THR 1 year after THR having thigh pain.

[Eman85]

Good choice in icing, for me when I had pains from my hips post op I iced as a simple way to self diagnose. For me it seemed if I iced and the pain was relieved it to me was a sign it was soft tissue not the implant. About 1 year ago I went through a time of thinking I damaged the implant on my left. It did take a trip to the OS and it did turn out to be just strained tissue. Hard to not think you have problems with the implant whenever we get pains in that area.

 

[KittensMom]

Thank you all again for your replies. This forum makes me feel less alone in this situation! I don't even try to make people around me understand how big of a mental undertaking the return of chronic pain is if you have been dealing with it for decades.

I have been doing a bit of breath work and meditation over the weekend, for the most part I stopped bursting into tears. I am seeing my physiotherapist on Wednesday morning for the first time since September. She is very gentle with me, and I am actually looking forward to speaking with her. I keep hoping there is some obvious non-implant related issue that can be fixed either through rest & exercise combo, or through medication.

Following your advice I have written out the "sequence of events" from the time I first felt the pain in September, when I had the biggest bouts of it and after what activities or lack thereof.

I also am working from home all week, which means I can stay off my feet as much as I can until the OS visit (with one walk per day of about 1700 steps), and ice.

Now that I have been reading about the different things that may cause thigh pain after THR, I think for sure I had an episode of t. bursitis over xmas/new years. I was getting this sharp pain on the outside of my thigh when starting walking or straightening from a bent position. And the hip felt stuck for 10-15 second like a band catching or something. But this type of pain was new and subsided after 10 days. So I'm not sure if the rest of my pains can be attributed to this issue.

4 more days to go until I see the OS. And probably longer until I get some definitive answers. But no one else can go through this for me so I need to keep strong!

 

[Layla]

But no one else can go through this for me so I need to keep strong

You're right, but we can walk along side you and we will. Know that we're here for you always.
It can be worrisome to feel something is off, but we're unsure why. Hang in there, most of these things have a way of working themselves out. Rest and try not to worry. Hopefully you receive some reassurance when you meet with your OS on Friday. Stay in touch.

 

[KittensMom]

Oh what a confusing week it has been so far!

On Monday I got a letter from my rheumatologist who ordered the xray my OS later so gloomly summarised in her patient notes. I was staring at it with disbelief for over a minute, as it said no pathological changes were found.

I was resisting it, but still a small seedling of hope sprouted in my heart.

Then I went to my physio appointment today and by the end of it the physio looked lost so I got nervous again.

I described the sharp pains I'm having when walking. She examined me, tried to reproduce the pain while I was laying down as she was suspecting it was nerve related. After squeezing, poking and stretching - nada. No pain whatsoever in my leg or back when in a sitting or laying down position.

I am seeing her again next week, until then I am told to do stationary bike, leg curls and leg extensions. Plus my regular physio programming. Try to sit on high chairs (no low couches etc.), try hot water bottle in the area instead of ice (the blood circulation in my legs has really gone poor in the last 3 months). No lifting or twisting.

Afterwards I needed to go to the dentist, because as luck would have it last night I got a tiny abscess on my lower gums and of course I needed to check if anything serious was going on and whether I'd need an antibiotic.

I'm all sore from walking to the metro and back, the apartment needs tidying, but tidying up involves standing and walking... I am living on maintenance mode, eating, sleeping and working from home. No outings, no long walks, and still... life just feels so exhausting right now.

2 more days until I see my OS. Sorry to be such a downer x

 

[CricketHip]

Kittens, you aren't being a downer. You are just recounting the facts. I'm just sorry that you are worrying so!
My PCP always laments the test results coming to us before they can talk to us.
I like having them, no matter what angst it causes, because it gives me and hopefully you time to have some pertinent questions written down for the OS.

Then your poor gum with the abcess! Hopefully not a tooth and just the gum tissue.

The major point is that you are having pain! I hope this gets resolved for you soon and in the meantime will be sending you positive energy.

 

[KittensMom]

I saw my surgeon today. Gave her the full history of the pain but she was not taking notes, I suppose it doesn't matter much without further tests.

I didn't have pain yet today when I had the visit, so she saw me in a great shape, walking confidently and with no limp. She kept repeating that she is not worried about me, and I was a bit frustrated that maybe my then state didn't convey the severity of the problem.

