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Numbness and at times pain in foot after Hip Replacement

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Elizabethstar5
Elizabethstar5

If anyone can help me It would be much appreciated my father had a total hip replacement in August 2014 and after day 2 post op has experienced numbness in foot and toes and at times severe pain in that area and lower part of his leg, this keeps him awake at night. His actual hip is repairing well but has now been left with this awful discomfort.....if anyone has gone through the same or knows of anyone please advise of treatment or next steps....it's obvious nerve damage has occured. Thanks in advance.

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  • christine98681
    christine98681 Elizabethstar5

    Posted

    Hi Eliabeth

    I think it sounds like hes got what ive got foot drop in june this yr had my op in May after 2 failed hip operations since last October i started with the numbness ECT,then couldn't move my toes put my foot to the floor it went to the right side  of my foot till now i can't walk ive got mine in a cast plaster of paris had this on since June kept seeing my surgon he wouldn't tell me why it was like this i wasent seeing him that did the op but his register r

      3 weeks ago i had a nerve conduction test that confirmed it was foot drop since having this done 3 weeks ago my other foot as gone the same so now got two casts on saw the surgon last week hes now concerned why i was told the results from the conduction test there is a lot of nerve damage thats been  done but i was also told by the physio it can go into both feet but the pain im getting now from my first one is driving me mad

    . I have to take ora morph but  i do sypmathise with your dad if it is this same sometimes you can move the toe's then you can't im bed bound plus have a 3 inch short leg from the hip op and can't bend my knee  getting loads of pain from the hip and back also i was only told by the surgon ive got a titled pelvis im absoultly devestated  and all the way up my leg so i have to go see a Nurologist to see whats caused it

    . Surgon nows very well whats caused it i just he dosen't want to admit it now he now's ive found out i cannot understand why hes sending me to see the Nurologist its a case of passing the ball from one to another ive had an MRI scan aswell so hes got his answer's why its a case what he can't do not what he can .

    The surgon can do an operation but it depends on how much damage as been done  they take a bone out of a good foot put it into the ankle to keep it straight if it works its ok in my case with me getting it in both ive no chance hes crippled me good and proper.

     So hope your dad dosent have to go through this as they can also use a splint to put in side of his shoe from the orthic's deptment i was waiting for one been made till last week when the other foot as now gone these type of cast's ive got on is a special one its open at the front when you take them of my god dose it hurt to get them back on they nip like mad. 

      i hope he dosen't get the pain i didn't get the pain till a month later in the first one its now horendous if ive spelt this wrong but if you need any more help i can help you i do hope it isen't this for him but it really dose sound like it.

     keep posting

    christine

  • christine98681
    christine98681 Elizabethstar5

    Posted

    Hi Elizibeth

    Your surgon should admit this is foot drop as he told me it happen's 2 to 3 hrs or days after sugury so he cannot get out of it hes damaged the nerves you ask him you want this nerve conduction test doing and a MRI scan this is the only way it can be proved if he won't admit it then see what he come's up with if he finally dose admit it he should be able to sort it out with the bone been transplanted from the other foot.

     also the physio is supposed to massage the leg ive not had that done btw my knee was bad but as soon as the first foot went it caused mine to lock and its been like it since.

    when i came home i was given exersices to keep twiddling my tose's and keep your ankle moving i did but it still happened.Don't let him con you if need be get the records from when he was in the theatre you are enitled to see them inform the PALS Dept they cannot stop you getting them the DR that told me about this was when i had that conduction test and got the results mine is now giving me some jip up my leg and on the top of my foot it feels like its burning and some one is sticking pin's in it with a bunch of nettles on the top of the foot its really hard to explain but this is the best way i can discribe it with a kind of throb.

    another way of telling is if he can't stop the foot dropping to the side when hes laid down this is like mine is i can't lift it back up or move my own foot that was before i had the cast on its worse now youve no control over the foot it gose were it want's

     so i just hope its not like mine the leg wouldn't be swollen if its foot drop but the pain from the leg shoots up the side mine gose any were  the other one asen't got to that pitch yet but im expecting it any time i thought mine first had gone into like a cramp spasam for 2 days then as i said in my last post it never came back to normal.

    the register r new straight away it was foot drop or he wouldn't have had this cast put on but it was only last week i got the second one on in the other foot but i new it was happening i do not want to frighten you but i just hope im wrong with the symptoms what ive got but if i can't get it sorted i will sue this surgon if its the last thing i do

    all the best to you and your dad

    Christine

    • Elizabethstar5
      Elizabethstar5 christine98681

      Posted

      Christine gosh sounds like you are having a rough time, we don't believe it is drop foot but thanks for the mention of the nerve conduction test that is worth a try, who do you request this from please?

