Pain 3yrs after revision hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Just about 3yrs ago I had revision hip replacement and also have sciatic nerve damage from surgery. Unable to work and still having problems walking anybody else have this issue ??

Thanks Jackie

2

When u say still problems walking, can u be more specific.  Is it the same as my posting - hip replacement with complication foot paralysis?

regards dot

3

hi jackie, warm welcome to this  forum of hippies of all ages and in all stages on this journey.to be honest, that doesn't sound so great - I had 2 THR surgeries but not as far post-op as you are ... when was the last time you saw your Ortho Surgeon and what did he/she tell you?   It must be really bad if you are unable to work ..Why did you need a revision? please let us know how you are getting on okay ?  big warm hugrenee

4

Hi Jackie

Im only 7 months post op but I have nerve damage. I'm waiting for tests to hopefully find out. more. I think my started as a result of an old injury through walking but it is 100% worse after the op.

Im having difficulty walking but I'm retired and don't have to worry about work.

Look after yourself and let us know how you get on.

Best wishes Brenda

 

5

Hi I also am 3 yrs post and my pain started last year. Been back to surgeon who diagnosed bursitis..got a cortisone injection but no good for me. Had all xrays etc went back to surgeon who now has referred me to the BackMan.. I am now having acupuncture and is too soon to make a positive result but I feel there is a slight improvement, painkillers do not touch the pain. pain is in hip area sometimes going to my knee and sometimes feels so heavy across my back. Don't know if that is near your problem ?

6

Hi Jackie, Sorry to hear of your problem. I too have terrible sciatic pain, after my 3rd revision, that lays me out, like being hit with a sledge hammer with a power cable attached!! I have had a nerve conductivity test that showed no actual damage to the nerve. My physio feels that the muscle in my bottom collapses down onto the nerve. I'm working hard with physio and seeing a pain consultant next month. I cannot tolerate the drugs that help nerve pain and I'm seriouly considering a spinal implant. Really can't carry on like this! I would suggest that you ask for a new MRI and nerve conductivity test to find out what is really happening to you.....I,m thinking to do a post to hear about other peoples experiences with sciatic pain. Good luck, Hugs Patsy X

PS I have found that a TENS machine helps a bit but they're not very user friendly. X

7

I had hip replacement three years ago. They damaged my femoral nerve. I will be partially paralyzed for life. My surgeon apologized. Whoop de do. Good luck with your recovery.

8

My femoral nerve palsy has never resolved from THR three years ago. Can't work, walk right. A mess. My surgeon did say he was soooo sorry.

Goodie!

9

Hi this is my 5th attempt to do a post hope I get lucky soon. I prefere alternative medicine to taking tablets. I have had acupuncture over the last 10 years it worked well the first time but I haven't had the same success lately. That is why I've had a hip replacement. I'm now 7months post op and having nerve problems in my foot.

Sorry you are suffering after 3 years hope you have more luck than me.

Best Wishes Brenda C

10

Hi patsy63,

I have hip dysplasia from birth my first thr was Nov 1993 I was only 26 after that surgery never felt better. Then about 23 yrs my implant started coming loose so I went ahead with revision. Oct 2013 and now have nothing but problems and when I woke up my foot felt strange number doctor said give it done time. We'll six months later I found out I have sciatic nerve damage. Going to surgeon next week. I just thought this would never happen.

Thanks for letting me vent

Jackie

11

Hi rabbit burns, I also had injections which did nothing sciatic pain and hip pain hurts real bad. The thing is I don't have life so limited to what I can and cannot do

Jackie

12

Hi Sissy, my surgeon said his feelingswouldn't be hurt if I went to see another doctor. That's really nice!! So I did find another surgeon and he was the best he had to go back in and do implant removal and bone graft which should of been done.

But I had to change insurance and he doesn't take my new insurance. So trying to get in and see new surgeon.

This site helps to know I'm not alone

Jackie

13

Hi Dorothy, I was born with hip dysplasia my first thr was Nov 1993 and after that never felt better. So fast forward 22yrs I started having pain in my back and hip thigh area, so went to see ortho surgeon he did CT scan which showed loosening of my implant.

