THR Anterior - 3 weeks in recovery<<

[Layla]

Hi @Skydove
Stopping by to say Hi and see how you're doing. I hope your pain has eased and you're feeling better.
Leave us an update next time you're on the forum. We'd love to hear how it's going.
Wishing you only the best!

 

[Skydove]

Hi Layla
The pain is getting worse and there is now swelling laterally in my leg. Have been to see my OS who has ordered Ultrasound and Xrays which I'm having today. What a nuisance this is. I was hoping that pain would ease off by the 7th month, but hasn't at all and I still can't walk properly. My OS thinks it might be Bursitis I the muscles, whatever that is. I'm also getting to a point where I'll have to have the R Hip done soon, as I've been using my right leg to nurse my left and the R Hip was in poor shape before all this, so looks like another op coming up. Feeling quite down about all of this. I'm truly sick of operations, having had over 8 over the last 5 years and I'm due for cataract surgery in April. So I guess just feeling well and truly sick of it all. I was really hoping that this hip operation would have helped and settled down but really I'm having a lot of trouble with it. So, there you go, that's my grizzle for today. Guess I'm just feeling down.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Skydove
I'm so sorry you're in pain. I don't blame you for feeling down. I hope the x-rays and ultrasound reveal what you're dealing with. Then hopefully your OS can formulate a plan that brings healing, allowing you to move forward.

Eight surgeries over the past 5 years is a lot. You must feel as though you're always in a state of recovery.
With any luck your right hip will hold out until Lefty's problems have resolved.
Prayers and best wishes that whatever is diagnosed can be easily remedied. Please let us know what you hear. We'll be here and we care.
Wishing you lots of comfort.

 

[Skydove]

Hi Layla,

Had Ultrasound and X-rays and THR implant device looks fine, all in place.. My OS seems to think I have Bursitis in the site where implant is and said this can be. Remedied by injections, gosh, cant wait for that!! It’s a bit strange as I remember feeling this lump immediately after the operation and thought, oh the swelling will go down, but it didn’t and got bigger and bigger. I also had this feeling of fluid running under the skin in this area, but this could be my lymphodema??? Not sure, but a possibility. I did mention all of these things but OS still thinks it’sa Bursa.

You know prior to having this THR, I had my GP diagnoses it as a torn groin muscle and had to have physio for that, then when pain continued, GP sent me for ultrasound and discovered hernia and referred me to hernia specialist who was going to operate on me for that, then I decided to get 2nd and 3rd opinions and finally found out it was my hip all along. Thank god I didn’t have hernia surgery!! Anyway, I’m only saying this as it seems like you often get diagnosed and referred for the wrong thing. I am a bit worried that they will do cortisone injections only to discover later that it is something else.

You know, Layla, I was never fearful of doctors or going into hospital or anything like that before, but I have had a lot of different diagnoses for this and only my OS had the right one, so now I’m feeling nervous every time a doctor says, “Oh it’s this or it’s that”. In the past I’ve had a lot of unnecessary invasive procedures and been told it was a benign lump, etc, only to be diagnosed with cancer a couple of years later. So now I feel very nervous about medical practitioners. I never was like this and it makes me feel like I’m coming across as neurotic, but really that’s not true.

Anyway, all I know is that my left leg is getting bigger and bigger and more and more painful and I really haven’t a clue why and can only trust my OS and hope for the best, I guess. Bad luck if it turns out to be something else, and this has definitely happened to me several times before, but like I said, I guess I’ve got to trust someone and I have more faith in my OS than anyone else.

So, I thought I’d let you know the continue saga. Sorry to go on about it, I’ll try and be more positive. Thanks to all you lovely ladies that listen and read, I am truly so very very grateful as there is no one else I can talk to or let me feelings out about this, so thanks heaps....

 

[Layla]

Hi @Skydove
Please do not think you're coming across as neurotic. I certainly don't think you are. You've been through an awful lot. Unecessary invasive procedures and multiple misdiagnoses would cause one to question each new opinion.