       

    • Elizabethstar5
      Elizabethstar5 christine98681

      Posted

      Christine gosh sounds like you are having a rough time, we don't believe it is drop foot but thanks for the mention of the nerve conduction test that is worth a try, who do you request this from please?

       

    • Elizabethstar5
      Elizabethstar5 christine98681

      Posted

      Christine gosh sounds like you are having a rough time, we don't believe it is drop foot but thanks for the mention of the nerve conduction test that is worth a try, who do you request this from please?

       

    • christine98681
      christine98681 Elizabethstar5

      Posted

       HI Elizibeth sorry iv'e only just got back to you but been poorly these last few days im not getting much sleep with all the pain.Its really getting me down

      Two ways your own DR in my case the Surgon sent me if your Father is still under the Consultant that did your fathers Surjury he should have already mentioned this to you they are frightened that when you have this done itf it comes back there is Nerve Damage he will try to get out of him been the cause of it so when you do get to have it done make sure the Nurologist explain's your results they told me how much was done and if he try;s to get out of it ask him to do a copy of the results from the Theartre the Nurologist told me to ask him this but not to let on i was told by them.

       i was ready for when i went back for him to say everything was ok with the test

      so i could have told him what i already new he partly tryed to get out of it so i told him i know diffrent he was shocked and did not like the thought of me asking the Nurologist as its them that dose the never condution test.

      So if and when you go back just ask him if he will send you if he refuse's then your DR will send you they cannot stop you seen them infact your own DR will be more than happy to send you also your results will also go to your DR he will beable to give you more answer's than the consultant this is when you can get another opinion if your not satisfied if you are not getting any were with the consultant  you have.

      just one more thing because as i have said because i already new my results hes now decided to send me to another nurologist hes supposed to be that concerned about getting this foot drop in both feet and legs plus all the pain elswere why ive got it when he now;s damm well its through him he dosen't know im already under my own Nurologist as ive not heard a thing about an Appointment yet from the one hes supposed refer me to im only giving him another week then i will ask my own dr to send me back to see the one im already under as an Urgent Appointment

       my own DR is on holiday till next monday and i don't see my own Nurologist for another 6 month if the surgon had only looked through my notes he would have found this out i have my own and he will still get  the same results as the one he sent me to see in the first place he's really treading on thin ice now i have two many proffessinal specialist's behind me to think he's getting away with what he's done to me.

      You have to be one or two steps ahead of the surgon's or you won't get anywere iv'e just had enough of this Surgon trying to pass the ball from one to the other the next person he will try to send me to will be a Rumatologist but im also under one of them too and a pain clinic

       So god he will be lost on who to send me to next if they only took the time to check your notes they would find who you under and why when i had my MRI SCAN done he never new i was under a Nurologist for a rare disease iv'e got so i asked him if my scan was ok he told me yes i told him to look at it again regarding this disease he hadn't ever heard of it as there are not many DR's that no much about it its incureable and eventually paralys you.

      Hope this helps you for your DAD

      Christine

  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France Elizabethstar5

    Posted

    This probably won't be helpful but perhpas it will be informative. During my consultation with the anstesiologist in France prior to my surgery he told me that once I was knocked out that he would be giving an injection right next to a nerve, he didn't even name the nerve but I now realize it was the femoral nerve. He said that the injection would kind of freeze that nerve during the THR and that my orthopedic surgeon (and him) were very very careful about that nerve. If I remember right he said that he would be injecting right near that nerve using live x-ray or maybe it was ultrasound.

