I see that many just can't wait to get a hip replacement to rid them of their pain. My wife had a total hip replacement two years ago and has been in chronic pain 24hr a day since thanks to the damage to her sciatic nerve which apparently their is nothing they can do to help. Gabapentin, amitriptyline, even morphine does not help. She also has a drop foot and walks with a stick, we used to go hill walking, dancing, etc. all finished! I just think people should be aware just in case it is not mentioned before your operation.
Hi. it is very sad news that your wife's operation did not go to plan and that she is now worse. It must be devastating for both of you and I cannot imagine what it would feel like to have gone through the whole procedure with this outcome.
As with all types of surgeries there are always risks which are disussed with the patient beforehand and the reason we have to sign to go ahead having understood the risks. Thankfully the percentage of patients who have post op problems is very very low. Whilst I appreciate you highlighting this, it would also be a shame if people were then worried enough to not go ahead and continue to suffer when their operation could of been a success like the majority are and they could be pain free.
Having this procedure is a big decision to make. Patients owe it to themselves to make sure they have got all information available to enable them to make the decision that is right for them.
I just hope that somehow they find a solution for your wife that eases her suffering.
I wish I had waited until I couldn't move. I was told nothing about anything bad that could happen. It's been 7 mos. of 24 hour non stop pain and I don't know why. I can only see a blank future, and sometimes wish for the worse. Being totally alone all the time and in pain is not the way I thought it would be. I hope your wife's pain will eventually subside. My heart aches for her and others, too, who don't get a good outcome. Don't give up!
How awful for both of you. Has the doctor told you that there is absolutely nothing that they can do? I have read that nerve damage can take a very long time to resolve. How many opinions have you sought?
I have not gotten another opinion yet. I have an appt. in a month and need answers. The last time I saw the surgeon he told me he could order a CT scan and one I hadn't heard of but he said they were too expensive!! I'm fully covered by my insurance. The only thing I could think of was that he didn't want it to look like he was ordering too many. He said to wait 8 weeks and come back. That's just unprofessional and plain cruel. I'll get another opinion if he has the same attitude.
I really do wonder if we are fully informed of all the risks. I can look back on my conversations before I had my NHS hip replacement in April and I cannot remember any discussions with consultant or nurse as to what could go wrong. i am sure the paperwork I had to sign absolved the NHS in any case. I went along with things because of the endless stories from people about how wonderful the operation is. Even if the perhaps life changing problems had been put to me I would still have gone ahead because I would have thought it could not happen to me. It must be so hard for those for whom the operation has gone wrong to listen and hear the positive stories all the time and i have a lot of sympathy for them.
I have just been diagnosed with malignant melanoma and require a further operation to hopefully prove I am clear now the mole has gone. I am being told far more about this operation and the pros and cons than I ever was with my hip operation. I have also been interrogated as to who will look after me while no one seemed concerned as to my home circumstances before my hip operation. I see the operation as much more minor and have been surprised about the difference in attitude.
Dear Dana
I'm so sorry that it has not worked for you yet and that you are in so much pain. Life can be so unfair at times.
It must be especially touch having to deal with all this on your own. Remember though that you are not alone here which hopefully will give you the strength to push on.
Very best wishes.
Richard
I wish I could suggest something but
Could your wife possibly get one of those implant things for pain put in? My neighbor has horrible sciatic pain after her hip surgery. She went to a pain specialist who implanted this thing in her. She can control the electrical impulses and it disrupts the pain for her. I had never heard of such a device but was happy she was able to get something that helps with her pain. Just something you could check on....
