End of stem pain after total hip replacement

Posted by amber67 @amber67, Jan 5, 2017

I fell down stairs july 2015, fractured femor. Surgeon did a partial hip replacement. Had end of stem pain so they did total hip revision in may of 2016. It It has been 8 months and still having end of stem pain. Does anyone know of a treatment for this. I am still on a cane and walker. Thank you.

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Thanks for the nudge Jeanne and God bless you

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I had hip replacement on both hips in 2010. I started to have horrible pain in middle of thighs. Doctor dismissed this because xrays, blood tests, etc showed nothing. Finally had bone scan and found that both of the femurs and the rods were not holding together at the tip of the femur, which caused end of stem pain. I have gone to the best hospitals, Hosp for Special Surgery in NY, doctors, etc. and there is nothing you can do about it!. One doctor, before doing another bone scan, said he has never seen this happen in both thighs. I believe it is the actual hip mechanism that was not suited to me. The doctor I went to last year said that this type of problem is not prevalent any more, which leads me to believe the companies who made hips replacements have changed problem. It has been 7 years, and I do get around, but out of nowhere, I pain returns. Because this does not happen that often, I think that hospitals and doctors do not care to find out how to correct this. I was told my one doctor he could replace hip, but would need to break femur.

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I have osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease in my back. I have had bilateral total knee replacements in 2001, L5/S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion in 2004, C3/C4 anterior interbody fusion in 2009, L1/L5 Posterior lumbar interbody fusion in 2009, Left total shoulder replacement in 2014, right total shoulder replacement in 2016, right total hip replacement in 2017. My recovery from the hip replacement was phenominal and I don't have complaints regarding the hip. I have been having issues with my back, had an MRI of the lumbar done in Dec 2017 which caused my back pain to get progressively worse. I had a caudal injection (Steroids) on 12/20/17, went to the ER had an x-ray and CT of the thoracic spine on 1/5/18, was told I had a compression fracture at T8 and/or an infection. Saw a neurosurgeon on 1/9/18 and was admitted to the hospital with intractable back pain. Had another MRI but of the Thoracic spine, to rule out the infection and possible fracture. Results are no fracture or infection. So went back to pain management, Had a"trigger point" injection at the T8 spot, immediately felt relief. Had Epidural Spinal Injections done on 01/30/18 at the T8 level and the Sacral-iliac joints on both left & right sides. Hoping to relieve pain in back and leg. Back pain is no longer the problem I still have leg pain in the right mid thigh area. Saw pain management PA on 02/14/18, described the pain to him and he diagnosed it as "IT band" pain. I had it injected with steroids that day with absolutely no relief. Prescribed physical therapy and went on 02/ 21/18 with exercises for stretching the back & core. This does seem to help when I stand, if I do these when I first stand up, I have very little pain. If I don't do these, I have pain that knocks me to my knees (almost). I take Tylenol #4- 1-2 tabs po prn every 6-8 hours for the pain, as well as Lyrica 75 mg twice daily, sometimes it is so severe, I have to take morphine 15 mg IR for the pain. I am also a diabetic on metformin 500 mg once daily, synthyroid 100 mcg po daily, diclofenac potassium 50 mg po twice daily, lipitor 20 mg once daily, citalapram 20 mg po once daily. Any idea what could be causing the pain?

