Pinched nerve in hip, any advice?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I have had throbbing and tingling in my groin, glutes, hip and tightness in my thigh for a couple of months. Had a successful THR in 2018.

After tests to exclude any structural issues with the replacement hip, I am narrowing it down to a possible pinched nerve in my hip.

It’s constant and really dehibilitating now. I am sleep deprived as it’s worse at night & at rest.

Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced anything similar and any advice.

Thanks.

2

Hi Jean. I had a THR 14 weeks ago. Similar symptoms to you. I had a MRI and CT scan and waiting to see Ortho surgeon. He says out of 2000 patients I am the first with these symptoms. Can you return to your surgeon?

3

Hi Jean. I had a THR 14 weeks ago. Similar symptoms to you. I had a MRI and CT scan and waiting to see Ortho surgeon. He says out of 2000 patients I am the first with these symptoms. Can you return to your surgeon?

4

hi Lyn,

I have been back to my surgeon and he has even referred me to another for a 2nd opinion. Both say my hip is fine and they are flummoxed. I have had an x-ray, comprehensive ultrasound, MRI and CT Spect Scan and they are all clear. Basically every test they could do. I am at my wits end now. If i knew what was causing it then I could start to address it but to not know but be in such pain is torture.

The doctor has put me on gabapetin to see if it eases it in case it is a trapped nerve but its not giving me any relief as yet.

The radiologist who did my last scan said it could be trochanteric bursitis even though nothing showed on the scans. It kind of fits the symptoms but not exactly.

I’m probably a little different to you as I’ve had two years of my hip being perfect post surgery until this started over a couple of days last November.

Sorry I know this probably doesn’t help. Hope you get things sorted. x

5

Hi Lyn/Jean
I am 18 weeks post THR and have had similar symptoms since I got my staples taken out at 2 weeks. I was sent for physio at 7 weeks but she is now flummoxed as we’ve tried every exercise possible!!. I had an x-ray at 12 weeks he was happy with result. My surgeon at first kept saying inflammation, nerve pain, bursitis, I was there Friday and he has injected cortisone into the new joint area. I have to rest up for 5-7 days then start with exercises/resistance bands etc.
I was on gabapentin for 5 weeks and it made no difference. Naproxen before that. Let me know Jean if you feel an improvement. He told me to stop it for now. I’ve even tried a chiropractor she said L5 nerve root irritation and gluteus medius muscle not working we have worked hard on these symptoms but no improvement with her either. I have to wait until after my next hospital appointment before I see her again.
I am at my wits end, it feels so painful/throbbing and like it’s rubbing constantly when walking/sitting and trying to sleep. I have still got the sharp groin pains too. Surgeon said it too soon for scan but I think I will push for one if the cortisone makes no improvement.
Let me know how you get on with your results? Hope you’se get things sorted.

6

Hi Heather. Tks for your input. I might give cortisone a try. Seems there are at least 3 of us!

7

I’ll let you know if there’s any improvement. Just having gentle walks in the garden until the 7 days are up. I wish I was one of the people that didn’t have this problem!!!

8

Me too! Hope things improve for you!

9

Let me know how you get on with the ortho surgeon with your results. I wouldn’t mention the cortisone injection yet. I am still the same with the same pains/ rubbing/grating feeling in my hip/groin. Early days yet from injection i know.
good luck

10

Diagnosis is trochanteric bursitis. Surgeon says it should improve in the next few months. No mention of cortisone shot. Also said that my muscles are weak and could take a while to heal. I am 69. I think I expected too much from my hip replacement!

11

Hi Jean. As per reply to Heather above. Trochanteric bursitis. Says it is not rare! I give up!

12

I am 19 weeks post op and thats what I was told after a couple of months after the operation. Did you get referred to physio, my physiotherapist has tailored a programme to strengthen my gluteus medius muscles with resistance bands. I also researched trochanteric bursitis online.
Surgeon has tried the cortisone as he is convinced it’s the inflammation that is giving me the constant rubbing/pain sensation but it’s there all the time. I don’t think you are asking too much of your hip replacement and at 69 you have a long life ahead of you. I am 61 and at times have really wished I hadn’t had the operation. I swam regular and did pilates and yoga for years so was fairly fit before operation. (As fit as you can be with osteo-arthritis). We will get there I am sure. It’s nice to know i’m not the only one that is having a hard time. I’l let you know if I get any improvement from cortisone. (I was given some great advice from ric on this forum).
take care x

13

Hi heather54571, lyn32416,

Sorry I am a bit mixed up with the order of replies!

I’m going to see a new physio tomorrow and just hoping he can shed some light.

