Chronic Pain 2 years Post op- Hip Replacement

@loriesco
We did not have the hip replacement done here in San Diego. We flew to Chicago and had Dr. Berger do the THR. As far as surgeons in San Diego, we haven't been able to find one we like. We saw Dr. Bugbee at Scripps La Jolla and didn't like him at all. There is a doctor at Keck USC that we liked very much, but he wouldn't do a revision, his name is Dr Oakes. Have you found a surgeon in San Diego you like? We've seen a total of 7 surgeons, the only surgeons that are willing to do a revision are located in Utah and in DC, both we liked very much. The surgeon in DC, has done tons of successful revisons.

I had a total hip replacement on my left side hip in March of 2025. I went through 6 weeks of physical therapy, 3 days a week, and I finished at the end of April, 2025. Lately, I’ve been having much pain where the implant fits to my hip, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve had X-rays done that showed no issues. Any suggestions for where to go from here?

@who is the DC surgeon?
Thanks for his information. vkent

@dannyandebbie
We've seen over 7 surgeons, for second opinions! We've had every diagnostic test done to find out the cause of his pain, nothing definitively shows up! We've found two surgeons who are willing to do a revision but given there's no clear cut explanation for the pain, everything will need to be revised. He's already had a psoas lengthening, which did nothing for the pain! So he's very reluctant to do a revision

I had my left hip replaced two years ago and I have had pain ever since. That is except for the three separate times I have been on antibiotics. All three times my pain and immobility resolved completely. Running, golfing ... all possible again. I have been tested thoroughly, x-rays, blood tests, 2 bone scan plus 2 white cell scan, MAR CT, and aspiration. ALL NEGATIVE. Yet I am seeking more opinions and ultimately an indefinite renewal of my amoxicillin prescription. The literature on this is new and growing very slowly. I am quite sure that what I have is a low grade covert infection that responds to cefalexin and amoxicillin very, very well. More PHD's are suspecting that what they had believed to be aseptic loosening's, were in fact infected. It took investigation of tissue during surgery to even hope to find it. These infections are almost impossible to prove, yet are destroying people. If you have this situation, get cefalexin 3 caps per day for 14 days and watch... and learn.
EDIT: Note that you will resolve, but you WILL relapse. Antibiotics must be for long duration. How long... anybody's guess.

@aaronhurts my wife had elevated Cobalt / Chromium levels for better than 11 years from her implants and revisions until some how it was determined that she had two staph infections and had to have the whole implant removed, medicated spacer placed for 8 weeks with port antibiotics and then a new implant. 2011, both hips bilateral, 2012 revision on right hip due to being dropped in rebab. 2018 revision of left hip due to extremely elevated Cobalt / Chromium. 2022 removal of complete implant on right side due to elevated Cobalt / Chromium and two staph infection, followed by a new implant 9 weeks later. There is a lot of nerve distortion but no pain in her hips; more so in her lower back from repeated epidurals! Hope they actually find what is causing your pain. Going through life in constant pain is not a comforting feeling!

@dannyandebbie Thank you for sharing, but now I won't sleep for thinking about your(s) sufferings. I love people, and I hate to hear of suffering. I hate to experience it also of course. No brainer. Oh my god that was a lot. I think of all of it, and I think I will live too long. I am trying not to be morbid of course. We cling to life, usually for our kids or our mates. But the number of times I have thought of popping off somehow, because of all the pain... well, I am still here and trying. And when I read stories like your(s) I feel guilty to have morbid thoughts. If you are sticking it out, then what about me. My best to you both.

I had my left hip replaced two years ago and I have had pain ever since. That is except for the three separate times I have been on antibiotics. All three times my pain and immobility resolved completely. Running, golfing ... all possible again. I have been tested thoroughly, x-rays, blood tests, 2 bone scan plus 2 white cell scan, MAR CT, and aspiration. ALL NEGATIVE. Yet I am seeking more opinions and ultimately an indefinite renewal of my amoxicillin prescription. The literature on this is new and growing very slowly. I am quite sure that what I have is a low grade covert infection that responds to cefalexin and amoxicillin very, very well. More PHD's are suspecting that what they had believed to be aseptic loosening's, were in fact infected. It took investigation of tissue during surgery to even hope to find it. These infections are almost impossible to prove, yet are destroying people. If you have this situation, get cefalexin 3 caps per day for 14 days and watch... and learn.
EDIT: Note that you will resolve, but you WILL relapse. Antibiotics must be for long duration. How long... anybody's guess.