Hip replacement gone bad

Has anyone had a hip replacement and then 9 months later have to do it again.   It seems like my stem is loose in the leg and my leg (right) is about 1/2 shorter.    I have been in thigh and knee pain ever since the surgery.   I go back in next week for the replacement.   I was wondering what could have caused this, bad implant or just how these type of things go sometimes. 

Just a thought but ask if it was cemented or left uncemented in postion? How did they get the leg length so wrong? I do so feel for you

 good luck,

 

Oh no don't tell me it can happen...sorry about yours though.  I am 13 weeks post anterior op and 1 year post posterior, so far all is well, except for the common minor ups and down.  Good luck to u with your next 'new' surgery.  

Hi, I've had two bad replacements and currently 10 weeks post op on my third.  Each previously broke around the 18 month mark. 

The first snapped and the second came loose, I was advised on both occasions I was 'unlucky' and despite me thinking there is something more too it you have to concentrate on the operation in hand.  I just made sure I stuck to the rules and didn't push myself, just because it feels ok doesn't mean it is. 

The good news is that the third one has given me two legs the same length! 

I wish you luck with your revision. 

Omg how awful.  I admire your calmness and rectitude. Sounds like a displacement or dislocation.

ask to see your X-ray.  Get a second opinion from a different trust. It seems to me that the ratio of successes to failures is a bit skewed in favour of more failures than successes.

i would rather stick pins in my eyes than go through a revision. Have you watched a video of the procedure.

Unlucky or badly done? What is success rate of your surgeon. Did you see yr before and after X-ray?  Are you taking any painkiller.?  Being still on painkillers after 8months I realise that there is no perfect outcome. Is there anyone out there without any pain or complication!

Good luck. If it is any consolation I do know 2 people who have had no 2 hip in for over 15 years and have good function with minimal pain.  So may your second go go well.

My mother who had dementia broke her hip when she was 92.The replacement gave her extreme pain and she could/would not walk. They did it again but at her age the second operation really was too much for her. She caught various hospital aquired infections that led to her death. 

On the other habd this was a friends experience:

"My hip replacement is now in its 23rd year, same plastic cup and stainless steel joint that they fitted just after my 40th birthday. The specialist said it might last 10 yrs, 15 yrs at the max. before it might need to be renewed. I guess I got one from a good batch. Its strange how my GP who lives just round the corner, who got me in to have this done, has also had his hip done a few years back, yet he is walking like a cripple."

Although there are many THR which go wrong,these represent a small percentage of the total replacements done..No consolation of course for those that go wrong..

I am 17wks post THR and only started seeing any benefits in the last few weeks,almost convincing myself something was amiss,it's still not 100%,but better than before the op..

I do have a few friends who were pain free straight after their op and were walking without aids after 16wks.

After following all the posts on here over the months it oes appear however that THR can be hit and miss..

It is a much more technical op than the general public think,and as with an y procedures things can and do go wrong.

I now need my other hip replacing,but after the pain of the past 17wks I will wait until I literally cannot walk.

Wishing everybody still suffering a speedy recovery.

It was uncemented.   My doctor believes the implant dropped after surgery.   I did experience a slight crack to the bone during surgery..  I have two ring clamps around my leg.    I hope they get it right this time.   thank you for your support....

I am sorry about your having to go thru the whole thing again. I wish you the best results with your new hip. I had my left replaced only 17 days ago and have been walking with a cane and a little bit on my own for about a week now. From all I've read and what docs have told me, we are all so different it is difficult to know why some patients have good vs bad results. You have some good advice from the replies. My own advice to you is to treat this surgery as if it were your 1st, stay positive, do everything doc & PT tells you. However the bottom line is listen to your body and communicate all pains and fears etc to your therapist and doctor. Good luck

Yes I have a similar issue. A my hip joint by Stryker ABG ll has been recalled due to a 2" stem causing MOM leaching from the stem into the blood stream. The ends were not coated now I need heavy metal testsevery 6 mos. to check for chromium cobalt and other metals. Also causes pseudo tumors,severe pain and corosion. They will have to do a revision removing the whole implant. The femer bone has to be broken to remove the implant from the femor bone replaced with a larger size...for the revision. I am small boned not sure if the revision parts are to large for me. 

In the meantime I wait for the revision in sever pain until the tests show it's necessary. 

