanks

Emma

4 likes, 107 replies

107 Replies

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  • nicki74079
    nicki74079

    Posted

    Hi Flossy. I thought I would reply immediately as it is worth pointing out that in fact I had two hip revisions done in January within a week of each other because it was immediately obvious that the first op had not worked due to the immediate dislocations I had in hospital within days of trying to stand up. My surgeon redid the whole procedure with a different alignment of the socket which has certainly been more effective although, of course I had those 4 dislocations even after this. I wear a brace for periods of time where I am unsure of my safety ( restaurants, busy streets, shopping etc) and this brings a degree of confidence that really does help. Therefore it is v possible that a realignment of your socket may help, but in the meantime I would also ask for a brace to help you get through those days where you want to do things like gardening, but are scared to do so. The brace effectively helps to prevent you from making those movements which puts you in danger of dislocation ( it is not a 100% guarantee ). It is uncomfortable, but in comparison to what you have been through, I do feel it is worth it. I also wanted to highlight that I gave been given 9 - 18 months timeline because of my misshapen hip and terrible state of my muscles pre surgery as I will need longer than most to develop the muscles to hold my hip in place. If you don't have these issues, I don't think you would need this long and as you have already had longer than this since your surgery, I would certainly be looking for more answers and explanations from your surgeon. It may also be worth asking how much a private consultation would be to speed up your answers. I am devoted to my beloved NHS which has enabled me to walk despite my condition, but I have also in the past paid to get a second opinion. At £200 for my hour's meeting, I found this a worthwhile investment.

    Hope this helps.

  • flossy48
    flossy48

    Posted

    Hi Nicki

    That has all been a great help, thanks. Saw surgeon yesterday and he is going to open me up sometime in the next 3 months to see if either I need new hip or the socket needs realigning, so hopefully this will help. Also am going to see specialist physio to see exactly what and what not I can do which should help with the confidence problem. Have been told can go away on holls with all the family next week so will do lots of swimming and gentle exercise and keep fingers crossed!!

    Thanks again for your comments particularly about the brace and will ask about it.

    Flossy.

  • j_r_e_66738
    j_r_e_66738

    Posted

    Hi

    I've recently had a THR and it dislocated after about 3 weeks. Back into place now and I am being very cautious with it; but my physio strongly advised against swimming - particularly any type of breast stroke leg movements.

    Richard

    • denise85944
      denise85944 j_r_e_66738

      Posted

      How did the hip go back in place? I think mine went out 2 months after a thr but after 2 hrs of horrific pain and my brother throwing me over his shoulder until we could find help it went back in.  My doctor does not believe it went out and claims it could only be put back in by doctors. Unfortunately I am so afraid it will happen again
    • jp66967
      jp66967 denise85944

      Posted

      "Spontaneous" relocation of a dislocated prosthetic hip joint is not rare.

      Most prosthetic dislocations only occur once or twice. Unfortunately there are few (if any) records of the incidence of thr dislocation, since the majority of "hip registers" (which are designed to record all major complications of prosthetic surgery) ususally do not include dislocation as a "complication" unless repeat surgery is performed.

    • ellie550514
      ellie550514 jp66967

      Posted

      Would you consider 10 'spontaneous' prosthetic hip dislocations after undergoing hip revision surgery (all within 8 months) rare or have I just been exceedingly unlucky? Thanks in advance for

      any input.

    • jp66967
      jp66967 ellie550514

      Posted

      While 10 dislocations of the hip following prosthetic replacement is very unusual, and a great disappointment to you, it is important to look at context.

      What was the reason for the initial replacements?

      Do you have a neuro-muscular abnormality?

      Have the dislocations occurred following unusual forces, such as falls?

