Long standing rash following my hip replacement
Posted , 27 users are following.
Hi,
This is a strange one but somebody may have heard of a similar case. I had a total hip replacement in early Dec last year. It went well and was a complete success. During my time in hospital I noticed a piece of hard round skin, about the size of a 5p piece. I mentioned it but nobody was unduly concerned. This was on my left hand side, lower inner calf, on the same side as the hip replacement.
As time went on the back of my leg was covered in a very angry rash. The iitching and burning was like nothing I've ever come across before. It then spread to the back of my other leg and is now on the back of my other arm. I have seen every Dermatologist in the hospital and have had countless blood tests, a chest x ray, a Doppler test. I've been on steroids (6 a day for 2 months), antibiotics, steroid creams, pain killers. Ictho paste bandages. At the moment three of my limbs are covered in tubi grips. I have had two biopsies which didn't really show much. I've lost count of all the appointments I've had. At night I'm on Gabopentin to take away the pain so I can sleep. Nobody has seen spots like it or knows what it is. On my left leg it had a blue tinge on top of the rash, very attractive! Months later it's still there, albeit faded...
I really am at the end of my tether. I know this started when I was in hospital as I've always had good skin which heals quickly. I've always told them about the connection but it's been played down. My next stage is to have patch tests, including testing for cleaning materials but also checking for components within my new hip such as metal (my hip is a ceramic one but apparently is held in place with metal). I have involved the hospital where I had my hip replaced (a private hospital but I had it through the NHS). Finally they are listening to what I've said all along... I'm wondering if, worse case scenario. I am allergic to the hip. Would that one need to come out and what would it be replaced with? I just want this nightmare to end, the hip replacement was a walk in the park compared to this.... Can anybody advise me please, I haven't changed anything in this time such as washing powder, foods I eat etc,,,, Do you know anybody else it's happened to? I'm now in my 9th month and really want them to give me some answers... Thank you.
7 likes, 49 replies
linda43972 Chocolate57
Posted
OMG! I had a small dark round (buckle size) patch on my right shin,same side as my anterior THR! It has now become a 4" high band around 3/4 of my right ankle! No one seems to know anything about it or what it is or what caused it! There are 5 distinct circles in a 3 and 2 pattern( wish I could draw it for you) but it itches and burns and feels so tight it could split open! Ankle is not extremely swollen but some! Went to the ER thinking blood clot and was told it was cellulitis- went to my PCP. To be told no not cellulitis it is Veinous Stasis...to be told hy my Neuro ( I also have MS) that it is not a side effect from my MS pills it is something only a dermatologist can take care of! Still thinking side effects from MS Meds cuts it is exactly the same..but went to dermatologist and she gave me samples of Cetaphill body wash and told me to clean it and use this prescription cream two to 3 X a day and no more than 3X....well it is calming it down a bit but still burns and itches like crazy and just the touch of my bed sheet can send me thru the roof with pain! So now ok derma said need special soap and special cream but WTF, caused it to begin with? I just want it gone never to return!!! Are you on Facebook? I could send you a picture of mine and see if it is anything like yours! My husband seems to think they could have used something during surgery, around my ankle to hold the leg out of the way! I also have a latex and adhesive allergy! I,like you, am at my wits end!
pat416 linda43972
Posted
I am on Facebook.
Patricia Collelo
PM me tho.
I can share mine with you too but don't want it on FB.
My mom gets rashes on ankles from heat and her ankles turn bright red. They hurt upon touching because of the swelling.
It has to be washed and kept clean. If an opening was created with scratching. It
could turn into cellulitis. Go to another dermatologist or GP. I have heard of veinous stasis. I am sure you goggled it.
My rash/ redness is a 8x10 inch area around my incision. Incision on outside not infected.
Having MS is another factor. I feel for you.
.🤔 Pat
My daughter had something like that , it was called erythema Nordosem (spelling?)
linda43972
Posted
avery21 linda43972
Posted
Your story sounds too familiar. I believe that I am allergic to something that was used during my surgery but I keep getting a run around. I began with swelling and er visit as well , and I too have very distinct circular marks lined up perfectly. I'm so over this. I would love to see how similar our problems are. Try and get ideas and answers? Where did you have the procedure done?
christina66831 linda43972
Posted
If you had an anterior replacement (from the front) they put your foot in a big metal shoe, probably the ankle, too and probably straps for your leg because they twist your leg and foot to the far right to get throught he muscles. I don't know if there was latex or adhesives. You can look up the procedural detail on the Internet. Possibly some very deep bruising. My ankle hurt for a long time after that. Also I developed chronic dermatitis on the bottom of my foot, but it may have been another cause.
edith92069 Chocolate57
Posted
I have a similiar rash in my groin area, that started about a month ago. I have changed to different soaps, and have applyed A&D ointment (which help soothes but does not take it away). I am wondering if it is from the joint replacement parts which are metal. The itching is terrible.
