Left hip pain and groin 3 years after posterior total hip replacement

I'm back with my left hip pain, leg and foot pain. I had anterior THA and now I'm seeing a chiropractor for the hips going out of joint. My left leg is very painful and the knee aches. She thinks I may need an insert in the shoe as one leg could be shorter. I talk to my GP but she doesn't refer me for any further testing. I don't want to see the ortho who did the surgery, but I would go back to that clinic and see someone else but not him. The pain is so bad I wish I could cut my leg off!! Any suggestions from anyone. Thank you.

Have you been checked for particle disease? My sister developed it in one (of two) hip replacement. The prosthesis sheds tiny pieces of metal and the body attacks the metal causing terrible inflammation and pain. As it progresses, the muscle and bone are eroded. My sister was in terrible pain for four years (because the original ortho, refused to admit anything could be wrong), until at a PT session, her pelvis and tibia both broke! She had to wait about 6 months before she could have surgery - because the (new) ortho wanted to see how much the bone would heal before doing revision surgery. She had the revision surgery in November and is doing so much better now. Still needs a walker for longer distances but around the house can get by with a cane; whereas before the surgery she was in a wheelchair.

I had my right hip replaced in 2014…anterior approach. I had the surgery at 7a and was home in time that for Monday Night football. Unfortunately there was an infection at the time of surgery that they did not catch for 2 years. I kept telling the ortho and he said it was my lower back. I went to a spine ortho for a year and had injections. She finally said, it’s your hip. Two years ! They removed my hip, posterior, and put a block in its place. They put a port in my vena cava and for 6 months I had to inject myself with two highly potent antibiotics twice a day. They put in the new hip using the same posterior scar. I have had pain every day since…and then came the trochanter bursitis. The PA finally told me that removing the original replacement was very challenging and that “perhaps” nerves, tendons etc. could have been cut as the posterior approach is more challenging. He encouraged me that the nerves may grow back….its been 6 years post revision and the pain is still the same. I don’t take pain medication. I take Tylenol when it gets too bad but I drench my hip and thigh in Biofreeze every day. It helps a lot with the pain but still have mobility issues.

I had a right hip replacement in 2017, anterior approach. within 2 weeks I was having crippling pain down the left side on my leg. Opposite leg from surgery! I went back to the surgeon who wanted to make sure I understood it was nothing that he did. Very unhelpful and then wouldn't see me for any follow up appointments. I did get in to a neurologist at the same clinic. After performing an MRI he diagnosed me with severe spinal stenosis. Surgery was suggested. I was a neurosurgeon, but the clinic only had orthopedic surgeons on staff. Because I had just had the hip replacement and felt that it somehow brought on this diagnosis of stenosis I waited.
2 1/2 years of the most challenging pain I've ever experienced finally drove me to the Mayo Clinic and a fabulous neurosurgeon there. Over the course of 5 years I've had two spinal surgeries on my lower lumbar region, both of which have been very successful.

Now, the pain is isolated to my right hip. Upon arising it's very painful to walk or put any weight on my right leg. I've been going to PT throughout the years which has helped but never resolved the issue. I have specific exercises for that hip which I do every morning and after a while I can move about. Once I get moving, I'm pretty good and usually can put in a 1 to 1 1/2 mile walk. I exercise in the pool every day. It's the best, but still the pain is always there in varying degrees of intensity. I go to physical therapy every week sometimes twice a week if the hip is really triggered.

I really would like to hear if anyone else has experienced this? The orthopedic surgeon who did my left hip replacement (not the same surgeon who did the right, evaluated the situation a couple of years ago and showed me on x-rays how the artificial hip wasn't set quite right compared to the one he did (which I have no problems with at). the right joint is putting pressure on the large tendons that run down the side of the leg causing at times excruciating pain. I work hard to stay strong and flexible. But this consistent pain is wearing me down.

I'm sorry you have had such a tough journey. Over time, it has been shown that sometimes the anterior approach isn't best. According to my ortho, the surgeon's field of view is more restricted using the anterior approach, which means it can be tricky to position the new components precisely. It sounds like this might possibly your situation. Have you spoken to either surgeon about what corrective action can be taken?

I spoke with the second surgeon at the time of the evaluation on the right hip. At that time the specific exercises he showed me were the only recommendation.
I have since contacted Mayo Clinic and have received a referral to their PMR department.

I am so sorry you have endured so much pain. I hope you find the right dr. to help you.

Have had both hips and knees replaced and may need foot surgery. Left hip was 4 months ago and groin pain just started. Was given some balancing exercises to do at home. I am very active, on the thin size, 5ft 7 and 77. Avoid twisting, and learn to swivel getting in and out of vehicle with legs held together. Less stress on groin if no twisting. Good luck.