Hi all! I’m new to this community after searching for possible answers fir this horrid thigh pain, and thought I’d see if anyone dealt with anything similar.
BACKSTORY: At age 25 I was diagnosed with AVN in both hips following a pregnancy where I needed to have steroids to treat an especially severe case of hyperemesis gravidarum. Had my first THR 3 weeks after finally being diagnosed, and after going through another pregnancy on a collapsed hip joint (fun times!)… 2 weeks post op I unfortunately got an infection in the joint. Surgeon did a washout and months of antibiotics, which needed adjusted sooo many times due to reactions. After 3 years I was still in pain (all pretty much groin pain), and found a new surgeon who did a total revision and said it was just never done properly to begin with and was very loose even though it didn’t show on xrays. That hip is now doing amazing!
This new surgeon did a full workup on the other hip as well hoping to do a core decompression to try and save the hip, but it had progressed and was no longer salvageable, so he did a THR in november. All seemed to be going well with recovery, pain was almost gone and I returned to work after 4 months. Around month 5 it all changed. I started having these sharp, intense pains in my mid-thigh that would radiate to my knee, mostly when taking my weight back off the leg (so during the “unloading” phase) if I stood with all my weight on that leg too long, and when walking a further distance.
Now I’m almost 9 months post op and this pain is only getting worse. The sharp pains come more frequently, enough that I cry just thinking about having to walk from one room to another… it’s been very debilitating and very frustrating! I have called my surgeon numerous times, but still just “on the list of people to call for appointments”. My GP did order xrays, which seemed ok, but something is definitely wrong here. I never had this pain before in my other hip even with all the complications I had. I have 4 kids and trying to keep up with them is just not happening. I feel like an awful mother and that my kids have lost some of their childhood helping to look after mommy. I just want my life back, and for this pain to go away.
This sounds really tough - so sorry for you. I don’t know enough to give any advice, but you certainly have my sympathy. Guess you can only keep hassling your doctor and surgeon. Good luck.
HI JILLOOPS! I completely understand the problems with infection post op. i spent 6 weeks in hospital and 4 extra visits to theater for ongoing infection. They first put in artificial hip implants and I was expected to go home weight bearing only on one leg and at 65 that became impossible, and after a couple of falls and a fracture eventually revision hip replacement done. 5 months later still battling on with walking stick which I hate.
BUT hydrotherapy with a physio for a few weeks one day a week, then ongoing yourself once you know the strengthening exercises have been helpful to me and gradually I am improving slowly. Yes I did the antibiotics etc but have just now accepted that I might take a long time to heal. And I am still of the opinion that these issues happen to people more often than we think. I had the best nursing care and specialists and two previous replacements other knee and other hip which I did well with.
My opinion is that specialists are not good at follow up with treatment and the only person that can make you well is you slowly. NO high expectations just slowly day by day. Hope this helps.
i am having thigh, shin, knee, groin pain..excruciating…4 months post op from femoral neck pinning.I feel for you. i have decided to go to a different surgeon for an opinion and help. pain comes for a reason…and I couldn’t even get an appointment with my surgeon. the scheduler was arrogant, as if I was crazy to think that the actual physican/surgeon was going to see me. I was only permitted see the physician assistant , who quickly dismissed me as being fine. i am not dealing with them anymore. i think it is pure arrogance and ego for a doctor to always schluff his patients off …on to a PA. … especially if his patient is having chronic, excruciating pain 4 months post op.i don’t trust him..
excruciating pain, every day is life changing…and it is our body telling us…“investigate” and find out why. i hope you get the help you need. if you can’t get help from your surgeon, remember he isn’t the only fish in the sea. Good luck!
so sorry to read about your problems,actually I believe difficulties are played down and glowing reports based on statistics provide a false picture
That many patients recover well is as much due to the body’s own capacity to heal itself as anything else
Of course a competent surgeon and good overall health followed by good aftercare provide the best conditions.
However the very real examples of surgeries which go badly wrong and cause misery to the unfortunate patient are seldom heard about.
The notion that Hip Replacement is the best answer because statistically many do well needs a rethink .
More honest investigation of the unsatisfactory examples is necessary. We are not statistics and the one size fits all approach is not good enough.
Where are you located, which country?
I am in UK and had my Hip Replacement privately.
Despite our NHS being amazing for accidents and emergency and serious medical problems, as regards non emergency operations it is very much a post code lottery.
Unable to get my choice of hospital/surgeon, I opted to pay for my hip replacement. This against my long term beliefs, having always trusted the NHS.
I am lucky to have a good result but at great expense. Also I have no way of knowing whether due to my own general fitness or because of the expertise of my surgeon.
I wish you the very best of luck in finding the medical team to help you.I would suggest research and more research before deciding who to trust.
I think this forum which is a great comfort to many patients could be a good be a good place to exchange experiences good or bad.
Unfortunately few people seem willing to even say where they are located, essential to know if seeking recommendations !!
Best wishes and good luck to you
Joy (Gloria)
Are you doing any physical therapy? I was having stabbing pains in the front of my thigh to the side, right where the muscle was stitched back in place. My chiro had me start those exercises where you lay on your belly and bending your leg at the knee, gently bring your heel as close to your buttock as possible without it hurting too bad. Hold for a count of ten then lay the leg down straight and do the other leg. It has helped quite a bit. I had torn the stitching loose and this was after I gave it 3 months (per surgeons orders) to reattach and heal. Do not do this if the muscle has bunched up and made a lump on the back of your thigh. If the muscle has bunched up they have to do surgery to fix it again.