THR Pain in hip after nine years.

I can't tolerate the aggressive movements from a chiropractor.
Ah well, it depends upon the chiro! Back in 2000, I first went to a chiro who had no table and did everything by twisting you into knots! Greg has a treatment table with which he can do the same without any of the tortuous manoeuvres! Makes all the difference. The sections each have levers to raise them a little so when the therapist presses down on your back, the section drops and and makes the spine readjust. Totally painless.

chiro table.JPG
 
@Dmcfad2 Sorry about your pains....
I think the osteo would be a good thing to try.
Also, just a quick comment that my L4/L5 back DDD apparently caused some referred pain
in my right groin area. And, I have had some pain in the back of that thigh about a third of the way down (not connected to anything else) and I think it is from the back area.

Keep us posted. Take care.
 
Hi @Dmcfad2 Just popping in to see how everyone is doing. Sorry to hear that you are struggling with some issues. You mentioned your frustration with finding a cause for the pain... and it possibly being your back. I know that the hospital where I had my surgery is also one of the leading spinal surgery hospitals in the country. So, I am always hearing about their spinal surgeons. Maybe you could find a good spine surgeon in your area ? I've had some trouble with my knee. I saw my hip surgeon about it recently and after they took xrays, he said, "It's not arthritis or anything major... if it is anything that requires surgery, it's something small like a tear. I don't do those surgeries." I told him, "I know you don't... but, I have a new approach with dealing with this stuff. I go to the end game guy first (he would be the guy to do total knee replacement.) Then, I move down from there." For me personally, I find it helps with my anxiety with the situation, if I go to the best surgeon I can find and start there. Either I will get the answers I need quickly (less anxiety and waiting) or I will at least know that it's not as major or as bad as it could be.

I don't know if that helps. I just know I had literally years of anxiety and waiting in dealing with different doctors that had no experience with hip dysplasia. I heard a lot of bad advise and crazy things from surgeons (yes... ortho surgeons in the U.S.!) My biggest regret is that I didn't see my current surgeon (the best I have found... lots of experience with dysplasia, and supportive of me having surgery despite my age) during the years of figuring out all of my aches and pains, diagnosis and decisions regarding surgery. Once I was in such good hands, I decided I would always go to the best surgeon first and save myself a lot of grief (even for the smaller things.) Hope you feel better soon and are able to figure out what is going on! :)
 
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@younghippie your story is not unfamiliar to me. I have heard of countless ladies with dysplasic hips or femoral acetabular impingement being tossed around from doctor to doctor, surgeon to surgeon but sadly the number of hip surgeons who specialise in young adult hips problems is still pitifully low. I would go further and say the number of doctors (GPs and the like) who even know anything about such problems is also pitifully low. I'm glad you managed to find one!
 
@younghippie thanks for the suggestion! The last few days my pain has improved some and whenever that happens it makes me wonder if I should just forget it all and get on with my life. Then, it comes back with a vengeance, so who knows? I will complete the tests my GP and surgeon have ordered and take it from there. Sometimes, I wonder if it is just a case of aggravating the IT band or some kind of tendonitis or if it is emanating from my back. Then, I have those periods where I can't even put weight on my leg because I have so much pain and it scares me. Today is my one year anniversary and I am still dealing with pain. It can be discouraging!
 
After one year, you're darned right you should just forget all about it and get on with your life! After a year of those exercises, it's not going to settle down in a few weeks nor even a few months. It took a lot longer than that to get the inflammatory issues stirred up, yes?
 
@Dmcfad2 Wow, its really been a year?
Good grief, time flies.....
Glad we aren't back to that point though.
Do something to celebrate, ok. :flwrysmile:
 
Wow - it is a whole year! I still have 11 more days to decide how to celebrate . . .Happy first anniversary!

Debbie, the ongoing pain that comes and goes is so .... I don't know, yea, discouraging is good word. I was so doubting myself, like you, with
The last few days my pain has improved some and whenever that happens it makes me wonder if I should just forget it all and get on with my life. Then, it comes back with a vengeance, so who knows?

The problem with chronic pain is that we just get so used to it and it becomes the new normal. You on the other hand seem to be having more pain since the surgery than before. I guess I can empathize as, when I was decising on second surgery, I didn't feel near the pain and loss of activity as I had with my left (first surgery). I was so just very afraid to go to that point again. But I did experience it. Now, at over 5 months, I know my right hip/leg from second surgery is not nearly where left hip was strength wise, range of motion, or pain free. In fact, sometimes I would have to admit that I "feel it" more than I did before its surgery. Some of that I do attribute to back issues but . . . none the less, I want to be healthy and I want to believe that I can be pain free and that this is NOT just a part of getting old, and I am having hard time accepting this is my new normal.

All that to say that I have been really hoping that someone would just say my back is just fine and that I am merely being a hypochondriac. :unsure: But, with the relief I felt yesterday after the SI injection at least I feel like I'm not just imagining and being afraid. Oh those moments were so good.....still okay today but not as good as yesterday -- but maybe I'm just adjusting to it not hurting? Pain/no pain is hard to understand -- and thus to deal with. I hope your tests comes back with some definitive answers that will help you sort out what you need to do to be comfortable--and that you can.
 
