Severe, debilating pain 10 months after anterior hip replacement

@nise2uss, welcome to Connect. These must be some frustrating side-effects to both live with and to not have taken seriously. I would like to invite some recent members who have discussed their pain after a hip replacement. @katepitt, @mariemotte, @johnboy2323, @owieann, have all talked about some of the same pain you are experiencing and may be able to offer some insight. Also, you may find the following discussion worth your time to read through and participate in as well, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-sharp-thigh-pain-after-hip-replacement/.

@nise2uss, Have you considered seeking a second opinion, or is that something that is not an option? You mentioned finding literature from Mayo Clinic and that you presented it to your current surgeon, is that correct?

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have tossed around the idea of a second opinion and feel this may be my best option. I have not discussed the Mayo Clinic article on inflammatory neuropathy with my surgeon at this point as I am trying not to overstep. This guy has the reputation of being the best around in his field of joint replacement and is very confident. Unfortunately I am not sure where or which direction to go for a second opinion. I live in North Carolina but I’m not opposed to traveling. I just want to feel better.

I had an anterior replacement followed by rehab, several followup visits with the surgeon and chiropractor and couldn't get any nagging hip flexor resolution. I was surprised at the lack of understanding or knowledge of the process. I eventually tried an inverted chair that gently stretched my hip flexor though not recommended and gained significant improvement. The hip flexor stretch is a little more complicated to perform the correct way. Gentle stretching with proper technique is required.

I'm 67 and 5 months in a hip replacement. Experiencing same type of pain, I was desperate to relieve pain and gain strength back in my leg.
I came up with this turning point stretch for my recovery on my own at home. Doing this daily and before PT , has made a notable difference in recovery.
I came up with this considering hips & pregnant women came to mind who soon to or in delivery mode are encouraged to stretch open the hips. This is done while sitting on an air filled soft ball to rotate the hips in slow circular motion as well rocking motion side to side and back & forth.
I had an old exercise ball & filled it with air. Sitting upon it I centered one of the handles between my upper legs to hang on with my feet firmly on the floor, I gently began to awaken my hips and upper legs by stretching the area in circular motion,& in back and forth intervals. This stretch has become my recovery game changer!
(You may need someone to spot you from behind lightly holding your shoulders. Or do exercise near your bed to anchor yourself with hand(s) on bed.)
As you sit on the ball, Spread hips as far apart as you can. Slowly & Gently rotate the ball in small circular movements, 5 times in each direction to awaken the hips, upper legs, and low back.
Use your feet to maneuver the ball letting your bottom ride with hips spread, stretch and widen area. The blood flow from feet into upper legs feels great. After awakening hips,
roll forward to the right and slightly straighten right leg out while leaning forward to stretch all the more. You'll notice the front and back upper leg muscles stretch as well area between hips. Hold 30 seconds and return to center body on the ball. Repeat 3 'xs on each side.
Repeat rotation circles again this time with larger circles that give stretch with no pain.
Doing daily has helped me with pain control without meds as well made PT exercises doable with good results.

Thanks for the details on the exercise ball. I had the third hip operation on same hip , two within this last year. First two posterior and this last one, anterior.They replaced the longest rod available. It has been four weeks since the last operation. PT doesn’t seem to help at all. I have an 8 week appointment, but am very disappointed in my progress. Cannot sleep because of the pain. Pain meds have no affects and make me very barfey and icky feeling all day. My surgeon is well known in this area and his specialty is hip revision so he thinks I should expect pain for sometime. Thanks for sharing.

How does the Dr. determine you need a revision? Are they surgeons that identify their specialty as revision? . Most surgeons are not anxious to have anyone review their work for corrections. They are not eager to give you a name of anyone that will look at it either. Wish you luck. The third times the charm

I have almost exactly the same situation 2 yrs after right hip replacement. The tendon release has also been suggested. I had 1 tendon injection which had limited results and have another scheduled in 6 weeks. During that time I am doing PT for iliopsoas tendonitis and see if I can regain some strength in my muscles. During the replacement there was an over correction of leg length from 1cm short to 1 cm long. I am trying anything that ma help, ie, shoe lift. I have the lower back pain which is a symptom of the psoas muscle. They may use dry needling.
It worked on the periformis but who knows. Wish you luck let me know if you find any other suggestions

@nise2uss
I live in Raleigh and use Dr. Rhett Hallows at Emerge Ortho. He worked with a guy at Duke for 12 years who was a specialist in anterior approach. He replaced my hip 6 weeks ago and progress is going well. He is very personable and listens to what you have to say. Sounds like you need a second opinion with fresh eyes. Good luck.

See an MFR therapist! They will give you some suggestions as to which way to turn. Also get a referral to go to another orthopedic surgeon to get help. I do not suggest pain management unless you are in crisis because all they do is put Band-Aids on people. What you want is to understand what is wrong. Periodically I will get an inflammatory reaction in one of my hips usually related to the weather. But that has been over 13 years and I have no pain otherwise in my hips. I do have to keep up exercising and I walk twice a day. So be sure you are incorporating an exercise routine into your workday. When my muscles get weak, I will get pain.

PEMF devices work well for pain but you have to get a good one. I bought one by Spectra. Learned about it from Bryant Meyers. he has a lot of YouTube Videos. and he offers free consults if you call him. He does not sell them...only recommends which one to buy and which ones to avoid. The cheap ones from China don't work.