last year I had my right hip replaced no complications happy with results. This year I had the other hip same surgeon same date a year later. I found out there was a fracture and a cable placed, and the implant is bigger that's the other. I have had horrible post op pain and spasm. I am trying to walk like last year but it hurts too much. Swelling is significant. I am 56 consider myself in good health trying to return to an active life. Do you have any thoughts my surgeon is a lovely person but on vacation so I don't know where to get answers
Why did your surgeon use a different size implant? Was this deliberate for some reason, or a horrible oversight? I really feel for you when you mention that your surgeon in on vacation and therefore you can't get answers. My surgeon went on vacation and didn't give me enough pain meds to last until he came back. That experience was horrible!
Try not to do too much right now. Rest, elevate your leg and apply ice packs several times each day. Make sure that you also take your pain meds regularly. It's much harder to play catch-up when the pain is severe. Make sure that you leave a message for your surgeon so that she can return your call as soon as she gets back.
Jen.. even if your surgeon is on vacation there should be a Dr. available that he should have told you about to call if you had any problems or needed a pain prescription filled while he was away. I would be very upset if there was no one to call. I wish you well, Merilee
Thank you so much I can't tell you how much it helps hearing from someone. Though I am sorry and a bit disgusted that your surgeon left you high and dry. I do not know the reason for my different size implants. I went for staples removal and found out I had a fracture and a different implant. The surgeon I have known for years has been so kind to me so I will try to reserve judgement till we speak but I feel a bit lost. Last year things were very different. I did not have this nasty femur pain just for walking to bathroom. I was walking a mile at weeks with husband last year.
you mention that you were told about the difference in implants and a cable placed when staples were removed, right .. was it visible on an x-ray?
I am trying to figure out why you were not told by your surgeon after surgery?
when is your follow up appointment or, is it possible to go to a fellow surgeon to get your answers? especially now that you have so much pain and swelling ...
let us know how you are getting on, okay ?
big warm hug
renee
p.s. try not to compare th 2 surgeries with each other though - it is different ...
I can,t find any information regarding why a surgeon would use a different size implant. On exray the part that goes into the femur is super long almost reaching To knee. I also had a fracture to the posterior femur at some point in operation. I am over 3 weeks post op and finally I think things are improving. Still one leg longer but so gorateful pain is lessening.
Perhaps the reason for the exceptional length is because your surgeon considered that due to your bone quality or perhaps the crack that it was prudent to use a long stem to spread the load. I thought perhaps he had used a larger ball and cup which was what happened at my revision a few weeks ago.
I am about 3 weeks out and think today I turned the corner. I was not told about the fracture during surgery or the different size implant but when the X-ray was put up it was obvious. The nurse covering for the surgeon was kind of on the spot as she thought I already knew. There may be a good reason to use a different size implant but I can't find one online. Pain is finally better and I can therefore walk more. It sure helps to hear from everyone thanks