Insert in femur never attached properly to bone after hip replacement

That sounds exactly like me!!!! Thank you so much for informing me.

8 1/2 months out from total rt hip replacement and still have hip pain (worse that before surgery). Nerve block helped for a couple of weeks only. Shot of cortisone in hip did not help. Getting a second opinion at end of month. I just want to be able walk/ hike again without pain. I’m 75.

I have not heard of this happening before now. This may have been caused because the surgeon didn't use cement to attach the prostheses into/onto the femur. Cement is usually used when osteoporosis is present. If glue wasn't used, the bone in the femur is supposed to grow into small pores in the prosthesis. Clearly that hasn't happened, or the gap was there right after surgery, which seems unlikely but who knows?

The gap may be due to the bone continuing to degrade after the prosthesis was put in. Or it could be an infection and abscess, but I doubt that - you would be experiencing a lot of pain and also likely running a fever.

I'm no medical expert, just guessing from what you wrote. I guess all they can do is replace the femoral prosthesis. I'd ask the surgeon about how it was attached (cement or no cement), and if there is a replacement, how it will be attached (again, cement or no cement).

Sorry for what you're going through. All the best to you.

So sorry Nancy. Has the surgeon identified the cause of the pain.

To your point, and for people considering a joint replacement - find a surgeon in his/her mid 30s to mid 40s with a solid pedigree - medical school, place of residency, or both. It's ideal if they are part of a well known facility, or associated with a medical college for research.

These surgeons are young enough to be up to speed on current best practices, they are young and ambitious, and they are old enough to have already performed hundreds of replacements.

No, surgeon does not have any answers. An MRI showed tendonopathy in 2 tendons (surgeon didn’t think this was a big deal). So I saw a pain specialist (hence the cortisone injection and nerve block). An epidural has been suggested as the next step, but I do not feel the pain is radiating from my back. Pain is definitely in hip and groin. Thank you for your concern.

So sorry to hear this. And the nerve block, cortisone are just temporary fixes. The nerve block will work but that doesn't seem like a permanent solution. First the Dr would need to identify the cause.

It's cold comfort for you, but I've heard stories from people who have had hip and knee replacements and are still having pain many months later. some of it may be due to swelling, possibly scar tissue.

I do hope you find an answer. In the meantime, I always suggest icing. It's no fun to have to do that, but it's a good drug-free alternative. and if your stomach can handle it, OTC anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs - ibuprofen for inflammation, Tylenol for pain.

Well, same surgeon did my TKR. 26 mo po Wrong size replacement and was done robotically! Not a revision candidate. Harvard trained. The greatest in the area, a leader in this area. In his mid 40’s. Had a following now there is a gag order from his former office. Tying to open on his own and on FB trying to find his past patients.

Where are you located, sounds like my doctor.

Ft Myers, Fl. Aka Ft Misery. Lousy health care. Sad it was great in 2003-2005.