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Stem has moved

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Ginnys
Ginnys

hi folks

i had my left hip replacement surgery May 30 went to first outside physio  appointment on June 14 for assessment. I had been placing a pillow longwise under my operated leg for sleeping on my back as it more comfortable but physiotherapist told me I shouldn't have done that because my knee wouldn't go flat down when she tested it. She gave me more exercises to do at home and I will be going to physio once a week for approximately 6 weeks. I hate sleeping on my back but will persevere and will do the exercises that were given to me. I'm also walking a bit more each day. Today I went to hospital to have the staples removed and had an X-ray of the hip. My surgeon then reviewed everything said I was walking just fine and the incision looked good. However, the X-ray showed the stem has moved a bit. Surgeon said it is settling in, and everyone heals differently. The only pains I'm having are really aches from my thigh to my knee, especially the knee. He told me that is just normal healing.

i have to go back for another X-ray in two weeks but I am really worried. Is this dislocating? I'm now afraid to do the exercises in case I move something more.

this was done with the posterior approach and is not cemented.

has anyone had this happen to them?

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • Orsina
    Orsina Ginnys

    Posted

    Dear Ginny,

    mother (90) had her op on 19th April.  A bit of a problem with blood pooling around the incision kept her in hospital for three weeks. Has her first assessment with x-rays on 3rd July.  Is raring to go as she says she hasn't time to be patient.  She tells me to let you know that you need to try to be patient and positive.  If the surgeon 

    • Ginnys
      Ginnys Orsina

      Posted

      Hi orsina

      oh my, 90 yrs young! God bless your mother. Hope she is doing better and tell her for me that I am trying to be patient and I thought I was until last Friday when the surgeon told me the stem moved. Now I feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff waiting to see if this new hip will dislocate.

      hoping your mother heals well and has an excellent recovery from now on.

      Ginny

  • dana90029
    dana90029 Ginnys

    Posted

    Hi Ginnys,

    I am having an awful time with my knee.  I, too, am afriad to do the exercises but for different reasons.  When my leg was dislocated for my rthr, they tore the cartlidge in my knee.  It's worse than my hip. This was in Jan. 2017. Going on six months later, I cannot bend my knee to cross my leg at all--it is like it's frozen in place.  The doc told me not to even try it.  I didn't ask for how long, because I think I was in total shock.  I had been complaining about my knee since the day after surgery. Last appointment, he said he wanted to wait 3-4 weeks to see if it would heal itself.  Well, it had had five months to heal while all the time I've been in more pain 24/7 than I ever have.  There's no way I can sleep.  My knee will not go flat, either, and I slept on my back for months. He told me I didn't have to anymore if I used a pillow.  I'm 5'8" and weigh 100 lbs.  Why would someone have to twist my leg so violently as to, as I see it, ruin it?  I don't want anymore surgery. I've had to rely on my left leg so much that my left hip, which was ok, is slipping and I felt that bone on bone.  I could do so much more before surgery even with it hurting. I knew what I could and couldn't/shouldn't do.  Now, I feel like my life is ruined and I'm on the edge of a cliff.  I've always been so active and now, all I can do is sit for a short time and then have to change positions.  I know what you feel. Why the knee?  Haven't they ever done this surgery before?  I tried all last week to get some help and got none. One doc who came to my home town wouldn't see people over 60. Guess he wants the young chics.  He also said he didn't do surgery--just referals.  I looked at his webpage and it says he does all surgeries of the knee and hip. My doc was on vacation, or so they said, so I have to wait another 11 days to see him.  If no satisfication, then I'm going to find another surgeon.  Something is very wrong.  I have the same symtoms as you, though.  Good luck.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 dana90029

      Posted

      dear dana, 

      I am so sorry to hear about the pain you have due to your knee -

      It is kind of brutal how they dislocate the hip jount and then not attend to the knee problem that was the result of that jerking ...

      was the torn cartilage in the knee officially diagnosed? Have you been back to your surgeon to have it checked --

      Perhaps you should see another surgeon, just to get a second opinion -

      do you see a physical therapist? 

      please come back and let us know okay .... or start you own discussion .. I know you already posted one ...

      take care - 

      big warm hug

      renee

    • Ginnys
      Ginnys dana90029

      Posted

      dear dana

      thank you for your comments. I am very sorry you are experiencing such pain and do hope you get some help very soon. I don't believe my knee has anything seriously wrong with it as I can bend it with no pain now and can press it flat to the bed as per one of the exercises I was given at the hospital. As I said previously when I went to outside physio last week the physiotherapist told me I shouldn't have been using a pillow under my leg while sleeping flat on my back as that is what caused my knee to be so rigid. Since then I don't use a pillow, I do the physio exercises and ice the knee or any other spot that aches.

      my main concern and great worry is the stem of the new hip has moved and from what I have read, that is a sign of replacement failure. I'll know more when I have another X-ray and speak to the surgeon June 30.

      have you had an X-ray of your knee? That doctor who won't see anyone over 60 should not be in business at all, what a terrible person.

      he should be reported to the medical board as that is discrimination 

      As of today, my knee feels a lot better and I don't have the terrible pain I had pre operation I do have aches which I believe are from muscles coming alive again and numbness in both my legs from the knees to my shins and that is mostly upon waking in the morning. 

      Dana I would keep trying to get another opinion and in the meantime ice the knee, try to keep moving (I know not easy) and let us know how you are doing.

      sending good thoughts and best wishes to you

      Ginny

       

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