Dear Dana
It is so good being able to share the good and the bad with others who have an understanding. I just wish that I could suggest something that I think could help you.
The only thing that is perhaps worth saying is that waiting for the hip to worsen before having the surgery is not really a sensible option for several reasons. The surgery of course has risks which we have to consider before going forward with it but life itself is one big risk of course.
I've just last week had to make such a decision with the revision of my total ankle replacement which seemed to be fine until my annual check up last November when I was told that I had osteolysis in the bones.
Best wishes Richard
Yes just a bit of understanding and some simple human kindness would have been good. We are not just material to be manipulated and cut about in the course of earning a living! Thank goodness lots of surgeons are not like this but.....
Cheers Richard
You are right and we should have all the facts. My surgeon did actually tell me that a small percentage of people are still in pain after the op. As you say being in so much pain it was not going to stop me having the op and a chance of being pain free. I do sincerely hope your wife finds some relief from the pain and as others have said I would be asking for 2nd, 3rd opinion and answers. Your wife is very lucky to have you there for her.
Hi thanks for your reply and I am so sorry you are having so much pain. Have you had a nerve conduction test to see if there is any damage, the doctors say the pain can go on 6-9 months but I would be asking for the test. My wife really appreciates the concern of others who have gone through a similar experience and we really hope that your pain will subside in the future.
We have had other opinions and consulted a top nerve professor unfortunately, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be the train coming towards us.
We have had other opinions and consulted a top nerve professor unfortunately, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be the train coming towards us. It appears that nothing can be done and unfortunately the stress has resulted in the return of my wife's ME. Yes we are being slowly crushed, what a life.
I think this has been considered but not 100% therefore we will look into this right away. Thanks for the information.
Hi Linda, the consultant has never even said he was sorry about the outcome, when we asked what caused the problem he said he did not know what caused it... can you believe that! Nor can I. I think he has either cut, cauterize or stretched the nerve but will not admit it. The pain was originally from the knee down but it is now from her hip down and she feels that something has gone wrong, the consultant says that the hip is still ok but ask ordered an MRI scan to try and find out what else is happening. My wife has had a nerve conduction test which confirmed damage to the nerve and we have seen a top neurologist, a professor, who basically said the light at the end of the tunnel was the train coming toward us. Someone else suggested the implant, I think this was considered but not 100% sure therefore will look into it. We even considered having the leg off but apparently this could make matters worse and not solve the problem. What a life Thanks for to interest and hugs...really grateful.
Rose. Thanks for the message. We have been to the pain clinic including a psychologist but unfortunately not able to help. My wife sometimes says that she wishes she could turn the clock back and not have the operation, that it was the wrong decision, but I say I was the correct decision with the wrong outcome and i agree that without it her hip would just have become worse and worse. Will be looking into the implant. I feel that taking up walking without my wife would only serve to heighten her depression. Seeing me go off to walk when she is unable to come would emphasize her predicament.
Hi Renee thanks for the message, sorry I don't know which approach she had. I do know that nerve damage can take a long time to repair but it would appear it not going to happen in my wife's case. She is not having massage or other adjustments this would not help with the nerve and even to touch her lower leg is painful.
Thanks again and the hug is really appreciated.
Oh crushed...no you don't want to amputate! I know what you mean as I thought of that too but there are more complications with that! My pain dr recommend the spinal stimulator implant, but I'm not ready to go that far. I've read about drop foot that says "Surgery may be recommended to try to repair or decompress a damaged nerve. In cases where foot drop is permanent, surgery to fuse the foot and ankle joint or to transfer tendons from stronger muscles may help improve gait and stability." I'm not sure if that has been brought up to your wife. I'm still trying to see if my cutaneous nerve will stop bothering me. Everything that touches my thigh bothers. It's sad that the dr has not offer an apology. Maybe he thinks it's not his fault. I know this is hard. Hopefully a miracle will come and your wife will get better. Prayers for you both. Remember we are all here to offer support, so come back anytime. Hopefully you will have good news soon!! Hugs to you both Linda.
Crushed,
I hope your wife has read something on the forum that she might try. She has to bo so strong to tolerate the horrible pain. My doctor has done nothing to find what might be causing my pain. I've never understood his "wait and see" attitude. I don't think I've been assertive enough at all, but I definitely will when I see him next. I had the posterior approach and Durabond to close it. If there were stitches I didn't see them. I had practically no swelling. I guess that's why I don't know what's going on. I intend to find out even if I have to go somewhere else. The next major hospital is 100 miles away. The pain of the ride worries me but if someone else can find it, it would be well worth it. Tell your wife to keep trying. There's an answer somewhere. Good luck!
This is heartbreaking to read. After my first hip replacement I wanted to die the pain was so bad. My leg was weak, I had foot drop and an overwhelming amount of pain. My surgeon told me that after surgery I'd be back spinning in 2 weeks and riding my road bike in 6 weeks. At 6 months I could barely walk. I saw a specialist who recommended a steroid injection in my psoas bursa. It relieved most of the pain! I had surgery and they found a 10mm bone spure that was left behind and shredding my psoas muscle. My leg is still weak and imagine my dismay to find I have severe spinal stenosis and need surgery for that. Anyway...if your wife's psoas hasn't been explored it might be worth talking to the doc about it. I'm so very sorry for what you are both going through.
I agree, this is something the surgeons gloss over in their rush to get us in the operating theatre.
And to cap it all, they thrust this 'consent form' in front of you and ask you to 'just sign here' as you get ready to go into theatre to absolve them from the consequences of nerve damage.
Rocketman,
I must agree with you. That is exactly the way it happened with me. I'm in the U.S. so this must be the way it's done about everywhere. I hate that it's come to this and even more, I hate to believe it. Good luck and be careful.
I have heard of nerves repairing given some time, I can only hope and pray this miracle will happen for your wife.
Best Wishes
Graham
Thanks for the message, since this has happened to my wife we now take a digital tape recorder with us when we consult doctors, they don't like it but as I say what is the problem is there something you wish to hide. My memory is bad and this is just to help me later!