@Dmcfad2 @MajorHeidi @Me2
Wow ... a year!!!!!!!!! It seems like yesterday that I was hanging on your every word. I read all of yours posts with great interest every day as I prepared for my surgery. It was encouraging to see how well you all did, how positive you were and helpful to me and everyone on bonesmart. Even if you've had some set backs, be sure to celebrate the fact that you did it! I can remember how nervous you all were to have your surgeries (as I was too) and you faced such a huge challenge with confidence and grace. You have all been a great source of encouragement to me and so many people. Congrats on your one year anniversaries!!!!!! :loveshwr: You did it!!!!!!!
 
"Wow - it is a whole year! I still have 11 more days to decide how to celebrate . . .Happy first anniversary!
Debbie, the ongoing pain that comes and goes is so .... I don't know, yea, discouraging is good word.
The problem with chronic pain is that we just get so used to it and it becomes the new normal. You on the other hand seem to be having more pain since the surgery than before..... I want to be healthy and I want to believe that I can be pain free and that this is NOT just a part of getting old, and I am having hard time accepting this is my new normal."

I am trying to quote you above @Me2 but I think I did it wrong. Anyway, I appreciate the above words and sentiment. Right now I just don't believe this is just part of getting old, but that it is the direct result of my getting this hip surgery. I was not feeling old before that. You know it has been a rough recovery for me. I hate that this chronic pain is now my new normal.

I have decided to become more proactive with my physical fitness. I am having pain anyway, so I might as well try to get myself back in shape which should help with my weight and maybe that will alleviate some of the pain. Every time I have tried to get back to my previous level of fitness, the pain stops me. I have really gone downhill in this last year since surgery. I've gained a lot of weight, almost 15 pounds and know that isn't helping my back, either. I feel so old and frumpy. Jeez, two years ago I was running half marathons!

I had my bone scan yesterday and am looking forward to the results, hoping nothing serious is wrong and that it IS just muscle and soft tissue stuff going on. I have been having a lot less pain for the last two weeks, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that things are getting better! Keep me posted on your back issues and I will check in every so often.

@younghippie You are the sweetest! Do something special to celebrate you anniversary!
 
Debbie, I hear you. I don't want to think about this as going old. If I let myself, I feel like :headbang: . I have a little glimmer of hope since the SI injection did so well for a day or 2 or 3. I just want to know that I have a hope of being pain free at some point, even if only days. :bricks:

I didn't realize I was already avoiding activity until Thursday and Friday last week when I wanted to and did dance/exercise with the kids and wanted to and did schedule a field trip to the playground and actually played with the kids walked several times around the whole playground instead of hunkering down to just watch. I was noticed a post here where someone listed all the things they knew they were avoiding because of pain. I really don't want to end up there ever again. :nah:

Its easy when you have
a lot less pain for the last two weeks
to just hope that it'll go away. I did that with my hips. I'd make appointments and then feel better and cancel. :hairpulling: When it got so bad last year, I still had not found a doctor that I trusted. I know I have some stuff going on with back, neck, shoulders, and want to find someone I trust to help guide me through. I am very disappointed that the back guy with my hip doctor's practice was old, arrogant, and not seeming up to date on new techniques nor interested in answering questions about the whole back. I have appointment with an interesting PT group tomorrow. We will see how it goes.

Why a bone scan?

And, have you been to a pain doctor? Fortunately, I have found a good one of those, and he's one that I like better each time I see him. His top concern seems to be reverse as in he listens carefully to what I say about pain and then works back to possible causes---he doesn't make much eye contact but does think out loud when making diagnosis/prognosis which is nice.
 
H Debbie @Dmcfad2
Sorry you are suffering this seemingly never ending struggle with pain......I really feel for you. It's time to get your life back! I do hope you get some answers from the bone scan. Back pain can be so demoralising.

My hip is great but since my THR have been plagued with other 'health issues' which are indeed making me feel 'old'......!!
Knee pain is bad, gallstones & gastric problems, back pain, etc, etc. but my last fall threw me right out of kilter & had to go on antidepressants, which have put me back on a more even ground. I fell...hitting my non THR hip, my erstwhile good knee, shoulder & hit my head on the table tennis table...providing a slight concussion.... It's all ok now
But, I find I'm worrying about everything which spoils every bit of fun. Hey, ho....I'm sure all will be fine.....keep telling myself off and to just get on with it!

Do hope things improve for you Debbie.....take care.

Chrissie x


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum
 
Hi Debbie @Dmcfad2, just checking wondering how you going? I don't know what is in the air but my back and knees are fairly painful. A friend in choir who is a Physio suggested the sharp pains in my operated leg is from my back too rather than my hip as I thought. Thankfully the pain is just on standing for an extended period and goes quickly...I hope you've had some answers to your questions.

@Hoppy Nanny goodness your call sounds awful... I'm glad your on the mend but it does seem like an awful lot of health issues to be managing over a short time.... I hope you feel more normal soon.
 