    Out of all the stories here the people with nerve damage seem to have it the worst. I do remember one story about somone who had the nerve damage, they went to a specialist doctor and using tests which weere quite extensive they diagnosed exactly the nerves involved and then they had surgery to more or less cut those nerves and then they got better. So what I am saying is from what I have read here, there is treatment but you must get to a doctor with this exact specilty the nerve damage. I think the pain below the knee is what is definitive of nerve damage. None of us without nerve damamge had any issues below the knee, other than some people reported swelling of thier whole leg. I never had swelling nor bruising, my hip looked just like it did before surgery except for the big scar ;-)

  • jackie56101
    jackie56101 Elizabethstar5

    Posted

    Good Morning Elizabeth,  My surgery was about year ago Oct 24 2013. I had THR revised and when i woke up from surgery my foot didnt feel right I told my surgeon he said with time should go back to normal feeling . Well I was sent to neruologist to have EMG test done and I have nerve damage from the surgical site. Im only 47 I have hip Displaysia from birth . I did sign form about possiable nerve damage , But since my first thr went so well I didnt think i would have problem, but I do I dgo to physical therpy 3x week just saw pain management doctor yesterday , i cant work so i lost my job, Anyways I just wish doctors would go more in to detail about what to expect good and bad . Im so sorry your father has to go through this I wish your father the best since hes in good health thats plus .

    Jackie

    • Elizabethstar5
      Elizabethstar5 jackie56101

      Posted

      Jackie so sorry to hear your story, what is a EMG test? Have you had any improvement?
    • jackie56101
      jackie56101 Elizabethstar5

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth,  emg  is nerve test to detect damage. I just started seeing pain management doc she gave me cream to put on my calf and foot that's what really bothers me at night when I try to sleep the cream is working so some relief. Physical therapy is helping as well l go 3x week . Still on disability.  Nerve damage is very pain full and hard to treat the medication they gave me makes me dizzy. How are you doing?? Jackie
  • Jayive
    Jayive Elizabethstar5

    Posted

    I also have problems since my THR last year. My leg is constantly numb and tingling from my knee down, I can't wriggle my toes and in the area of the scar my hip is painful and is getting worse as time goes on. I have constant burning pain in my groin and also pain in the buttock. I had to wait 4 months to get a second opinion, then 4 weeks for an MRI now I am waiting for the result. The secretary promised to ring me yesterday but didn't so I'll be ringing again on Monday morning.....

    This is NHS Britain and I've had about 18 months post THR in constant pain!

    Yes, I know so many people have had successful replacements and I'm delighted for them but for people like your father and myself this operation has been a nightmare!

    Sorry Elisabeth I know this doesn't helpyou or your father and all I can say is I know what he's going through so be kind to him.

    • edarlingb
      edarlingb Jayive

      Posted

      Really feel for you, J!

      It's 7 years since they wrecked my right hip. Extensive nerve damage (which they won't admit to) and constant pain. I complained so much and so often that they did a revision in 2009. Failure. 

      Different surgeon did my left THR 3 weeks ago and has been a total success. He's told me that he's looked carefully at X-rays of my right one and thinks he knows what's causing all the pain. He didn't elaborate much but said he thinks he could improve it - which would mean 3rd op on same hip!

      Will be discussing at my 6 week review. This time, I'm going to be asking many, many more questions and taking up a great deal of their time until I'm satisfied to give the go ahead. 

      It seems to me that this is the only option we have, if we can't actually sue them. Be assertive, let them know that these outcomes, in this day and age, are completely unacceptable. Muster the will and energy to let them know we're not going to go away until they stop 'dismissing' our legitimate concerns. 

      If necessary, involve the local PALS team. 

