Hip Replacement disloation

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi,

I dislocated my hip 2 nights ago. First replacement operation in 1999 which needed to be redone in 2012 due to metal on metal problems.  2nd hip has been brilliant. I'm 61, strong and active (hiking etc).  Monday night I had my feet on the coffee table, ankles crossed and leant for.  My fault entirely but my hip is so good I had just forgotten I had it. I am now very scared at the thought of going through that pain again. Are there any good stories out there of people who have had a dislocation and not had it happen again?  Any advice and hints on how to get confidence back?  

Thanks Claire

2

I'd love that too, Claire. I dislocated mine 6 months post op, by riasing my leg in a way that I didn't realize could cause a problem. That was 2.5 years ago, and I haven't forgetten the pain since. I'm terrified to do much of anything, and I've recently started having pain IN the hip, so of course I'm terrified of it happening again. I'm just super careful now, as I don't trust it anymore. I used to be in such great shape, but not so much anymore. I hope other people have some better words than I do. I hope that you're ok. Were they able to put your hip back into place in the ER, or did you have to be taken into OR? I had to go into OR, since they couldn't get it back into place in the ER. Ugh, I never imagined this happening. I was just 49 when that happened. 

3

Hi Claire,

I really feel for you right now, as your dislocation only happened two nights ago, and the memory of that excruciating pain will still be very raw, but it does get better.....honest!

Unfortunately, like you, I too worry that it will happen again.

I dislocated my second THR, (7 years), in March. Like you, I did something I had done so many times before, (mine was 90% bending at the hip, which is one of the things we are warned not to do), I fell onto concrete garage floor and did more damage, (laid there for hours before an ambulance came). Because of damage to muscle, tendon, ligament and soft tissue, I only finished physio at the end of June. 

The last time I saw my surgeon he warned me that once there's been a dislocation it's common for it to happen again. So now, I'm paranoid about bending. So much so, I've bought one of those grabbers, which is a Godsend.

I had my first THR fifteen years ago, in my forties, and that one has been fine, so far. I just think, like you, I was unlucky with what happened.

I joined this forum to ask others for advise, and was shocked at how many members have had more than one dislocation. Some two and three. One lady was just sitting down in the bath! I've gone from being quite confident about my THR's to being paranoid. But I'm sure there will be some people who have had no further problems.

So, all I can say is, please do take care. Then, hopefully, we will never have to go through this again.

Sending hugs 😊

 

4

Hi,

sorry to hear that. I have operated both hips dec2014 and feb2015. The last one is the problematic one, it dislocated several times, 2 times totaly. First time about 7 weeks ago total dislocation, went to ER, they managed to put it back but they had to put me asleep, because they could not strugle with my muscles, they had tried, but..  Before that I had several dislocations but the hip was near the joint and I had managed to put it back alone, but I had never stay at home at least for 4 weeks to recover my tends and muscles aruond hip. After ER I was in bed for 2 weeks, than at home more 2 weeks and then my surgeon said to me to be very careful. The x-ray was great like something to show the students, how it should be done. My first dislocation was, when automatic door hit my leg, and then it starts. Several dislocation while I was standing on a floor with both feet. Each time I felt like "Bambi on ice", my left leg was going around with no support, muscles are working but leg is "free to go". Last time it happened to me 2 weeks ago, fortunatlly the hip went out but it did not gone far from the joint, and a friend managed to pull my leg down and to turn it so it sounds PLOP and it was back. The problem was that I had to drive the car for next 2 hours, because it happened while I was away from home and during the walk. When I got home I put ice on my thigh for 4 days and than start moving my leg a bit and I was using crutches to go through house. Thanks God, now I walk normaly, but I have cane in my hand when I am out of home. The fear is here, but also the wish to continue to live normaly. If this happens one more time, I need to go to OR and the surgeon is going to repair the parts of the hip. The good thing was I never had strong pain, just a bit because the hip was making preasure on surrounding tissue.

The diagnose of the problem is neuromuscle dysfunction, sport MD told me so, it means that, due to my problem of dislocation my body use muscles, but not at the right moment and not in the right sequence, so I have to wake them up and to make them work in proper order. I have got several workouts to make my hip surrounding muscles work properly, also due to 5 weeks of inactivity, my leg muscles are weak, and I have to strength them up.

As you are strong enough and your muscles are in good shape, be patient and be very careful when moving the leg, let the surroinding tissue heal. The fear will never go, but in time you will feel more free to use hip in normal way. Remeber "it is artificial joint, it is not yours, so take care", I have learnt that lesson in a hard way.

Try to contact homeopatic doctor, he might help you to heal faster and better, At the first moment you can use Arnica 30C, it is good for any kind of injury. It will help you.

I wish you all the best and fast recovery

5

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories.  For those out there feeling like me and wanting to hear the positives ... here are some.  My specialist and physio both said the same thing... if you have a dislocation and it stays out (ie doesn't pop back in on it's own) that indicates your muscles are strong..which is a good thing as means redislocation is unlikely (as long as you don't break the cardinal rules).  They explained that when the hip gets repositioned, the socket is full of fluid from inflamation so the ball joint is unstable while it floats in this fluid for the few weeks it takes for it to dissipate.  I have been given very gentle exercises, basically just glut tightening and another physio appointment in a week. My physio said I will be doing my 2000 kms motorbike road-trip in November and will be back hiking again.  So with lots of positive thinking (and glut tightening!) I remain positive. 

6

Hi, good to hear that. My sport MD also had given me excersises for tightening gluts, and he also said, "use the mind and first tight the glut and than move your leg". After the comment that you would be able to go hiking and ride your motorbike by November, I am releived because if everything runs as it should be, I would be able to start with my preparations for next year hiking with my friends. Thanks for the good news. 

I wish you to have a good and smooth recovery, and returning to your normal life in short time.

Good luck and stay well

7

Hi Claire,

It's lovely to hear from you again. You sound so much more positive than you did in your last posting, which is so nice to hear.

Thankfully,  you sound to have a good surgeon and physiotherapist. They are giving you lots of information and very positive advise,which is brilliant!

The clam exercise is a good one.

I hope you continue to feel strength and confidence.

Have a wonderful time on your motor bike road trip!! 

Take care!

😊