Hip dislocation after total hip replacement

Hi. Sorry to hear about your problems particularly after such a lengthy period of time. The good news for me is that I have not had any more dislocations with my surgeon and physio v  pleased with my progress as I can now do most (not all) of the things that previously caused my hip to dislocate. I have been very proactive with excercise ( physio and swimming) so my muscles are doing a good job of holding the hip in place. My surgeon feels that after 18 months he and I can relax so I am puzzled and scared to think that these things can happen after such a long period of time. It was clearly stated to me that if I have any more episodes, I will have to have the whole hip re-done with a plastic hip which is bolted in place to prevent more dislocations. However, the longevity of this type of hip is significantly less so at 50 years of age, I am clearly keen to keep my harder wearing ceramic hip. My pelvis and hip socket are very malformed due to my displasia so the angle of my acetabulum was replaced and reconfigured in order to  to compensate for the wierd shape of my pelvis. This has made a positive difference so I wonder if this is the same issue with you? Might be worth asking your surgeon for his view as well as checking if you can have your hip bolted in place? Hope this helps...good luck!

I wish I had advice as I am right there with you!  I just had one dislocation this week and am having to wear this awful brace.  Did you have to wear one?  I am curious as it sounds like you were back to the pool and P.T. after 6 weeks?  That sounds good to me, I won't get cleared for 2.5 months!  It sounds like our MDs all have different advice? 

I am so sorry to hear this.   Following 3 dislocations on my left hip after a full replacement 18 months ago, I had a revision in May.  So far so good and it would appear that my surgeon has literally stapled the socket to the ball!  I have been ultra careful as like you say, the pain is terrible and I am terrified of doing it again.  Have been now doing lots of swimming (crawl not breast stroke) and have started pilates slowly which is helping.  All I can say is good luck and I do hope that it all works out in the end.  I am just keeping fingers crossed and being very careful.  

WOW that sounds amazing, exactly what is anterior hip replacement as I haven't heard of it before.  If I have to have my other hip done then this sounds the way to go as I am still terrified to dislocating the revised hip that was done 18 months after the hip was replaced.

Flossy.

Here is a brief description from an orthopaedic website:

"In the anterior approach, an orthopaedic surgeon accesses the hip joint by entering through the front of the body and going between the hip muscles that help hold the hip joint in place. Smaller incisions are possible with this procedure versus traditional hip surgery. …This approach is what you would call a less invasive surgery than a traditional total hip replacement. With smaller incisions and by going between the muscles rather than cutting them, the surgery is less painful. In addition, the minimal disturbance of the muscle also allows for a quicker recovery and rehabilitation. One other benefit of leaving the muscles intact is that the joint has more stability. This reduces the chance of hip dislocation, one of the risks of hip replacement surgery. Most total hip replacement patients whose surgeries were done with an anterior approach are able to bear full weight soon after this surgery which means they can move forward faster on their return to activities."

When I did an internet search for anterior hip replacement UK, I found an BBC story from 2012 about it: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-17244622

Before my surgery, I watched several videos of the surgery on YouTube and was convinced this was an optimal way  to go. I hope that this procedure is gaining popularity in your part of the world and is available to you. 

 

Dear flossy48: I sent you a reply, but since it has a link to another website, it must be monitored first. It's to a BBC news story called: "Hip replacement device helps to halve recovery time" by Anthony Bartram. It also included a brief description of what the anterior approach entails.

I am sure the other reply will be approved shortly. Otherwise, I will send another description to you.

Dear Hermionie

Thanks very much for such a prompt reply, and I hope that I get the link in the near future which I will be reading with great interest.

Flossy

Wow Thanks so much for all that info on the anterior approach.  I am weighing it up against the complications suffered with both procedures. I just wish I had researched more thoroughly before enduring the pain levels I had with posterior.  Anything which avoids all those cut muscles has to be superior.  I think knowing the number of surgeries any surgeon has done is also crucial, as is knowing whoever does the sewing,  and whether they Wear specs.  I will go privately for my other side and not suffer the ignomies I did. Hindsight is 20/20. I could kick myself if only my leg could cross the median line!  Sarah p.s. so sad to read of all the youngsters needing surgery. ... sometimes due to being born in the wrong position manhandled so badly their tiny hips damaged then being arthritic by 20.. awful

Hi there i just had anterior complete hip replacement 10 weeks ago and am doing fine so far how far can i bend over now and when can i go bowling

I had the anterior and all was well for 2 months however in the last month I have had 2 slips and a dislocate, I wish I could tell you what caused it. Set to see the doctor Tuesday but it now feels unsteady. Good luck

I also had anterior (right) hip relacement in August 2011, and shy of 6 months post op, upon finishing my workout on the elliptical machine one day, I lifted my foot too high to see if i had a blister on the bottom of my LEFT foot, and I dislocated the hip. It was the most horrible experience of my life, and since then, I have problems doing just about anything. Before the initial surgery and after, my surgeon asssured me that I could do anything I want without worry (other than downhill and waterski). He even told me I could take pole danceing lessons. After this happened, he came to the hospital to put it back in place in the O.R. since the Dr. and nurses in the emergency room couldn't get it back in, and he was giving me a hard time about the position I'd been in when it happened, telling me I should have NEVER been hyper-extending. Isn't that funny, because that was the FIRST time I'd ever heard him use that term, and he'd been the one who told me I could do anything other than those 2 activities. I let him know that he told me I could take pole dancing lessons, and that's ALL hyper-extention. 