Best regards,
Peg
Evening Crush...so sorry to hear of your wife's pain......I am assuming that the dr pulled that nerve too much and caused her drop foot and pain. Was she short in that one leg she got the hip replacement? I was almost 2 inches short prior to surgery. My dr did talk about the sciatica nerve and the drop foot. He said he would be careful not to do that. And I reminded him before surgery I would rather be a little short than have the drop foot. I can't imagine what your wife is going through and you too.....the pain is it in her hip or thigh or the whole leg? I'm now having issues with the cutaneous nerve, having pain, sensitivity in the thigh and stiffness of the hip joint. Has your wife seen a neurologist? Again, so sorry for your wife's pain....we get this surgery to feel better.....prayers for you and your wife that she gets relief. Hugs 🤗Linda.
Dear Peggy
Sounds great. Can you post more about the system as I'm sure there are several here who would welcome this information.
Cheers Richard
Peggy, is it an implant in her back? My pain dr wanted me to try that. But my surgeon was against that day to see neurologist first. It's amazing how the spine can wreak havoc on your body.
Crushed...there is an implant that they put in the back by the spine that sends pulses to nerves to help with pain. Peggy mentioned that. Not sure if it would help with the drop foot tho. Has your wife seen a pain dr? Linda
I think it was on back but towards hip, I haven't seen it yet.
I am afraid I don't really know more about it except it's small and a short cord comes out so she can change the electrical impulses. She is just getting used to it and it still feels weird to her but helps the pain. I have been instructed to rest for 3 weeks because of an IT band inflammation from doing too much or something not good for my new hip. I had extreme pain but a steroid injection helped so much. Now I need to rest for 3 weeks and keep the inflammation down. Anyway I have not visited with my neighbor, heard the info from her hubby when he was talking to mine. She doesn't do email or anything and only her hubby has a cell phone, so hard to talk with her until I can walk around again.
Richard,
I don't know what I'd have done if I hadn't found the wonderful, compassionate people here. It's helped more than I can ever express because everyone understands. It can't get any better than that. I just feel love for each and everyone here. I want the very best outcome for those getting ready to undergo this. Love and best wishes, and most of all--Thank You.
Crushed. I am so sorry to read your post. After everything your wife has been through this is pretty hard to take. I sense the huge disappointment in your message.
Please ask to be referred to the pain clinic, they can't work miracles but they can make a huge difference to the quality of life. I think your wife would be the perfect candidate for this.
I have had a total hip replacement, and now need another one for the other hip. The pain is really bad, I can't sleep or walk properly. I know your wife is in pain 24 hours a day, but she would also be if she hadn't had the surgery. I too am exhausted with it, so what I would say is although the outcome is far from ideal, at least she was brave enough to try and fix it, she would be in terrible pain without the hip surgery as well. At the point of surgery most of us feel we have very little to lose.
I hope you will find a second or third opinion, try the implant as Peggy suggested and the pain clinic and I so sincerely hope there will be some improvement, and some quality of life will be reached. Meanwhile perhaps you could take up walking with a group? So you have breaks and can support her more easily?
Dana, your post pains me. This is a hard journey and harder stil undertaking it on your own.
What happened? What pain are you in after the surgery?
So sorry you are in so much pain still
Yes you need answers. And possibly a second opinion as well?
We had a wonderful lady Annie K on here and she was in similar pain, she kept demanding answers - would not give up. Eventually she had corrective surgery and has recovered well. So look her up, her story is very encouraging. Get in touch with her she is very well informed and will help.
dear crushed,
So sorry to hear about this - How devastating and disappointing that the outcome of the hip replacement surgery is not a expected --
did she have the anterior or posterior approach?
Nerve damage can take a long time to heal and pain medication might not help -
Is she having other treatment options? massages or adjustment (by chiropractor) -
Please come back here and let us know how you both are getting on ...
big warm hug
renee
Hi Sandra thanks for the reply. I totally agree that when you are in severe pain with your hip there is little option but to go for a replacement and accept the risks however, this risk was not discussed with my wife prior to the operation. Whether it would have made any difference I don't know, possibly not, but I would have hoped that the professionals would have covered this base as the consequences can be so devastating. It would even been something if the consultant had at any point said he was sorry for the outcome, but no its all just matter of fact. Thanks again for your interest.