THR 10 months and still in pain<

@Josephine That is reassuring, I know that I definitely have the trigger points shown in the diagram. I will continue on with the stretching, icing and may take a walk through the pool on occasion.

thanks again :)
 
Hope today is a Good Day!:friends:
 
Hi @Layla @Mojo333, I hope this note finds you guys well, and all ready for the holidays.

I have been off the forum for a while trying to live life without worrying and thinking about my hip so much. It has not worked... :sad:

At almost 10 month I still have pain. I did go back to my OS who requested an MRI of my hip and back. The results did rule out bursitis, which is one or the things we thought it might be. Regarding the rest of the results, my OS said he was not concerned with the comments regarding the hip (summary: could reflect hardware loosening, along with fluid within joint in the posterior trochanteric region - stated to have follow-up MRI in 3 months if there is still clinical concern). He was more concerned about what was going on with my back (summary: Marked spondylosis, moderate stenosis and arthrosis around L5-S1 where the major concern).

The next step would be an injection in the back to reduce inflammation to help diagnosis if the back is adding to my hip problem. Of course my problem is I am nervous to take the steroid injection after having my episode of being floxed by the antibiotic. So I am doing topical anti-inflammatories along with icing my back 3x/day (along with my hip).

Per protocol a Nurse Practitioner assessed my back (poking, prodding and asking questions) and felt it could add to my pain, but did not want to rule out the hip.

I am so frustrated, my pain level has crept up again in Nov. I am feeling home bound. I am lucky that I drive, can still make it around a small grocery store and am able to get around my house without much pain and discomfort. It is just when I try to get out and do something that may take a bit more walking.

I am hoping I am just one of those slow healers... My question is at what point does one start to look for a second opinion on a hip replacement?

Hope you are all doing well, and ready for Christmas:tree:

Oh also could one of you change my thread title to "10 months and still in pain" Thanks, The tools icon does not show up on my page. Thanks
 
@MyJampa So sorry you are still dealing with this pain. You do appear to have issues with your back but given the report mentions "hardware loosening" I would see a second opinion now. Your surgeon does not appear to want to investigate this so why not find someone who will?

Thread title changed for you!
 
Hi My Jampa,
I'm really sorry about your continued pain. It must be frustrating and anxiety producing.
It's like your crying for help and no one is listening. If I wasn't getting satisfaction from my OS, I'd seek a second opinion now. What is your OS's explanation for the fluid in the joint in the posterior trochanteric region? Why do you have to wait three months before a determination is made in regard to possible hardware loosening? If you went through one of the large practices in the area TCO or SO, possibly you should schedule an appt for a second opinion outside of the practice you chose. They both seem to have many good surgeons. Let's ask @Josephine to weigh in on this again. She's the medical expert. All we can do is speculate and tell you what we think we'd do.
Hopefully she can advise.
Wishing you comfort, answers and resolution. I hope you're able to enjoy the holiday in spite of it all.
Hugs
@MyJampa
 
Perhaps you can indicate the site of your pain using this chart?

aa hip-references-horz.jpg
 
Hi,
@Layla @Jaycey My OS said that to his eye my hip MRI was quite unremarkable, and could be similar to any THR at the 10 month mark. The report said Mild increased STIR signal about the components COULD reflect residual changes with developing hardware loosening... It did not identify it as loosening He felt that some of the inflammation and narrowing of spinal openings that the nerves move through could be more of a problem. I look forward to hearing the Spinal specialist read on the report. I am trying to keep an optimistic point of view.

It sounds like it is all kind of a big puzzle like flow chart, ruling things out. I am fortunate that I do not have excessive pain. It floats between 1-5 while walking, today it is at a 2 while standing, and a 1-2 while sitting It worries me that the pain continues to increase slowly over time:chinstroke:

I like to be a planner, that is why I am thinking of getting the 2nd opinion. Do you know if there is some sort of list for who the best/most experienced revisionist are in the MN Twin Cities area. I feel like they are the ones that I would like to try to get a 2nd opinion from. I did have my surgery at TCO and would hope to find a Dr at Summit.

@Josephine
Regarding the pain I am having the most constant pain while walking (2-3) is at L1B through T,V and W (mainly at V) I get a sharp pain (5-6) at the L1B/V on occasion. I have a trigger point pain is at L2B/V, which only hurts so good when I roll the tennis ball on it.
I have pain that moves around that is not as bothersome, it is at L2F/S (what I call my hip bone), L2F/W,X (down the front of my leg) L3F/W,X (down the inside of my thigh). The bothersome part is the overall thick feeling around the hip joint.

Thanks so much for you support.
 
Like this?

jampa.jpg


The red area with the blue spot, is, without a doubt, Trochanteric bursitis
The green area is inflammation of the quads.