Wondering if you should consider scheduling a visit with another OS to get confirmation of the diagnosis you received before scheduling an injection....something to consider.

You are welcome here and encouraged to come to the forum with questions, concerns or simply to vent anytime. Lights never go out. You'll always find someone here to listen, respond, offer comfort or encouragement.
You may also consider another consult with Josephine via the forum, let us know if you want her opinion.
In the meantime, wishing you comfort and peace of mind as you consider next steps.
Big hugs

 

[Skydove]

Thanks so much Layla, you guys are so wonderful, don't know what I would do without you all.

Love Pamela xx

 

[Layla]

You're welcome! We do care
@Skydove

 

[Mojo333]

I had several years of misdiagnoses before someone decided it was my hips so I truly get your propensity to scrutinize conclusions that doctors come to.
Hopefully he is correct and an injection will give you some much deserved relief!
Hugs @Skydove

 

[Mojo333]

Hope you are doing well at just over two months?
I know you had another hip replacement in que so wanted to see how things were going?

 

[Layla]

Hey @Skydove , nice to see you on the forum again but wish it wasn't because you need another surgery. Wondering if you have a date yet?
Let us know when you get it scheduled. You know we'll be here for you.
All the best until next time.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Skydove
Would love to hear from you and know how you're doing.
It's been three months since the last time you were around you had some concerns. I'm hoping all is well with you. Please know we're here if you need us.
Sending a hug

 

[Skydove]

Hi Layla,

Thanks so much for your last message. It’s been a very rocky road for me and I am still in the same boat I was in many months ago. I am 1.5 years post surgery for L AnterIor THR. Almost immediately after surgery, I developed Bursitis on the left hip and this has not stopped. I’ve subsequently developed Achilles Tendonitis on my L heel. I am not sure what caused this, it could be the surgery, my RA or it could be the lymphodema I developed due to cancer treatment. I don’t know. What I do know is that I haven’t been out of pain since the LTHR surgery and soon after having this surgery, my lymphodema in my left leg got worse.

I now desperately need a RTHR and want to have this done but am very concerned that due to the Bursitis and Achilles Tendonitis and all the pain associated with that, I will not be able to walk or do any physio after having a RTHR. At the moment I still have to use crutches to walk.

I‘ve been told by my Physio (I have exercises from my physio for Bursitis) and GP not to sleep on my L side where the Bursitis is, as this is going to complicate things with my RTHR if I go ahead.

I mentioned all this to my Orthopaedic Surgeon and he seemed to think that the Bursitis and the Achilles Tendonitis would go away of its own accord. Simillarly with my GP, when I showed her my L heel and you can clearly see a large lump, she said “oh that’s nothing, it will eventually go away”. Well it hasn’t gone away as I’ve had it now for 1.5 years.

I am quite miserable as I cannot walk without being in pain, I have to have crutches and having pain in R Hip as well as L Hip wth Bursa and L ankle with Achilles Tendonitis, not to mention pain from RA, cancer follow ups and Lymphodema.

Is it possible I will develop Bursitis in R hip and Achilles Tendonitis in R ankle, after the surgery for RTHR?

I am very worried about all this as no medical personnel seems to know about complications with THR surgery when you have high inflamation from RA and Lymphodema. I’m feeling quite alone and just don’t know what to do. I’ve been told not to worry about it, but that is very difficult when you have constant pain from it and have to take pain killers all the time. I am in constant pain every minute of the day and it is extremely difficult to sleep as the Bursa on L side hurts (not supposed to sleep on it), but when I roll onto my R side, bad hip hurts and I can’t stay on that side for very long, so sleep has become an issue now. I feel like I am a mess.

Very soon I will have to have RTHR and I am extremely worried about the outcome. I am very upset and feeling like I cannot get medical help.

Do you or any advisors have any suggestions?

Thank you. My deepest appreciation to you Layla and all the advisors at Bonesmart who have alll been marvellous to me in the past.

