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Hip replacement problems

Posted , 11 users are following.

amanda12547
amanda12547

Hi i had a hip replacement done 16 months ago for my left hip.   I’m 59 very active practice Yoga and swim and walk dogs for a living.    I’ve had constant pain since the operation.   Been backwards and forwards to physios chiropractor.  had injections for bursitis and back pain.    I still have pain in and around the joint and down the left leg.   Had x-rays and scans and they can’t find anything.   i’ve now had a letter from my surgeon saying the socket may have to be repositioned as may not be ideally placed.   i’m seeing him next week.  Has anyone else had experience of this.  i’ve lost work and money and am considering an automatic car because of this.   i wish i’d not had it done as the pain before was not as bad as this.   I’m considering claiming against them as it’s affecting me very badly.  any help ideas or advice welcome.  

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen amanda12547

    Posted

    Dear Amanda realistically not having had it done would simply have resulted in huge knock on problems. A neighbour of mine was too scared to have his done and he became very crippled. Not a sensible option!

    Good luck. Richard

    • amanda12547
      amanda12547 RichardKen

      Posted

      Thank you for your comment.   Unfortunately i  have to work if i’d not had it done i would have been able to continue at the rate i was at least for a few years.   as it is i’m crippled with pain can no longer walk properly and my working life is limited.   I’m hoping my surgeon will help as my lifestyle is not seriously hampered by having it done.  
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen amanda12547

      Posted

      Dear Amanda

      If you needed the surgery you should be aware that there is no knowing when it will VERY suddenly get to the point where you are suffering horrible pain so realistically thinking that you can just hang on is really not an option!

      Good luck, Richard

    • Tango2020
      Tango2020 amanda12547

      Posted

      Amanda, 

      I am very sorry about the pain you are in and I encourage to get xrays and consult with several hip replacement surgeons.  I must say I agree with Ken, once you have osteoarthritis it is a downhill spiral.  I developed advanced osteoarthritis after two failed labral tear repairs.  Throughout my five years of hip pain I continued to work as a staff nurse in a busy hospital.  The pain progressed and I had to stop dancing, then swimming became painful.  Then over a three month period the pain suddenly intensified.  My last shift I was fighting back tears the entire 13 hours, gulping motrin, and icing for five minutes every time I got a chance to sit down.  It took me 45 minutes to walk to my car (in incredible pain), which normally would take 8 minutes.  I took a medical leave and the xray showed I had advanced osteoarthritis (massive spurs and cysts where the cartilage used to be).  This process took over a year.  Unfortunately this is a progressive disease that will only go worse and will eventually lead to debilitation.  

      Best of luck, please just keep seeing doctors.  My physical therapist tells me he rehabilitates many hip revisions and they do wonderful.  

  • michael11283
    michael11283 amanda12547

    Posted

    Amanda

    Poor you. But at least you have a diagnosis now. The issue is what to do with the diagnosis. replaceing the faulty cup sounds like the most obvious solution. But if you go for that do you trust your surgeon ro fix something he did wrong the first time around.

    It might be worth getting a second opinion.

    Hope your meeting next week enlightens you as to the best way forward

    A THR can be such a wonderful op for many people, but it is a shame when the outcome is worse that the situation before.

    Mike

    • amanda12547
      amanda12547 michael11283

      Posted

      Yes i’m sure this is an unusual occurrence i know many people who it’s been ver successful.   i think replacing the socket is the only solution but yes i have lost faith in the surgeon.   
  • jennifer95507
    jennifer95507 amanda12547

