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Rod in Hip 10 Mos-- Now told need total hip replacement!!

Posted , 7 users are following.

shirley49794
shirley49794

I am now told need a total hip replacement and that i have a screw which is loose and/or going into my bone! 

Any thoughts on this????

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • kaleani75551
    kaleani75551 shirley49794

    Posted

    Ok first, i am sorry you have to go thru this again, really!  

    But is not the implant supposed to blend with the bone?  Maybe someone else will have a better answer, i am really not an expert on the subject...in any case, good luck to you Shirley...

  • Stacee
    Stacee shirley49794

    Posted

    Have you already had your hip replaced and now the screw is loose?  
  • ros007
    ros007 shirley49794

    Posted

    I suspect you had a fracture at the top of your femur and that the device they  used to fix the fracture is creating problems.  There are a number of ways this can happen and it isn't that unusual for certain types of fracture.  If healing goes well you retain your natural joint which is a good thing, especially if you are still youngish for a hip replacement. If it doesn't then a second op to put in a total hip is possible.  Surgeons have to take a decision on whether to try for healing or go straight to replacement and it isn't always obvious which is the better route - of course if they go straight for replacement you don't know if it would have healed well.

    As you have probably realised, most of us do well with our new hips with maybe a few tricky bits on the way.  So here's hoping you do well with the second op. Hang in there.

  • Blenky
    Blenky shirley49794

    Posted

    Hi Shirley, I had some existing screws and a small plate in my left femur before requiring a THR, they have to remove the existing metalwork in order to fit the stem of the new prosthetic successfully.  This added about 2 hours to my op as the plate had been in for 40 years and was covered in bone. They also needed to add some titanium wire above and beneath the old plate location to reduce he likelyhood of fracture post op, but this can remain in place indefinitely..

    I am 49 and it didn't seem to increase my recovery time. I'm 15/16 weeks post op and pretty much back to normal, aside from the odd ache and pain if I push it too hard !!

    This did mean that there was no chance of the surgeon using the anterior approach which is supposed to have much shorter recovery times, but I'm not complaining. I can also say that reusing my old scar doesn't seem to have interfered with the healing process either, it looks neater now than it did before !!

     

    • shirley49794
      shirley49794 Blenky

      Posted

      thank u Blenky.  You are sure young to have had all of this!  I am not looking forward to redoing this, but guess i have to!!
  • christine98681
    christine98681 shirley49794

    Posted

    hi shirley

     i would go for it if you don't have it done now you will get a lot of pain if you leave it. i had one done seven months ago but was not done correctly

      i was told my femur was loose rod was out of lign and the put the wrong size femur head in also mine was not cemented so the skin had grown over the rod so don't take it you have the same things i had so i have had to have another total hip replacement done again 4 weeks ago i can walk only on my toe but it feels better already not every one heals as quick as other's also the first time i had it done only took 1 hr and 40 mins

    i had the epidural as i cant have genral but they sedate you so you cant see or feel anything this is better but even if you have genral you still won't no but its advisable to get it done now than wait for it to get worse.its easy for any one to say don't worry but you are bound to i did you can be out of hospital in 3 days i had a lot of complications with my second one took a lot longer if it had been done right in the first place i wouldn't have had to go through it again it was the waiting to get it done that was the worst part and the pain i was in hope you go on ok.

    .keep us posted on your progress when you come home

    good luck 

    • shirley49794
      shirley49794 christine98681

      Posted

      thank u so much for your msg!  I appreciate it.  Dont have surgery scheduled yet but will go back to Dr. on June 18 and will schedule then.  Will keep u posted.  I am in Dallas.
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure shirley49794

    Posted

    Could u PLZ add more info..

    most implants have screws into the bone. Are u referring to the hip ball joint or the stem into the femer bone?

    i have had 3 different types of hip prothesis over the yrs. knowing the name of the manufacturer and model can help u look up the type online to see the hip joint system. 

    Ask ak ur dr for the info from the surgery records. 

    • shirley49794
      shirley49794 hope4cure

      Posted

      I am going to doctor today and will find out this info.  May I ask your age?  I am 70 and i sure do not  look forward to doing this AGAIN!!  Why have you had to go thru this 3 times?  Please reply and thank u for replying before!
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure shirley49794

      Posted

      Hi Shirley I am 66 , I had my first hip at age 42 ... Second one age 52. Redo on parts worn out 2011 .... It nor easy I totally get it.. We seem to never get a full support system for our physicians.  Insist u know the manufacturer. Type of implant.. Read up on the Internet.. Stay informed.. Are u active now stay in good shape for a better recovery.... 

      Many blessing sent sent ur way. Hugs ......peace. Luv & laughter...

