Posted , 7 users are following.
I had a THR May 20, 2015. Here it is 2018 and I am still in pain. I can't put weight on my leg or it goes into severe cramping and I am paralyzed wherever I am. It is so bad that I scream instinctively. I can't put my full weight on my leg or it will seize up and I will fall to the ground. I've had quite a bit of imaging done but none of the doctors I've been to can see the problem. I don't even know where to turn anymore. I am 55 and I feel like my life is that of what I thought it would be be at 85 maybe... as I was fairly active before and enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, etc. (I live in Alaska). I have seen the best doctors here in Alaska. They both said they never would have operated on me, once they saw my original imaging. Apparently it wasn't bone on bone like my surgeon "pointed" out to me when he encouraged me to have the surgery. I wish I would never have had it. Another problem I have is I don't have full range of motion. If I sit on the floor with my feet together and knees bent, I can lay my bent right knee/leg out to the side and without pain, I can't move my left bent leg at all without pain and can't get past a few inches without so much resistance and pain that it is not physically possible. I need a team to look at me or a "super doctor". All they tell me is to go see a pain doctor.... I want to know what the real cause of the pain is and have it fixed.... Thank You to anyone that sees this and thinks of any doctors that could be helpful or any clinic, or if you or someone you know has also had this problem with weight' bearing and severe cramping.
1 like, 9 replies
Dawron jeannette16709
Posted
Gosh sounds really awful wish I could tell you something useful but I cannot. I can only hope you find a solution to this soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
AlexandriaGizmo jeannette16709
Posted
Hi Jeannette, I'm not sure if what I'm going to write is going to be helpful but here goes, maybe i haven't had a hip replacement or even surgery but in June 2016 i had a bad fall and fractured my hip and pelvis, for many reasons i didnt have the replacement so I still have the problems.
I also have the same problem as you, i get exceptionally bad spasms in my hip/thigh and when it happens it stops you in your tracks making it impossible to do anything sometimes knocking me off my crutches which i use all the time not being able to put full weight through the left leg.
when you say you have had numerous xrays/MRIs but they insist it looks ok.
get them to check for your joint being in the wrong position, even remotely off it can cause pain and spasms.
if thats not found to be the case then get them to refer you to a neurologist
i also get spasms in my shins because of it as well, do you have a leg length discrepancy
Charlie2018 jeannette16709
Posted
sorry about your journey. that sounds terrible.
i am not bone on bone (yet) and have been putting off surgery myself so i really identify with your story especially as it relates to risk vs reward ("They both said they never would have operated on me, once they saw my original imaging. Apparently it wasn't bone on bone like my surgeon "pointed" out to me when he encouraged me to have the surgery.")
most doctors have told me (last check i was moderate - i do have chronic pain, but work to manage the pain), it is my decision. yep, got that. i have had one doctor on the internet that said it makes sense to wait until the pain outweighs the risk - and i have headed his advice. his point was no regret in doing it. i would think that bothers you as well, as it would me too.
best of luck to you, i hope someone can offer you some solutions.
Gina1955 jeannette16709
Posted
Is it possible your sciatic or femoral nerve was affected during surgery? Get an appt with a neurologist and ask if you can have a special MRI called a neurography which only shows the nerves unlike a regular MRI. It's how I found out my sciatic nerve was stretched during surgery to the point that part of it is dead and will never heal. Blessings for you and please don't give up trying to find out what is wrong.
Charlie2018 Gina1955
Posted
Gina, was your anterior surgery also?
Gina1955 Charlie2018
Posted
Yes mine was anterior approach. I have since learned this is quite common in anterior hip replacements.
Charlie2018 jeannette16709
Posted
forgot to ask, what type of approach did you have?
jeannette16709 Charlie2018
Posted
Anterior approach. I have a friend that had the posterior approach and she is doing great. After my surgery, I went to a different Orthopedic surgeon that told me that he did the anterior approach for awhile but felt that it wasn't working as desired; that he was actually doing his patients a disservice by performing the anterior approach. Wish I would have had this doctor instead of the one I had....
ptolemy jeannette16709
Posted
My surgeon has gone back to posterior, I had a lateral posterior and was allowed to bend afterwards. He reckoned he could protect the muscles using this approach. I found it fantastic.
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