Bilateral THR Tony2hips Recovery

@tony2hips
What a mess! Are you able to get a second opinion from an OS who specializes in revisions AND is not in any way associated with your current OS. In the meantime, if you have a copy of your xrays, is it at all possible to post them here so Josephine can take a look at them? She is very experienced and can normally point out any problems that may be going on with the prosthesises.
 
Haven't been on for a long time but today is one year since my bilateral THR so thoughthat an update may be in order.

Right hip which was the lesser of the two evils is fine. No problems with it, no popping, no grinding, no aches and pains and no weakness going up stairs, carrying heavy shopping etc. Doesn't even feel as if I've had a hip replacement.

Left hip is a completely different story. This is the one I required the revision on 7 days after Primary THR. I experience popping and grinding nearly all the time, especially walking up stairs. It completely gave out on me going downstairs in November meaning I fell and suffered closed fracture of collarbone. After being refered to another hospital for a 2nd opinion have been told there was a piece of bone floating around in the joint from the revision surgery that has fused and there is also bone growth causing the problems. Also told that as I used to spend a lot of time on my knees for my job, and I cannot do that now because of increased risk of dislocation due to revision, coupled with fact that being right handed the only alternative is to lay on left hip and mustn't do that I need to give up my self employed occupation and at nearly 56 find a new occupation!

As far as the hospital that carried out the surgery, they have been nothing short of useless. I filed a SAR in June yet 270 days later they claim they didn't receive it despite numerous emailed replies with Formal Subject Access Request in the subject bar. When they have given information it has been contradictory or just plain bewildering. Had to deal with numerous different people as staff keep leaving which speaks volumes for the hospital.

Am left now unable to work at my chosen profession, no income, still don't know exactly what went wrong, still don't know what procedures they actually carried and feeling they have taken away my future plans!
 
Oh my word, Tony, what a nightmare. It must be so worrying and frustrating for you, physically but also in terms of your life. Are you hoping to have a further revision to address the problems?
Hope you manage to get the info you need and find some resolution to all these issues.
Take care
Diane
 
@Delphi It is incredibly frustrating. I waited longer than I should to get everything right for while I was recoving and to speed up my return to work but the surgeon not performing the surgery correctly has put pay to that. From what I understand from new specialist he really doesn't want to operate on the same hip for what would be a 3rd time in just over a year. It wouldn't be a revision as such but has said it would further weaken the hip increasing the risk of dislocation and also there is already a big problem with scar tissue internally and he doesn't want to add to it. So not sure what the way forward is.
 
@tony2hips, Girl, you've been through the proverbial wringer! I might be seeking some legal advice considering all the screw ups. I hope you get it resolved and feel better very soon.


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It appears now according to a letter sent to my GP that i have 'Significant Heterotrophic Ossification around the Greater Trochanter' which is evidently caused by the revision surgery. Have been referred for targeted physio. In the meantime the popping and grinding continues to get worse as does the stress of not being able to work. Really hoped to be in a better place just over a year on. Despite searching the internet I do seem to be the only person certainly in the UK to have a Synchronous Bilateral THR and then revision surgery within a week without even leaving the hospital.
 
@tony2hips sorry to hear you're still having issues with the revised hip. Have you sought an opinion from a revisionist OS who is not in the same practice or hospital?

I've tagged @Josephine to see what she thinks.

Also, can you post an xray (with the revision) ?
 
Hi @Horseshoe
I have been referred to another hospital who have now taken over my treatment. It is specialist there who has said I have 'significant heterotopic ossification'. I am currently waiting for physio but my revised hip has swollen quite noticeably, to the extent that when I'm in tracksuit bottoms people have commented on it. It feels as if I have something strapped to my hip. I am waiting on a call back from hospital to see whether I need go see them or my GP. I should be able to post copies of latest xrays later this week when I get cd from hospital. All a bit worrying at moment as if I need surgery for ossification (which specialist said is a possibility especially if I keep trying to work) it doesn't sound pleasant or a guaranteed success and do not really fancy a third operation on left hip inside 18 months as that will just weaken the area further. At moment just feel in limbo. Can't go to gym, can't play golf, can't work, depressing to say the least!
 
Sounds like you have had a good referral and a specialist who has given you a diagnosis. Do I understand correctly that the specialist didn't really have a treatment plan for you, and you may have to see your GP about this? I hope you can get help from the specialist, as it seems doubtful that a GP can treat heterotopic ossification.
 
