Ongoing leg/groin pain after two years of Hip Replacement
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi. I am new here and hoping to get some advice. I have had both hips replaced, the last one over a year ago. Since then, I was having lower back pain and pain in my legs (outer sides) and groin after sitting for a period of time. This is still bothering me and I have been to at least four different doctors. My hip surgeon said it was bursitis and I had some injections which did nothing. I went to a spine doctor who said I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back and tried some injections... nothing. A new doctor referred me to physical therapy; that guy said it was muscle related and after 11 sessions and no relief, I stopped going. Tried another doctor who said it was nerve related... more injections and a recent nerve ablation for my spine... I am STILL in pain. The pain is hard to explain because it varies depending on the time of day. If I rub from my outer hip area down my outer thigh area, it is really sore, almost feels bruised. Do you think I should return to my hip surgeon? I get so depressed with this going on and not knowing what it is from. Thanks!!
1 like, 10 replies
heather54571 brenda89382
Edited
Hi Brenda. Apologies for long post in advance.
Ive been on this forum a few times since my hip replacement 18 months ago. Ive had lots of help and advice. Like you I have had all the usual ultra sound steriod injections into different areas and no relief. I had an mri which was inconclusive as it couldn't see most of the areas because of the replacement stating there is a lot of artefact making it difficult to assess the gluteal cuff tendons. My latest report to gp says I now have evidence of meralgia parasthetica . I checked my report before I had the replacement in 2019 and low and behold I had meralgia parasthetica then too. I am now waiting on another guided injection into my groin area. My consultant asked for a second opinion but the other surgeon said it looks like I am one of the 10% who does not benefit from a hip replacement so no second opinion !!!
You should return to your consultant and ask for mri or scans. Research everything online or on forums first and compare what I have had regarding pain areas and procedures before returning to consultant.
The pain I get is in my groin up over the top of my leg into wound area and into my buttock. It's still unbearable after all this time. I cannot walk upstairs without pulling my leg up, get into a car or in and out of bed without pulling it up. It can be shooting pains, burning or a rubbing sensation. I have bought a Laser Iight Therapy device and tens machine, they don't do much but I feel I have to try something and keep using them along with recommended gentle exercises. You could maybe try them if you want I could send links to the ones I have bought if you want to try them.
Good luck. . Take care. Let me know how you get on.
Thanks Heather xx
brenda89382 heather54571
Edited
Thank you for your response. This is so very frustrating. As I stand typing, if I move or shift my weight, there is like a pulling sensation in my groin. I am making an appointment with my surgeon and see what he says... it isn't right and I am only 61 years old so don't want to deal with this the rest of my life!
barbara66703 brenda89382
Edited
good luck with your next appt. your absolutely 100% right that this is the surgeons responsibility. not yours to find the cause. what ever it takes to free you of pain.
i eventually went thru hip surgery revision before the issues were found causing my pain. nothing showed on tests from A-Z.
after all we go thru hip surgery to have complete mobility and a better quality of life. it is possible and never give in, never give up in matters great or small, this is your standard of life. life is a 'Gift'.
sending positive energy your way.
ruby99551 brenda89382
Posted
Hi Brenda,
I have exactly the same issues. They went further to diagnose with ultrasound that I had a groin hernia, then when sent to surgeon, she said 'no, there is no hernia there'.
Fortunately, the surgeon sent me to a pain specialist. She diagnosed the Sacroiliac joint. All the things she pointed out were spot on.
I am now focussed on this area, and building my core muscles around the Sacroiliac.
Take a look at some videos on You Tube and type in hip pain Sacroiliac Joint.
t.
best Ruby
heather54571 ruby99551
Posted
Hi Brenda/Ruby/Barbara
I will also look at the You tube videos. Thank goodness for this forum. I feel all I have done is complain since i had the thr. (All I want is to be able to walk better and get a full nights sleep).
take care all
Heather
ruby99551 brenda89382
Posted
Hi Brenda again.
What painkillers do you take?
Some nights are so bad, I want to chop my leg off!!! I only have panadol because I think its getting better, then smack, it surprises me for a while week of nightly pain. Driving in a low car is not good.
Ruby
james56388 brenda89382
Edited
It's funny how each specialist diagnosed you with their own field of expertise.
Anyway, I had a very similar issue after my THR and saw an excellent physio. She said that because I'd not exercised properly for years, in a job where most of my time is sitting down, certain muscles had almost wasted away.
Your back is supported by your core muscles and gluteus (bum) muscles, and in addition your tendons shrink over time. I was given a long course of exercises and stretches, and it's worked wonders. I had lower back pain and groin pain. Basically years of sedentary lifestyle meant my back wasn't being supported by surrounding muscles.
Now, this might not fix you, but it's not going to make things worse. Making sure your core and other muscles are strong is only going to take pressure off your back and MIGHT work. You said you went 11 times - that's not enough. It took me months, doing exercises every day (almost) before I was fixed. Years of pain and not exercising is not going to be fixed in a few sessions at the physio.
Good luck and I hope you find a solution.
jodi10969 brenda89382
Edited
Hi Brenda - I had my THR 7 months ago. My recovery was fairly normal and expected, but I am experiencing hip pain in that area again. It's uncomfortable to sleep on that side. My other leg is a bit shorter now and my surgeon finally gave me an RX for a shoe lift. I have herniated discs in my back and the sacrum area has caused me considerable pain since the THR. I had facet nerve ablation 10 days ago and I am still in pain. I am going back to my chiropractor next week. It seems that's the only relief I've found. Sending you well wishes for improvement. Please keep me posted.
nancy82849 brenda89382
Posted
It sounds like IT Band syndrome. I have it too. Look it up on google The IT Band runs from your hip to your knee. If its tight you will feel the pain . My PT is working on it for me. He stretches it and uses a scraper to roll it out. There are exercises your PT can give you for it. I bought a face roller that you freeze and i use that up and down my leg.
ann41487 brenda89382
Posted
Hello Brenda,
I don't know if we have the same problem or not. I am 9 weeks post anterior hip replacement wondering why I have horrible groin pain. Surgeon useless, only wants to protect himself by blaming me . X rays look perfect now go away. Physical therapist only one keeping me sane. Leg has no strength to climb stairs, get in car, put on clothes and if you try a straight leg raise horrible pain and no muscle strength. I have pain in thigh and knee. I haven't gone to new doctor yet to get diagnosis but i think it's iliopsoas impingement. I match up with a bunch of people who have exact same experiences and were diagnosed with that. Treatment for it is risky and can make it worse. Just wanted to tell you in case you didn't know about iliopsoas impingement. It really sucks because doctor told me how wonderful anterior hip replacement is and how I'd be back to work in 3-4 weeks. Then offers zero support when surgery goes wrong. Seems like this problem is prevalent in anterior approach surgeries.