THR Amy13may's Recovery

[CricketHip]

@Amy13may If I have calculated correctly, today is your three months mark! I hope you have another Doctor chosen to go to, so your femoral nerve damage can be sorted out in the proper way.
What a rollercoaster for you and I am so sorry.
Nerves do heal and regenerate,, that's the good news. the somewhat bad news is that they heal and regenerate slowly.
I agree with what @Mojo333 said above in an earlier post, have you discussed the possibility of a medication that is helpful for nerve pain, like Gabapentin?
It very well may give you a sustained window of relief, lasting for a longer time. I would guess that your general practitioner may even be helpful for that sort of prescription.
Please hang in there, there's a reason that there's a saying, which is used a lot these days but it's true. "time heals all wounds"

 

[Amy13may]

Hi all! Today is my 3 month marker!
I had an MRI done 2 weeks ago and met with a new set of doctors last week. The MRI shows that I have up to 8 cm of fluid around my hip replacement joint. They are all quite concerned. I had blood work done which came back normal (but they expected this since I am young and healthy- said my body could have encapsulated the area and fighting efficiently). Tomorrow I go for a 3 phase nuclear bone scan to check white blood counts and next week they will do an aspiration of the fluid to test. For now I don’t have any answers.

I do have a new team of doctors who are taking this seriously which is great. They have told me to stop all painful activity and therapy for now until we know if my hip is infected or not. Go from there. At least I know why my pain has continued to get worse instead of better. And at least they are believing me that I am in so much pain and truly can’t lift my leg!

On the other med suggestions - thank you. I’ve been on gabapentin, lyrica and multiple other nerve meds over the years. Had nerve damage with my 3 level cervical fusion and unfortunately I don’t tolerate it well. Causes some mental side effects for me. I did use a compounded cream version that did work though!

 

[Jaycey]

@Amy13may So sorry you are dealing with all this. But it does sound like you have right team working with you. Please do keep up dated!

 

[CricketHip]

Thank goodness you've found a good team of physicians! This makes me so happy for you and it sounds like there's a game plan to pursue what's going on.
What a shame that you had to struggle so before getting the chance to be heard and your symptoms addressed.
That's interesting too, about taking some of the nerve medications.. I am dealing with this, currently and so far am not a fan of the one they have me on.

Please keep us updated, we genuinely care.
@Amy13may

 

[Amy13may]

Well after blood work and nuclear scans they are telling me that I do not have an infection. I do have a confirmation of a seroma of 8 cm in my THR joint. Now I have hit a wall so to speak because my current pain management doctor is advising to wait and see if it dissipates on its own. My original surgeon offers no help and tells me to wait 2 years. I’m in constant pain and if I do any activity my entire leg swells and is extremely uncomfortable and painful. I’m mobile only using a cane and still can’t lift my leg. I have been disabled by this surgery and am only 45 years old. I’m disheartened at the moment. Grateful that they didn’t find an infection but struggling with no hope for resolution. I don’t even know what kind of doctor can help me with this.

 

[Layla]

Hello Amy,
Thankfully you do not have an infection. I am really sorry that you’re feeling so disheartened. I have read of the frustration over seromas here many times over the years. It‘s usually not a problem if they’re not large. I believe the body often naturally reabsorbs hematomas and seromas resolving the issue without treatment. Be aware though, It can take time.

The definition of a seroma is "a pocket of clear serous fluid that sometimes develops in the body after surgery. This fluid is composed of blood plasma that has seeped out of ruptured small blood vessels and inflammatory fluid produced by the injured and dying cells." which pretty much describes a bursa.

If you’re not receiving any satisfaction from your surgeon, what about a visit with your Primary Care Physician? You shouldn’t have to live with constant pain. In the interim, hopefully prescribed, or OTC meds bring you some relief along with icing any areas that are swollen.

Since many have dealt with a seroma, you may want to use the SEARCH at the top right of the page to type in “Seroma” and all threads where it’s been mentioned will pop up.

