Any concerns if you have MGUS and need joint replacement surgery?

I have read that joint replacement makes your numbers go higher. I was wondering if anyone who had this happen also had the numbers go back to their normal after a time or do they stay higher and if so, do higher numbers cause any symptoms? Thank you!

I was diagnosed with MGUS several years ago. I had a total hip replacement in August of this year. I am still having problems with this. I did 6 weeks of PT, which did not help at all. I have limited range of motion. Have had x-rays, labs, hip aspiration, MRI, CT, and a bone density scan. I tweaked it wrong one day, so I was sent to the ER to ensure I did not fracture it. That x-ray did show that I had heterotropic ossification. Two weeks ago I had the CT which showed I had more of the HO. I am still in a lot of pain, have difficulty walking. Has anyone else experienced this?
Julie

@julestrip3
Hello Julie. I’m so sorry you are having so much trouble. I had hip replacement April 1st. The surgery itself went fine and I’m not having any trouble with the joint replacement but I did fall and that caused some problems. This is my second hip replacement and the last time it was about six months before I felt strong again, and feel wobbly this time, it’s hard to say because of the complications caused by the fall. I am not having much pain and I didn’t the last time either.
What does your surgeon say?

@julestrip3 I had a knee replacement in 2018 and I have MGUS. I made the surgeon aware of that fact and had absolutely no problems after my knee replacement.

I have had MGUS for 23 years. I have had four joint replacement surgeries during the last ten years. All were very successful. They feel like my own joints. I was able to walk without a walker about four days after my hip surgery. The knees were a bit more challenging but within 2-3 weeks I did not need a walker. Two days after the first knee surgery, I was grocery shopping, using a cart to help - it was better than the walker. We then hosted a business legend five days later and a private dinner that night. I think that is an indication I must have felt well.
The shoulder which was more recent was pain free, post op and after. Wearing the sling and being unable to floss my teeth with my normal method were the two biggest issues. I did walk home to the hotel unaided after the shoulder surgery.
My M spike has not increased with these surgeries but my free light chains definitely have. That has been a concern. I am thinking about cataract surgery under general anesthesia and the increase in the free light chains is a consideration for not doing it. I hope this is reassuring.

@pmm
I saw another orthopedic surgeon today who ordered the CT, and bone density scan. The scan showed my hip as being very hot, meaning there is a lot of activity going on. The CT showed I have more bone growth going on. At this time this Ortho would not recommend more surgery as it could create more HO. This was a second opinion, so know I go back to original Orthopedic who did the surgery. I ran into the 1st Ortho as I was leaving in tears, will see him in 2 weeks, he is consulting with a Radiologist to see if radiation could help. The pain is raising my blood pressure, it was 179/81 in office, I already take Blood pressure meds twice a day, it looks like I will have to go on another med as my cardiologist doesn’t want my pressure elevated due to an abdominal aneurysm I have. The second Ortho said this is rare, and I am that 1%, recommended I buy a lottery ticket. Anyone have any suggestions?

@julestrip3 oooh boy. There’s always something to worry about isn’t there? And worry really does have a negative impact on physical health. That mind-body connection is definitely clinically relevant. I see it in my blood pressure and in my bloodwork when I’m stressed. My light chains and even my white count rise.
Whatever you decide about the surgery, you might try to find some stress relief through support groups, talk therapy or other avenues of relief. I’m going to take a pottery class at my local arts center. Pounding on clay sounds healing to me at this juncture. I’m also trying to let go of those things over which I have no control. That’s hard for me.
It probably seems a bit unsatisfying when what you really want are answers, but try to take some therapeutic steps and see if that helps with symptom reduction, or at least relaxation.
Will you let me know if you find something that helps?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987