Thigh Pain Update
Posted , 11 users are following.
I've learned that what I've been calling thigh and mid thigh pain after my THR is often commonly referred to as End of Stem Pain. This is not muscle pain, it's something else entirely. All I can find researching the topic are studies about what might be causing it. I just can't find studies on actual solutions and I'm getting very depressed about this, as it's been almost 10 months since my surgery and walking is now more painful than before, the pain is just in a different location ! Since my original surgeon is in a different state from where I now live, I have been seeing another surgeon who this week said my x-rays show no loosening and suggested I try Fosamax a bisphosphonate to see if this will perhaps help the stem grow into the bone better. He says it "helps some people" with thigh pain. Then after another 3 months, an MRI to see if there is any fluid between the stem and my bone. I'm really upset by this because I don't see any solutions out there at all and I feel very alone and discouraged. I'm a young at heart 65 ....at least I used to be.......and I was looking forward to a better life, not more pain and disability. I don't know ANYONE who's had to deal with this. Anyone on this forum got anything encouraging to tell me about this awful problem?
3 likes, 16 replies
Mungin522 margot50
Posted
Hey margot50, I feel your pain. I had my thp in August 2016 and I still have Severe pain in my groin and butt side. Pill and more pills and creams none of this stuff works.😡😡 I was getting shots in my back that help me a lot but it didn’t last. If you find something that works for you please let me know. Feel better.
margot50 Mungin522
Posted
Thanks Mungin522, I appreciate your reply and I'm sorry to hear you're having pain too. If I get relief, I'll be sure to post on it. Feel better too.
jen86183 margot50
Posted
Sorry to hear you have this pain, we all have our hip replaced in the hope of improving our life. I just wanted to share this with you as it sounds an odd tablet to offer you, my friend was on fosamax for 25 years for thinning of the bones, which is what it is normally taken for, she was told last year it had made no difference at all. I really hope you can find an answer to this pain, to bring some relief.
margot50 jen86183
Posted
Hi Jen86183,
Thanks so much for your kind words. Means a lot . Interesting about the Fosamax. Actually, I know someone who was on it for years too and it didn't help either ! It didn't help her at all. Her dexascan was excaly the same after many years. Wonder if it varies for different people.
I'm concerned about the possible esophageal side effects of the oral Fosamax that I've read about. That scares the dickens out of me. I'm going to Europe for a month and I don't want to have problems with any side effects while there. Considering asking for an injection of Fosamax or similar when I return, as it doesn't affect the esophagus. I'm only supposed to take it for three months, but still......my regular doctor, not my surgeon, told me the medical community was disappointed in the results of these drugs like Fosamax, yet many docs still prescribe them. Maybe some people are helped. Sometimes I think we're all guinea pigs. Maybe being in nice surroundings in Europe for a month will have a miraculous effect !
jen86183 margot50
Posted
Have a lovely holiday, I am sure it will take your mind off this problem. With the fosamax, you will need to research it to see if it is suitable for you or not, then make your decision. Again enjoy europe.
toy29952 margot50
Posted
Hi Margot50
I am 2weeks out from TRHR. Iv had the most severe pain in my thigh. When i stand and walk on it. But my therapist.. Took something like a rolling pin. And rolled it up and down my leg, it was painful but it felt good in the end. Muscles still real tight. Matbe that'll help....Good Luck with your pain....
margot50 toy29952
Posted
Toy29952, I'm delighted the rolling pin helped you. Must be muscles in your case. I'll certainly give it a go with my old rolling pin, it doesn't get any use anyway, but I think with me it isn't muscles. Thanks for chiming in ! Good luck with the rest of your recovery.
Gasparilla margot50
Posted
Margot,
Wow. I can only imagine how you are feeling. I have a couple of thoughts. First: get the MRI now. If there is a fluid build up, you’re looking at more surgery, possibly a revision. No reason to wait around to “see” if Fosamax helps. You might have to insist on getting the MRI.
If there is no fluid, then you cam try the Fosamax. I took Fosamax for 5 years for bone density issues. 5 years is the maximum amount of time you should take it. It did help with density. One other thought: CBD oil is legal and can be helpful for pain. It’s available on Amazon, so it’s easy to try. I live in Florida and there are stores that sell it too.
Good luck!
margot50 Gasparilla
Posted
Hi Gasparilla, you make a good point. I have a pre planned trip to Europe coming up, so the MRI will have to wait at least a month. I'm concerned more about what the pain means than the actual pain. What's happening with my prosthesis is what is concerning. Thanks for the good luck wishes. Really do appreciate it !
ptolemy margot50
Posted
margot50 ptolemy
Posted
Hi Ptomely, Yeah, definitely leary about Fosamax.....we'll see. Pre-planned trip to Europe coming up and don't want to have side effects while I'm there so I may have to delay it anyway. Really would prefer an injection of the bisphosphonates than a pill, because of the potential damage to the esophagus. Hope you got rid of your thigh pain, sounds like you did. It's no fun !
Anne68156 margot50
Posted
I took Fosomax many years ago for thinning bones. I took it for a couple of years. I was having horrible pains in my arms and legs and one morning I couldn't even get out of bed. The doctor felt that it could be the side effects of Fosomax, so I stopped taking it. My pains went away completely. It did actually help with my bone density, but the side effects were awful.
margot50 Anne68156
Posted
Hi Anne68156, Yeah, I have read about the side effects and they are concerning ! You can have severe bone pain and you can also have damage to the esophagus, which is hard to heal, even if you drink with water and don't lie down for at least 30 minutes. At least they stopped when you stopped the Fosamax. That's wonderful that it helped with your bone density. It's strange, it seems to help some and not others. Thanks for chiming in.
steve86482 margot50
Posted
margot50 steve86482
Posted
Hi Steve86482, I'm happy to hear your pain went away. That's very interesting that your pain went away with rest. I think you might be referring to micromotion of the stem. Does that sound familiar? I heard my second surgeon say that word too, but I've been told the opposite, to keep moving. Wish they knew better what to do with these problems. Great that stopping activity helped you. My pain is worse in the initial ten minutes, it gets better but it doesn't ever go away. The first ten minutes are SO painful. After that, it's just maybe a 5/10 or something like that. Thanks for the good luck wishes.