JLo1975 Chocolate57
Posted
I also have a similar situation happening. I had my initial implant surgery in 03, in 05 due to other issues I had a revision. Before leaving the hospital I noticed a rash starting on and around my incision site. I too told all my doctors, both local and UCSF ortho surgeons, primary and pain management doctor's. All said it's nothing, basically blowing it off. A few months after surgery I started feeling awful, lots of pain and chronic fatigue. After 1.5 years I finally got my surgeon to aspirate the joint, and I had a massive infection. During the time after revision to 3rd surgery in 07 the rash would come and go. I'll fast forward to today, I have the original rash over incision scar, on my chest, neck, badly on my face and in my sinuses. All my doctors blew me off, accusing me of self picking and drug use. I didn't do either of the two. In the last 6 months my fatigue is worse then ever, hair loss, and lots of hair breakage. In a last attempt to to get some sort of medical help I saw a dermatologist at Stanford, his biopsy didn't give an exact diagnosis but because it resembles a fungal infection and I have thought for over 3 years it looks and acts like the description of fungus on skin he did give me a prescription antifungal. In 6 weeks I have had improvement on my face, neck and chest mostly, not healed completely and slight improvement on my leg. My biggest concern is and I have a gut feeling it's in my implant but I wonder if I'll ever get a diagnosis, considering I've been dealing with this since 05. So you are not alone, and I hope you have gotten better medical professionals to treat you.
avery21 JLo1975
Posted
Wow! I have been dealing with all of that for 2 1/2 years also, including the hairloss. How are things going for you now? I could really use some help
JLo1975 avery21
Posted
Go to a teaching hospital in your area and see a infectious disease doctor, or if you can afford it the best place for stuff like this is the Mayo-clinic. They have 3 hospitals with Dermatology departments. I am lucky to have found a amazing dermatologist at Stanford, he sent me to a infectious disease specialist but because I'd started antifungal treatment and my rashes were healing to get a diagnosis of what fungus/yeast it is, I'd have to stop meds, let the rash comes back fully and rebiopsy. I have no desire to that unless i absolutely have to. Thr infectious disease doctor said most doctors and labs to not test correctly and this is why there are so many misdiagnosed cases, also they do not prescribed the antifungals at a high enough doses. I originally was give an antifungal script at 400mg once a week, she changed it to 400mg once a day, this has made a huge difference. My rash isn't totally gone, I have another 2 weeks of meds, however I worry once meds are stopped it'll come back, I see my dermatologist next week and if I learn anything new I'll let you know. I hope this helps, at least saves you the stress of seeing doctor after doctor for nothing other than wasting your money. If you have any more questions I'm happy to help, good luck.
brandon29732 Chocolate57
Posted
Hi Chocolate57 I wanted to share with you what I think is ailing you. I know its been a year since your post but also seen where you had been active lately. I had a hip revision surgery January 2016. I'm 38 years old and healthy. My replacement and revisions were due to severe leg trauma
And being very active. My original surgery was in January 2010. A month after my revision I got a rash with a blue tinge around it. Started off small about side of a dime. Since it's grown to the size of 2 quarters. My doctor told me it was a rash to see dermatologist. Received steroids and no help. I believe we suffer from a rare for of dermatitis that happens when nerves are cut
Its called neuropathy dermatitis. Hope this may help. Sorry it wasn't sooner
tonyhavasu Chocolate57
Posted
Hi i know this thread is a year old but I'm wondering what came of your problem after your hip replacement? I had a total hip revision almost 3 weeks ago and am experiencing the same types of things and its miserable.
teri44720 Chocolate57
Posted
I have had 1 knee replacement and both hips replaced. I have a rash that is crazy. It itches all the time. I have tried every cream, steroid there is. Help!! I have scratched till I don't think I have any skin left
Cassyg teri44720
Posted
I had my left hip replaced last April. It was a great relief and success after 10 years of pain. About 10 day's after surgery I started to scratch......I haven't stopped since! My whole body is covered in a red raw rash. My skin feels as if it's on fire. I had eczema up until I was 14yrs old (I'm now 57). This is nothing like I have ever seen before. I went to the Doctor who told me to moisturise, gave me steroid cream and Valium! I'm going to a different Doctor tomorrow. I think it's my implant. I'm allergic to nickel and some of the other metals in hip replacement...can't remember offhand. I was never asked was I allergic to metal. I am tired all the time and also find myself feeling nauseous a lot. Anyone have the same problems?
NeverendingMVA Chocolate57
Posted
Believe me! It's the metal in the implant breaking down and the rash is your body attempting to rid itself of metal by-products of the chemical breakdown (metal particles, ions and toxins) I suffered from this for months before an unrelated ligament rupture required surgery on my wrist, previously repaired with metal fracture plates implanted 15 months for fracture repair. The toxic waste of the disintegrating metal had been circulating systemically and since the skin of my face was thinner (and in close proximity) I suffered horrific chronic, inflamed, itchy, and scarring sores on my face. (I have included photo of face sores but the body/limbs sores look much different as facial skin is thinner and dryer) I had been to multiple doctors of various specialties. They all had an answer and a treatment but none of them got it right. The ligament surgery planned to take one hour stretched into 6 hours to remove necrotic tissue, clean the dissolving bones and removing whatever was left of the metal. The next 2 days the sores raged to the point I thought I would die and began appearing on my limbs and torso but the facial nightmarish sores very slowly began to subside, becoming a little less red, less painful and fewer in number but they keep on marching there way across my face. Research says my body will continue to expel the toxins for about a year, at which time whatever is left in the body, simply remains like an unwanted house guest. I say "research" because once the culprit was discovered - not one single, solitary doctor of any specialty has been willing to take me as a patient. Every one of them say the potential for liability too great to take the risk. I am female and the disfiguring scars from the metal corrosion have left me unable to go out in public and there is not a doctor to be found with enough compassion or with enough courage to use their knowledge and skills to relieve me of this terrible suffering. It's the metal, biopsies won't find it but blood tests may - if they are looking for it... but its been my experience they won't because the big bad liability monster scares them too much. Best of luck to all who have commented here or read the forum looking for answers the medical profession will not utter. Take Care.
Cassyg NeverendingMVA
Posted
I hear you! I have just replied to teri44720. I am in a world of pain. My lower back is covered in sores because I can't stop scratching. Nothing works...steroid ointment isn't any good to me. I'll have to get to the bottom of this!