Hi...
In December 2013, (I was 43) I had my left hip replaced. Recovery went good, did the follow up PT and was on my merry way. However, I did notice that 4-5 months after surgery my thigh hurt. I was told it was bursitis. I was kinda baffled as I thought bursitis was in a joint. Anyhow, I was given an RX for a pain patch. Well, the pain patch worked on other parts of my body but not the thigh. The pain kinda disappeared. But would return every now and then. I was given the ok to start working out to rebuild muscle. I'm also an avid equestrian and being in shape is important for my career. In the last past 5 months, I've noticed my pain becoming more and more consistent. I had stopped working out about a year ago (now a complete blob) But during my workouts, I have not pressed weights just did elliptical for tone AND didn't feel pain. Also, I have not fallen off (always a plus) so I'm not sure where this pain is coming from. I seriouly feel like my leg is broken. But it will go back to a normal feeling. Though, these last four days have been the worse. The pain was almost unbearable. I nearly fell on my face today as it caught me off gaurd. Has anyone experienced a loose stem? And if so, from what am I discribing, does this sound familar?? I have an appointment Monday and I really don't want to hear it's bursitis.
Hi Rebecca,
What you have described is exactly what I have been experiencing since my THR in Oct. 2015. The on again off again thigh pain is very puzzling to everyone. I have seen several types of doctors but no one can tell me what's going on. During My last visit 3 weeks ago we reviewed a new set of x-rays and new MRI with the suggestion that I try epidural first followed by surgery if the pain was still prevalent. MRI showed some closure of a nerve canal coming from my spine but my doctor felt it was not enough to cause thigh pain.
I'll be interested y to know if you come up with anything.
dear rebecca,
warm welcome to this hippies forum -
that doesn't sound so good - when was the last time an x-ray was taken ? I am not a medical person, so cannot answer your question - it sounds possible that the stem got loose ..
to have this on going for 4 years is a bit long - good thing you have an appointment coming Monday ...
please let us know how you are getting on, okay ?
big warm hug
renee
Hi Rebecca
I had a total hop done about 8 months ago at age 25. I had thigh pain a few months after my surgery as well. I noticed it shortly after I returned to work and got back on my feet a lot. My surgeon informed me after my surgery initially and again when I expressed the thigh pain that my younger age meant my muscles were much tighter during surgery and required much more pulling and stretching. He recommended more extensive follow up pt to help loosen my muscles rather then just the basic pt steps they teach you in the hospital. 43 is still a lot younger than the typical age of a hip replacement patient so you could have a similar problem.
Good luck!
Hi Rebecca,
I feel for you. I had a THR in 2008 and Revisions in 2014 and six months ago for aseptic loosening of my stem.
My pain (more discomfort) started around my upper thigh near buttocks and throb downward. It didn't happen every day. Actually when I golfed, it would start about the 3rd hole and dissipated by the 9th or 10th. My doc said that your muscles kind of adjust to compensate for the subtle signs of loosening.
However, about once a week I would get a pain so sharp and deep it would take my breath away.
FYI, unless you have a severe loosening possibly caused by infection or metal particles (doesn't happen too much 5 years out), an Xray or even an MRI will not be definitive. Only a three phase bone scan will give you an answer.
Exercise, diet and actually acupuncture helped me for about a year and I should have stayed with it longer. Every surgery means more muscle loss, scar tissue, risks ...
Good luck. Hope this helps.