I wish you comfort and a solution to help resolve the pain so you’re able to move forward. Know that we’re here for support and please stay in touch.
We do care.
@Amy13may

 

[Amy13may]

Thanks so much Layla. I really do appreciate being able to share here and the support. My seroma is approximately 3.5” in diameter (although it could have increased or decreased since the imaging). Currently I’m waiting on two referral appointments with orthopedic surgeons that will give me their opinions for my options for aspiration, etc. There is always the chance it could reabsorb, although so far several doctors say as time passes that might be less likely as the body seals it off. It’s definitely not getting less painful so currently still elevating and icing as that gives me the only relief other than the pain meds. I’ll keep everyone here posted as it might help someone else dealing with this complication. ❤️

 

[Amy13may]

It's been a bit since I've posted my progress so wanted to give an update in case this might help anyone else or if someone has had a similar experience.

With my seroma finding in the MRI done in May they went ahead and did 2 aspirations (one from the joint and other from the trocanter) and sent for testing for 2 weeks of growth and thankfully it came back negative for infection.

I'm still unable to do a straight leg lift or touch my feet together, never mind cross my legs. I'm now 5 months post op. My leg is very hard and sore to touch on the outside area and I also have terrible groin pain.

I've seen 3 orthopedic surgeons to date and the last once sent me for an iliopsoas injection last week and a lumbar MRI next week (I did have an SI joint fusion 2 years ago on the same side).

I had no improvement in pain after the injection nor since BUT a very interesting thing did happen! About 2 hours after the injection (lidocaine working) I was able to preform the motion of lifting and crossing with my leg. After 6 hours it had worn off and my leg just would not longer move no matter how hard I pushed it. (Pain does not stop me from moving - it literally just does not move).

So I'm waiting to get the MRi of my lumbar next week and then go back to talk with the orthopedic surgeon who ordered the injection and MRI to see what he thinks.

Meanwhile, I have been accepted into the "painful joint" program at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and after being on a special wait list have my appointment scheduled for September 20th.

I just want to say my hip has NEVER felt right. I have been in agony since day one and through all the physical therapy to then complete rest, to meds to ice and elevation this surgery has robbed me of my mobility for the last 5 months. I wish I had considered this was even a possibility. All the surgeons assured me this replacement was so common and that in 4-6 weeks I'd be active and playing tennis LOL

I waited 2 years to finally go ahead with the replacement and I'm really sorry I did. The amount of pain meds I have to be on now just to breathe and stay afloat is about 5x's what I took before my surgery. I guess I just want to say things don't always go smoothly. Also, seems once they don't go well all those super confident surgeons start dismissing you and brushing you off.

Well my rant is over! I'm staying positive and looking forward to finding a solution. I'm not giving up!!!

 

[myglasshalffull]

Amy,
So sorry you are going through all of this.
But you are advocating on your behalf and if you have to kick and scream then do it cause you are 100% right, if the surgery they've done 1,000 times before you goes wrong with you they don't want to hear it.
I changed doctors this past May because I felt "not heard."
And happy I did because I now have answers.

 

[Layla]

I waited 2 years to finally go ahead with the replacement and I'm really sorry I did. The amount of pain meds I have to be on now just to breathe and stay afloat is about 5x's what I took before my surgery. I guess I just want to say things don't always go smoothly.

I am so sorry. This is heartbreaking to read. I am glad to read you're determined and not giving up. I pray the Mayo Clinic is able to discover the issue, resolve it and bring comfort back into your life.
Please keep us posted. We do care.

 

[Lupyhippie]

Wow this is awful!! Please keep us updated as to what Mayo Clinic suggests. You are so young that “starting over “ fr scratch might indeed be the best thing. It really is GREAT news that there’s no infection bc they may be able to go in and just quickly replace it and get all the fluid out vs having to first do antibiotic spacers that can take so long. If they do a complete “do-over” and it’s just a “normal” recovery, you really will be up and about within weeks especially given your pain issues now. Good luck and continue to update bc it really helps us all to learn especially when it’s these out-of the-norm situations !!
Oh and just be glad we are in the as our friends in and have to wait sooooo long for their medical care!!
Best wishes on speedy solution!!