I am still convinced something is wrong with the hip replacement itself despite all the scans and tests coming back clear and two top hip surgeons telling me the hip replacement is fine.

I just cannot understand what would cause this sort of constant pain suddenly after 2 years of bliss. I was the biggest advocate for hip replacements before this as I had such a good result.

Fingers crossed for you both. Pain & worry is awful xxx

14

Hi again to you both. Before the cortisone injection I had started eating/cutting out the food to allegedly help ease trochanteric bursitis/inflammation. Making up essential oils and rubbing in the painful area to help inflammation. Adding turmeric to food and taking the supplement. Using ice regularly again. I am now trying to build up the gluteus muscles all in the hope of getting some relief from the knawing pain. At least we can give each other hope as we go through this together. Good luck.

15

good luck. let us know how you get on x

16

Hi Lyn,

Sorry if you have covered this already but can I ask you some specific questions (that might help me with my diagnosis) :

  1. Can you remind me what all your symptoms were/are … you mentioned they were similar to mine but can I double-check?
  2. Did the MRI & CT scan both show trochanteric bursitis clearly?
  3. Have you visible swelling?
  4. Have you pain and tenderness when the side of your hip is pressed?

Thanks so much.
Jean

17

Hi Jean
Happy to help in any way I am able. I had RHR on Nov 9 2020. Bilateral knee rep
21 Mar 2016.
6 weeks post RHR I began to wake after 3-4 hours rest sleeping on my side ( sometimes on Rt side) with stinging pain in my groin radiating to incision site and down outside of my right thigh. Prior to this I could only lie on my back as per instructions from medico.
The pain is minimal walking and sitting.
It is worst when lying on either side.
Pain can be 8/10 and causes me to get up and move around. I take Codeine and Paracetamol.
I cannot stride when walking and was sn active walker up to a year prior to RHR.
I think my muscles are weak. I was an Accountant and sat for 40 years pre retirement.
I need my left hip replaced also but now hesitant to go through op. I had old fashioned (non anterior) surgery for RHR. Public hospitals here in Australia usually do not do anterior hip replacements. I plan to pay surgeon if I absolutely require a LHR later. Stay positive if you can.

18

sorry forgot other questions…
MRI and CT scan showed fluid and bursitis. Otherwise clear. Trochanteric bursitis is his theory. Short of surgery I doubt it can be proven. Seems to be something diagnosed when everything else i.e. infection, fracture is ruled out.
No swelling evident.
Yes intermittent pain when pressing hip. Groin is painful and scar is sore.

19

Thanks for all that information Lyn, it’s really helpful.

Co-incidently I have just been looking at my medical records on my doctors portal (I’m in the UK). The report for the ultrasound scan I had last Friday has only just been entered onto the system and states ‘the trochanteric bursa is thickened’ and the stated conclusion is trochanteric bursa.

It’s very strange though because I have had an MRI and CT Spect scan which were all normal and showed nothing. The radiographer said they were gold standard compared to an ultrasound so confused.

It’s really interesting to know that you have groin pain like I do as I didn’t think this was associated with trochanteric bursa. I think you are right that they rule out infection and fracture (which has got to be worse case scenario so grateful if not that) this is a big probability.

I have no pain on pressing but terrible searing, stinging down the boney outside side of my hip & top of thigh.

Does anything give you relief? I am normally so active but exercise and stretching seems to inflame it and make it worse.

Thanks again and sorry for the questions. Please don’t worry about replying if you are busy.

20

Hi Jean
I know it is difficult to rest when we have been very active however I seem to be in less pain if I do only light exercise. Nothing strenuous. My MRI showed a lot of fluid around my groin area. My surgeon suspected I had a UTI and urine test showed citrobacter koseri probably from catheter, post op. It was recently cured with Bactrim DS. 10 tabs, one twice a day. Pain you describe in groin and down hip is pretty much what I experience.

I take Mersyndol at night. I get 4 hours sleep with 2 Mersyndol. I also massage my thigh and groin ( not scar) with ANTI inflammatory pain relief …it is a gel made by Mentholatum (Deep Heat people) contains Diclofenac Sodium 10mg/g. It is not smelly like some heat rubs. It removes my pain very quickly. I wake up most days, very early morning in pain and take 2 paracetamol and can usually go back to sleep. This morning I was in a lot of pain. No rhyme or reason for it! Over the past week I have had 2-3 nights where the pain did not wake me. I cannot lie on either side for long. If this is my lot then I will bear it. Just hoped for better outcome. As most who go through joint replacement surgery do. I need to lose 5-10 kgs and eat a healthy range of foods. I do not drink alcohol but love sweets. I have decided to limit sugar and see if it helps.