Hip joint still painful

Bones, joints and muscles
1

It's been 5 weeks since I had a total hip replacement in my left leg. Everyone said that the pain in the joint would be gone. I have muscular aches and pains, which I expected. However I still have what feels like arthritic pain in the joint area. Even at rest. Could it be sciatica? Or have I twisted the joint? I see my surgeon next week for my follow up but he is always in such a rush I am worried that I'll be fobbed off and told it is normal. Anyone I mention it to, eg physio, nurse, tell me that it can't be the joint as it has been replaced. But it does feel like the joint! I didn't expect to still have this much joint pain 5 weeks on. Is anyone else having similar experiences?

2

It is normal to have pain at 5 weeks, I am 14 weeks and I still get it if I have over done it and is the muscles and tendon going back into place, watch the u tube hip op and it will surprise you how much you are pulled around, also what pain killers are you on at 5 weeks I was still taking 2 codydromol 3 times a day. I think personally you are expecting too much

3

Thanks for the reply. I agree that I am probably being impatient. My worry is not with the muscular pain, it's the other 'arthritic ' type of pain I can feel deep in the joint. All the medical professionals I have spoken to tell me that it can't be joint pain, but it feels that way to me. I'm still on paracetomol and codeine/tramadol (I take those alternately as tramadol doesn't woek so well for pain relief for me, codeine is better. But codeine gives me 'other' problems if I take it constantly).

4

You won't get arthritic pain with the new hip because it is plastic and metal with a ceramic ball joint I still feel it's the muscles and tendon, just keep up the pain killers just make sure you eat plenty of veg and fruit when taking codeine I am not allowed anti inflamed, you could try ibuprofen if you are allowed to take that

5

Hi Lindag,

I am 3 weeks out today after my 2nd hip opp.

I can tell you that this time the healing process is very different, last time I didn't have that much post opp pain, but because my other hip was so painfull aswell it was hard for me to do the post opp. exercises, so is the pain you have exactly like the OA pain before the opp? or just a unfamiliar pain in your joint?if it's the same as before your opp. then I would definitely seek a 2nd opinion, don't be fobbed off with the usuasl platitudes, remember it's your body and your pain, and only you know how it feels, I really annoys me the way helth care professionals dish out the same old answers to everyone, everyone is different!! so if you feel that the pain is that bad , go to your gp and ask for a 2nd opinon, also an exray to make sure that the new hip is not staring to dislocate, hope this helps,

wishing you all the best,

Lynne x

6

Thanks. I can't take anti inflammtories either I'm afraid.

I know it can't be the components causing the pain - my concern is that there is something wrong going on with them at the point where they are attached to the bones (sorry i'm not a very medical minded person!)

7

Thanks Lynne - that's really helpful. Pre op, alot of the pain was sharp and intense - the femoral head was slipping around in the acetabulum (both my acetabulum are very shallow). The cartilidge was worn away and there were cysts in the joint. This pain now is really bad on a morning, dull and constant, like an arthritic pain. i will be insistant with the consultant next week and ask for an xray. I thought I would ask on here to see if others have the same issues before i see him. 

8

Hi Linda, 

Lynne is right .. And take someone with you if you can ....

you know your body best -

and insist on an x-ray or scan - something to show that the hardware is in place and secured ...

Good luck and please come back to let us know how it went -

warm hug

renee                          

9

Thanks so much. I'll update after my appointment.

10

Did your socket get cemented in or non cemented?

 

11

and I know this is not what you want to hear but I did not have any deep inside the hip pain after my surgery. None at all.

12

Hi

It is cemented. Just checked and my notes state that I will be having an xray next week, so hopefully I'll get some reassurance that everything is in place as it should be. 

13

Thank you Jodi - I'm happy to hear you didn't have any deep in the joint pain - although in a way, it reassures me that i'm not just being a wuss and am right to query whether everything is ok in there or not! thanks again