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End of stem pain after total hip replacement
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jan 31, 2023 | Replies (96)Comment receiving replies
I had my right knee replaced 10 years ago which has been fairly good with only minor problems. Seven months ago I had a THA (total hip arthroplasty) to my right hip. Both were resultant from accidents, the knee from a motor cycle accident and the hip from a fall.
I now am experiencing what my surgeon calls stem pain or end of stem pain. I am very tall, 6’7”, with very long slim legs.
After doing some research I have found that my condition is common among individuals with long slender femoral bones where the bone prior to surgery had a greater amount of flexibility than that of someone with shorter femoral bones. Now that I have a more rigid titanium stem inserted inside my somewhat flexible femor, as my bone tries to flex , the stem end pushes on the inside of the bone causing pain.
Under normal easy walking conditions I have very little or no pain but the leg just does not feel like the left leg and I cannot help but limp. It’s when I carry any extra weight that pain is felt. This is more severe if the weight is in my left hand to where when stepping with my right foot the weight is pushing diagonally across from left to right and causing the end of the stem to push on the interior femor. Anything which causes flexation such as stumbling, or a sudden shift of weight to my right side causes severe pain so much that I have to stop and let it subside before continuing on. If I carry weight more centered or in my right hand the pain is less. I have a very difficult time if I have to stoop over while walking such as under a low object. I am not real muscular but am not weak either. Does anyone know if muscle increase in my legs will lessen the stem pain? My doctor suggested a stationary bike since a tread mill causes pain. I am on my feet most of the day, sometimes in strenuous work. It’s not like I sit in an office all day. I do not take any pain pills and do not like to take pills.
Replies to "I had my right knee replaced 10 years ago which has been fairly good with only..."
Is there any bone supplement that will build bone mass
I have to ask only, because I am in the middle of testing for this exact problem. I have had the pain since right after surgery. After 2 years of complaining a new doc took my old docs place. He examined my range of motion which elicited pain in my hip. But he was the only one who truly examined me and did not say " your xray doesn't show any change since surgery" instead he wanted to make sure it was not an infection i had bloodwork a little elevated. Had nuclear scan on hip then thigh and pelvis then an aspiration of hip joint fluid. None but a meniscule amt was found (which is good) and no one can locate the results yet. I have had bone scans 2 and xrays to compare with post surgery. Now I am being scheduled for an MRI. I have the same pain description as everyone else on here perhaps described a little better than mine plus, I have groin pain If I turn the wrong way or put too much pressure at the wrong time I get burning pain and spasms. I have heard there is a possibility that it could be a muscle tear? And someone mentioned if the stem was cemented in, it could be the difference. I need to check that out. Please everyone keep sharing and let your docs know this is not 1 incidence(you) there are many complaints out there. Who knows, perhaps one of them will do a study on it and come up with a solid answer.
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Hello @babarker, welcome to Connect. I moved your discussion and combined it with and existing discussion titled, "End of stem pain after total hip replacement." I did this so the members who are discussing the very topic you wrote about would see your message and have a chance to respond and so that you also have a chance to read through some of the messages already posted and jump in where you feel comfortable. If you are replying by email, you can click on VIEW & REPLY in the notification and it will take you to where you post is now located.