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Severe, debilating pain 10 months after anterior hip replacement
I had bilateral anterior replacements in 2018. My right hip was replaced in March and I did great but my left hip was replaced in May and I have not yet recovered and if anything feels worse. My ortho dr doesn’t know what is causing the severe pain in my groin, anterior and posterior thigh, pain at surgical site, pain down lateral thigh into lower leg, upper buttock, weakness when lifting leg etc. I have had multiple hip flexor tendon injections with no relief. The nerve conduction test showed aural neuropathy in my lower legs. MRI showed basically nothing but trace fluid both hips which my dr says means nothing. Xrays show nothing. I do not have a clue where to go from here. I am also 49 years old trying to work while taking multiple pain medications to manage my pain. I have read an article by Nathan Staff at the Mayo Clinic that discusses inflammatory neuropathy and feel this may be the culprit. My ortho dr actually asked me if I were crazy one of the many times I have returned to his office. He mentioned a surgical procedure to release the hip flexor tendon but isn’t sure if that’s the problem. I’m just not sure where to turn. I would also mention that I take Indomethacin for gout periodically and it helps me manage the hip pain at time along with the other drugs I am forced to take just to be able to walk. Any ideas folks?
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@nise2uss
I too was unable to lift left leg after anterior replacement. It was my iliopsoas which was cut and now I'm doing ok.
Time to research for a new Doc. Of course your first stop was to the original surgeon….but no matter what his skill level is it’s time to move on. A Doc that asks are you nuts isn’t someone you want. Remember…he/she
“works” for you and it’s their job to “listen and find”.
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1 Reaction@redbeets YES! There are Docs known for their revision skills! I go to the Cleveland Clinic as that’s what’s closest to where I live. On their site most Docs in their directory have a bio and many a personal video. I use this as well as read ALL their reviews and have been successful at getting great docs . Do your research and find someone who talks and has positive reviews on what you’re looking for. BTW… I have a son who is a doctor and he tells me a doc that doesn’t welcome you getting a second opinion is not the doc you want to go to! Good luck in your search.
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1 ReactionI saw a specialist who specializes in hip revision. He ordered a hip scan with contrast. Said all was ok and sent me along the way without any advice. Now disabled, but surely some wizard doctor knows what happened to me! Any help out there?
Thanks!
@merglia4281
I had my left hip replaced and the surgeon broke my femur while pounding in the new hip. They told me I might have a few extra days of pain.
Haw! Several months of pain! The worst was trying to sleep at night. I took a great many Tylenols. Still very bad pain. I did put a pillow under that leg and that helped a bit. I did lots of PT. I am a lot better now. Still not 100%. It's been 3 months.
Most of my pain was in my groin, thigh and buttock.
It was hard to get information on this. One thing I did read was pain IS worse at night. I feel for you and understand your pain. Keep up with your PT. It will eventually pay off. All the best to you.