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Hip revision due to femoral stem proximally...yikes?!

Posted by jlynnmt @jlynnmt, Dec 27, 2022

After almost 4 years of my hip not being right, THA in 2018, I finally found a physician at Mayo who would listen to my concerns.
I have a loose femoral stem, but only the top part of it, not the part that goes into the femor, just the proximal end.
I am nervous about the outcome, hoping my pain is not any worse? Hoping the swelling finally goes down? I am just over 50 years old and typically very active. This will be the first winter I can't ski in over 3 decades. I am nervous.
Anyone have any advice pre or post surgery?
Any have this same thing happen? Did you have an anterior approach?

Seems like my local doctor has dropped the ball on more than 1 occasion and I am hoping for better luck at Mayo.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 27, 2022

@jlynnmt Welcome to Mayo Connect. As the lucky recipient of 5 hip replacements/revisions, I understand how you feel. Especially finding out my concerns were real even though my story was diff erent.
My last surgery is 11 years in the past, I'm now in my 70's and doing fine. You are in some of the best possible hands for getting things fixed.
I can tell you revisions are generally easier than the original surgery. And once you have stable parts you can begin to heal. If you have been in pain be sure to ask for some PT sessions to jump start your recovery. Also ask for some preop exercises to get as strong as possible.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
jlynnmt | @jlynnmt | Dec 28, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "@jlynnmt Welcome to Mayo Connect. As the lucky recipient of 5 hip replacements/revisions, I understand how..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@jlynnmt Welcome to Mayo Connect. As the lucky recipient of 5 hip replacements/revisions, I understand how you feel. Especially finding out my concerns were real even though my story was diff erent.
My last surgery is 11 years in the past, I'm now in my 70's and doing fine. You are in some of the best possible hands for getting things fixed.
I can tell you revisions are generally easier than the original surgery. And once you have stable parts you can begin to heal. If you have been in pain be sure to ask for some PT sessions to jump start your recovery. Also ask for some preop exercises to get as strong as possible.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank you Sue. I am trying to be hopeful. Ready to be out of pain and get back to doing what I love.
A few more questions if you don't mind?!
Why did you need a revision? I have a loose femoral stem at the top and not the bottom. Looks like that will have to cut femor in half long way to get lower stem out...that is my biggest concern.
Anyone out there have the same type of surgery?
I'd love to know how you are doing.

Thanks again for sharing.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 28, 2022
In reply to @jlynnmt "Thank you Sue. I am trying to be hopeful. Ready to be out of pain and..." + (show)
@jlynnmt

Thank you Sue. I am trying to be hopeful. Ready to be out of pain and get back to doing what I love.
A few more questions if you don't mind?!
Why did you need a revision? I have a loose femoral stem at the top and not the bottom. Looks like that will have to cut femor in half long way to get lower stem out...that is my biggest concern.
Anyone out there have the same type of surgery?
I'd love to know how you are doing.

Thanks again for sharing.

Jump to this post

I had a since-recalled type of implant that was shedding heavy metals into my body, essentially poisoning me & destroying tissue. Unfortunately, I don't know the details of how the stem was removed, but it did not involve cutting the bone.

Are you working with a surgeon who does a lot of revision surgeries? For me, I feel it was the key to success. Surgeons who do only routine replacements have a different skill set than those who try to "piece people back together" in complicated cases.
Sue

REPLY
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