I have discussed this with you before. Like here
Jampa, one doesn't need a medical qualification to see what's going on. You're doing too much! Did you forget the BoneSmart recommendation that "HIPS DON'T NEED ANY EXERCISES"? So if you would follow that advice, you wouldn't need to be worrying about special scans to reveal tissue damage! STOP this activity and just stick with walking.
 
Hi @Josephine

You are close on my pain spots. I think the red and blue may be closer to the L2B line, and then I also get the pain on the inside of my thigh.

I really have not done much activity since July. I do some stretches, the ones for piriformis syndrome and for trochanteric bursitis. I use to go to the pool 1-2 times a week to walk and float around to loosen my joints, but have not done that for a few weeks.

I have a few of the symptoms of GTB such as:
Upper thigh begins to ache
Deep ache in the bone
Pulling pain in muscles along inside and outside of thigh
Some off and on pain deep in the buttock, lower back, and waist

I do not have the tenderness to touch along the trochanter and the upper femur, I can actually lay on that side now. Plus the MRI report stated that there was "no demonstrable trochanteric, iliopsoas, or iliopectineal bursitis" It did say that I have small volume of fluid in the left hip joint. (measuring about 2.7 x 1.4 x 5.5) ?

So I do not think it is trochanteric bursitis. Are there other things that you know that present similar besides the piriformis. Have you heard of problems with the lower back in the L5-S1 area (such as: marked spondylosis, moderate stenosis and arthrosis that can cause this type of pain?

Thanks for helping:)
 
One thing my surgeon cautioned me about was that once my hip replacement was done, I might still have sciatica and other symptoms I had been experiencing. He said that it's obviously possible to have concurrent issues. Fortunately, in my case the sciatica and other symptoms that could have been back issues were gone once I had my hip replacement.
 
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:wave: I am sorry you have ongoing issues and it is stressing you out!
I hate guessing...too bad things can't just be clearer!
I don't know if there is a loosening or not, but I do know that if that is the situation..it isn't going to fix itself at this point.
I'm sure I would be afraid to think that...but would probably be looking into a second opinion if for no other reason..peace of mind!

I wish you Comfort and Joy, my friend.:santa hug:
 
I think the red and blue may be closer to the L2B line
Well obviously this is not a precise indicator of where your pain is! And I do take into account that point.
then I also get the pain on the inside of my thigh.
You say this but you've not given me any reference from the chart so I have no idea what you are meaning. (sorry)
So I do not think it is trochanteric bursitis.
Well it's your body! I can only assess on what you tell me. One of the disadvantages of doing this stuff on-line and not face to face!
Have you heard of problems with the lower back in the L5-S1 area (such as: marked spondylosis, moderate stenosis and arthrosis that can cause this type of pain?
Of course! I quite liked what @Debru4 said here
(my surgeon) said that it's obviously possible to have concurrent issues.
 
@Josephine Thanks for taking the time and going through my concerns. I am just afraid and anxious about the changes my hip has been going through since the 5 month mark. My pain is slowly escalating as my activity has been almost zero. I feel like I am captive in my house.

I sure hope you are right and all of this is going to settle down. I have read that when you do have concurrent back issues that things can get worse for a while before they get better. I pray that this is my issue.

@Debru4 thanks for the support about the back issues.

@Layla @Jaycey @Mojo333 I am looking into getting a second opinion. I have some insurance issues to work through first to make sure that I am not out of network. Layla do you by any chance know if there are any good Docs at the UofM. I believe they are in network for me.

Boy I wish I was a better writer. These notes take me forever to draft. So please excuse me if they seem a bit off.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas:tree2;
 
I'm so sorry you are not getting definitive answers and I am so sorry you are in pain.
Hope all the insurance issues work out so you don't have that additional stress!
I hope your holiday is hopeful and know that I'm wishing you all the best!:santa hug:
 
If your insurance allows, it would seem wise to get that second opinion. There are so many possible variables at play, and while some of the things may get better over time, there are others that probably need specific attention. It would seem that a second medical opinion might help you reset and make a new plan. I know information always helps me feel less worried.
 
Good Morning, @MyJampa
I sense your frustration and understand your concerns, I'd feel the same. Especially if pain is slowly ramping up with a decrease in activity. I'd want to seek a second opinion also, since developing hardware loosening was mentioned as a possibility.

I'm sorry but I don't know of any surgeons at the U of M. I know the surgeon who performed my THR through SO does revisions, however, he's no longer with the practice, but currently on his own. Possibly @Jamie has the resources to offer a suggestion. Can't make any promises though. I've tagged her for you.

Please stay in touch as you seek answers and a resolution to your issues. We'll be here to support you as you move forward.
Warm wishes for a lovely Christmas with all those you hold dear.
 
Please let us know what you are doing to pursue this as I truly hope you get some answers and Relief.

:merry christmas: @MyJampa
 
Hi @MyJampa
I hope you had a nice Christmas.
Wondering how things are going with you and whether you've made any decisions?
Please know we're here for support as you seek answers and resolution.
Wishing you perfect healing in the New Year!
 

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