    Posted

    Hi Amanda...well there IS someone out there like me!!....I had my Right Hip replaced on September 30th 2015!!!...almost 3 years ago and never been right from day one!!!... NHS Physio for 6 months,, Private Physio for 8 months costing almost £1000 and Private Massage Clinic for 4 months , that was once a week at £33 for 40 minutes. All this and my Hip is NO better!!!...I have been back to see the Surgeon who did the operation about 15 times and he once gave me a Steroid injection which was extremely painful (he did this in his day clinic). only pain relief was about 2 hours and that was because he injected a numbing injection at the same time!...I have had Nuclear X-ray, Orthopaedic X-ray, Scans, Ultrasound...you name it and They have put me through it. The last time I saw the surgeon ha asked me to walk with one shoe off and one shoe on...still limping in pain. My husband was with me and as he looked at the X-ray he noticed the both hips were not lining up ( looked like a fraction amount to me). He asked the Surgeon why...and we were told oh...one leg is shorter than the other and the body wold have already compensated for that, but maybe that is why I am hobbling. He suggester getting a pair of NHS shoes..one with a built-up heel... No way was I settling for that. Since this I have complained to my doctor so many times and he suggested a blue badge as I no longer drive and Husband has to be near as no I cannot have a bath, just a walk in shower!...I walk with crutches as If I do not I am in too much pain...Sitting down is painful to and the new car we are having has flatter seats as the curve each side of our car is uncomfortable especially when going round bends as the body leans to the side!!... My hip was not as painful before the operation but X-ray shown bone was on bone and I felt crunching when I did walk. I have always been active ,Dog walking, walking miles when in Spain and horse riding. My life has changed so much. Recently my doctor sent an email to another Orthopedic Hospital in Oswestry The Gobowen, as this is supposed to be the better hospital to have Hips replaced. I have been to see a Mr Karlakki in May and he said one of two things  (he thinks)...loosening of the joint when I move!!...OR an infection in the joint..! so I have waited 3 years for this diagnosis!!!....now STILL waiting for a date to go in to have an 'Aspiration' procedure...which is general anaesthetic and taking three samples of flesh surrounding the joint and to see if there is any infection!!!! Now still waiting for a date to have this done!!!!!!!.....watch this space. Oh the first FOUR weeks after the operation my long wound was leaking badly!  District Nurse came twice a week to re-dress and pack the incision area as yellow liquid was seeping out. I had to buy Puppy Training pads to put on my sheets as even with all the padding it was still leaking...this went on for over 4 weeks and at one stage the nurse took a photograph of the wound and a swab of the wound as she was so worried !....she said a week later...there was no infection!!!!....Was that true...My kitchen cupboard is full of Zapain painkillers....which I do not take very often as they wreck your stomache. Regards Jenny x...hope you can get sorted soon.

     

    • jen86183
      jen86183 jennifer95507

      Posted

      Oh Jennifer, I was almost crying by the end. It is awful when something does not work out and everyone else seems problem free.

      Because I would not have the op and waddled around for nearly eight years, everyone I know would tell me having a hip op is nothing, so much easier than a knee, which is not true, they do not have the precautions or the threat of it popping out.

      I did succumb in april, yes, I am out of pain but I personally would not have elective surgery again.

      I really hope they get you sorted soon so you can get your life back.

  • jennifer95507
    jennifer95507 amanda12547

    Posted

    Hi again Amanda...I know lots of people who have had Hip replacements and some in their 80's and have had a complete new life as very successful. I have a very busy Cattery since 2003 and my Husband has now retired and I have 5 ladies who help when needed . One lady is older than me and I just wish I could walk like her.. I will be 70 next April...BUT I have always been fit!...The day I went for this new Hip, I honestly thought it would give me a better life!!....so disappointed!!......one of my customers actually said...I thought you were going to get you hip done when he saw me walking with my crutch!!.. Kind regards Jenny....I wish you good Luck and a better outcome this next time..x

    ..

  • jennifer95507
    jennifer95507 amanda12547

    Posted

    Hi again Amanda...I know lots of people who have had Hip replacements and some in their 80's and have had a complete new life as very successful. I have a very busy Cattery since 2003 and my Husband has now retired and I have 5 ladies who help when needed . One lady is older than me and I just wish I could walk like her.. I will be 70 next April...BUT I have always been fit!...The day I went for this new Hip, I honestly thought it would give me a better life!!....so disappointed!!......one of my customers actually said...I thought you were going to get you hip done when he saw me walking with my crutch!!.. Kind regards Jenny....I wish you good Luck and a better outcome this next time..x

    ..

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK amanda12547

    Posted

    I would get a second opinion from a different surgeon at a different hospital. That's what I did  when my surgeon messed up the positioning of the ceramic in my THR. I also pursued them for an apology and compensation.

    Often X-Rays will not show up soft tissue damage, you will probably need a CT scan or some other form of imaging.  If you are in the UK, I would suggest getting referred to RNOH Stanmore, where they deal with all the 'bodged up' hip, knee and shoulder operations.

    Best wishes

    Graham

  • Badger65
    Badger65 amanda12547

    Posted

    Hi Amanada 

    I had a left hip replacement in February 2017 although my walking has improved greatly  but when I try to walk up hill or any great distance I get a tightness in the inside of my thigh like someone is pinching a muscle when I try to swim cycle or try the improve the strength in this muscle it gets very sore and tight. I can’t even do ten minutes on a stationary bike. I have attended a physio and several attempts to improve this has been unsuccessful. It is now starting to affect right side and if I try to walk over3 miles even on flat ground both sides start to hurt and I am now on painkillers again and feel I am going backwards. I have been referred to another surgeon who did a MRI scan and although it does not appear to show that the new hip is impinching the affected muscle he seems to think that by going back in and moving the hip more forward and cutting the affected muscle which apparently is badly worn it may help, but he is not sure, it may help or may make it worse. My only choice is just to put up with it(some choice). I decided to go for surgery as the thought of having two damaged hips at the same time doesn’t bear thinking about even if by cutting the muscle takes some pressure off allowing me to be to  go walking with my husband and dog and some sort of exercise is worth taking the chance . Having been a very active person  the thought of be inactive doesn’t bear thinking about.

    Good luck

     

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