Stem has moved

Bones, joints and muscles
1

hi folks

i had my left hip replacement surgery May 30 went to first outside physio  appointment on June 14 for assessment. I had been placing a pillow longwise under my operated leg for sleeping on my back as it more comfortable but physiotherapist told me I shouldn't have done that because my knee wouldn't go flat down when she tested it. She gave me more exercises to do at home and I will be going to physio once a week for approximately 6 weeks. I hate sleeping on my back but will persevere and will do the exercises that were given to me. I'm also walking a bit more each day. Today I went to hospital to have the staples removed and had an X-ray of the hip. My surgeon then reviewed everything said I was walking just fine and the incision looked good. However, the X-ray showed the stem has moved a bit. Surgeon said it is settling in, and everyone heals differently. The only pains I'm having are really aches from my thigh to my knee, especially the knee. He told me that is just normal healing.

i have to go back for another X-ray in two weeks but I am really worried. Is this dislocating? I'm now afraid to do the exercises in case I move something more.

this was done with the posterior approach and is not cemented.

has anyone had this happen to them?

2

Hi Ginny

Don't worry about the knee pain I think most people have experienced thigh and knee pain post surgery me included I was convinced they had damaged my knee during surgery but the amount of pulling around they do during the op manifests here.

If your surgeon and physio are happy try not to worry (easier said...) I found if I was propped up with several pillows at night it was easier sleeping on your back. It's not forever but safer to avoid dislocation. I was also told not to put a pillow under the operated leg as it stopped blood flow. Hope you get sorted soon I'm 6 months on not perfect but oh so much better

Keep smiling

Julie

3

Hi Julie

thanks for your comments. I'm mostly worried about the stem moving. The surgeon wasn't concerned but I am. I'm terrified that it will dislocate and I'll have to go through revision and start the process all over again. I'm 78 years old and live alone and I've said in my other posts I am a worrier. I guess I'll know more in two weeks with another X-ray. Hoping the physio I have to do doesn't do anything to the stem.

Ginny

4

Ginny, try a leg pillow. It's curved so you can hold it between your knees/thighs. I got mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond. My PT told me they used to be required after hip surgery, but no longer. Helps keep your hip aligned properly, I believe.

My surgery was May 15th. I'm also experiencing the thigh/ knee pain. It's all about the healing process. Good luck to you as your healing progresses!

5

Thank you nhquilta

i appreciate your advice regarding the pillow.

hoping your pain abates very soon

take care

Ginny

6

Hi it's Ginny Again

I am really worried about the stem of the hip replacement that has moved. I asked the surgeon if I should continue on with physio and he said yes. I was concerned that physio would make it worse. I have read that stem movement is a sign of a failed replacement and would have to have a  revision. It's just been a little over two weeks since the operation. Has anyone on this forum had this happen?

i have to have a X-ray in two weeks and will see surgeon then so I just have to worry about this until then, I feel so depressed about this.. 

7

dear ginny, 

I am so sorry to hear this ... 

of course your knee is stiff and painful as is your thigh - you just had major invasive surgery where your leg was manipulated to forcefully dislocate the hip joint ... 

it is easy to think the worse and especially when you live alone -

I live alone and had 2 THR surgeries and know how thoughts keep going around and around - 

for now, just try to relax a little - if you are afraid to do some exercises, don't do them or do less of them ... try to keep moving - are you on any blood thinners? 

allow your body to heal and adjust to the prothesis - 

I wish I had the right words to ease your worries ...

come back here anytime, okay ?  

big warm hug

renee

 

8

Hi Ginny, we all know that song the foot bone connects to the leg bone, the leg bone connects to the hip bone.  They are all supposed to line up.  Your Doctor said the shaft has moved meaning that the ball and socket joint is still functioning in the correct mannor, but your leg (thigh, knee and calf) are slightly rotated.  Causing stress on the next joint being the knee.  I suffered a stress fracture on my left hip after my right hip was replaced.  As a result my right leg turns inward.  As I walk I have to make sure that my leg is straight.  If I walk uphill I usually without thinking about it walk sideways.  Going downhill is a nightmare waiting to happen.  Before I had my replacement I said my knee and hip hurt.  My primiary

care doctor told me there was nothing wrong with my knee.  It hurt and was swollen because of the misalignment from my deterioated hip.

9

Hi renee

thank you for your kind comments. I realize the pains I'm experiencing are from the major surgery but was so shocked when the surgeon said the stem had moved. I am on blood thinners until the end of June. 

I just pray that what the surgeon said is true and I don't dislocate. He said the stem is settling in. Two weeks from now I will have another X-ray and see the surgeon again. I don't know what could happen in these two weeks, perhaps the stem will establish itself better within the femur, who knows? The surgeon didn't explain anything about that and I was so shocked, I didn't ask for any explanation.

ill update in two weeks but until then, can't help but worry.