      I soooo v much hope things improve for you and all of us left MAIMED (and we are!) by unprofessional treatment. Good luck x

      Elaine

      N E England

    • christine98681
      christine98681 edarlingb

      Posted

      Hi edarlingb

      don't be add by contacting the Pals Dept ive been at them for my first hip replacement last October they are a pure waste of time i got a solictor on a win no fee you don't get the money from them either they take all you get of it themself's all the Pals do is look into it for you the rigmorole you go through is outragious they don't take you serious send letters to you but not the one's that still dosen't tell you no more than you are experiencing.

      you have to prove the damage they cause was negligent in the theatre that takes some doing belive me my solicitor wrote to them on my behalf they never new i had them behind me and as still got away with the surgon who made the the mess on my first op................then i got a second opinion while that was going on

      the second surgon was from a different hospital miles away he picked upon the mess the first hip replacement had been done i never told him or any one about me reporting the first surgon and load and be hold he did a revision on my second op im May this yr he's done the same made another mess left me maimed completly.

      so if you thinking of getting intouch with the Pals i would forget it unless you can get Legal Aid and a good solicitor this is the only way you can get it sorted this no win no fee i got nothing they make sure even though they take an insurance out for you its a right con.

      don't be fooled by the Pals they look after there surgon's belive me you can go onto the net now and read about my surgon i was under that did my first hip operation he as boched up a 100 people maimed them and still working for that same hospital hes cost the NHS 2 million and hes still working at that same hospital but the people got Legal Aid to get compansation of the NHS and its still on going  this as been going on for over 7yrs with him but with the Legal Aid cutting down this is why i couldn't get it so went for these solicitors on the win no fee but the won't admit he caused so much nerve damage to me so hes got of with it.

      So this time im going to see if i can get Legal Aid a new solicitor that can't cheat you all i wanted was my quility of life back i couldn't get that but this surgon is trying to blame othe people EG: physios except him but if you look at my post above what he caused me to go through ive proved it was his fault so im going to get intouch now with the legal Aid board i can't belive 2 can get away with the suffereng im going through i can't walk through this second surgon belive me no one as pushed to get myself sorted out and the stress im going through not to mention the deppression.

      ring the Advocy Deptment up dont ring the Pals up they are an indepent body for the hospital's talk to them they put you intouch with the one in your area i did but they will help you they told me to get another solicitor .also they get your records but they can't sue they advice you what to do and they keep intouch with you its all confidential.

      i do hope this helps you and any one else in the same postion .

      christine x 

    • christine98681
      christine98681 Jayive

      Posted

      hi jayive

      looks like i might have replyed to the wrong person i think this should be for you aswell

      don't be add by contacting the Pals Dept ive been at them for my first hip replacement last October they are a pure waste of time i got a solictor on a win no fee you don't get the money from them either they take all you get of it themself's all the Pals do is look into it for you the rigmorole you go through is outragious they don't take you serious send letters to you but not the one's that still dosen't tell you no more than you are experiencing.

      you have to prove the damage they cause was negligent in the theatre that takes some doing belive me my solicitor wrote to them on my behalf they never new i had them behind me and as still got away with the surgon who made the the mess on my first op................then i got a second opinion while that was going on

      the second surgon was from a different hospital miles away he picked upon the mess the first hip replacement had been done i never told him or any one about me reporting the first surgon and load and be hold he did a revision on my second op im May this yr he's done the same made another mess left me maimed completly.

      so if you thinking of getting intouch with the Pals i would forget it unless you can get Legal Aid and a good solicitor this is the only way you can get it sorted this no win no fee i got nothing they make sure even though they take an insurance out for you its a right con.

      don't be fooled by the Pals they look after there surgon's belive me you can go onto the net now and read about my surgon i was under that did my first hip operation he as boched up a 100 people maimed them and still working for that same hospital hes cost the NHS 2 million and hes still working at that same hospital but the people got Legal Aid to get compansation of the NHS and its still on going  this as been going on for over 7yrs with him but with the Legal Aid cutting down this is why i couldn't get it so went for these solicitors on the win no fee but the won't admit he caused so much nerve damage to me so hes got of with it.