Nice to hear from you, @Hoppy Nanny and @NoraJ I don't have much to report. I am still waiting for my OS to let me know the results of my bone scan. He is so hard to get ahold of and I feel abandoned by him. His office has informed me that he is gone until the 14th and I am hoping to hear from him after that.

The MRI of my back that my GP ordered showed some bulging disks and I am seeing someone about that in a couple of weeks (I was referred to "physical medicine" whatever that is. :shrug:)

In the meantime, the intense thigh pain that I have been experiencing since 6 weeks post op has suddenly almost disappeared. I just woke up one morning about 3 weeks ago and it was better.......very strange, but I am happy it is gone at the moment.

I am having increasing lower back pain now and some knee pain and my other hip is really acting up. I still don't walk right and can't walk very far without pain. So, that is about where I stand at the moment. Because my thigh pain is better, it has given me hope that there is nothing wrong with the implant. The possibility that something was wrong has given me a lot of stress but I am feeling much better now, emotionally and physically.

Christie, I am so sorry to hear about your ongoing issues. You have always been supportive and encouraging. I hope you feel better soon. Nora, I wish you good health, too. It is always nice to hear from you!

@Me2 Have fun skydiving! Take pictures. You are an inspiration. I can't even go on a roller coaster without fear. I can't even imagine jumping out of a plane. You go, girl.
 
Glad to hear your thigh pain is so much better. That is encouraging! I just wanted to chime in... my back has been hurting as well (and my knee has always hurt.) I had the knee checked out and all looks good as far as they can see on xray. If it doesn't get better with a small bit of therapy, I will be referred to a sports med. doctor that does the "smaller stuff" (soft tissue injury.) Anyway, I wonder if the back pain (and maybe knee pain also) could be part of recovery for us... gait changes, regaining strength in hip, certain areas. It does worry me at times, but I try to just rest a bit more and not let it get me down. It's strange... it comes and goes with increased activity.
 
Well, here is my 15 month update.....My new hip good. The left leg thigh pain I had for a year after surgery went away and hasn't come back! I have no pain in my new hip and I have better range of motion in it than in my other one. So, I can finally say I am happy with my new hip.

I still have a lot of groin pain in my right hip and some minor lower back pain that comes and goes. I saw a physical medicine doctor for my back and she put me on nortriptyline to see if it would help. It did and not only did it help my back, but the right groin pain disappeared. However, I couldn't handle the side effects and quit taking it after only two weeks. I was also concerned because I read that you have to taper off of it and I didn't want to be taking something I needed to taper off of. The fact that it helped my right groin pain makes me wonder if it might be nerve pain from my back rather than hip arthritis. I am going to see the physical medicine doctor for a follow up next month and will ask what she thinks. She doesn't know I quit the nortriptyline and I'm hoping there might be a similar drug I can take that will help me without side effects.

All in all, I am happy. I am back to the gym and working on taking off the ten pounds I've gained since surgery. I still don't have the leg strength or stamina I had before surgery, though. I hope it will come back eventually. I am here to tell you that it can take a year or more to recover from this surgery for some people!
 
Debbie, it is so good to hear from you! Doesn't it feel just so great to finally be able to say
I am happy with my new hip.
I share with you the moments of wow, it does feel good! Isn't it wonderful to be approaching that "forgotten hip" stage that so many promised?

Now, if I can just get this back recovery finished, it is sooo slow. Not much pain just such a slooooow recovery. I had my follow up for the back surgery on Friday and, when I saw the x-rays from it, I was shocked to see my bionic hips right there, too!
 
Hi @Dmcfad2 ~
Chronic pain is a bear but good that you can comfortably be doing some things you want.
Being a bit of a nutrition geek I'm always fascinated by how some things can help nerve pain,especially when it's basis is inflammatory, without some of the side effects you get from meds. Even if it's "mechanical", there usually is some inflammation that also needs to be dealt with after the mechanics are "fixed" (by the chiro, surgery or exercise).:yes:

This can be a good time to re-visit Poppet's Nutrition Articles to make sure you're getting the necessary vitamins (the B's, D, etc.) and minerals (like magnesium, calcium) which help support nerve function in adequate amounts and balance. I personally take supplements and notice a difference in things like sciatic pain and muscle tightness when I skip a few days (though these things are always better when you get them from whole foods).
Many anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements and herbs are also gaining some solid science, including EPA (fish oil), turmeric (for its curcumin content) and others. I have a few "trusted" reference sources I use to avoid all the advertising and often misleading hype. I'll check with @Poppet if it's OK to post them (on my own thread). And there's several references for "anti-inflammatory herbs" if you search Bonesmart.

I've always been pleasantly surprised when working with an older "arthritic" horse or one who "ties up" (hind end muscle spasm) who responds to just getting some basic vitamins and minerals added to the diet by running around bucking and kicking and back to enjoying life - they teach me a lot about myself. :fasthorse:

Patti in Vail AZ
 
@DesertHorses would love to read your nutrition articles too. I think I've read everything @Poppet has written during my journey here. She writes in a way that I understand, I'm a big fan! I always have a green smoothie in the am and a pour in the tumeric. I want less inflammation in my life but I still take celebrex. Take good care!
 

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