Has anyone had sharp thigh pain after hip replacement

Thanks for your reply Nance. Sorry to hear that you've had this ongoing pain for so long. It's ridiculous that no one seems to have the answer for it. I've read some articles on stem tip pain and I think this has something to do with it. Otherwise it's just grin and bear it. I'm supposed to get my other hip done but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. X

Hi, I've read about the stem pain but can't find any information as to whether it can resolve in time or does it need further surgery.

I sympathize with all the people who have posted here. I have had horrible thigh pain ever since my hip replacement in August 2017, two years ago. At first, my original surgeon did not acknowledge this, he said it’s just bursitis. I knew it was more than that. I found a second surgeon who confirmed what I suspected from my reading that I have “end of stem” pain. Since I don’t have the strongest bones, I’m a rather thin 69 year old in otherwise good health, I took Fosamax for a few months. The problem with these titanium stems is that they are not an exact match in terms of stiffness and rigidity with human bone, so that’s where things can go wrong and cause a lot of pain that limits you. I didn’t want to take Fosamax because of potential side effects but I did anyway. It may have helped a bit. My X rays still don’t look any better, the stem is still “touching the cortex” whatever that means and it irritates the bone causing pain. It used to be a terrible stabbing pain with every step. Now it’s a duller pain with every step and less limiting but it’s still pretty bad. Sometimes things get better with time, around two years which is where I am. If time does not help enough, a revision is called for. I really want to avoid that. Tomorrow I will have a triple phase bone scan to rule out loosening of the hip implant or infection. Revision can be two different situations: one you replace everything, joint plus a different stem, one that suits weaker bone better. (Why wasn’t this done originally I wonder?!) The other is replace the stem and attach it to the bone securely using cadaver “strut grafting” to keep the implant stable enough not to irritate and cause pain. Revision surgeries are more complex than hip replacements, take longer to do as you have to undo what was done, and I so want to avoid this. So, I’ll have to decide if the risks are worth it after I get the results of the bone scan. I’m also hoping to make an appointment at the Mayo Clinic orthopedics after this scan is done. I’m giving my body more than the two years I read about since everyone is different and some people heal slower. I’m hoping I’m one of those people. I hope this helps some of you with this debilitating outcome for a surgery you hoped would take away your pain, it give you even more pain. It’s awful. I have also worked hard to walk daily and not give up. Morally it’s quite disheartening though as many of you know.

I am so sorry for your disappointing outcome. After 5 years too! That’s a long time to suffer. Have you sought another opinion on a revision surgery?
It’s no fun alright and so far from what I expected too. I posted a long response below, maybe it’s too much info for members to digest.

@hippie @binblessed @nancefinn. I posted a longer reply about my experience with a poor outcome and thigh pain. . Sorry if it was too long! I should try to keep it concise. I hope some of the info was helpful in some way.

where is your pain located? I had a THA earlier this year and developed psoas tendinitis that caused a VERY sharp pain in my groin area - I had the psoas lengthened via scope and it eliminated the pain - If your therapist is doing passive ROM, it's is very likely that it can be - my PT could do ROM - but if I did active ROM, it was close to impossible. Have you had a psoas bursa diagnostic injection?

Well I was just advised that the sharp pain is due to subsidence of the appliance, which basically means it is falling into the femoral stem, both shortening my leg and generating the stabbing pain chronically. The top of Accolade hip is wedge-shaped which is supposed to not allow this descent, but in this case, the wedge is forcing the top of the femoral remnant apart and may lead to catastrophic splitting. So, the solution is yank it out and replace with larger appliance, both to stop the descent and to restore correct leg length. Not the news I hoped for but I had my suspicions. No amount of PT or back stretches or spinal injections or any of that makes any difference. Gravity is winning.

Sorry to hear you're going back to surgery. Could you please tell me where on your thigh you get the stabbing pain. Does it come and go or do you have it all the time?

I had thigh pain after a partial hip in 2017. For 2 years I suffered with constant pain. I had enough and went to a different doctor and thank God I did. Dr Hedley is who I went to in Scottsdale. I did my research he is with the ortho institute of the west. He is kind and obviously knowledgeable and renown in his field. He looked at the old films and to my surprise. He said it was not stem pain. The existing bipolar prosthesis at the top of the femur was too big. Way too big and slanted inwards a bit too far injuring the muscles and ligaments. I should have picked up on this because post OP I felt like I was sitting on a big ball. After this surgery my recovery was quick w little pain other than site pain from surgery and soreness from the previous surgery hurting the muscles. I have amazing range of motion too. I know part of this surgery is successful because since 2017 I have taken steps to become healthier. I have lost 100 lbs since 2018. Then I was put on an anti inflammatory diet which is the keto diet I worked with a nutritionist. I knew if I did not get it together I cud get bad enuf that I would not make it for long. As a senior now I have found u must b ur own advocate. Even a patient advocate may not be on your side as I found out. Younger staff can b very rude and even put words in your mouth. I vote...find another doc get another opinion. Yes. It all costs..but its YOUR health. If it hurts there is something wrong. I am Sooo glad I made waves left the old , did research, went to a new to me and wonderful physician. Much better than people making your BP go up by being jerks or you staying in pain. We need a senior site to share medical issues....good doc names etc. Everyone please...find another opinion, read about your medical issues, take control. It isnt a mystery. Its science if you hurt something is not right. God bless everyone on here I pray that like I was blessed you will be too.
Dont give up. It's not you.....

@binblessed I’m very happy for your news that your pain has essentially gone away after a revision surgery. That is wonderful. It is encouraging to read that a revision can help. Congratulations and wishing you all the best with your new hip. I’m considering revision and currently waiting on results of a triple phase bone scan, after which I might make an appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Thanks for posting your positive outcome.