@tony2hips @Krista there was a member here, think it was calciumhip, who took his wife to see a specialist, an "oncologist OS" for this condition. It sounds very painful and hope you can get it resolved soon.
 
i have 'Significant Heterotrophic Ossification around the Greater Trochanter' which is evidently caused by the revision surgery. Have been referred for targeted physio.
Oh, I see Krista has beaten me to it with the articles! From what I have read, activity is not the wisest method of treatment as HO is an inflammatory condition so anything that risks inflaming the area is ill advised. Recommended treatments are detailed in the article.
if I need surgery for ossification
As I understand it, this is also not generally advised.
Despite searching the internet I do seem to be the only person certainly in the UK to have a Synchronous Bilateral THR and then revision surgery within a week without even leaving the hospital.
Well, I've certainly never heard of one before!
 
Krista, Horseshoe, Josephine thank you so much for your replies. It speaks volumes that I receive faster and more help on Bonesmart than I do from my hospital!

In a letter I have now received they seem to be admitting that they made a mistake with 1st operation and also that revision has not been successful due to complications and ongoing issues I am suffering. Not sure where I go from here as any operation now the risks seem to outweigh the benefits and will only add to the weakness that the revision op has left in my left hip.
 
@tony2hips Sounds like you need a second opinion from someone not connected to your current surgeon. If you tell me who your surgeon was and what hospital I think I can recommend someone in your area. I had my RTHR in Surrey.
 
I agree! Did they actually explain in the letter exactly what had been done incorrectly and/or what was required to correct it? I would think that was the least they should do.

@tony2hips would you be kind enough to read this announcement, please?
Multiple tags or alerts being used in posts
 
I am 2 days away from 2 years post op and under my 3rd different hospital due to ongoing issues with heterotopic ossification and "prominent native acetabular wall" (no idea what that means!).

To recap I had a simultaneous bilateral hip replacement followed by revision surgery 7 days later due to malalignment of acetabular liner. My current symptoms are weakness to the left (revised) hip that has resulted in a number of falls where the leg has given out under me, also swelling to the left hip and glute and experience the sensation of something dragging across the hip at times.

I had a CT scan and the latest specialist asked at the follow up if I would consider having another operation to remove the heterotopic ossification and address any other issues. having read peoples experiences of having that operation i'm not sure the benefits outweigh the risks and also being self employed and having my income seriously affected by these issues that I can afford the recovery time. Also from what I understand having a 3rd operation on that area in a short space of time could result in weakening of the left hip in the future leading to more problems.

Another thing I am confused by is that on the NJR website it shows the number of primary and revision surgeries carried out by the hospital where I had my surgery carried out. It also shows my surgeon and his performance figures which strangely shows numerous primary but zero revision for the year that he performed mine. How is that possible, are hospitals reporting successful surgery and omitting the failed operations?

I have to say through my whole experience I have been left feeling that the only people I can trust to receive honest information from are within this group, so thank you.
 
Hey Tony. Just read your whole thread and agree with all others that this should just NOT have happened. And then the improper reporting of your surgeons numbers! I imagine that infuriates you.
I don't have any advice or experience with the condition you are dealing with, but do want to lend my voice to those encouraging you to not give up on the possibility of something that can give you a better quality of life.
Totally understand your lack of confidence in the professionals...
As a bilateral comrade, I wish so much that things will get better for you.
:console2:
 
Aaah Tony....I'm so sorry for your struggles and concerns. You have a legitimate question in whether the revisions are being reported as readily as the primary surgeries. That realization surely doesn't help build faith or trust. I hope you soon find answers and resolution.
Wishing you the best as you move forward.
@tony2hips
 
To be honest I am totally confused by it all. I have been told that the reason I on to my 4th hospital in 2 years is because I'm a 'complex case' whatever that means. I am starting physio on Wednesday but again do not understand why. If my problem now is heterotopic ossification how is physio going to help? As for the non reporting of revisions by hospital / surgeon, it makes me wonder exactly what they are hiding?
 
If my problem now is heterotopic ossification how is physio going to help?
Not familiar with it but...
Ask the physio that exact question!
Hope you get answers. One day at a time is how we get through it, I think.
 

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