Tenotomy of the iliopsoas ( tendon release )

Hi sandy

I have had 5 THR 2 tendon releases 2 dislocations.

I had an injection into the tendon 4 weeks ago due to on going intense pain and weekness.

It has not helped at all and was crazy painful having it done. I’m trying to get back into physio but there’s a long wait time for me now.

It’s all such a process it’s crazy

Hi Sandy.  I just had this injection  a week ago done by a radiologist under floroscopy.  I previously had it done under ultrasound.  The one done under ultrasound was done at the same time about 20 plus cc of fluid was withdrawn.  This doctor was an inexperienced sports Medicine doctor.  I do not believe this doctor injected the tendon sheath (? Same as the bursa).  That injection was pain free and did nothing, The one I had done a week ago was done as an outpatient procedure.  The radiologist said it could also have bee under ultrasound.  He gave lidocaine first followed by the steroid.  There was some mild discomfort but I had immediate relief from the lidocaine,  when the lidocaine wore off, I had more pain for about 5 days and Now pain involving the iliopsoas is present but less. This was pretty clearly diagnostic that the problem is the ileopsoas.  I also have pretty severe throbbing and either severe numbness or soreness  upper and lateral thigh.  Two doctors have said they don’t know what this pain is about.  It is fairly new pain at 6months out.  Suggestions are that it might be scar tissue.  I think it might be nerve entrapment.  I don’t have leg cramps but I sometimes have pain radiating down my leg and occasionally it has radiated down to lower leg.  Maybe that pain is related to something else.  Quinine is used for leg cramps and I think plaquenil might also be used for that.

Hi Donni, i'm so sorry to hear this. i think you may be in a bad bunch of doctors. Nothing should have led to so many surgeries. Maybe you can get second opinion from someone outside of whatever medical group you're using. Wishing you some relief, as this is so sad you've been through all this. 

Hi Sandy, have you had the injection yet? 

If not, here's my experience: Had this done under a fluoroscope, it as done with a series of injection each one numbing the next layer, so to speak. I was told that I might have immediate relief ..or not. It was most definitely 'not'. Thought the injection itself was actually not painful, it did make the overall pain much worse for several days, this then subsided to the point where it was the same as before the injection. For the next couple of days I noticed some very minor improvement, eg. I could lift my leg a few inches higher when putting on shorts or getting into the car. It then reverted to pre injection mode.

So outcome... no help. One change, I do now have crawling sensations all down my leg and on my foot. keep looking to see if a large spider has become over friendly.

Having read Susan's reply to you, it pretty much echos my experience.

Ho Donni, I'm confused to how you have had 2 Tendon releases? Different legs? were they the full or partial? If it is full, its cut and no longer attached... thanks!

The full release of the iliopsoas tendon gave me adult onset scoliosis as there is now one side pulling and the surgical side has permanent weakness. I do not recommend this surgery to anyone, ever. I now have chronic pain and have developed myofascial pain syndrome as a result. 

LexyDesS, I am so sorry to read this. Was there ever any improvement perhaps in the last 9 months since you last posted? I'm hoping so for you.

I have had no improvement and have tried every form of treatment my doctors could/can think of. This chronic pain has gone on almost 4 years now, and its all because the surgeon cut a vital tendon that didnt need to be cut. I dont know what to do anymore. Ive strongly considered having him cut the other side, in hopes that would restore some symmetry to my spine and stop the pull to the stronger side. But this could be a disastrous move. So Im waiting, who knows for how much longer. Feels endless.

ohh Lexy, I'm so sorry. i feel like I hear the sadness in your words. i think none of us want to admit it out loud, but this can be truly depressing. last weekend the depression got bad, and I came back to this board after 9 months away. I'm only mentioning it because I feel like maybe it will be a little help to know you're not alone. I'm sure everyone jumps to the topic of an attorney, which of course is it's own battle, when there's others first in line like trying to get a solution. I'm sending all good wishes for you.

Anthony, how has it worked out for you over the last year? If I'm following the threads right, you had the psoas release surgery last year?

Sandy, glad you didn't do full release either. Once I nearly did that, and learned at last minute that there was something else, quite different called fractional release, it shocked me that anyone still does full release. 

Hi Sandy, how has the physiatrist worked out for you? It's been 9 months since you posted, and I'm asking lots of folks in this thread if, after all this time, they can say what has been successful, or not. I'm 5 years out from my hip replacement, still can't walk much, chronic pain, have gotten so out of shape, lost so much time not living my life, can't travel etc. I have to reinvigorate my quest for a solution.

Really didn't have much luck there. First, he suggested sugar injections at $500 each which insurance didn't cover. He sent me to a doctor in Arlington, VA and he suggested stem cell injections at a cost of $7000 each and insurance didn't cover them either. Could be 3-5 injections of each and no guarantee it would work. I am not wealthy so asked if he thought time would heal it and he said, "Maybe." So, that is what I am doing and things do seem to be better than they were so guess I'll just keep on keeping on for now.

thanks for the reply Sandy. did I understand you that you are doing the 7000 each stem cell injections? did the doctor explain how that can work? i don't understand the process, maybe cells regrow where the tendon is damaged?

appreciate any thoughts on it that you are okay with sharing.