      (That could illustrate that the primary problem is one of loss of balance, for example)

    • ellie550514
      ellie550514 jp66967

      Posted

      THR was due to arthritis. Failed after a year and told it was due to loosening. Underwent TH revision and dislocated after 2 weeks and subsequently went onto dislocated spontaneously for another 4 times. Had another revision and it spontaneously dislocated another 4 times including whilst wearing a hip brace. Unusual or what. No Neuro probs I know of!
    • jp66967
      jp66967 ellie550514

      Posted

      What kind of arthritis? Did you have protrusio acetabuli? Did you have metalosis?
    • charlene95844
      charlene95844 ellie550514

      Posted

      I would consider 10 dislocations excessive and horrific!  I had  both hips replaced in 2006.  I had no dislocations on either hip.  I was able to go back to all activities (including intense yoga and elipptical training each day)  with no problem, except pain in the left hip always,    Oct 14 I had a revision done on the left hip in hopes that removing the metal liner and replacing it with a polyethiline liner would end the pain.  This did not help.  Now, three              complete dislocations later, on this hip, I am very disapointed and dismayed. My surgeon, whom all respect in Albuquerque as the Very best, has told me there is nothing more he can do for me.  I am quite perplexed.  I dont quite know what to do now.  I feel I am so restricted in my physical movements, because I am afraid of another dislocation, which entails grest pain and suffering, more medical bills, and a feeling of helplessness.  Have any of you felt this way?  Do you have anything you can offer me to move forward?  I am 63 and feel almost disabled now, please help! Your help is greatly appreciated!
    • ellie550514
      ellie550514 jp66967

      Posted

      I had rheumatoid arthritis can find no mention of 'protrusio acetabuli' on my medical records nor has this ever been discussed or raised in conversation with the surgeons involved as a probable cause. Regarding Metalosis - I did have another surgeon review my records who noted metal staining around the component area. Would this be significant? Thankyou for input.
    • MilanNS
      MilanNS jp66967

      Posted

      As I can see you know what you are talking about. Since May 2015 I had about 10 dislocations of left hip, one of them was total and really dislocated after falling down so the doctor reposition it in ER. Then I had to remain in bed for two weeks. The first "partially" dislocation happened when automatic door had hit my left leg. I also had replaced right hip, before the left one, and I don't have any problems. Since May I was excerising a lot, and my sport MD told me that I had neuro-muscular problem. I can jump on left leg, but the last dislocation happened few days ago while I was excersising, but to be honest I was trying to strech my abdomen muscles (I thought that it would not happen) but, left hip went off , but the right one didn't. I had managed to relocate it alone, by myself. Now I know now, what is the position when it can dislocate.

      I was thinking to have MRI scan of left hip, but I am not sure can we get any results, because it might be that the joint is damaged after 10 dislocations (is it possible or not?) or there is something in my joint and it does not allow that everything fits fine.

      Do you have any suggestions?

    • jp66967
      jp66967 MilanNS

      Posted

      It is possible that you have interposing soft tissue, or have broken the lip of the cup.

      This would be one of the relatively few occasions which I would encourage further visualisation, starting with plain x-rays (which are exceptionally useful) perhaps proceeding to other forms of visualisation (including the possibility of arthroscopy)

    • MilanNS
      MilanNS jp66967

      Posted

      HI jp66967,

      Sorry that I had not replied you imediately. Anyway thank you for the suggestion, I would make an X-ray scan and then talk to my surgeon about future steps. I am glad that I had not dislocate my hip last 6-7 weeks, but there is fear of dislocation. I am carrying my stick without using it, just in case.

      Regards

    • dorothylea63
      dorothylea63 jp66967

      Posted

      you do sound as if you know what you are talking about i had thr in august of thisyear i fell and dislocated my left hip 3 times so my surgeon did a revision and since have dislocated 2 more times the last time being this past wensday and i was told it came out in a different place i need some suggestions on what to do should i seek a second sergeons oppion or what . and how many times can a hip be replaced or dislocated before nothing else can be done and is there any chance of having the leg amputated after so many dislocations i am so scared

       

    • Binki_Kid
      Binki_Kid j_r_e_66738

      Posted

      I originally started pool therapy and started doing some swimming.  Why no swimming?  I can understand the breast stroke as you are doing a frog type kick, but what about just regular kicking movements?