Needless to say, since then, I don't trust him anymore, and I'm terrified to do anything other than walk and do the elliptical. I've had many surgeries, and have a very high tolerance for pain (I have never taken pain pills or morphine in hospital), but have NEVER experienced anything as painful as that. I thought I was going to die, and that feeling never leaves you, once you feel it. 

I also don't feel stead the way I did prior to surgery. I am (or at least used to be) hyper limber, so I moved in ways that maybe weren't what the average person would do, but I can tell you not to feel so safe in the fact taht you had an anterior apporach, as any implant can dislodge. Please be careful, as you do NOT want this to happen to you. 

PS. I went to one of the top surgeons in my area for this, and did a LOT of research before choosing and electing him to be my Dr. 

Good luck to you, and take care. 

 

Hey! Your story sounds like mine..... I'm 35 had THR on right hip May 2015. I've always been very active and hyper-limber. In January (8 months after surgery) I had my first dislocation - popped out to the front. I had stepped up with my left foot and right hip popped out- horrible! In the next two weeks it popped out 4 more times, two times just standing and two times while lying in bed. I rested for 8 weeks to let it heal, then last week it popped out again. I was devastated!

Now the plan is to have another surgery to re angle the cup, so hopefully it doesn't keep popping out the front. I don't have a date set yet, and in the meantime I'm scared to do anything!!! Surgeon says mine is dislocating due to me being hyper-limber. I'm hoping this next surgery helps, but I'll always be hyper- limber so I'm not sure if it will help. Wish me luck! And pray for no more dislocations!

Also.... I too have a high pain tolerance- no pain meds for surgeries either, they just make me sick. Delivered my baby and hip replaced without pain meds. However the pain and fear associated with dislocation is almost unbearable!

My surgeon said I could resume my activities except NO YOGA- I'm too flexible already. So I've been walking and swimming but still feel like my hip is extremely weak and unstable.

Have you found any exercise to help it feel more stable? I'm letting it rest for a week after last dislocation but I'm eager to start strengthening again.

OMG i cant begin to imagine having to go through so many dislocations. I had that one and was so paranoid after. The Dr. Ordered strictly in bed and only leave it to use the shower. I was like that for 6 long weeks.

Im not allowed intense exercising except swimming, walking and some jogging. Thats about it. Strictly no yoga, or squats or sitting on thd floor.all of those i miss so much

I used to work out so much aerobics n yoga. Now i just stick to my walking and swimming. But i want to be able to do so much more. I mean im still 40 so not that old right. I even went on a diet to lose some weight as i was a couple ok kilos above normal weight for my height. I lost more than was necessary thinking it would help.

You're so brave having a normal delivery. My hat off to you. Most would just opt for a cesarean. Even a second dr. I saw advised of that option if i plan on having babies.

If you don't mind my asking, how was the pregnancy period? Any complications on your hip throughout.

Cheers!

Luckily, I had my boy 5 years ago and had no complications due to hip. However, in those last five years I haven't been able to carry another baby due to excruciating pain before the surgery and now this second surgery. I would love to have another child but I not sure if it will work out for me.

I totally understand your comments about wanting to be active- it's killing me, mentally and physically, to do so little. I did aerobics, kick boxing, weight lifting, mountain biking, dirt biking, snow board, wake board.... Now I just watch my husband and son have all the fun. I try my best to stay positive and be grateful that I'm there to see them have fun. And grateful that I'm otherwise healthy. However- it wears on me, and I have moments or days of feeling sorry for myself, being angry, and being envious! Stay positive- it could be worse!

I totally feel you, I am 42 , always super active , and had a hip replacement when I was 28 after a car accident . Everything went fine for 14 years , now after some pain and discomfort ( and clicking and popping sounds!) turns out my hip is worn out and the the femur is being affected by the metal coming out from the replacement . I m in the process of trying to see a specialist and getting it revised ASAP, but the concept of time of the healthcare system seems to be different than mine ! I feel all of you guys about the terror of doing anything , the fear of dislocation and all the consequences, and it's hard to make others understand the feeling of not being able to move without fear. I barely walks now, I try to do upper body at the gym and any lil thing I can to keep my body strong , which is probably what helped over the years , but everything is with fear , it feels like I might need an ambulance any second and that causes a lot of stress. It's not about the pain , it s about that horrible and blocking fear. You sound paranoid to others , they just don't understand ! And you are put in waiting list for anything , since it's not considered a life threatening issue. I feel like every second my bone is more damaged, my muscles get weaker , to not mention the fear of an infection , another snake that the doctors have put in my head! I wish I can comfort everybody cause that s all we need, but maybe talking about it is gonna melt some anxiety . My only suggestion is to do anything that can keep stress at bay, thinking that there is always a solution and always some activity that substitute what we can't do. For anyone out there that had positive experiences after going through this, please share !

Hi, I had a thr 4 Aug 16, and like previous threads I am so unfit now! 

I worked out 4-5 days a week but since my op I'm so frightened to start exercising again. How do. know what is safe to do?

my weight has increased by a stone so currently working on losing the excess weight.!!

I feel a mess and so need to get back to my original fitness and flexibility.

Is there anyone out they that can give me ideas/advice etc.

Having read all the discussions on how the hips have dislocated, I'm so worried.😔