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First time I've posted here, so hope I'm doing it correctly. Nonetheless, in 1993 at age 41, I required a left total hip replacement. After surgery, I woke being told that there was a problem and had drop foot, no feeling below the knee EXCEPT excruciating in my hip and down through my thigh. A Miles-Dahlmer cable had been used for the femur that was also cracked during insertion of the prosthesis. Though my surgery had been done by the Chief of Orthopedic services at the best hospital here, I was offered PT three times a week in a heated pool. The excruciating pain, which I now recognize as something similar to what some of you have experienced, morphine meds for pain did absolutely nothing and continued for many months until finally I was placed on an anti-depressant which calmed the nerve pain at least a little bit.
Three different neurologists did testing and pronounced me permanently paralyzed from the knee down. One year after the original surgery, I had to go back for removal of the cable that had come loose and severely damaged thigh muscle. While I continued PT for many years, feeling in my toes began to return about 20 months post-op. Drop foot resolved about 90% at about 2 years+, and I sought out a psychotherapist who taught me self-hypnosis for the persistent and disabling pain and also a massage therapist who specialized in fascia work and worked on me for over 7 years.
FINALLY, I was able to walk normally, but anything that required standing for a very long time or walking long distances, resulted in some degree of return of the pain and drop foot.
So for the last 18 years, I've done fairly well. Now, however, after 25 years, the prosthesis has worn out and I'm facing revision surgery. My concerns and understanding of complications make it somewhat terrifying. And having been through 4 other major surgeries in the past 3 years (for other things), and being widowed with no family or children, this is daunting. Oh, and near the bottom of the prosthesis in my lower thigh, I now have significant bony growth which I'm told is from a loose fit. It hurts with dramatic changes in the weather and I use lidocaine, heat, and sometimes a rolling pin for relief.
I can only share my experience and hopefully, give some of you hope that your pain might eventually resolve.

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@swtbrooke

First time I've posted here, so hope I'm doing it correctly. Nonetheless, in 1993 at age 41, I required a left total hip replacement. After surgery, I woke being told that there was a problem and had drop foot, no feeling below the knee EXCEPT excruciating in my hip and down through my thigh. A Miles-Dahlmer cable had been used for the femur that was also cracked during insertion of the prosthesis. Though my surgery had been done by the Chief of Orthopedic services at the best hospital here, I was offered PT three times a week in a heated pool. The excruciating pain, which I now recognize as something similar to what some of you have experienced, morphine meds for pain did absolutely nothing and continued for many months until finally I was placed on an anti-depressant which calmed the nerve pain at least a little bit.
Three different neurologists did testing and pronounced me permanently paralyzed from the knee down. One year after the original surgery, I had to go back for removal of the cable that had come loose and severely damaged thigh muscle. While I continued PT for many years, feeling in my toes began to return about 20 months post-op. Drop foot resolved about 90% at about 2 years+, and I sought out a psychotherapist who taught me self-hypnosis for the persistent and disabling pain and also a massage therapist who specialized in fascia work and worked on me for over 7 years.
FINALLY, I was able to walk normally, but anything that required standing for a very long time or walking long distances, resulted in some degree of return of the pain and drop foot.
So for the last 18 years, I've done fairly well. Now, however, after 25 years, the prosthesis has worn out and I'm facing revision surgery. My concerns and understanding of complications make it somewhat terrifying. And having been through 4 other major surgeries in the past 3 years (for other things), and being widowed with no family or children, this is daunting. Oh, and near the bottom of the prosthesis in my lower thigh, I now have significant bony growth which I'm told is from a loose fit. It hurts with dramatic changes in the weather and I use lidocaine, heat, and sometimes a rolling pin for relief.
I can only share my experience and hopefully, give some of you hope that your pain might eventually resolve.

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You have had a hard go of it. I sm 82 and was very active until aug. 2016. I fell and fractuted my hip. Have s rod snd 2 pins. I still use a walker and pain in thigh. I'm goimg to pain clinic next week. Last resort i am too risky for revision due to other health problems. Whoever said golden years never got old. Good luck snd God Bless