This will be the 3 rd implant on the same leg. 

I'm not sure that waiting until the very last minute is the best approach, and perhaps it is. I had to have my hip replaced because of Osteoartthritis. The head if the femer and the socket the bones become inflamed (at least that is the way I think of it) with the cartilage worn away. I think the longer you wait that you risk weakening the bones, especially that stub of femer they have to jab the rod down into.

I don't have any research to back me up on this so I could be wrong. But the pain we have, which forces us into the surgery it's an inflamation type of bone pain I think.

My heart goes out to you hope4cure.

I waited 10 months between the 2 hips, it was just about right for me as i did not see myself going thru the surgery after 3 months, which was my doctor's recommendation.  At around month 10 i felt strong enough physically and emotionally for the second surgery.  I am now 13 weeks post anterior.  My only regret is that i did not go for posterior approach like my first hip, but i am  doing okay.

Waiting too long may lead to poor muscle strength as you reduce activity to reduce the pain. This leads to slow and difficult rehab.

In some cases you can get loss of bone - I nearly ended up with a bone graft on the socket but fortunately the loss of bone hadn't gone too far but I may well need one if I have to have a revision.

There is a window of opportunity where the arthritis is bad enough to justify the riisks but the muscle and bone problems haven't gone too far. If you need the other hip done then you need it doing before the poor gait caused by the 'pending' hip has damaged the replaced one so again there is a window and 3-6 months seems typical for most surgeons. 

Good luck.  I'm having my knee done in a few weeks so it will be back to the crutches & painkillers for me as well so I have some idea of what you are facing.

I think you are correct Ross..

Before my recent THR I suffered with an arthritic hip for at least 15yrs if not longer,but being reasonably fit t I could manage ok..However in the last 18 months the pain became so bad I could only walk a few hundred yards without having to stop and rest,so I was forced into my replacement..

As you point out I think my recovery has taken far longer than it should because of bones grating together,than if I'd had the op years ago..

However now being 65 my new hip should in theory last my lifetime.

Strange how now my replacement hip is improving my other hip is starting to give real trouble.

Going against all logic I keep hoping I will wake up one morning and the pain is gone ha...,but see a replacement happening early next year if not sooner.

First I would like to offer my condolances to u and UR family .I  am so very sorry to hear of UR mothers death.. We all could have been in her shoes..this happens more than u think...

 This is a serious issue. U may look into filing a complaint with the surgeon & hospital.. That's why the have insurance to settle certain cases that's is what  I am doing after my surgeon actually placed a recalled implant knowing full well... They are paid by manufactures to choose their hip replacements systems. This dr could do 4 THR by 2 pm..every TUESDAY every week.... It was a fast system with a table designed for THR...

STRYKER AGB ll system see online.. Was recalled....there are so many things that have happen because this is a money making entity world wide... We the public must make the drs and hospitals accountable...

 Even if the surgeon is touted to be the best in the land there is always room for mistakes. Know the manufacturer and serial # of the implant. It on the surgery records. Obtain the records. Find a lawyer who takes hip cases on contingency. Fight for her and others like her...Be informed stay informed.. Stand up and fight for those who have a failing health due to these THR...

I am not a dr. I can only speak from 3 THR Everyone is different. 

A 3 time THR...my story is to share my experiences.

hugs, peace & healing prayers sent UR way!

Congratulations u r a lucky one as I . Had my first in my 40's second other hip done in my 50's... It needed new cups like urs wore out in 2011 received a new hip and was recalled .... See online info for recall for...

STRYKER AGB ll THR SYSTEM. What is the manufacturer of UR hip...

it sounds like DUPRUY? Ask for UR surgery records if u don't have them already... Keep track of the various hips. My hip was approved by the FDA.. YET it was recalled due to issues causing failure. 

Take care are never cross legs or ankles bend oner or twisting ... Keep strong...

hugs peace & laughter sent UR way.

THANKX I need all the hearts I can get.. I am fighting this one for all of us.

please be sure u keep UR surgery record and it will come in handy later..

And know the manufacturer for UR implant... 

I am in a class action suite...my THR recalled, also filing against my dr and the hospital separately for pain & suffering! That is why these drs & hospitals have insurance for surgeries thru neglect or any other reason go wrong... 

We we need protection when we are harmed... 

peace, luv & Hope!