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nerve damage after hip replacement -excrutiating

Posted , 32 users are following.

norma32314
norma32314

I had my left hip replaced 4 weeks ago -hip is now fine...

When I woke up from surgery I had a terrible pain in my ankle which went away with painkillers. The next day I had no feeling below the knee on my left side. They left it another day in case the spinal block was still lingering but agreed it was sciatic nerve damage. I was in surgery for almost 4 hours which was surprising and they said it was really stiff and hard to get the old hip out. Everyone seems pretty much agreed that the sciatic nerve is stretched and that the feeling should come back. I have a drop foot which makes it difficult to walk normally but the worst thing is the pain. I have a 'pain in the bum' which is sciatic and all down my leg. The parts which are numb to touch bizarrely also hurt. I'm not usually a winger but this is destroying me. On a scale of 1 -10 it's a clear 10. I am on a raft of drugs including tramadol, naproxen, gabapentin and diazapam but nothing is touching it. I've bought a tens machine on advice and that helps a little but because I hurt in so many places its hard to know where to put it -also it hurts in its own way ( I seem to have becomne hypersensitive to touch on that leg)

I'm at my wits end -I haven't slept more than an hour at a time since the operation and really feel I can't go on. The consultant has referred me to a neurologist but they won't see me before 6 weeks as usually it goes away by itself. It's not that I don't think it will recover I do -I have a flicker of movement in my toes which wasn't there a week ago -it's just I can't cope with the pain any more

Anyone got any advice?

3 likes, 58 replies

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  • norma32314
    norma32314

    Posted

    Pressed send by accident! I really empathise with everyone with this problem - it's changed my life completely. I still have hope that it will improve more - I think I will ask for more physio
  • allan50598
    allan50598 norma32314

    Posted

    i to had hip revision  surgery on september 22nd this year i now have a numb left foot and tingling across my toes.it wakes me up all the time!!!doctors said all this will pass once the hip settles down,which i dont believe as when i had the original hip replacement nothing like this happened once it was alll done

     

  • susan89547
    susan89547 norma32314

    Posted

    Hi Norma, I'm right there with you, I had a hip revision two weeks ago which was very successful, But the sciatic pain and the foot pain is beyond bearable. I had a knee replacement two years ago and had the same problem.  It took several weeks but it did subside. I'm a retired nurse and was hoping this time I wouldn't go through this but I think my nerves are just inflamed. My doctor is a gem and everything went well except for the nerve pain. I'm taking Percocet and Valium and I just dread going to bed at nighfor lying on that nerve. They have not started me on Gabipentin but I'm not crazy about taking it anyway. The physical therapist said they may try steroids in a couple of weeks after my hip heals. Just to let you know, I had my knee done two years ago and went through the same thing. This time it took four days fir my block to wear off. I couldn't move my foot and it's still dragging somewhat but getting better. Im sure well both get better. Just one of those things. Hang in there. 

  • michelle84462
    michelle84462 norma32314

    Posted

    My eyes watered after reading the story. I had a total hip replacement 4 years ago which I end up with a drop foot in terrible pain 4 years later. I have neuropathy pain in my foot and I'll have to take medication for the rest of my life. This made me so sad that I went into a depression I had to see a therapist. I'm currently on medication for my depression. I'm so sorry for your situation and I hope it improves

    • franbenou
      franbenou michelle84462

      Posted

      how are you MICHELLE ?

      I understand you so well .

      During my operation they tethered the sciatic nerve.They had to reoperate on me 2 days after.

      I am in constant pain my life is gone .,,

      Can´t walk properly and need some body with me for every thing ! My balance is bad , I fall and hurt myself.

  • william68758
    william68758 norma32314

    Posted

    Sorry this happened to you. I know all about it. I was in a wreck april 16th this year and dislocated my femur from hip and had hip surgery and they streched my sciatic nerve. Been through hell. Was wondering how you have recovered with movement and numbness since this happened 3 years ago. Please let me know!
  • d77561
    d77561 norma32314

    Posted

    this happened to a friend two weeks ago. any improvements or advice regarding this? thanks
  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France norma32314

    Posted

    read up on acupuncture. I don't believe it is that expensive but I would check with the neurologist first. Call the neurologist and explain your issue and ask if it would be ok to get accupuncture now before you see him in 6 weeks. I feel sorry for you, i really do.

  • mike_NY
    mike_NY norma32314

    Posted

    Hello Norma did you have any type of dislocation ? I had a left hip replacement January 9 this year February 13 , this year I had a dislocation, I have nerve pain in my foot , thigh , groin , foot , I did not have a drop foot , still in pain a month later
  • rayma_56597
    rayma_56597 norma32314

    Posted

    HI Norma, so sorry you are having this problem!    I too had a total hip replacement on my right hip, and when I woke I had like numbness and pins and needles,  i'm in my sixth month now and I am having painful neuropathy in both heels along with numbness.    I spoke with my surgeon about this, and he said it wasn't because of my sciatic nerve, but possibly could be something due to the epidural.   I am also having low back pain more than preopp,  I was told by my surgeons PA to probably get an MRI or an EEG which I'm planning to ask for.  This has been very depressing, as I thought post op I would be by this time ready to return to work and get my life back.

      I guess I have no answers for you, just to let you know you are not alone in this! I just hope we both get some answers!!

  • jackie56101
    jackie56101 norma32314

    Posted

    Hello Norma,

    I had revision thr Oct 2013. When I woke up my left foot felt numb tingling burning told my surgeon he said just give it time. So fast forward. Sept 2014 pain had gotten worse so my surgeon referred me to neurologist i had emg test done unfortunately i have sciatic nerve damage from my hip revision. I can no longer do my job . I have been on disability ever since. You know your body go get emg test done and MRI. Those test will give you answers.

    Take care let us know how your doing

    Jackie

  • dave20412
    dave20412 norma32314

    Posted

    I had hip socket surgery which includes a metal brace and screws to fasten my pelvis together after a shattering fall.

     The surgery I'm told a success but had left my leg with extreme numbness from the knee down along with major tingling pain and the dreaded drop foot. 

     My right side foot is also affected but not as serious and also experience pain 

     A year late seems to have gotten worse and my ankle is very very tight 

    I fear this condition will never go away.

    I've been to neurologists and specialists and no one seems to be of help. I've had spinal tap MRI s Ct scans etc 

     My siatic nerve pain is almost unbearable when sitting especially while driving.

      I'm constantly told wait and see but again it's not getting better

      Next stop mayo clinc?  Any help , suggestions, I am at wits end with this!

     

  • karen70939
    karen70939 norma32314

    Posted

    Hello Norma,

    What's your situation like now?i had my replacement 4months ago and my nerve got damaged as well i was on gabica and neurofobine drugs as well as painkillers,i also had a foot drop which I am addressing using a Futuro wear at night.Am also not able to raise my leg up like before as my muscles are weak which means walking is still on crutches.The surgeon says it will recover with time but ad like to know how u are doing .

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