Connect
Insert in femur never attached properly to bone after hip replacement
In August of 2021 I had complete right hip replacement surgery, I am male and was 60 years olds in very good health. From the time of the initial surgery I have had pain in my groin and down my leg, I also have strength and balance issues. After two years the doctor has determined the insert in the femur did not attach to the bone properly. Over the past two years they blamed the pain on multiple issues, left hip, pelvis, bursa etc. Finally X-rays showed a gap between the bone and insert. There is no infection or bone breakage. Has anyone else experienced this.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Connect
Hi, I've been suffering from horrible leg pain since my hip replacement 3 years ago and they finally, last week, told me the same thing. And I had to go to a different ortho to find this out. The ortho that did the surgery kept telling me it was a million other things.
I haven't been able to hike, walk long, ski or even go bowling the pain is so awful. I haven't researched how this is corrected yet. I think I'm scared to...
I'm so sorry you have been suffering through the same thing, but glad I'm not alone!
I'm sorry for what you and others are going through and hope it can be resolved.
I've had both knees replaced. Because my bones were healthy, cement wasn't used on the metal prostheses. The metal has tiny, tiny pores at the end and over time, the healthy bone will grow "into" the metal, forming a strong bond.
If a candidate for joint replacement has osteoporosis, that is, weak or porous bones, the surgeons use cement to attach the prostheses to the adjacent bone.
So the cause of the bone not forming a solid union with the prostheses (and possibly causing pain) could be due to 1) failure of the cement to hold, or 2) the metal not fusing with the bone.
I think those are the only possible outcomes, but an orthopedic surgeon would know. For anyone who is in this situation, or thinks they are, I'd consult with the surgeon or another orthopedic specialist after new X-rays are taken.
All the best to everyone.
Joe