Total Hip Revision help
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello again! Since last I spoke, here are the updates. After numerous tests, my Ortho said he felt that this was a spinal issue and not related to the hip. Had a MRI of my lumbar spine which showed "unusual" things, but nothing drastic. Had an EMG test (horrible) which said the same. Met with Spinal surgeon, who after looking at everything, said this was a hip issue and not related to the spine. So, back to the Ortho. His response was that he was shocked to hear this. He stated that we could do a total revision, but he didn't know if it would give me relief. Several days later he sent me a message that stated that if I wanted to do this, we needed to get the ball rolling on it. I asked him if we could move up my office visit (scheduled for the end of September) so that we could talk face to face. The next message I received was that he put in the orders for the surgery. My question is has anyone had success with a hip revision surgery? I've heard good, I've heard bad.
0 likes, 6 replies
michael11283 mderome70
Posted
Hias to your likely success.
Mike
It's perhaps a bit early to judge but I'm nearly 6 weeks post a revision and my new hip feels great. I'm still using a stick or crutches as I just don't seem to be able to put all my weight on it but I have no pain and can walk reasonable distances: spent a day at the Harry Potter Experience so was on my feet for nearly 4 hours and walk 2 miles most days to the village shop.
But my case is different. I didn't have a problem with the old joint. It had to be replaced because of infection. So my experience may not be a guide to your likely success.
Mike
linda93269 mderome70
Posted
Hello, have you had any injections in the hip area? I believe I've heard that if you have and it helps with pain, then it is a hip issue. If not, then it's a back issue. Anyone else hear this?
RichardKen mderome70
Posted
Dear Mike
From what you have told us I suspect that your hip surgeon has quite limited experience. I will explain why I think this is .
As I understand it your hip surgeon did numerous tests on your hip but did not have X rays done which would be the first thing I think one would have expected him to do.If inconclusive it could have been followed by a CT scan and an MRI scan. But he decided to suggest that he put you on his surgery list.
The spinal surgeon's conclusion seems to have rather phased him. Perhaps I have not correctly understood the sequence of events so if this is the case my apologies.
If I am right then I would be looking for a new hip surgeon who had a good track record on doing hip revisions because you are likely to need an experienced hip surgeon to sort you out.
Now as to the likely success of a hip revision perhaps I can share my own experience. Recently my twenty year old total hip replacement needed to be revised and I'm now eight weeks into weight bearing and to be honest I have pretty well been able to forget that I've had this recent surgery.
I'm able to walk several miles at a good pace with a good gait so all is good, so if you are reasonably fit you should be fine. I will be 76 later this year BTW.
All the best
Richard
renee01952 mderome70
Posted
Oh dear ... so sorry to hear this ...
At this point I want to ask if you trust your Ortho Surgeon ? Has he a good record or is specialized in revision surgery ? seems that he cannot make up his mind ...
Is there anyway you can get a 2nd/3rd opinion from an OS from another medical group ?
I would be suspicious ...
Please keep us updated
big warm hug
renee
mderome70 renee01952
Posted
Good morning, Renee!
After all the testing (CT/MRI/White Blood Cell Scan/Hip Drain/Etc..) my Ortho sent me to a spinal to review the case thinking it was a Lumbar spine issue. Once the Spinal surgeon examined me, he clearly stated that nothing in the EMG or Lumbar MRI showed this to be a spine issue. When I took this back to my Ortho, he recommended that I get a second opinion because he told me that a total revision may not even provide relief I seek. I set up an appointment with another well respected Ortho in the Milwaukee area for the end of September. Then a few days later I got an email message from my current Ortho that we really needed to get the ball rolling on this operation. He said that he would start it out as more "exploratory" in nature to determine if there was something loose in there. I asked him if we could somehow move up my appointment with him (scheduled for later in September) so that we could have face to face time on this. He then responded back that he put in the orders for the surgery, and once the surgical date is set that he would get me in earlier to discuss everything.
I do trust this doctor completely. He's younger, very educated and very personable. He was not the doctor that originally installed the hip replacement in '14. I somehow think that he spoke with the spinal doctor, and then really rechecked x-rays, MRI's, CT scans and other tests and found something he may have missed.
One other thing. I have a friend from school who's in orthopedic appliance sales. He asked if the cup hat was installed was press fitted or screwed in. I told him no screws, and he threw a red flag immediately. He said in his experience that with younger more active patients, pressed fitted cups tend to "move" throwing off the total alignment of the implant causing extreme pain.
Thank you so much for responding!
Mike
mderome70
Posted
Update time. I went to get my second opinion this last week. The doctor I went to is an amazing doc and person (he did my left knee replacement in '12). Since my first doctor sent over medical records, but no images, Doc Evanich had x-rays done. After that, he walked into his exam room and actually asked how my kids were doing (great guy that he remembers that I have five daughters). After the pleasantries, he had me point out where the pain I was having was located. I did so, and then he put the x-rays up on the board. It took him less than three minutes to discover that my stem was loosened, and that the original surgeon who did the hip replacement installed the cup in an incorrect angle. Now fast forward a few days to my pre-op visit with the surgeon doing the revision. He told he me received Dr Evanich's notes, but he didn't quite believe that my stem was as loose as Evanich concluded. He did however state that it was loose and that his plan was still to remove the stem and replace it. He also didn't seem to mind the incorrect cup angle. I know have an attorney in "the loop". I am so sick and tired of all of this...