End of stem pain after total hip replacement

I had end of stem pain right from the beginning, August 2018. At first my surgeon said no it’s just bursitis but I knew something was not right, I knew it was much more than bursitis. Eventually had a triple phase scan and it showed loosening of stem. I had a Mayo Clinic appointment scheduled, then the pandemic hit. I still hope to attend the clinic after pandemic really slows down. A lovely surgeon in my home town, not the original one, told me it would need a revision to get rid of this pain and limitation. I never feel normal, my thigh hurts basically with every step and with varying degrees of severity. Surgeon here told me he would have chosen a different implant for me with osteoporosis. I used to walk miles. Now I walk slowly and often with a cane. I am worse off than before the replacement and that saddens me. I am terrified to have the revision I need since I am now 70 and there are many more risks with a revision than an original THR. Good health to everyone dealing with this problem. Any wisdom you have will be welcome on this forum. Oh and walking uphill especially now causes me so much pain, I can’t do it.

My I ask what the Dr did wrong during your hip replacement? I also have a problem after my hip replacement. Thanks

I’ve had the pain in my thigh ever since I had the surgery done been back several times he said end of stem pain so I don’t really know what to do about it. Sometimes it feels like my thigh bone is going to snap in half

Oh I’m sorry to hear that. When did you have your surgery done? In my case, it seems clear that it won’t get better....unless I have a revision done. It’s been 3 1/2 years since my surgery so time hasn’t helped me. It resolves in some people after about 6 months but not in my case.

Me too,close to 6 years now,doctors are no help. Few alternate means work,if at all. Those people who have recovered are not very sympathetic ,you don’t know how lucky you are.

I agree with you. When talking with others who have had a successful outcome, I get the feeling they think I SHOULDN’T be having any trouble, that it must somehow be my fault or that I had a bad surgeon. They have no idea how lucky they are and how difficult it is to admit to in the face of their success. I often think a news organization or national newspaper should pick up this story and profile some of us who are suffering with failed hip replacements. It might spur on some doctors to look into the problem more.

Exactly, the patients who recovery cannot wait to tell us how wonderful they feel,I hate it when they imply it must be my fault .

Hi and thank you for any help/direction. I had a right THR done 12/28/2020 due to vascular necrosis. This forum was so helpful so I’m hoping it can help me again. Starting September of 2021 I began to experience severe mid thigh pain if I stood for very long. I had been standing long bouts since I am a baker, but something changed and the pain became unbearable after long hours and even short ones. It feels as if my thigh bone is twisting and the pain is sharp knife like. I can not move my leg or even my toes without developing that intense sharp pain. I had a triple phase bone scan which suggested aseptic loosening, but I am still in the healing process so my doctor attributed it to that. He thought perhaps a stress fracture so I was non weight bearing for eight weeks with no pain during that time, but my first shift back the pain started again. An mri showed bone marrow edema which led to his suspicion of a stress fracture. I experienced the worst bout of pain last week after a six hour standing shift. I literally screamed in pain with any movement of my right thigh. This went on the entire night. The pain resolved by the next morning, but the sharp knife feeling hits anytime I stand and then take my weight off that leg. I’m scheduled for revision surgery May 9th, but am uncertain. The pain is only while coming off a standing position (not while walking). I do carry my weight on the surgical side as I have CRPS on my left side. I’m wondering if it’s possible that the stem might be hitting a nerve? Is it possible that due to my gait the stem is just in a bad position for me? Has anyone had this type of end of stem pain months out after a relatively normal recovery? Thank you for any direction. I see my doctor on the 26th of April for my pre op and like I said I’m hesitant to have an additional surgery, but the pain in unbearable after a shift. Heck it hurts just standing at the kitchen sink. Thank you so much

Hi @steddygirl and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will see that I moved your post to a conversation of the exact same topic. There are lots of people on here that have experienced what you have.
Also, you can find that discussion here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/end-of-stem-pain-after-total-hip-replacement/
It sounds quite painful. Is surgery the only option they were able to offer?

I’m 46 and had total hip replacement 2 weeks ago. The pain and numbness is not going away. My doctor diagnosed me with pain central sensitization disorder. So frustrated.