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
r43242 Chocolate57
Posted
Jodi-France Chocolate57
Posted
WOW! You are in tough shape. I don't have any answers for you but I can say by reading this website on and off for 3 years I have never seen anything like what is happening to you. At first I thought it might be cellulitis but the doctors must have ruled that out. My sympathies to you.
Gollie Chocolate57
Posted
Hello there! The same thing happened to me! After total hip-replacement surgery of my right hip, I swelled up something awful. My leg on the outer right knee, and down to my right foot were so swollen that it hurt! i mentioned this to the nurses, but they said it was due to the anaesthesia given during my surgery. it would clear my body after a few months. The swelling was so uncomfortable I could see my enlarged pores, and my toes hurt from the swelling. Of course, I scratched when it swelled, so I scratched until I bled. The next day after scratching, tiny pin-prick scabs had formed & would easily fall off when I, again, scratched. The skin in the area seemed thicker. When I went for my twelve-week appointment, the doctor noticed the the swelling, redness and thickened skin and was concerned. He said the thickened skin felt like scar tissue (??) ! He gave me a ten-day antibiotic prescription for CEPHALEXIN. I have been on this antibiotic for about 6 days now, and the itching is almost gone. Hope this helps....