Still as a standard they will do a CT scan. When she was examining me, I asked her about her notes in the journal mentioning visible "zone" or spacing between the implant and the femoral stem. I told her how worried I was about it. She said that the space was less than 1mm and when it is this small she doesn't usually even mention it to the patient not to worry them, and that she doesn't think this is causing the issue but we will know for sure after the test.

She showed me the xray, and this is where it is.

I didn't grill her too much on how this could happen at all, especially at my age (38), but as she was looking at the xray she just vaguely said that this is probably there since right after the surgery. But my prostesis is in the same place.

I am weirdly calm. I hope that the CT scan gives me some definitive answers, and that I don't have to wait for it too long.

I have also been having mild improvement in pain with heat therapy as per advice of my physio, and I hope that this trend continues even if slow. Yesterday at lunch I went to the gym for 15 min cycling and leg curls, this was about 3000 steps, and the pain only came after I returned home and it was not the worst ever. Taking an ibuprofen every night and paying close attention to my feet and legs not getting cold. As soon as they do, I do a 10 minute soak in a bucket ;)

Fingers crossed the referral for the CT comes quick. The OS ordered it in some specialised place across town that do testing also during movement. Oh yes: also mild trochanteric bursitis detected.

 

[KittensMom]

I am close to giving up mentally. The pain is awful, it comes back every day after I get up on my feet and my mind cannot imagine it could be something that can be solved by physio :(

From Friday to Monday it moved completely out of my front thigh and into the side of my hip joint an buttock. Also horrendous, but for a second I had hope maybe it's sciatica. I think when it eases the pain follows upwards? Also was having some weird "warm water flowing" sensation along my inner thigh, that sometimes instead felt like electricity / burning.

Today all of that passed and the pain is back in the front thigh (no pain around the hip joint). I can't make any sense of it, none of the online possible things fit, and I am just beyond scared.

The CT Scan "with provocation" is schedule for next Friday. I got the letter yesterday.

Any advice as always is welcome. Has anyone here had nerve pain that felt like this?

 

[myglasshalffull]

Here's what happened to me last Spring when I decided to go back to work & thought I was Superwoman.
I worked first few days pain free, I'm in restaurant world so 5 hour shift on feet bringing food to tables as well as clearing back & forth to kitchen.
First week went ok, then started to get pain.
I don't remember all the specifics but I ended up flat on my back & was sure I had done something to my hip, I could barely walk. Out came the cane. I changed doctors cause wasn't happy with OS here. Ended up at Brigham in Boston with Doctor Reddy from a referral from a doctor friend here. He got me right in which was great. X-Rays, MRI, etc. Hip was fine but I had a back issue (spinal stenosis) and was referred to back surgeon. Didn't need surgery, they scheduled injections for pain but by June I was totally fine again so cancelled injections.
Now this probably has nothing to do with what you are experiencing but wanted to tell you I was fine after awhile. Ice & relax, hope you get answers with your upcoming test, keep us posted.
It's horrible to go backwards after feeling great, been there, done that, bought the tee shirt!
All my best.

 

[KittensMom]

Here's what happened to me last Spring when I decided to go back to work & thought I was Superwoman.
I worked first few days pain free, I'm in restaurant world so 5 hour shift on feet bringing food to tables as well as clearing back & forth to kitchen.
First week went ok, then started to get pain.
I don't remember all the specifics but I ended up flat on my back & was sure I had done something to my hip, I could barely walk. Out came the cane. I changed doctors cause wasn't happy with OS here. Ended up at Brigham in Boston with Doctor Reddy from a referral from a doctor friend here. He got me right in which was great. X-Rays, MRI, etc. Hip was fine but I had a back issue (spinal stenosis) and was referred to back surgeon. Didn't need surgery, they scheduled injections for pain but by June I was totally fine again so cancelled injections.
Now this probably has nothing to do with what you are experiencing but wanted to tell you I was fine after awhile. Ice & relax, hope you get answers with your upcoming test, keep us posted.
It's horrible to go backwards after feeling great, been there, done that, bought the tee shirt!
All my best.

Thank you @myglasshalffull , this helps more than you can know!

 

[KittensMom]

In the last two weeks I had both mild and very bad days. Today I had my CT scan. No contrast, but they did move the leg into different positions to see if the implant is fixed well.

I asked the technician if they will see if there are any muscular / nerve issues via this test. She said no. This is only to see if there is any movement of the implant. I felt a bit gutted because my brain that has lived on a verge of clinical depression for the past 2 months took it as "this is the only working theory the OS has". Instantly.