      So this time im going to see if i can get Legal Aid a new solicitor that can't cheat you all i wanted was my quility of life back i couldn't get that but this surgon is trying to blame othe people EG: physios except him but if you look at my post above what he caused me to go through ive proved it was his fault so im going to get intouch now with the legal Aid board i can't belive 2 can get away with the suffereng im going through i can't walk through this second surgon belive me no one as pushed to get myself sorted out and the stress im going through not to mention the deppression.

      ring the Advocy Deptment up dont ring the Pals up they are an indepent body for the hospital's talk to them they put you intouch with the one in your area i did but they will help you they told me to get another solicitor .also they get your records but they can't sue they advice you what to do and they keep intouch with you its all confidential.

      i do hope this helps you and any one else in the same postion .

      christine x 

    • Jayive
      Jayive christine98681

      Posted

      Hi Christine, I have already spoken to the PALS and yes they were useless. But thanks for your advice, I'll be taking it further soon.
    • Elizabethstar5
      Elizabethstar5 Jayive

      Posted

      Jayive, I hope you get some results and actions from the MRI If you do please share, for the likes of you and my dad it's just not fair!

       

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Jayive

      Posted

      Hi ,

      I went thru a similar issue, 11 months after THR MY HIP COMPONENTS WERE RECALLED by the manufacturer. I had a revision done last Oct. The pain is gone and I am regaling my strength in the leg.

       Everyone is different. It took nearly 1 year for my other hip to heel without constant pain. 

      That was 15 years ago. Still doing well no pain in that leg or hip just occasionally dur to age wear and tear.

      If u need to get another opinion then try that or maybe more PSIO therapy. I just hope u don't ever have to go thru a revision.

      Kindest Regards

      3 time THR 

      HOPE

    • susan03781
      susan03781 Jayive

      Posted

      I know it's been a year since you posted but I just saw this. My right leg below knee has been numb since hip replacement surgery but I can feel people touch the area but extremely tight, sore, numb. I get shooting pain in bottom of foot. It's been 13 weeks. I go to physical therapy. Area over incision hurts but looks fine. Surgeon is no help at all. How did things work out for you?
    • debbie04463
      debbie04463 susan03781

      Posted

      Hi Susan thought I would answer your questions as I have been on this site on and off for 2 years. You most certainly have nerve damage. Google nerve damage after hip replacement. You will see sites with your symptoms. I have femoral nerve damage caused by THR. Your symptoms sound similar to mine. I noticed straight after surgery my inside of thigh over my knee and inner side of my lower leg were numb. Surgeon said sometimes nerves get stretched but should get back to normal in a few days. I could not lift my lower leg I had to pick it up to put in car. Thankfully I was able to lift it after 4 months. Between the op and six week check up I was so worried about the symptoms I went on the net, it was femoral nerve damage. On my visit to the surgeon I told him my symptoms and thought I had femoral nerve damage. He agreed with me and said he had only had one other patient it happened to and they recovered after year. He sent me for extra physio and nerve tests, which confirmed it. It takes up to a year for the nerves to regrow and reconnect. My leg collapsed several times and I had to wear a leg brace for about 9 months. I regained the strength in my muscles but not easy for me to go up or downstairs. I haven't got previous strength. Unfortunately I am left with the oversensitive skin which I hate being touched . My leg feels like it's tightening when I walk and have constant pain. Electric shock type shooting pain has lessened but still occurs. The nerve to the skin, saphenous nerve has not recovered and last consultant in November 2015 told me it's not likely to after all this time. I think yours might be sciatic nerve damage . Do you have trouble putting your foot down when you try and walk if so it's called foot drop. Do you have an appointment due with your surgeon? If not go to your G P and insist on having nerve tests to confirm it. Surgeons don't like to admit that there is a problem for some reason. Mine was helpful as he could be. Nerve damage is rare after the op but does happen. Hopefully yours is not as severe as mine and you will recover. Please let me know how you get on and I wish you well. You have to be patient as nerves take months to recover.
    • andy8251
      andy8251 christine98681

      Posted

      Does anyone use the social media as a voice to get the word out. I had my THR in 2000 and ended up with a fine feeling hip but feet that feel like they are in ice water. But I was too stupid to follow up legally reguarding the doctor and Permanente's responsibility. I thinkin on goin on facebook or even utube, maybe...worried about privacy issues though.
    • harshwardh06411
      harshwardh06411 susan03781

      Posted

      Hi Susan..

      I am experiencing similar pain after THR..and it worsens in night.. Doctor says it would go off by time..How about you?? Hope you pain is gone off...please reply

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