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Post Anterior Total Hip Replacement

Posted , 6 users are following.

JessTob
JessTob

Hello, Im almost 4 weeks post total hip replacement and so far I've been experiencing some questionable side effects.

1) Drop foot ( can not flex my foot towards me) upon waking up after surgery. They did a spinal block, which I didn't want.

2) Never ending nerve pain that landed me in the ER 3 times, from the top of the pelvis crest, down my backside, to the ankle.

3) Still numb on the left side of my shin/calf, down to my foot.

4) Painful skin on the numb area, and Itching!

If anyone has had these experiences, PLEASE share, I'd love to read about what you done to help it, and if it ever went away! I went in to get away from pain, get back to work, and OFF pain meds, only to be put on MORE! Ony good thing is that im walker free and can move about. I was let go after my surgery. I have lupus and 7 years post kidney transplant. Also im only 29 years of age. I had to have the replacement, due to long term

Prednisone use, which led to Avascuar Necrosis.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • maddy81173
    maddy81173 JessTob

    Posted

    I have also had my hip replaced due to AVN. However I had the posterior approach and so far I’m doing well - 11 weeks post op. I said it to someone else on this site that if you use Facebook there are a couple of excellent support groups on there for avascular necrosis. Lots of people who’ve faced replacements at your age or even younger. (I was 40 at time of replacement.) I really hope that other people are able to help with your questions. I just didn’t want you to go unanswered. All the best x
  • Ducksoup
    Ducksoup JessTob

    Posted

    I’m no Physician but worked with them my entire career around medical facilities.  The Lupus could very well be related to the nerve pain?  Have you ever tried Lyrica for nerve pain?  (Non narcotic that blocks the synapses of the nerves in most cases).  The spinal bloc likely had nothing to do with foot movement.  You do realize that you had major invasive surgery that cuts muscles, affects nerves, etc.  The healing process can cause many of these issues.  Just take the meds prescribed if they work.  Getting off them will be no issue unless you take them for many months. I’d talk with your regular surgeon if you can about these issues.
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy JessTob

    Posted

    One problem that seems to come up a lot with the anterior approach is nerve problems. As the incision is small and muscles are not cut, it means that the surgeon has to move things around a bit and this can cause problems with nerves post op. I must admit that is the main reason I decided on the posterior approach. I also noticed on the surgeon’s notes he had protected the sciatic nerve, I had not heard of this before. It does sound like your main problems are to do with nerve damage. 
  • chris13920
    chris13920 JessTob

    Posted

    Hi Jess,

    I have a lot of nerve pain and numbness too. I had that also with my hip revision two years ago and it did go away but took awhile. The skin thing, yes I have that too and I think it is the nerve thing. The drop foot, I did not have so cannot advise other than there is a lot of inflammation which put pressure or your piriformus muscle could be enflamed causing pressure but you should have it checked out.

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