Ginny

10

hi deborah

thank you very much for your comments

im sorry you've had to go through so much, are you in a lot of pain now because of your problem? I hope not.

do you have to have any further surgery?

as I've posted, I have to worry and wait two weeks until I have another X-ray and then will find out if I'll have to have a revision or ?

when I had the hip replacement just over two weeks ago I had high expectations that over time I would be back to normal and not be in pain but now I just don't know. 

Time will tell I guess.

thanks again Deborah and I do hope things are better for you now.

Ginny

11

Ginnys, I have pain every day.  My little stress "fracture" has become a break.  My hips are not level with left hip bone (the part that joins the sacrum part of the spine) seperated by 1/2".  There is no further surgery scheduled or even being considered.  I too had high expectations of being able to carry on with my life.  At least before the replacement, even though there was no right  hip joint, I could walk.  Now I cannot take 1 unassisted step.  I wish you lots of luck with your recovery and I would not wish my condition on my worst enemy.

12

Dear deborah

i am so very sorry for what has happened to you. I do hope you can find some kind of answer for your awful condition. There must be something that can be done to help you. I wish you all the best Deborah.

Ginny

13

Ginny, I am 11.5 weeks post op from LTHR and being a worrier have imagined all kinds of problems with my new hip, none of which have happened. This morning for the first time I put on my own socks and lace up shoes! Recovery isn't fast and patience is hard for me.

14

Hi Linda

so glad you are doing well with your recovery. I've been a worrier most of my life and have the wrinkles to show for that. Lol

this movement of the stem has given me several more wrinkles I'm sure. 

I just wish I knew now what is going to happen with this predicament. As I said previously I have to wait two more weeks before I get some kind of answer. 

Keep up the great work with your recovery.

Ginny

15

Hi Ginnys, so sorry to hear about your stem. I can see that you must be worried, but it sounds as though the surgeon isn't too concerned. Good that he's pleased with your walking, and your incision. Try to take it steadily for the next fortnight. Thinking of you, take care, Judith.

16

Hi judith

thanks so much

im trying to not think about it but it's there every minute

i wish I had asked more questions when the surgeon told me this but I was stunned as I kind of thought I wasn't doing too badly

thanks again for your kindness, I appreciate it

all the best to you

Ginny

17

Dear Ginny,

mother (90) had her op on 19th April.  A bit of a problem with blood pooling around the incision kept her in hospital for three weeks. Has her first assessment with x-rays on 3rd July.  Is raring to go as she says she hasn't time to be patient.  She tells me to let you know that you need to try to be patient and positive.  If the surgeon 

18

Hi Ginnys,

I am having an awful time with my knee.  I, too, am afriad to do the exercises but for different reasons.  When my leg was dislocated for my rthr, they tore the cartlidge in my knee.  It's worse than my hip. This was in Jan. 2017. Going on six months later, I cannot bend my knee to cross my leg at all--it is like it's frozen in place.  The doc told me not to even try it.  I didn't ask for how long, because I think I was in total shock.  I had been complaining about my knee since the day after surgery. Last appointment, he said he wanted to wait 3-4 weeks to see if it would heal itself.  Well, it had had five months to heal while all the time I've been in more pain 24/7 than I ever have.  There's no way I can sleep.  My knee will not go flat, either, and I slept on my back for months. He told me I didn't have to anymore if I used a pillow.  I'm 5'8" and weigh 100 lbs.  Why would someone have to twist my leg so violently as to, as I see it, ruin it?  I don't want anymore surgery. I've had to rely on my left leg so much that my left hip, which was ok, is slipping and I felt that bone on bone.  I could do so much more before surgery even with it hurting. I knew what I could and couldn't/shouldn't do.  Now, I feel like my life is ruined and I'm on the edge of a cliff.  I've always been so active and now, all I can do is sit for a short time and then have to change positions.  I know what you feel. Why the knee?  Haven't they ever done this surgery before?  I tried all last week to get some help and got none. One doc who came to my home town wouldn't see people over 60. Guess he wants the young chics.  He also said he didn't do surgery--just referals.  I looked at his webpage and it says he does all surgeries of the knee and hip. My doc was on vacation, or so they said, so I have to wait another 11 days to see him.  If no satisfication, then I'm going to find another surgeon.  Something is very wrong.  I have the same symtoms as you, though.  Good luck.

19

dear dana, 

I am so sorry to hear about the pain you have due to your knee -

It is kind of brutal how they dislocate the hip jount and then not attend to the knee problem that was the result of that jerking ...

was the torn cartilage in the knee officially diagnosed? Have you been back to your surgeon to have it checked --

Perhaps you should see another surgeon, just to get a second opinion -

do you see a physical therapist? 

please come back and let us know okay .... or start you own discussion .. I know you already posted one ...

take care - 

big warm hug

renee

20

Hi orsina

oh my, 90 yrs young! God bless your mother. Hope she is doing better and tell her for me that I am trying to be patient and I thought I was until last Friday when the surgeon told me the stem moved. Now I feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff waiting to see if this new hip will dislocate.

hoping your mother heals well and has an excellent recovery from now on.

Ginny