So Oct 2013 I had left hip revision but when I woke up my left foot felt numb my doctor said give it time to heal. So 6months after that I wad still having pain like nail poking in my foot numb calf burning tingling etc. So my doctor sent me to neurologist and I have sciatic nerve damage from surgery site.

My job was manager at grocery store which is standing , lifting ,bending very physical which I can no longer do. I can't walk long distance without cane I just never dreamed this would happen. I did take longterm disability out and paid into that so that's my income for now. Next week I have hearing for permanent disability this has been long journey. Has affected my life physically mentally, and it's taking a toll on my personal life as well trying to stay positive one day at time

Thanks

Jackie

14

Hi. I had my right hip replaced last September and have been having problems walking as well. The incision site had a large lump formed after surgery.  The surgeon said it was a hematoma and would go away.  It wasn't a hematoma, and it didn't go away and it as very painful.  I expected to be back to work in about 3 months and it took 6 months before I returned full time.  I can walk for a few minutes and then my hip becomes so sore I have to stop, so I have limited my activity.  I work at the hospital that the surgery was done at so my boss has been very accomodating.  I just had carpal tunnel surgery since I developed burning pain in my hands which was aggravated by the extended use of the walker.  I begged and begged to have the hematoma aspirated, so in February he finally agreed.  Well there was no hematoma, just scar tissue mixed in with fat that was very sensative to touch.  Then he sent me to the pain clinic, where they thought that the problem was complex regional pain syndrome...that the surgery caused the nerves to go haywire.  The pain clinic was surprised that I was still able to work.  I need the medical benefits for my children who have medical problems themselves, so not working is not an option. The pain people have there own protocol.  The first step is low dose antidepressant.  I have been on this for a few months.  No difference in the pain during waking hours and now I need to sleep about 9 hours instead of about 7.  I am waiting for the next step...Lidocaine infusion, we are allowed to have up to 6 per year.  If this doen't work then the last step is a regional  block. I have also have a second opinion appointment next month with another orthopaedic surgeon.  My question is have you seen pain people who can maybe offer you a block or some other protocol?

thanks,

Leah 

15

Hi Leah,

Yes I have had epidural injections , countless physical therapy. I also went to spine and disc chiropractic and he did help my back.

I'm just stuck with sciatic nerve pain and having trouble walking after I have been on my feet just doing things around the house.

I just never thought this would happen in 49 and I want my life back. I can't go back to my job because it very physical standing. bending,lifting,no sitting.

Going to see new orthopedic for consult see what he thinks.

Take care

Jackie

16

Hi Leah,

I have had injections months of physical therapy, and massages I can't work been on disability for almost 3yrs. My job was manager at grocery store which was alot of standing, bending, lifting, ordering etc. Going to see new surgeon to make sure everything ok. I'm glad you have understanding boss and that you are able to work. Good luck to you.

Jackie

17

Hi Jackie,

when they did your injections did they do them in conjunction with CT so that they knew where to inject?  I ask you this because when ever I feel sorry for myself I think of my brother Paddy, who fell on the job about 10 or 12 feet from a truck. He went to the ED and was cleared as OK.  He had arthritis as a kid and thought it was getting much much worse.  About 3 months later he had more tests done and he was walking around on 2 broken hips with some of his spinal cord nerves coming out of the cord in the wrong places.  What they did for him was to map his back in conjection with CT so they would know the exact spot to hit.  Now he goes in every few months for injections and they do them according to the "map" .he  is more active after the injections and then they wear off and he has to reduce his activity.  He will not be able to go back to work.  He was a workaholic often putting in 70 to 80 hours a week thus has a hard time staying at home.  With your sciatica, did the injections at any point help?  did they do them under CT?   Also to clarify, you have trouble walking because of the sciatica pain? so not due to "mechanical" issue?

thanks

Leah

18

Hello Leah,

Yes they did map the injections ! When I walk pain is in hip ball joint area down to my knee left leg feels very weak. I think weakness is from sciatic nerve damage and hopefully not but possible mechanical loosing. I walk with cane when i need to.

I also was workaholic really hard for me not working.

Thanks

Jackie

19

Hi Jackie,

I hope that the second opinion will be able to shed some light on your condition.

thanks,

Leah