    • shirley49794
      shirley49794 hope4cure

      Posted

      Went to Dr. today and he cannot do surgery until Aug.5 which is 7 long weeks away!!!!  Dont know if i can hold out this long, but if i want him, guess i have to wait.  He is supposedly one of top 10 bone doctors in Dallas, Texas!  Thanks again for answering  -- you are sure young to have had these hip replacements.  God bless u!!

       

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure shirley49794

      Posted

      Shirley..

      I went thru the same wait time.. You need help can u ask for family to help?

      a wheel chair help me so mich..  The ins paid for it. It's better than the pain and easier tomanover. I rented a small one not the huge ones at hospitals. It worked well for me I could walk with a cane or walker and use of the wheelchair. Still kept my exercises up so recovery would not be so much rehab work.

      l am always her for u..

       I know the pain all too well. I too Tylenol with Tramadol.. The two worked miracles rest the hip rest this is the time to prepare for surgery and go out do a sommer trip while waiting.. We went fishing had a great week on the river & lovely cabin.. Visited my 96 yr old aunt did thing I knew I wouldn't be doing til next summer... 

      go for it.. Surgery is on wait for a reason.. Take the time to do something special... Ask surgeon for meds for travel...

      You have come this far UR strength will carry u to the next day and the next....

      healing gentle hugs sent UR way...

    • shirley49794
      shirley49794 hope4cure

      Posted

      Hello again.  I tried Tramadol -- it made me throw up!!!  Are u in Dallas? Called regular m.d. and asked him for pain med -- i think he is sending hydrocardone (spelling?)  I cannot afforf to travel much more as my son and I just went to Vegas!  So, will haang out in Dallas and go to movies -- my favorite thing to do!!
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure shirley49794

      Posted

      We'll how much fun was Vegas.. That's a good thing it is like having a pre surgery bucket list of things to do movies, even sight seeing in UR area. Dallas has lots of things do... I used to live in Austin when BUSH Was Govenor... That's how long ago I was there..im in the Pacific NW.

      If UR son can help u out on errands and other things u can work out that's good.. Even the grocery store the elec cart is a great way to shop.. Boy people are so helpful .... They move when they see me coming I pretend I'm not sure how to drive it..LOL ask UR doc for a parking handicapped permit if UR son is not available to take u.

      Hydrocodone ? I think that's is what the  RX  is for, & it will definately take the edge off. Tramadol is opiate based If taken with zantac & Tylenol it works differently. See webmd. Tylenol/ Tramadol.i am allergic to the codene in hydro and opiates in Tramadol. So I take Zurtec to stop the insane itching. Also ask about Cymbalta... It's great takes a few weeks to retain blood level as it relaxes all the muscles in my legs being stressed. Take it easy not to injure the hip while waiting...

      Follow the drs instruction when moving be mindful on walking turning etc. important to build up the butt muscles squeeze butt muscles up to 30 squezes 3 times a day. Work up to it slowly helpful to stay strong .u will be less likely to injure the tendons from surgery.firm the butt muscle up hip flexers will loosen up & lesson the rehab time.

      I have screws in both hip implants.  The bone in the hip bone itself not joint, needed to be filled with a type of filler to repair a hole the size of a Ping pong ball. I call the material bondo,  car dent repair gel..LOL..

      It's been inappropriate to try to repair hips with only rods screws or resurfacing the ball & joint. For years. Just because they do fail exactly what happened to u. The FDA no longer approves just the rod....screws... Also it's been known since the 70's that MOM causes heavy metal poisoning as the metals chards leech small microscopic shavings into the blood stream and eventually thru to the major organs. So it's good that it is being removed.. UR doc is not following the standard tests for MOM rod and screws... PLZ ask for a heavy metal test.. For chromium.. Cobalt.. And other metals..ck for heavy metals in UR blood stream may or may not be the case. It's necessary for healing. Demand a blood test... I have one every 6 months.

      Ask for the surgical records from the rod placement surgery to obtain the manufacturer tag which has the serial #..and manufacturer. Look online for manufactures pics of type and a video characture of the THR surgery to understand the method used for implantation.. Anterior , posterior ,or other techniques. Call the dr office ask them for the new hip manufacturer name &

      type of implant ... This is good to know ahead of time.. Be sure it is not MOM..there are ceramic ball joint lining the metal joint kinda noisy.. Or metal joint lined with polyurethane.cups or ceramic..cups so no metal wears on metal. No cement ...Cement types have been recalled many times.. Today's hip joints are press fit... They snap into place. a experienced physician will be happy to explain any questions u have.. Also u should have rec'd a booklet of all the necessary steps to prep UR -self home.. Pets, family ,showering etc. even exercises ....while awaiting surgery. Rehab.. & PT .

      Healing gentle hugs sent UR way..

      Stay strong!

  • ros007
    ros007 shirley49794

    Posted

    Good luck for August.  In the meantime build up your muscles as much as you can pre-op so you will be ready to go with your new hip.
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