       

    • CurtisCrowell
      CurtisCrowell denise85944

      Posted

      I dislocated 10 days after thr surgery for my left hip. I was sitting, relaxed, legs stretched out under the table. The immediate pain was such I broke into a sweat screaming and felt I might pass out. The hip was reset later in the ER under total anesthesia. I had been steadily improving to that point. Sore a bit the next day and lost some left leg strength as a result. After exactly 7 days of continued activity I had a partial dislocation whil e standing in my kitchen. The pain was much less thab before and I was able to get to a pair of crutches. The hip reset itself after about three or four steps in the crutches. I believe the left crutch and the dangling left leg acted like a bit of traction was applied, and the pain went away immediately. Should i have fallen it might have been a different story. I believe the ball rotated out with very slight left and outward rotation while the leg is not load bearing. An having an MRI this week so the surgeon can look for anything amiss. Sonewhat terrified frankly.
    • mike_NY
      mike_NY CurtisCrowell

      Posted

       Hi Curtis I had a total left hip replacement January 9 this year, February 13 it’s dislocated I was sitting on the couch and I heard it click like a gearshift of a car and I slid to the floor and remain that way in terrible pain for two hours until somebody can open the door of my apartment It happens10 o’clock at night i’m about eight months post it never dislocating yet again but I have a lot of nerve pain from the hip to the  thigh, , Knee hurts as well as to the foot, Sometimes the throbbing to the foot is very bad I believe I read somewhere that I might have smashed 

      crush the sciatic nerve,  which could happen with the dislocation . I hope you get well let me know what happens God bless Mike

    • roboman3
      roboman3 dorothylea63

      Posted

      Dr

      Robert L Buly

      Hss

      Great revisionist

      Three then four dislocate in two years now 14 years

      Still get click feeling from etopic bone formation but not from this doc

      It can occur even after dose of radiation

      Prayers  

    • CurtisCrowell
      CurtisCrowell mike_NY

      Posted

      Hi Mike-

        I had a third total dislocation, also anterior, at 9 days following the second (and partial) dislocation.  This time standing in front of a dishwasher, both feet on the floor.  Ambulance to ER, in great pain as you well know. Later reduced in OR. Original surgeon wanted to revise the surgery right then, but I wanted a second opinion.  Dislocation on 07 November, got second opinion 09 October, and had the second surgeon perform a revision on 15 Nov. Now entering 6 weeks of only 10% bearing weight on left foot (where problem joint was). Revison entailed removing original socket, installing new and different type of socket and a different ball (larger) which had "dual mobility" ; is larger; and is rased on a spacer above the original ball site to put more pressure keeping the ball into the socket.  It's my impression that the original configuration allowed less pressure in this regard and a diminished bearing weight on the left foot caused the ball to drop below the socket slightly enough to put me in harm's way with only minor movement. Still traumatized by the sudden onset of incredible pain during the 3 dislocations, but thus are approaching 1 week on the new joint with only usual post-surgical soreness and little pain (though with extreme movement restrictions). I'm basically home bound and somewhat immobile for 6 weeks. Started out with only a simple limp!

    • mike_NY
      mike_NY CurtisCrowell

      Posted

      CurtisCrowell, you been through the mill as l have with dislocations . I never felt Pain like that in my life, it sounded like a gear shift of a car l heard that and knew l was in trouble !!! I slid to floor and waited 2 hours for the drive to my place , then one hour at least in ER where it took 3 try’s to be pushed back in , they insisted on a X-ray , boy did that hurt. Post 9 months , lm a mess nerve pain hip pain , thigh, you know ! Curtis l cannot believe you had such a hard road also , we have to hang in Brother .  Stay in touch ! God heal you ! Mike talk soon
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