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@swtbrooke

First time I've posted here, so hope I'm doing it correctly. Nonetheless, in 1993 at age 41, I required a left total hip replacement. After surgery, I woke being told that there was a problem and had drop foot, no feeling below the knee EXCEPT excruciating in my hip and down through my thigh. A Miles-Dahlmer cable had been used for the femur that was also cracked during insertion of the prosthesis. Though my surgery had been done by the Chief of Orthopedic services at the best hospital here, I was offered PT three times a week in a heated pool. The excruciating pain, which I now recognize as something similar to what some of you have experienced, morphine meds for pain did absolutely nothing and continued for many months until finally I was placed on an anti-depressant which calmed the nerve pain at least a little bit.
Three different neurologists did testing and pronounced me permanently paralyzed from the knee down. One year after the original surgery, I had to go back for removal of the cable that had come loose and severely damaged thigh muscle. While I continued PT for many years, feeling in my toes began to return about 20 months post-op. Drop foot resolved about 90% at about 2 years+, and I sought out a psychotherapist who taught me self-hypnosis for the persistent and disabling pain and also a massage therapist who specialized in fascia work and worked on me for over 7 years.
FINALLY, I was able to walk normally, but anything that required standing for a very long time or walking long distances, resulted in some degree of return of the pain and drop foot.
So for the last 18 years, I've done fairly well. Now, however, after 25 years, the prosthesis has worn out and I'm facing revision surgery. My concerns and understanding of complications make it somewhat terrifying. And having been through 4 other major surgeries in the past 3 years (for other things), and being widowed with no family or children, this is daunting. Oh, and near the bottom of the prosthesis in my lower thigh, I now have significant bony growth which I'm told is from a loose fit. It hurts with dramatic changes in the weather and I use lidocaine, heat, and sometimes a rolling pin for relief.
I can only share my experience and hopefully, give some of you hope that your pain might eventually resolve.

Jump to this post

Please keep us posted on the pain clinic. I had broken my femur in 2015 had a partial replacement. for a year after that I had severe pain in the thigh went to another surgeon and he thought a revision would help with you. pain. I had the revision surgery in 2016. Not only is the pain still there but The pain is worse and still there. I stay on a walker in the house and a cane when I go out. Good luck at the pain clinic and keep us posted I am 69.

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @amber67, and welcome to Connect.

I would like to introduce @mnpat, @grandmacheryl, @popolopo, and @sma1952, who have all had hip replacements and may be able to talk about their experience with recovery and pain related symptoms.

I am also inviting @success10, @chief917, @Adrainpalmer, @learningtolive2, to return and share their experiences with pain and recovery after a hip revision.

@amber67, would you mind explaining exactly what end of stem pain is? How are you getting around after your hip revision, other than the pain?

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No one has explained what end of stem cell is.

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@popolopo

I had a cortisone shot last week in hip area but did not help. Tramacet is really good for pain but I am worried about addiction. I have asked for cannibus oil but the medical profession is not ready for that yet.

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My situation is much the same,the hip replacement side is about 2cm longer. I am trying to arrange a bone scan. I walk in the morning for about 30 minutes with my walking stick but by afternoon pain has increased. Sitting on a regular chair is my best position . I sleep alright with zopiclone. I take gabapentin,Advil and tylenal. I am on no opiates but have tried cannibus oil but hard to get it. All my X-ray s are normal.

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@popolopo

I had a cortisone shot last week in hip area but did not help. Tramacet is really good for pain but I am worried about addiction. I have asked for cannibus oil but the medical profession is not ready for that yet.

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Just wanted you to know to that I do not take any opioids at all either, they make me sick. The only thing I do take is Tylenol and Celebrex. I tried the gabapentin it did not help at all. i had the bone scan and every x-ray scan test imaginable and I still do not know what is causing the pain. We live in Tennessee so there is no chance of us getting the oul you referred to. Did that help you at all? I'm going to the doctor in two weeks and maybe he will refer me to a pain clinic and we'll see what they say. Keep us all posted on how your bone scan comes out and if they find anything that's causing your pain.

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@popolopo

I had a cortisone shot last week in hip area but did not help. Tramacet is really good for pain but I am worried about addiction. I have asked for cannibus oil but the medical profession is not ready for that yet.

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Hello, I have just joined the group, have bone on bone right Hip, Pain, could not walk without cane, and Did try the cannibus hormone, CBD, very expensive, but had to try, NO HELP

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