Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

Hi,

I am almost three months out from my anterior hip replacement and two weeks ago started having burning thigh pain, tingling and numbness and pain in foot. My foot on the operative side turns red after walking. I went for my checkup yesterday and my doctor told me that it was nerve pain. It can get pretty painful at times and the doc said it could take six to nine months to go away. Yikes, not looking forward to it. I am interested in your suggestion of a rehab physical therapist. My current physical therapist gives me the usual post surgery exercises. I don't know if there is such a place where I live. Did your doctor give you a referral? Did you try any medications or anything else? Just wondering what you tried before the rehab. The doc suggested massaging my thigh and hip, then if that doesn't really work, gabapentin. If the medication and massage doesn't work, nerve ablation.

Randy,

Is it possible you're suffering from sciatica? Some of the symptoms, including pain in the buttock, thigh, and lower back could be from sciatica. I'd at least ask the Dr. if it's possible, although I doubt he/she would miss something like that.

All the best. Joe

I am 6 weeks post op for bilateral hip replacement. I was doing great up until about two weeks ago. I was able to walk without a cane or anything else. All of a sudden I am having excruciating pain in my left thigh. It feels muscular, but I've been reading that it could be the implant is loose. Nothing seems to help with the pain (Tylenol arthritis, tramadol, meloxicam) and I have to use a cane. My leg feels like it's going to give out at any minute. I don't really have pain when I'm sitting, just walking. Has anyone else had this happen?

Yes, I certainly have and still do. I'm 1.5 years post LH total hip replacement. My doctor asked me about it and I told him yes. It can take some time before the bone adjusts to this new foreign metal. Micro fractures can be an issue if the surgery was heavy handed. There's an x ray procedure that involves injection of a very slightly radio active agent-not toxic- that penetrates any small fractures and allowed them to be seen in the x-ray where standard x-ray wouldn't see them. An idea if the pain persists and the doc hasn't already recommended this procedure. But it can take a long time for the femur to adjust.

@airjay66
Thank you so much for your post. I also had a small fracture that the surgeon brushed over and ran away before I could ask any questions.
Your post will help me formulate questions while I compose an email to ask for a consult.
Interesting in the I had epidurals instead of anesthetic, a day or so post op I had this sense that someone had been hammering on my hip. So the heavy handed fits.

BbCobalt Toxicity from Hip Replacement: Symptoms and Treatment
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. In traditional hip replacement, the artificial “ball” is made of metallic material and the “socket” is made of plastic. However, a number of years ago, manufacturers began producing and marketing metal sockets to go with the metal balls in an effort to increase joint durability. These prosthetic joints are called “metal-on-metal” hip implants. In recent years, these all-metal replacement hips have been linked to a number of serious complications, including cobalt toxicity.

Cobalt in Metal-on-Metal Replacement Hips

Cobalt is a particularly hard metal, and is one of the metals used in the manufacture of artificial hip joint components. Cobalt is also a key building block of vitamin B-12, so a small amount of cobalt in the human body is essential to good health. However, too much cobalt in the body can have severe negative health consequences.

Cobalt toxicity from hip replacement surgery involving metal-on-metal implants is becoming increasingly common. In metal-on-metal hip implants, the metal ball and metal socket slide against each other during walking, running, and other physical activities. The resulting friction can cause tiny metal particles called “ions” to wear off and enter the body. These cobalt ions can cause painful and dangerous reactions in the body.

Sometimes cobalt ions remain close to the hip, and only cause damage to tissues or bone surrounding the implant. In other cases, ions enter the bloodstream and are carried to other parts of the body. This can cause serious health problems, including kidney failure, thyroid disorders, heart disease, and perhaps even cancer. This condition is called “arthroprosthetic cobaltism.”

Symptoms of Cobalt Toxicity from Hip Replacement

Localized symptoms include:

Persistent or worsening hip or groin pain
Severe inflammation or swelling
Evidence of tissue death
Evidence of bone loss
Asymptomatic masses
Non-localized symptoms include:

Fatigue
Nausea
Vertigo
Tinnitus (“ringing” or “buzzing” in the ears)
Visual impairment
Headaches
Anxiety and irritability
Rashes
Diagnosis and Treatment for Cobalt Toxicity

Blood tests can identify the levels of cobalt in a person’s system. If testing reveals dangerously elevated levels, the first line of treatment is usually to remove the metallic implant. In patients with normal kidney function, cobalt levels will rapidly decrease following removal of the metal hip. In some instances, all symptoms will eventually resolve. However, sometimes the damage caused by cobalt toxicity does not resolve simply because the implant is removed.

Treatment following removal of the artificial joint will depend upon the medical issues caused by the cobalt poisoning. The longer the person was exposed to elevated cobalt levels in his or her system, the worse the prognosis. Unfortunately, in some cases patients never fully recover and may require ongoing medical monitoring and treatment for the remainder of their lives.

Reducing the Risk of Cobalt Toxicity

A person with a metal-on-metal hip implant who is experiencing any possible symptom of cobalt toxicity should immediately seek medical attention. The sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated the better. Persons at heightened risk for cobalt toxicity are those with kidney disease and compromised immune systems.

Even if a person with a metal-on-metal implant is not having cobalt toxicity symptoms, it does not mean a potential problem is not looming. It can take years for cobalt toxicity to produce symptoms. Some doctors advocate that all patients with metal-on-metal hip implants have their blood-cobalt levels tested at least once per year to monitor for rising levels.

Pending Lawsuits

Cobalt toxicity from hip replacement is just one of many problems associated with metal-on-metal hip implants. As a result of these issues, a number of manufacturers have issued implant recalls, and thousands of product liability lawsuits have been filed on behalf of injured patients.

Manufacturers have a duty to ensure that all products introduced into the market are as safe as possible. A manufacturer may be liable in a product liability case simply upon a showing that the product was unreasonably dangerous; even if the manufacturer was unaware of the danger.

A person who develops cobalt toxicity from hip replacement surgery may have a case against the manufacturer. The patient shouldn’t delay in having his or her case evaluated by an attorney because a law called the statute of limitations restricts the time to bring a lawsuit against a manufacturer.

SYMPTOMS OF METAL HIP FAILURE

Hip Replacement Clicking and Popping: What it Means and What to Do Next
Hip Replacement Pain: What it Means and What to Do Next
Hip Replacement Swelling: What it Means and What to Do Next
Total Hip Replacement FAQs
Hip Replacement Prosthesis Types: Get to Know Your Artificial Hip
After Your Hip Replacement: What You Need to Know

LARGE METAL HIP RECALLS

Depuy Hip Recall
Johnson & Johnson Hip Recall
Stryker Hip Recall
Profemur Hip Recall
Zimmer Hip Recall
FREE ATTORNEY EVALUATION

Speaking with a specialist attorney can provide invaluable legal information about the merits of your case and amount of expected recovery. Fill out one of the contact forms to the right for a Free Metal Hip Product Liability Case Evaluation.

I thought they didn’t use metal on metal any longer in the US?