Muscle spasms years after hip replacement surgery

I had my left hip replaced in 2007 after several osteotomies and osteomyelitis. I did have elevated chromium levels and pain and it was redone in 2015 with a ceramic cup. I had the right replaced in 2016. About a year ago I started having weird cramps and pain in my left groin and thigh. I had it checked and the surgeon said the X-ray looked fine. He didn’t check me at all. Now it is really painful. I have cramps and shooting pain for hours. It can be after climbing stairs, walking or even after I’ve been in bed a couple of hours. Tylenol and Motrin don’t help. The surgeon is no help. Hoping someone here might have a suggestion. I am going to try the tens unit as some have mentioned. I will ask my PCP about a cobalt and chromium test.

Hello, and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that you have really been through a lot with that hip over many years. As you are experiencing, orthopedic surgeons often figure "everything is fine" when the implant looks solid. Obviously with the level of pain you have, you know it is far from "fine" and need to start pressing for answers.

Remember, a TENS unit will only treat the symptom, not get at the underlying problem, so if you want things fixed, you need to start exploring, and being your own best advocate.

Here are a few questions that come to mind-
Yes, the chromium & cobalt test, but complete bloodwork to rule out any other disease?
Since you had osteomyelitis, has anyone done a comprehensive bone density test?
Is there something going on in back, spine, or knee & referring pain to the groin?
Do you have severe muscle deterioration from all the trauma?

Can you start with your PCP and get referrals elsewhere as needed?
Sue

Thank you for replying. I have reached out to my PCP and asked for bloodwork. It has also been years since I’ve had a CRP or sed rate check. I am also going to ask for a referral to a different orthopedic doc for my monitoring. I really appreciate the support.

Hello, I have had both hips replaced and am now going through similar groin pain on both sides but mostly on R. I have been diagnosed with iliopsoas tendonitis and now iliopsoas tendonapthy after cortisone injections and PRP(platelet rich plasma) injections have not helped. I wonder do you have a tendon issue? I'm 4 years out from my right hip replacement. Research these diagnoses and see if it sounds like your symptoms. I am now most likely going to have a tenotomy because I can no longer stand this pain and disability. I can no longer drive because of it. It is not uncommon to occur after a hip replacement and is also known as snapping hip syndrome. Do you sometimes feel a "snap" or "pop" toward the inner groin? Especially when lifting your leg? The iliopsoas tendons are hip flexors so they help to raise your leg to walk up stairs for example. I just avoid stairs at this point!
Even pain medication doesn't really help this type pain. Muscle relaxers help most. If you lay on your side with legs bent in bed, you are flexing the hip and stimulating that tendon so it "fires" it up. I can only comfortably lay flat on my back because of this. I can't even sit. Any bending(which is flexion) of my leg causes pain after only a brief time.
If this is the problem, the good news is that if treatment is started timely, it may be fixed non-surgically. Most definitely get another Dr!! God bless you and May He help you get well soon!