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Nerve damage after hip replacement surgeries
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jan 8 10:32am | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Hello, 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.
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Good evening mackad24, and a big Happy New Year welcome to Connect. As I read the first paragraph of your post, I immediately felt that your description of the anterior/side thigh pain was very similar to what I am experiencing. I have tried similar "tricks". Here are two more for you to think about. First....do you use any ice or cold packets on your thigh? And if so is your leg elevated on a formed and elevated foam riser? That also might help.
Number #2....do you happen to have a 4" Sportime Soft Ball #009091. If not you can find them on Amazon. Turn on your side and place the ball (you may have to add some air) under the area of your thigh that is troubling you. Even if that area complains (hurts) immediately, it will calm down in a few minutes. Once you have found the "spot" and see how the nerve pain dissipates, you will be able to adjust it to your liking. It is also possible to roll on your stomach and place the ball under your thigh. Just lie quietly and the pain will be relieved considerably.
Sometimes during the day when I get up from a chair, I can feel the thigh pain sort of lock-in. Rubbing the area tightly with one hand on top of the other seems to bring some immediate relief. And of course, going back on the ball for a few minutes can be helpful.
The final step or Number #3 would be to see an MFR (myofascial release) therapist and get that area loosened up considerably. I do that twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. The professional treatment usually lasts for several days. But just in case there is always the ball.
To find out more about MFR, you can follow this link to a discussion developed by my mentor colleague @jenniferhunter.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Just to verify all of this, I spent about 6 months at the Mayo Clinic learning how to sit, walk, and stand in ways that protect my thigh from stiffening up and generating pain. I was even taught how to get up properly from a fall to prevent creating additional pain and tightness.
Like you, I tolerate the pain and discomfort but only for a few moments. Then I head for the ball and begin to sort of unwind everything. You will also begin to recognize what's coming and get started before it hits.
Please let me know if additional information is needed and I would like to know how the ball placement works for you.
May you be safe, protected, and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris