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Nerve pain following hip replacement
Hi. I had a hip replacement in October 2020 and it could not have gone better. So when I scheduled the other hip for October of 2025, I did it with no hesitation. I had the surgery last Thursday (October 23, 2025). The surgery itself was without complications but by the third day of recovery, I was experiencing “hot lava” on my thigh about four inches below the incision. The doctor thinks the pain will resolve itself after I give duloxetine a try along with tramadol. I’m still in the process of recovering from the surgery and he thinks the quicker we can try to calm the nerves, the better the response will be. But when I read others’ stories, I don’t see anyone who has had nerve damage and had it completely resolved. Is this my life now? Thoughts?
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Hi, I am so glad the first THR was a breeze. I am so sorry you have this nerve situation with the second. I hope that works in reverse for me. I had my first and only LTHR in March 2023. Within a few days, my operated side thigh about 14" from outside hip to about the knee was on fire, like fire ants crawling on the lateral part of my thigh. I could not even let the sheet touch it, so had to make a barrier with pillows like a tee pee with the sheet. It last like that for several months. I am not a cry baby but did cry once. My Ortho and his PA through the portal said oh, normal, should resolve in a few months, then more months, then more months, then a year and more months. I am almost at 3 years post-op now and the fire ant pain has calmed down. I am numb on top of thigh. I don't mind dealing with that. The lateral side of thigh is still "nervy," hurts if you poke or bump into it and sleeping on that side requires a gentle position. But I can walk and get along well. My right hip has been bone on bone for years and has not been real bothersome. I chose not to operate on it because I fear the same result. I can deal with more bone on bone pain than the nerve pain. I realize it could be a lot worse, so I am thankful it was only the nerves. But it does affect your movements and quality of life to some degree. I chose one of the best, if not the best, ortho (head of hips in large private ortho group) group. But I'm told they had an assisting ortho. It has something to do with retracting the femoral nerve too hard and too long, a skill that apparently was lacking in the person in charge of my surgery.
@mackad2024 my wife had nerve damage to her left femur nerve, stretched, 8 months later it started to regenerate, been 14 years, a lot of numbness but little to no pain in the hip joint area, lower back, right where they injected epidural at least 8 times over the course of 14 years! They call it degenerate disc disease, I question epidural issue!
@dannyandebbie
I am curious as to why she had epidurals injected into her lower back at least 8 times over the course of 14 years. Was it for the femur nerve issue?
That is good news that after 14 years she has little or no pain. I believe over years to come the femur nerve pain will gradually improve - I hope, then only numbness.
@mackad2024 No! The epidurals were provided so they could preform hip surgeries and/ or aspersions of fluids a few different times! She just seems to have the numbness in the hip area; lameness and pain is in her lower back area. She has received pain treatment from the spine institute with little success. There was talk of back surgery and my wife declined any further discussion on the matter because she doesn’t want to take any more chances of limiting her mobility any more then it already is limited.
I too have the same pain in left thigh after THR plus a revision. Been 2 1/2 years. Many MRI s Cats etc. Am waiting now for EMG , nerve conduction tests. Still must use a cane to walk also. Has brought my active life to a standstill. Surgeon was top joint reconstruction in Colorado Springs.
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1 ReactionMerglia4281
I really am so sorry. Mine was very bad for the first year, has gotten a bit better (not fire ants) but still I do exercises to better work with the left leg. Thankfully, I have not had to use a cane. Your surgeon was top joint reconstruction, so was mine. I suppose our bodies react the way they do regardless of the surgeon's skill? I don't know. It's so unfortunate. I wish you the best with the studies and tests.
@dannyandebbie
I thought I had replied to this post yesterday but cannot locate it. Anyway, sorry for delay. Thank you for the explanation about the epidurals. I can understand your wife's decision to decline the back surgery. It's a risk. I wouldn't take it either. I do hope she improves as time goes by and that medical intervention will be helpful to her. Best wishes!!
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1 Reaction@merglia4281
I really am so sorry. Mine was very bad for the first year, has gotten a bit better (not fire ants) but still I do exercises to better work with the left leg. Thankfully, I have not had to use a cane. Your surgeon was top joint reconstruction, so was mine. I suppose our bodies react the way they do regardless of the surgeon's skill? I don't know. It's so unfortunate. I wish you the best with the studies and tests.