Posted , 13 users are following.
I was told that I would have to repeat surgery as the prosthetic stem isn't adhering to the bone inside my leg. This is so gut wrenching. Has this happened to anyone else out there? And how have you coped. I think I will get a second opinion but it does make sense this is the reason I am not healing.
4 likes, 28 replies
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AlexandriaGizmo ann99163
Posted
So I'm presuming you have had xrays to substantiate the decision and that there is no healing taking place around the replacement and bone.
Is the pain extremely bad, I'm hoping for you that you can maybe not have to have more surgery but if there's no other way then I'm sure it will relieve your symptoms.
ann99163 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Thank you so much for responding! I was supposed to have a bone scan last week but after researching the procedure decided to opt out (they inject you with a radioactive solution that could cause DNA and cell damage and cause cancer down the road. With all the cancer in my family from oral to colon and everything in between I just couldn't do it)
The pain is worse when lifting my leg but bearable. I think I'm going to have to be brave and have it done again. The surgeon said he would cement the stem in this time.
AnnieK ann99163
Posted
I just had surgery 15 months after my THR after having pain and limping all that time. In my case, the prostheses were fine, no loosening or infection. I had a severely torn gluteus medius tendon that could not heal on its own and prevented me from walking properly. So it is important to get the right diagnosis and treatment for whatever your problem is, and that may mean more surgery.
It IS gut wrenching to have a complication, but it does happen. Best wishes to you in your quest to find answers!
ann99163 AnnieK
Posted
Thank you for being so kind. You've made me realize that the pain could be something other than the stem. I'm wondering if a cat scan would show the same information as a bone scan. Yes, good idea to get 2nd opinion from doctor in a different practice
I hope you are fully recovered from all your surgeries and life is back to normal. I can't wait to get my life back and be able to work out and hike again. I do swim, which helps.
AnnieK ann99163
Posted
X-rays showed nothing wrong with my prostheses. I also had a bone scan, which showed no problem, and MRI's of my spine and hip. The MARS MRI of my hip showed the serious soft tissue injury. If there is stem loosening, it should show up on x-ray. How did your orthopedist make his diagnosis? What imaging did he use?
jeannette_20091 AnnieK
Posted
Just wondering what kind of issues were you having. Right now I feel like there is something not right in my middle and upper thigh. Could be muscular but I don't think it is. . X-rays showed no loosening Everything looked great. I am a yr post op. I go for a bone scan tomorrow. If they don't see anything I wonder if an MRI is next. This all just started happening in the last month. When I walk I have no idea when I'm going to get that awful feeling. Makes me walk very cautiously. I am doing so much better than before my thr. No pain at all in the joint or around it. Just my thigh
AnnieK jeannette_20091
Posted
Jeannette, I had pain in the middle of my buttock and down to the greater trochanter on the surgical leg. I also was unable to balance on my surgical leg alone, ever, after the surgery, even many months post-op. I was diagnosed by physical exam and results of a hip MARS MRI of having a torn gluteus medius tendon. Just had the surgery to repair it 13 days ago. I am wearing a movement restricting brace for 6 - 8 weeks and am 20 pound flat-foot weight bearing on that leg to try to make sure it doesn't tear again before the healing is strong.
I had a bone scan at about 6 months post-op. Usually they like to wait a year post-op for a bonescan, since healing is still taking place around the prostheses for a long time and will show up on the scans. I was surprised to see evidence of a previous rib fracture on my scan. I knew I had hurt myself there years ago, but didn't know it was broken. It showed up as a dark spot on an image. If there is a problem with your prosthesis it might show up on the bone scan. With the MRI you can see soft tissue damage, but you need a real expert to interpret the images. Of the two MARS MRIs that I had, two radiologists and my former orthopedic surgeon missed the tendon tear. Only my new surgeon, who has a specialty in repairing gluteal tears was able to see the tear in the images.
jeannette_20091 AnnieK
Posted
Goodness you have been through a lot!!! I am so puzzled with my thigh issues. I can walk with no pain then boom. I have sudden pain. All in the thigh. This just started about 3 weeks ago. I'm praying that nothing has loosened up! Hopefully find out in a few days! Hoping your recovery goes really well this time!!!!!
ann99163 AnnieK
Posted
ann99163 jeannette_20091
Posted
Hi jeannette. I'd be interested to find out what the bone scan shows. I kept thinking it was my thigh muscle too. Like you my actual joint feels great, it's all in the thigh.
jeannette_20091 ann99163
Posted
ann99163 jeannette_20091
Posted
Good luck! I have my "second opinion" appointment on Monday. Will keep you posted 😊
jennifer95507 jeannette_20091
Posted
Hi.. have you had your results from the scan?..hope they are good!...I have been told yesterday to have Steroid injection in the hip in the next two to three weeks by my surgeon...as he said 'you dont want to be limping for the rest of your life' WTF!!!...I should not be limping..seems it is the muscle weakness..or so he says!! I have has 14 months PT and now go Private as NHS were rubbish... 8 sessions down the line and still pain in the muscles and limping..so using my crutches to walk..my doc said..go get a Blue Badge as I qualify!!!!!....I should NOT be limping....Confused as research on Steroid Injection in Hip can result in pain/limping can worsen....just dont now what to do.
renee01952 ann99163
Posted
hi ann,
so sorry to hear this and I agree with previous posts -
what kind of pain is it ?
were you told why the prothesis is not adhering to the bone ?
please let us know how you are getting on, okay --- we all learn so much from each other ...
big warm hug'
renee
ann99163 renee01952
Posted
?Thanks Renee. Pain has different levels, from dull ache to sharp pain depending on what I'm doing. Can't walk up hills. Going from sitting to standing hurts until I get going. Doesn't hurt when I'm resting or sleeping thank heavens.
?Doctor said that in a small percentage of patients (aren't I the lucky one!) their chemical make-up rejects the stem as a foreign object. Or maybe he used a prosthetic that was too small.
Big hug back,
?Ann