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Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jan 10 10:48am | Replies (540)

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@katrine

I know how you must feel tross68 ! My thigh pain goes down to the knee too. This is my second post about this horrible thigh pain. To recap, I will be 2 years post surgery this coming August 2019 and have not had one single day without thigh pain, or one day without some hip pain and stiffness . I have walked most days or at the very least every other day since my surgery, because it's worse when I don't walk. I consulted both my original surgeon and a second orthopedic doctor 1 year post-op since I still had pain and disability. It's so hard to describe to people who've never had anything like it and both surgeons suggested a bursitis injection, but this was no bursitis pain and the injection did not help at all, not surprising to me. This is what's known as END-OF-STEM pain and it's torture when it's bad. Why isn't more known about this, after all, hip replacements are not exactly new. Now my original surgeon wants further tests for infection, but given that I have no sign of any infection in my blood work, and given a second doctor has said it is therefore unlikely to be infection, I can't imagine that a fancy "triple phase bone scan" test would be positive for infection. The second doctor said I wouldn't just have the pain on weight bearing if it were infected. Both said that on the x-rays and MRI, there is no sign of loosening, which can cause pain. So that's at least one good thing. The implant seems to be well placed. It's been a nightmare this past year and a half, I've been at my wits' end. The first year, the pain was SO sharp, like a dagger, I could barely walk for 15 minutes without feeling so bad. Sometimes, it would ease up slightly after the first 10 minutes, and I'd get in another 10 minutes without the sharp pain. I would be gritting my teeth the whole time, but I was determined to press on. Summer of 2018, I determinedly went on my annual month long trip to Europe and it was difficult to get around, although I did my best to do limited walking. I needed hydrocodone, the lowest dose is all the doctor gave me, to get some rest and relief at night and on the plane. I can no longer lie on the operated side as it's too painful. I can't do my housework on my own anymore and I could do it all even before my surgery !! I'm due to see the second surgeon mid March, and the original surgeon at some point later. I am in no mood for a revision surgery at this point. Nothing helps except walking, and then, only as tolerated ! When I walk uphill, the thigh pain is so much worse. I took another overseas trip this past November, hoping for the best. When I returned, I had so much to do for Thanksgiving and I overdid everything the day I returned. I didn't rest after the long journey, big mistake. For about 5 days, I could barely walk or put weight on my operated leg. I hobbled about with a cane and lay on my couch for days, and this was more than one year after surgery ! I was sure I had done something terrible to myself but after 5 days, I was back to my "normal". I have felt pretty despondent and have felt like this has ruined my life rather than helped it. It's always sore to some extent, I try to ignore it but I'm always aware that things are not normal . Walking never really feels normal or comfortable. I keep on walking daily, my maximum tolerated is only about 30 minutes, and I just hope one day to feel even halfway normal. I'm sorry to go on so much, but if it helps anyone to know they are not alone in this, it will have been worth it.

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Replies to "I know how you must feel tross68 ! My thigh pain goes down to the knee..."

My problem is much the same. Today I took 4 x 300 mg of gabapentine and felt better. I also use tramadol and marijuana oil for pain and zopiclone to sleep. Wish I never had this operation.