Complications from a total hip replacement

What were the symptoms?

Go old school - try google!

Mri shows nothing I did have a bone density test showed nothing all my test aren't showing anything that spine Dr suggested a physicality like I'm faking it all or it's all in my head that was highly insulting he did nothing looked at my spine and Said spine looks OK its not causing hip pain he was a waste of my time

My primary wants to do another mri and try therapy and pain management again I've done all this did nothing therapy hurts to bad but I'll try it again

Sometimes I feel like a recording, but bear with me please. When you have major joint or back surgery and are "clinically healed " there can still be a long road to complete healing. When joints are replaced, not only so you have bones, muscles,tendons and nerves that must heal, but your body mechanics are altered and you need to get everything working together again.

Let's compare getting a new hip to getting a new computer. The machine is only part of the deal - then starts the fun of setting it up, putting your own stuff on it and learning to use it.

Replacing a worn hip or knee can change leg length, the angle of the joint and the mechanics of how the it interacts with the rest of your body. For example my hips were"frozen" so it was difficult to lift my legs, so I had a stiff waddling gait and my back hurt. After the initial implants, I was never coached on how to walk properly and my back continued to hurt. I spent 2 years in back and neck therapy with no relief.
Fast forward 4 years. Hips were recalled and had to be replaced again. Back still hurt, but new ortho said "You need rehab" - not just a sheet of PT exercises but complete evaluation. I ended up at a PT that specializes in ortho rehab after accidents, amputation and other catastrophe.

There my gait, posture, foot position, flexibility and leg/back strength were all assessed. A series of exercises and stretches were designed for me - land and water. I spent many appointments walking up and down a hallway being coached on foot and body position, movement, learning to look forward and not down. After 8 weeks I continued on my own for several months. Back and hip pain gone.
Now, 12 years after all of that, other parts of me hurt due to arthritis and other issues, but I seldom think about my hips except when scheduling my annual x-rays.
And I still do many of the stretches daily because a few years ago I quit them and soon got bursitis and sciatica from muscle imbalances.
Sorry this is so long, but surgery is only about 20% of a successful joint replacement. The other 80% is prehab and rehab, which only the patient can do!
Can you get a referral for rehab therapy?
Don't give up-you already got the new hardware, now you need to learn to use it to your bast advantage
Sue

Exactly

Hi Sue
I see there a difference between physical therapy and rehabilitation therapy. How to you get or find rehab therapy? Perhaps orth will not be cooperative.
Your advice and mentoring has been incredibly helpful. I am going to copy your last post and re read from time to time. THANK YOU for all you do.

Yes, PT for joint replacement is generally pretty much a formula - week 1 this exercise, week 2 more reps and add a new stretch... Quite often you get a quick assessment by a Registered Physical Therapist (RPT), then are supervised by a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA).

Physical Therapy for Rehabilitation is different - full assessment by RPT or Doctor of Physical Therapy, a program designed for your specific issues, started and assessed for correct form and pain level by PT, then you may be turned over to a PTA for some sessions, with frequent reevaluations and adjustments.

If you are having complex pain issues and ortho says the implant is good, they should not resist referring you because they want a satisfied patient. If ortho or their group handle more than run-of-the-mill operations, they will know of a rehab clinic. As will any hospital with a large trauma surgery practice.

Have you had continuing pain issues?
Sue

My latest visit with ortho: implant fine. Hip and leg have gotten weak due to favoring non replacement leg. So back in pt. If I continue to have groin pain after completing pt, will take it to the next step, rehab therapy. Mine was a trauma partial replacement so a bit different than planned. However very discouraging to have pain/issues 4 years out when others are doing fine. Thanks again Sue. You are the best!

I see you are in St. Louis. So am I and I had hip replacement at Mercy by Dr Martin. Who was your doc? If you end up needing an infectious disease doc let me know. My husband has many health issues and we are familiar with MANY doctors in the Mercy system. We also have a fantastic home health company if that is needed. Sorry you have to go thru this