Today is one of the bad days. I am doing everything to keep some level of mental resistance. I started an oil painting class on Monday, haven't painted since college. I chose a happy, sunny yellow kitchen as my first subject, as I am dreaming of spring without pain and being able to slowly heal from this mental torment and constant uncertainty.

I keep knitting away on things I want to wear during this spring I dream about.

Continuing with daily gentle physio and stationary bike every 2nd day. The pain is very fickle, as if it cannot make up its mind where the problem lies. Some days it's the front thigh, some days the side of my hip or the groin, back, today it was inner thigh with electric shock, burning sensation.

I have been thinking about SIJ dysfunction. About every possible thing, let's be honest. All I want is for this amazing implant which has been serving me well for 6 months to be rock solid in my bone, and for there to be some non-surgical solution to my problem.

I don't think it's too much to ask seeing as I've been suffering my whole life, and would like to maybe finally start living at 38. Hope you are all doing better than me today!

 

[Layla]

Aww, your post makes my heart sad for you, KittensMom

All I want is for this amazing implant which has been serving me well for 6 months to be rock solid in my bone, and for there to be some non-surgical solution to my problem.

Wishing this for you also. Comfort. Answers. Resolution.
I'm so sorry you're struggling with the uncertainty. Hopefully you enjoy your oil painting class as a diversion.
It sounds like you've chosen a cheery scenario to paint. Share the finished piece with us if you feel inclined. I'd love to see it.
A pleasant weekend to you.

 

[KittensMom]

Hello, coming to you with another update.

The OS gave me the results of the CT scan over the phone 3 weeks ago. No loosening of the prosthesis, everything looks fine with the implant.

Problems continue however. I was sick with the flu a month ago and during the week's rest most of the pain subsided. When I resumed walking, pain came back but not as terrible. I can walk 3000 steps with minor pain most days, when I try to increase I get mixed results.

I am suspecting iliopsoas tendonitis. Not sure if main issue or one of the issues but any amount of standing in one place causes for the hip to lock up when I try to take a step, then I get a snapping or crunching sensation sometimes as I try to get the movement back. The pain during that time goes from the front of my hip down my thigh. For anyone here that has had this issue, do these symptoms sound familiar?
I am meeting my OS for a follow up on March 27th. I want to push for her to order an MRI, I feel like she is a bit blaze about the symptoms I describe because I show up at her office without crutches and I have no areas of pain when she presses around the hip.

For the admins here, could you please change the subject from possible loosening to possible iliopsoas tendonitis? Thank you!

 

[Jaycey]

The pain during that time goes from the front of my hip down my thigh. For anyone here that has had this issue, do these symptoms sound familiar?

Sounds like sciatic pain that I had. You also mention earlier in your thread a feeling of ice water or burning down the leg. I also experienced this.

An MRI should show any trapped nerve - or at least mine did. Bursitis coupled with any trapped nerve would be very painful. I do hope you get some answers soon!

 

[KittensMom]

The pain during that time goes from the front of my hip down my thigh. For anyone here that has had this issue, do these symptoms sound familiar?

Sounds like sciatic pain that I had. You also mention earlier in your thread a feeling of ice water or burning down the leg. I also experienced this.

An MRI should show any trapped nerve - or at least mine did. Bursitis coupled with any trapped nerve would be very painful. I do hope you get some answers soon!

Thank you.

When the blocking happens it feels like there something physically in the way that is stopping the forward movement of the leg. I did definitely have some nerve pain, and also started experiencing lower back pain after some time dealing with the thigh and hip issues, but am not sure if the two are the same. Could be though!

 

[Jaycey]

You might want to get a referral to a spinal surgeon. I had lower back pain that had an impact on so many other areas.

 

[KittensMom]

@Jaycey did your trapped nerve issue resolve with time, did you get any sort of treatment?

 

[Jaycey]

I had spinal decompression surgery and the pain did ease when the nerve was released. I also had many years of PT to build core stability.

 

[Layla]

Hey...Hi there,
I noticed you online and see you're coming up on an anniversary
Happy One Year Anniversary! I hope you're doing well.
Please let us know if you have time. We'd love to hear from you.
Wishing you all the best life has to offer, KittensMom.
@KittensMom

 

[KittensMom]

Could I please trouble the mods to change the subject to: 1 year since THR, dealing with thigh pain. Many thank yous!