Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

Posted by Cjropes @Cjropes, Dec 30, 2015

Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

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@resolutions10

i have had a hip replacement on each hip (posterior). The first was 2 1/2 years ago and no problems. The second was 4 months ago. Everything was fine until yesterday when I got an extremely painful and acute pain between my groin and my surgical scar (posterior). It came out of nowhere. It slowly subsided and went away. It happened again today. It is again slowly subsiding. Has anyone ever experienced this? Gary

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@resolutions10 - Hi Gary, Welcome to Connect. I think you'll find great people here with good experience to share. I haven't had hip replacement - just 2 knee replacements. I'm curious whether you did any different exercise or just everyday activities that may have triggered your pain? If not, I think I would check in with my doctor and let him/her decide whether your need to be checked out. My own experience has been that we have to be our own advocates. Best of luck with resolving the pain. Please keep us posted.

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@lindyloo8

can't speak for everyone, but my pain is happening years after surgery. the inflammation angle may be something to pursue with the doc tomorrow though so thanks for that idea.

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Had hip doc appt. Monday and xrays. Doc assured me the appliance is fine and wouldn't be causing the pain i'm experiencing. His diagnosis is trochanteric bursitis. Pt for the next few months. I'm not so sure that's it but we shall see. I got a script for diclofenac (voltaren). It worked immediately on the pain and inflammation (cream to thigh 4 times a day) but am going to cut back since I did some research on NSAIDS and they're baaaaad. I might have to take it while in Greece though if this PT doesn't solve the pain problem.

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@lindyloo8

Had hip doc appt. Monday and xrays. Doc assured me the appliance is fine and wouldn't be causing the pain i'm experiencing. His diagnosis is trochanteric bursitis. Pt for the next few months. I'm not so sure that's it but we shall see. I got a script for diclofenac (voltaren). It worked immediately on the pain and inflammation (cream to thigh 4 times a day) but am going to cut back since I did some research on NSAIDS and they're baaaaad. I might have to take it while in Greece though if this PT doesn't solve the pain problem.

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@lindyloo8 NSAIDS in a cream like Voltaren are not absorbed as much systemically as when you take the same type of drug orally, such as the oral NSAID ibuprofen etc. Voltaren is a more local absorption and perhaps not so worrisome to some. You can ask your doctor to confirm that for you in your situation, since I'm clearly not a doctor. I can't take Advil or NSAIDS, they really bother my stomach, but I have used Voltaren in the past without any problems. Good luck.

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Hi. I too have meralgia paresthetica. But mine is on same thigh as hip replacement surgery. I had to have revision 3 weeks later after I dislocated my hip replacement. Started noticing the burning pain about 4/5 months later. Have been on gabapentin, have had numerous injections into the femoral cutaneous nerve, am trying cbd oil and cream...not much help. Usually have to take a Tramadol to ease the pain. Pain dr has suggested ablation of the nerve but I don’t think I want to do that. I’ve had this for a year now. It can affect my life and mood. Oh I also had a spinal stimulator implanted as well...still no relief. I had the anterior and posterior replacements. So not sure which affected me but I can say this...it sucks!

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Had my first PT appt Thursday and OMG what a difference. She got in there and dug around in my thigh. Muscles are totally inflamed and she found knots she pushed on (ouch). That deep tissue work is so painful but I haven't felt this good in months. Totally pain free and this, after only 1 PT session. She thinks my sketchy back, bladder issues and this hip issue might all be related because they're all involving my core. Soooo, my recommendation would be to try PT if you haven't already and are experiencing sharp thigh pain years after hip surgery. It's a flippin' miracle.

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@Cjropes

I had both done. The one im having issue with was 3 yrs ago, the pain stated a year later during winter. I have been back countless time and had so many test done with no conclusive answers..to say im fustrated is an understatement. The pain is so sharp i scream out. Wondering if the mayo could fiqure this out because my ortho just keeps racking up the bills with no answers

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PT is working wonders for me. Have you tried that?

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@jmaa

I'm scheduled for hip replacement in February and am wondering whether those who are having pain had anterior or posterior incisions. Best of luck to them.

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anterior. i think i'd go posterior next time. I hear the healing up of the anterior approach is easier (and mine was) but that it seems to lead to pain in the thigh years down the road. Don't take my word for it but it's the conclusion i'm drawing after all I've read.

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@jtgr

I had my replacement surgery 10/15/18 and it was feeling good and now the muscles in my thigh and my knee tightness is getting worse. I also have a tear in the meniscus . After I do my exercising and after walking it’s very uncomfortable. My doctor told me it will take time to fully heal . Is anybody else going through this?

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Hello, I’m 71 years young and on Jan 14 I had a total left hip posterior replacement. Due to infection I had to have the hip replaced and tissues cleaned out 2 more times. I came home a month ago with a picc line in my arm through which I could administer antibiotics. For the last 3 weeks I was improving, although I had burning, stabbing numbing pain in my thigh. I was always able to exercise and felt best after walking short distances, but I was always exhausted. Three days ago, I could no longer lift my left leg or sit in a chair or get into bed without excruciating pain. It takes about 2 minutes to stop and unfortunately I actually scream at the top of my lungs. I’ve been sleeping in my lift chair because it’s impossible to get into the bed. The physical therapist assured me that I did not dislocate anything and I agree. I think I must have aggravated my sciatica because it is definitely nerve pain which I believe the sciatic nerve has been compressed. I can still walk and I get relief from that and can exercise but cannot lift my leg to swing my knees forward from a seated position. Tomorrow I’m seeing the infectious disease doctor and on Friday I’m seeing the surgeon. So, yes, my problem is different from yours, but I wonder if we overdid it on exercise. I now break up all exercise into 10 minute intervals and walk down the hall quite often as I am constantly peeing. That loosens me up but getting back in the chair is excruciating, although I am able to stand up from the recliner without too much trouble. Walking is the best thing I can do and gives me the most relief but my walks are short. It takes me 10 minutes to administer the antibiotics through the picc line but I have to do it standing. I can’t sit in the chair in front of my computer but my phone has become my gateway to the internet and to this thread. I’m searching for answers and people in similar circumstance. I’m terrified the pain may also be due to infection and if that is the case they will operate again and put spacers in the hip. This will add another 3-4 months of misery. I hope we find answers and I will let you know what the docs say and if a miracle happens and my pain subsides. Trying to keep being a positive mental attitude. 😔

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I had my replacement surgery 10/15/18 and it was feeling good and now the muscles in my thigh and my knee tightness is getting worse. I also have a tear in the meniscus . After I do my exercising and after walking it’s very uncomfortable. My doctor told me it will take time to fully heal . Is anybody else going through this?

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Hello @jtgr and @smiseel, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement." I did this because your posts were very similar to what many members are discussing in this discussion that is centered around leg pain after a hip replacement. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you will be brought to the new location of the discussion and so that you can read through some of the older posts and participate where you feel comfortable joining.

@jtgr, was your surgeon not concerned about the tear in your meniscus?

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