Some support at last!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

If you have read any of my previous posts you will know I am still suffering from pain in my entire right hip and thigh after THR in January of 2017. I was just so frustrated, because of the ongoing pain, which is bad enough that I was still limping, using a cane, and could not do many activities, like simply turning over in bed. I consulted a second orthopedic surgeon who did some additional tests (my original surgeon never wanted to do anything but x-rays), but both said that because my prosthesis was fine, I should be fine also.

So in addition to the pain, I felt like no one was trying to help me get to the source of the problem. I was paying out of pocket to consult new physical therapists, asking for additional tests, etc. All on my own.

But lo and behold, I visited a pain management specialist last week who has promised not only to get to the bottom of my pain a year after surgery, but also to stick with me until we do! Finally someone has my back, and is willing to work with me. And no mention of drugs, narcotics or otherwise, which is great, because I don't want just a "bandaid", but to find the source of my pain.

So we have started right way, with two heavy-duty steroid injections, an order for an MRI, and a custom knee brace. There was nothing wrong with my knee, but my gait has been messed up for so long, it is starting to bother me, and this is by way of preventing damage to the knee while I get my hip sorted. I will also see a third ortho surgeon for his opinion.

Of course, the steroids are drugs, contrary to what I said above, but this is to give me some temporary relief while we work out the issues, not a long term fix; he is not just covering up with narcotics.

Even if it turns out that some pain may be my lot forever, I am SO relieved and happy that someone is finally working with me instead of dismissing me. My new doc has promised to help me get my life back - he has committed to Plans B, C, and D, or whatever it takes.

I guess the lesson is to just stick with complaining and making a fuss (nicely) until someone pays attention when you know something is wrong. I am a shy person, and always want to be nice, but I can be persistent when my ability to live my normal life has been tampered with. It has taken 6 months of trying after I had been miserable for far too long after the THR, but now at the end of a year, I hope to finally get some answers and some relief.

For the first time since I had surgery, I have hope and optimism. I am even thinking about travel plans, for Greenland, the Galapagos and China! Traveling is my favorite thing to do, and those are only a fraction of my list. 😊😊😊

2

Hi, I have been fighting the system for 6 years with lower back, thigh pain which has me in a wheelchair now when I go out. I never gave up and it is coming to light that this may be due to the sacroiliac joint. It's worth you reading up on it to see if it fit's your pain. Injections and ablation is the answer if this is the cause of your pain. Good luck in getting a speedy recovery.

3

KM-

I have read your previous posts and want to congratulate you on your persistence and current success in finding a supportive physician.  You are absolutely correct that one needs to either have or to be their own strong advocate when dealing with the medical profession.  As skilled and knowledgeable as they may be, they are still human, capable of making mistake and unwilling to admit their own shortcomings at times.  I find it surprising to learn most ortho surgeons doing THR rely strictly on x rays generally and don't order MRIs prior to surgery to rule out potential soft tissue issues that may be contributing to the patients condition and pain or so that they have a better understanding of underlying conditions prior to surgery in choosing surgical approach and potentially avoiding further damage to an underlying condition.  I have a surgical referral coming up next week and intend to have this discussion with the doctor.  Keep fighting for your own best interests.  Best wishes.

Jim

4

Dear KarmaMama

I'm so glad to hear that you now have a plan of action. Just a bit concerned about the steroid injections as you seem to be but let's hope this is just a very short term expedient.

Very best of good luck.

Richard

5

Thank you I am sorry that you are going through all that hopefully it will be solved soon and you will have no pain when you travel

6

Thank you, I am sorry you are going through this hopefully it will be all solved by the time you go on vacation

7

Dear KarmaMama, I will take inspiration from your story. Thank you for sharing. I had a cement-less THR in August and here we are in January, 5 months on and I still have significant hip, thigh and knee pain but I'm told nothing is wrong with the prosthesis so I'm left to battle on, having finished with physical therapy. I'm waiting on a CT scan to reinforce the results of the regular x-rays which all looked good. Frustrating doesn't begin to describe what this is like. I too have travel goals so I hope we both succeed in 2018 getting rid of pain and becoming much more mobile again ! 

8

Hang in there, Margot. I kept hearing the same thing - prosthesis is fine. I also had possible nerve damage checked out with an EMG test, and was ready to be tested for both metal allergy and infection. My current, responsive doctor, has not ruled those out but wants to explore other things first.

If you have not seen anyone other than your ortho surgeon, try someone else. They seem to just want to protect themselves and don't listen to pain complaints if "their" part of the work looks fine.

9

Appreciate the encouragement KarmaMama. I'll see what happens with the upcoming CT scan and go from there. I agree that the surgeons definitely tend to compartmentalize the whole thing.