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.
Yes, my surgeon gave me a referral. The PT clinic I used was part of a local system that provides acute care and in-patient and out-patient rehab for strokes and serious injuries. Down here where I winter, the best therapy is available at the post-stroke center, where they are used to creating individual recovery plans because every patient has different needs. Sometimes you just need to get creative to find what you need!
As for the nerve pain, yes it it SLOW to heal - think 1-2 mm a day, les than 1/2 inch per month.
When I had one damaged after a traumatic knee injury it took several months, but the sensation does get milder over time. When my hip was healing, movement, water therapy & massage were best for the nerve pain. Gabapentin didn't do a thing for me...
Good luck, and keep moving - it really does get better. Now I find it had to believe what I went through 11 years ago - I don't have to think of my his at all.
Sue
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.
I had similar symptoms and I had femoral nerve damage. My surgeon seemingly pretended, though, that he had no idea what was going on with my thigh pain. My knee would buckle and in hindsight, I now know my quads were spasming. I would recommend a neurologist. I also went back on crutches immediately to not cause further damage. I found a TENS unit/ESTIM was the most effective pain reliever for my thigh pain. It took me a good 3 months to start feeling some better and a year and a half before the EMG fell into the normal range. Good luck to you - you can get a TENS unit on Amazon and it was a life safer for me.
I had a hip revision on Dec 15. I was doing so well - then I had bad unusual pain. After blood draw x-ray then cat scan it shows i have a hematoma. Is this common? what will happen now? Butt is swollen and I am Icing but waiting for doc is a pain too.. please tell me no surgery!
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.
@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.
Carol, I saw that "...a day or so post op I had this sense that someone had been hammering on my hip..." Well, if it was a complete hip replacement, they undoubtedly hammered. I once watched a video of a THR operation, and that is often how the stem is fitted into the femur. And depending on the implant, the acetabular cup may also require some persuasion to fit into the pelvis.
People always wonder why they feel pain after joint replacement - you may be cut, sawn, drilled, hammered or glued, then put back together! If most people heard or saw this in advance, I doubt there would be many joints replaced.
I had seen first-hand how helpful surgery was in relieving pain and restoring function, so I went ahead. And now, many years later I'm still glad I did it.
The first weeks after my surgery the worst pain was in my thigh. The PT told me it was probably due to nerves that were cut and have to refire. I am now 7 weeks post op.The thigh pain is down to a dull ache. I experience hip joint pain during the night and have started taking a Tylenol Pm and a regular Tylenol before bed.
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.
No, they are not approved here any longer. However, there are still thousands of people walking around with implants dating from years prior to 2015. Some seem to have no side effects, others are still discovering problems, and still others have been suffering for years without realizing the cause.
There is one instance in which metal alone may be used - resurfacing a femur head without placing a cup and liner in the acetabulum. This does not seem to have the danger of metal ions being released, because the metal is harder than the bone it contacts, so it doesn't break down like the metal to metal surface can.
Sue
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Yes, my surgeon gave me a referral. The PT clinic I used was part of a local system that provides acute care and in-patient and out-patient rehab for strokes and serious injuries. Down here where I winter, the best therapy is available at the post-stroke center, where they are used to creating individual recovery plans because every patient has different needs. Sometimes you just need to get creative to find what you need!
As for the nerve pain, yes it it SLOW to heal - think 1-2 mm a day, les than 1/2 inch per month.
When I had one damaged after a traumatic knee injury it took several months, but the sensation does get milder over time. When my hip was healing, movement, water therapy & massage were best for the nerve pain. Gabapentin didn't do a thing for me...
Good luck, and keep moving - it really does get better. Now I find it had to believe what I went through 11 years ago - I don't have to think of my his at all.
Sue
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4 ReactionsI did off and on now nothing and going on 3 years
I had similar symptoms and I had femoral nerve damage. My surgeon seemingly pretended, though, that he had no idea what was going on with my thigh pain. My knee would buckle and in hindsight, I now know my quads were spasming. I would recommend a neurologist. I also went back on crutches immediately to not cause further damage. I found a TENS unit/ESTIM was the most effective pain reliever for my thigh pain. It took me a good 3 months to start feeling some better and a year and a half before the EMG fell into the normal range. Good luck to you - you can get a TENS unit on Amazon and it was a life safer for me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI had a hip revision on Dec 15. I was doing so well - then I had bad unusual pain. After blood draw x-ray then cat scan it shows i have a hematoma. Is this common? what will happen now? Butt is swollen and I am Icing but waiting for doc is a pain too.. please tell me no surgery!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have had a similar experience. I know that I have several issues; but part of my problem is due to my si joint not staying in place
@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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionCarol, I saw that "...a day or so post op I had this sense that someone had been hammering on my hip..." Well, if it was a complete hip replacement, they undoubtedly hammered. I once watched a video of a THR operation, and that is often how the stem is fitted into the femur. And depending on the implant, the acetabular cup may also require some persuasion to fit into the pelvis.
People always wonder why they feel pain after joint replacement - you may be cut, sawn, drilled, hammered or glued, then put back together! If most people heard or saw this in advance, I doubt there would be many joints replaced.
I had seen first-hand how helpful surgery was in relieving pain and restoring function, so I went ahead. And now, many years later I'm still glad I did it.
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsThe first weeks after my surgery the worst pain was in my thigh. The PT told me it was probably due to nerves that were cut and have to refire. I am now 7 weeks post op.The thigh pain is down to a dull ache. I experience hip joint pain during the night and have started taking a Tylenol Pm and a regular Tylenol before bed.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI thought they didn’t use metal on metal any longer in the US?
No, they are not approved here any longer. However, there are still thousands of people walking around with implants dating from years prior to 2015. Some seem to have no side effects, others are still discovering problems, and still others have been suffering for years without realizing the cause.
There is one instance in which metal alone may be used - resurfacing a femur head without placing a cup and liner in the acetabulum. This does not seem to have the danger of metal ions being released, because the metal is harder than the bone it contacts, so it doesn't break down like the metal to metal surface can.
Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions