Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

My original surgeon wants to do a revision, another doctor thought I might have psoas tendinitis/anthroscopy. My therapist says not true due to the manipulating she can do...

Afternoon! I’m 3 years from hip surgeries. I had first hip replacement July 2016 than 3 weeks later I had a total hip revision due to a dislocation of new hip. I have had pain ever since. Mine is from a nerve thats been either injured or damaged. It’s the femoral cutaneous nerve in the thigh. Causes extreme pain and sensitivity in upper and side of thigh. As well as numbness. I think too the it band is stretched. I was almost 2 inches short before replacement. Dr gave me my length back so I think all the stretching may be the problem. I’m seeing a pain mgmt dr. I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted a year ago. Has not done much for the sensitivity in the thigh. I’m now having issues with battery. Where they placed it is hurting me almost all the time now! This is second battery. My pain dr wanted me to go with different company. That implant was painful....getting in & out of bed hurt my head soo bad. I too have tried cbd oil and haven’t gotten any relief. My pain dr says no dr can help with this nerve as it is hard to trace where it might be compressed....sux! I’m taking gabapentin and on occasion Tramadol. Especially if I’m going to be out of house all day. Depressed cause this was NOT what I expected to happen!! Dealing with this pain on a daily basis is exhausting. I hope you find relief!! Going from pain to another is hard to deal with.

I have experienced the same stabbing pain in the thigh approx. at location of the femoral implant base (end). The orthos have concluded that a revision is not warranted as it would a) be a big deal clam-shell tthing and b) wouldn't make an improvement. So I tried PT, etc. etc. injections, whatever - no change. It really seems to be positional, and is definitely influenced by any loads I may be carrying. Walking is no fun. It feels like the pain is under the band around the lower third of the thigh. Ranges from stabbing to dull ache to ouch to whatever. Compounded with cramps.

All in all the THR seems like it was a really bad idea, Did not expect this outcome at all.

SO much fun!

THR was > 5 years ago.
Right side, posterior
Age 64
Stryker Accolade implant

I am sorry that I am not the only one going through this. I take percocet 5-325 and 800 mg ibprophen at the same time 3 times a day minimum...I refused to get any medtronic implants for pain, I had one spinal injection and it lasted 1 week. Like you, I did not sign up for this. Everyone I know with hip replacements are out doing walks, long runs, I sit in my recliner and watch the boob tube.

I used Boiron Arnica Montana 200. It is in Amazon and maybe your health food store, though may not have the 200, just 30 or 60. If you had posterior surgery, it will take more time to heal as I have discovered from friends who had replacements AND research says this. I had anterior, one day of pharma pain killer, and used my homeopathics pre and post surgery No pain. Be your own advocate and investigate alternative pain killers/management on internet. Get supplements that include turmeric. boswelia, ginger, etc. Good luck!

Hi @armplinker - Welcome to Connect. I have not had a hip replaced - just both knees, but there are lots of people here who have experience with that. I am so sorry to hear about the stabbing pain you are having. I'm sure it affects everything you do. Have you had the same level of pain for all 5 years or has it gotten worse?

Yes, I get a sharp, stabbing pain on the outside of my thigh. Had a total hip replacement in April 19. Sometimes it's so sever I can't put any weight on my leg at all. Surgeon just says I'm overdoing it and it will go away if I take it easy but I'm not convinced.

Same with me. Surgeon says take it easy and it will go away but I think it's more than that.

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 have similar history to yours... both hips replaced Jan 2017. I was 66 at the time and about 8 weeks post surgery began to have sharp thigh pain in left leg... 2 weeks later same kind of pain in right leg. one year 9 most later i am still having sharp pain in both legs, consistent but intermittent sometimes debilitating, always, every day painful to a degree. I've had every test i can think of with no conclusion. Diagnosed with mild osteoporosis of the lower spine. (not a painful condition) dr prescribing heavy duty drug for it - Forteo - i am skeptical but fairly desperate...hard to decide..... leaning towards trying it.... scared of side effects that may worsen situation... Right now i am able to push forward regardless of leg pain... extreme fatigue, flu like symptoms and headaches could make it impossible to have any type of reasonable life... keep hanging in there....