Bilateral THR 2 years after bi-lateral total replacements

[Mesham111]

Hi
I had both hips operated on at the same time in august 2020. One week after surgery my left leg had what felt like a trapped nerve, went back to hospital to have it re X-rayed, everything was normal, this eased after a while. I went through 6 months physio and my left hip/leg was still hurting especially after/during activity. I had MRI of lumbar and pelvis, bone scan, numerous x-rays, cortisone injection (which did nothing). They did find that my lower back had some issues (herniated disc). Two years on and I am progressively getting worse. I am more reliant on my crutches every day as my leg feels like it could give way. It is very painful to weight bear sometimes. I have developed plantar fasciitis on my right foot now, making life even more challenging. The pain in my hip/thigh sometimes radiates down to my inside knee and groin. I am at present trying to gather all paperwork relating to the surgery, under the freedom of information act. I hope to get a second opinion soon. I have lost my job because of this.

Any advice is very welcome

 

[CricketHip]

Hi @Mesham111 Gosh I am sorry for what you are going through. It does sound like something isn't working right for you with Lefty. I am guessing that Righty is doing okay for you?
It's always good to get a second or even third opinion for something like this. Do you have someone in mind? Have any of your friends/relatives used a surgeon or physiatrist with good results? Sometimes it can be a good place to start.
You may already be on top of it, but please consider getting your other opinions from surgeons not affiliated with your original one.
Hopefully others will stop by and offer you some thoughts, too.

 

[CricketHip]

Could you please give us your surgery date for your bilateral THR's? I know you said gave the month and year, but would be nice to have the day, also.
It's so one of our moderators can make you a signature, which is helpful whenever somebody wants to try to offer advice or support.

 

[Jamie]

I am so sorry to hear of all you’ve been through. It’s obvious that something is wrong and you are wise to start looking for new doctors to help you. In your search for an orthopedic surgeon, be sure to find revision specialists as these are the specialists who are used to seeing and fixing problems. You’ll usually find them at larger hospitals (maybe teaching hospitals) in big cities. So you may have to drive to find the right person. Getting more than one additional opinion might be wise too.

You may also want to see a neurosurgeon, especially if consultations with ortho doctors don’t provide any help. Please let us know how things go. We’ll be here to support you.

 

[Jaycey]

@Mesham111 Have you explored sciatic nerve pain with your consultant? Since you had nerve pain just post op, did they mention the sciatic nerve? This nerve runs very close to the hip joint. I know when I had my LTHR I had a major sciatic nerve flare the day after the surgery. Things did calm down. But I too have herniated discs that cause chronic lower back pain.

You say you had 6 months of physio. Was the physio working to address your back pain? Some just don't have the expertise.

Another thing that worked for me was an osteopath. He manipulated my lower spine and did acupuncture. I can't say I am 100% pain free. But all is tolerable now.

 

[Mesham111]

Could you please give us your surgery date for your bilateral THR's? I know you said gave the month and year, but would be nice to have the day, also.
It's so one of our moderators can make you a signature, which is helpful whenever somebody wants to try to offer advice or support.

Thursday 6th august 2020

 

[Mesham111]

@Mesham111 Have you explored sciatic nerve pain with your consultant? Since you had nerve pain just post op, did they mention the sciatic nerve? This nerve runs very close to the hip joint. I know when I had my LTHR I had a major sciatic nerve flare the day after the surgery. Things did calm down. But I too have herniated discs that cause chronic lower back pain.

You say you had 6 months of physio. Was the physio working to address your back pain? Some just don't have the expertise.

Another thing that worked for me was an osteopath. He manipulated my lower spine and did acupuncture. I can't say I am 100% pain free. But all is tolerable now.

Thank you for your reply, the physio wasn’t the best due to covid (tele linked) and the odd time I was seen face to face, but I did all exercises adamantly, she only concentrated on my hips, I wasn’t able to do some exercises as some would aggravate my back. She didn’t really want to deal with back issues!!! I know about sciatica as I got a bout of that on my good leg (right)!

 

[Mesham111]

Hi @Mesham111 Gosh I am sorry for what you are going through. It does sound like something isn't working right for you with Lefty. I am guessing that Righty is doing okay for you?
It's always good to get a second or even third opinion for something like this. Do you have someone in mind? Have any of your friends/relatives used a surgeon or physiatrist with good results? Sometimes it can be a good place to start.
You may already be on top of it, but please consider getting your other opinions from surgeons not affiliated with your original one.
Hopefully others will stop by and offer you some thoughts, too.

Thank you, it’s difficult to find a surgeon that is not affiliated with the original one as I live in Ireland, I am trying to do background checks but you never really know

 

[Mesham111]

I am so sorry to hear of all you’ve been through. It’s obvious that something is wrong and you are wise to start looking for new doctors to help you. In your search for an orthopedic surgeon, be sure to find revision specialists as these are the specialists who are used to seeing and fixing problems. You’ll usually find them at larger hospitals (maybe teaching hospitals) in big cities. So you may have to drive to find the right person. Getting more than one additional opinion might be wise too.

You may also want to see a neurosurgeon, especially if consultations with ortho doctors don’t provide any help. Please let us know how things go. We’ll be here to support you.

Thank you, my surgeon tells me that everything is ok! And just wants me to go down the route of pain management!!! I have seen a neurosurgeon and he tells me that my back problems aren’t bad enough to operate on and that they have nothing to do with the hip pain. I just seem to be going round in circles and am even starting to believe that it must be all in my head!

 

[Jamie]

Don't give up! This is not all in your head and it's important to continue to be assertive with any of the doctors you see until things start to improve. It can be frustrating at times, I know. Pain management has its place, but it is important to know what is causing this problem, especially since you report that it is worsening. Hang in there and let us know how you're getting along.

 

[Mesham111]

Thanks Jamie, yes you’re right I really need to know what is causing the problem.

 

[Jamie]