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Bursitis in left hip replacement
When I went to my follow-up with my surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in August. To see what was causing me to have pain in my left hip. He discovered that the reason why I was having the severe hip pain in my left hip replacement was due to bursitis. His resident injected me with a steroid right into the spot where it was hurting. But, now two months later. The bursitis is back. Which is strange. Thinking about going to one of the local orthopedic doctors at the clinic I go to here at home where I live to see if another steroid injection will help. The pain is leaving me fully dependent on my power wheelchair again because it hurts to walk.
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I had right hip replacement in November and is now 9 weeks post op, but the pain in my hip and buttock area in the last couple of days is soooo painful. I don’t know if I should call the doctor or is that just the way it goes at 9 weeks after the surgery. Any advice?
Stretching a certain way will usually get rid of that go to Utube and search for bursitis exercises
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1 ReactionI had a left hip replacement in September. Prior to the surgery, I had left hip bursitis for several years. I found that the guided injection worked well for osteoarthritis for about 4 months. The random shots in the bursitis area did not. I did discover that the way I slept was putting stress on the bursitis area and riding my incumbent bike did the same. When I made adjustments to those things, it did go away. Think about what could be aggravating it.
I am on a wait list for THR at Mayo Phoenix. However, I've been diagnosed in another state than Phoenix with left hip bursitis and have been suffering with it for about 11 years. I've had injections that last 2 months and have had to live with flare ups all these years. Ice is the best way to help with pain and sitting too long makes it worse. I don't climb stairs anymore or lift more than a couple of pounds or Ill be in bad pain.. I take 1000 milligrams of Tylenol when it flares and lie down if I can. I've wondered if the THA will help resolve my bursitis, but after reading your blog I just wonder if it will. I'm starting to resolve myself to the fact that I can't be without pain in my life ( I'm 68), and am going to join a gym to try to strengthen my muscles in my whole body to see if that helps. I'll have to do workouts that are easy so I don't flare my hip. I also bought shoe inserts that do help a bit to support my body in turn helping with pain. I'm waiting for a call from the pain clinic. Who knows, maybe I have nerve issues going on. My past Dr. gave me Lyrica and it helped but I hated the side affects of 17 pound weight gain (swelling), and feeling drunk all day long. I pray God we both get relief cause persistent bursitis kills the spirit.
You asked "I've wondered if the THA will help resolve my bursitis, but after reading your blog I just wonder if it will..." The short term answer is probably - the inflammation will be improved once the damaged joint is replaced.
But, bursitis is a quirky thing - several years after hip replacement, mine flared again. At that time, the ortho gave an injection, AND told me the only "fix" was to keep the muscles strong through use and exercise. He showed me specific stretches to do, my pain management PT gave me strengthening exercises, and I keep moving all day long, no matter how I feel. If I sit too much, especially in the recliner or on a sofa, EVERYTHING hurts.
So your idea to get to a gym is a good one - but I suggest a visit first with a rehabilitation therapist (get a referral from the pain clinic) who can start you on a gradual stretching and strengthening program.
Then comes the hard part - you have to do it every day, whether at home or the gym, no matter how you feel - other wise it doesn't work. If you cannot get up and down from the floor, ask for exercises you can do while standing, with a chair or counter nearby for balance. Also, many stretches can be done on a firm bed. I do at least 5-10 minutes of stretches every morning before I get up, working on loosening arms, legs, back, neck, and hands.
Sue
Thank you. The information you gave me is going to help a lot, especially the rehabilitation referral part, as the physical therapy exercises I do at home aren't enough and like you wrote, ya have to do it every day no matter what. Thanks again.
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