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Nerve damage after hip replacement surgeries
Good afternoon. Was wondering if anyone has had what’s called meralgia paresthetica after hip replacement surgery. I had my first replacement July 2016. Three weeks later I find out I dislocated it and had to have a total hip revision. My first surgery was anterior the second was done on side of hip. Was six weeks non weight bearing and no hip flexion past 80 degrees. Worst time of my life. About 5/6 months later I started noticing sensitivity in my thigh. The upper part down front of thigh to side of thigh to knee. Have been on lyrica and now gabapentin. Have had numerous injections in the nerve. Pain dr wants me to try ablation of nerve but I’m scared. Cause the med use, phenol, can cause me not to be able to use my leg for 6 months if this solution got any where else in thigh. Dr says nerve is hard to trace to see where it maybe pinched or compressed. Any suggestions? Anyone have this? I’m going on 2 1/2 years since surgeries and a little over a year with nerve issues. Thanks.
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Hi
Can you get a nerve conductor test?
Maybe that would help.
I had a knee replacement and revision and I have nerve damage also.
My right knee is numb and prickly so I can relate a bit to what you are going through.
Good luck🙏
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1 ReactionI too had full hip replacement surgery, 2 years ago. I've been having numbness in a portion of my front thighe for the past 6 months or so. I don't have pain, just a strange feeling if numbness in a small area. I wonder if it will get worse.
Maybe this comment is not appropriate, however, I have nerve pain from hip surgery done January this year. I take amitriptyline. I had an EMG to find exactly what nerves are affecting the issue. It did determine the area the pain was coming from and allows me to focus on strength training and physical therapy. I hope this is helpful. Sorry if it is non-relevant.
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2 ReactionsThe numbness in my thigh is getting better after five months. I would think after two years you might want to ask a professional what they think.
Shelley
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1 ReactionI might be overstepping, however have you had an EMG to test the nerves? I was able to eliminate nerves that were not causing pain. Hope this helped.
Shelley
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1 ReactionI have experienced this, as have others I know who have had hip replacement surgery. It may take some time, but eventually it should get better.
I had hip replacement in January of this year. I initially had pins and needle pain and numbness in my thigh. The pins and needles resolved. I still have the numbness in my thigh. When I saw the surgeon for a 3 month follow up, he said the nerve regeneration can take up to a year. If you are having this several years later, I definitely think some testing and nerve conduction studies are needed. Have you seen a neurologist?
Thank you for the feedback
I had my last hip replacement/revision surgery over 10 years ago (5 total surgeries and a very long story). I still have a small numb area on one thigh that has never gone away, nor has it gotten worse.
Nerves have an amazing ability to regenerate over time, but if some are fully severed they will not get better. Unless it increases in area, or progresses to pins and needles, tingling or pain, I would not be too concerned about it. If you are still seeing the surgeon for periodic checks ( I see mine every 2 years for xrays to be sure everything is good) you could ask about it.
Or have your primary "mark" the area in your chart on your next visit, then check a year later to see if it is getting larger.
Sue
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2 ReactionsHello, All, I just located this helpful site. I had anterior THR 3/8/2023. Within a couple of weeks, I had very painful nerve pain radiating around anterior/side thigh and concentrated around knee. When I laid in bed, I would have to make a tent with pillows to raise the sheet because it hurt so bad when the sheet touched that area, couldn't hardly sleep.
As months have gone by, my anterior lower thigh became numb with nerve pain on the outside of thigh (nerve pain accompanies the numb area), and the bad nerve pain around knee dissipated. Now the pain is similar to what is described here (pins/needles, electric shocks, bee sting). I tried some PT, did not help. My motor skill and walking are good, although sometimes I may have a bit of a weakness when I lift the foot, but not debilitating.
I had a post-op visit with PA at 6 weeks, she X-rayed, said everything looked great. At 6 months I had my first post-op visit with ortho/surgeon, he X-rayed said all looked great, everything in place. He said the thigh numbness/nerve pain should go away in about 18 months, but I would have a smaller area about 6-8 inches that would stay numb. That would be ok, I think. Earlier on, his PA said it would go away about 6 months. He said about 50% of his patients have the numb/nerve and 70% of them resolve - ultimately. Those who don't resolve "just live with it."
My main complaint is the electrified nerves on outside of thigh are painful, especially when I try to turn on that side to sleep and when I accidentally bump or push against that area -- ouch, hurts. The more I move and walk, the more relief so that is good. I would like to think this will resolve with a small numb patch in 18 months, but frankly I am not feeling that now. I wonder if any other updates from you.