 

[Layla]

I'm so very sorry to read this @Skydove My heart goes out to you and you will be in my prayers. Suffering chronic pain is miserable, exhausting, depressing and frustrating. To feel trapped without hope / options only makes matters worse.

The only thing I can suggest right now is Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment through a massage therapist certified in that area. Have you tried MLD for the Lymphedema? Following is an exercise a member of Staff, CricketHip, who is certified in this area, has posted on the forum for others. You may want to try for a time to see if you notice any improvement.
This gentle, yet effective therapy will help prime your lymphatic system to move fluid and inflammation away from your leg, which in turn will help your range of motion and pain -

While laying supine, take deep breaths...deep, as in breathing in to a count of 5, 4, or 3 seconds, whatever is most comfortable for you. Hold that breath for another count of 5, 4, 3 then blow out completely, still using the count that's comfortable for you. A series of at least 6 reps may help get the excess swelling to move. To ensure you are taking proper deep breaths, place your hand on your naval and watch while taking in your breath, if doing this properly you should see your hand move up. Repeat this whenever you feel up to it during the day or night. Lying flat (supine) is best as the lymph nodes seated in your groin are less restricted, allowing for better lymph flow.

In addition, after the breathing exercise, place your hands lightly on your upper thigh, at the crease in your groin and lightly stroke upwards towards your naval. Be patient because it can take the body time to respond.

I've learned through, Jamie, in Admin that its our lymph system that rids the body of fluid (swelling) so the point is to get excess fluid to the lymph nodes in the torso area so the body can more quickly process it. The lymph system works rather slowly on its own and things move much more effectively if gravity helps in the process.

Wishing you comfort as you process your options. Hopefully others will stop by to offer support and / or advice through personal experience.
Please stay in touch, we'll be here and we care.
Big hugs to you.

 

[Elf1]

@Skydove sorry to hear you're still having pain and discomfort this far out. I can share what I've been doing for my trochanteric bursitis, don't think there's much difference in types, it's just where they're located.

You can try icing, using the old 45-60 minutes like in recovery. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. Next you can try using moist heat, I have these cloth heating pads that are filled with corn, I think the one is. Anyway, you pop them in the microwave for a few minutes and place them on the affected area. I also use nice warm, usually starts out hot, baths and it never hurts to add Epsom salts.

They say to try and rest the affected joint if possible and use assistive devices (you are with crutches) if needed. Try not to sleep in the affected side, I know the other side hurts as well but try. And, if you sleep on your side put a pillow between your knees to help take some of the pressure off.

You don't mention when your right THR will be other than soon. Depending on how far out you are and what your OSs requirements are you could possibly get a quick cortisone injection to help with the bursa inflammation. But, some surgeons require 3 months or longer between the injection and your surgery. If you can take over the counter Ibuprofen that might help as well.

Hoping something here gives you a little but of relief.

 

[CricketHip]

@Skydove Hello, and I am so sorry for what you are going through with your hips. I'm glad that Layla mentioned Lymphatic Drainage because the first question I had when reading your thread was whether you have had MLD treatments? As in complete decongestive treatments?
Hopefully you have compression garments and know the precautions that come with Lymphedema, if not maybe that is where you should possibly begin?
It would give you some positive treatment which may help stabilize things before your next THR.
Please let me know if I can be of any help.

 

[Skydove]

Hi Layla,
Thank you so much for your reply which is very in depth and helpful.

I will definitely try the deep breathing, but unfortunately I no longer have lymph nodes in my groin. There are non left in the pelvic region as the Oncology Surgeon removed them all. Not sure if this will affect the breathing exercises you suggested below for me or not.

Will definitely contact CricketHip.

Thank you so much again. Here’s hoping that something will work.

Cheers

Skydove.

 

[Skydove]

Hi Elf1

Thank you so much for your reply which I appreciate a lot.

I have been icing the Bursitis but it doesn't help. Would love to try the hot baths but I can't get in and out of a bath due to the deterioration of R hip.

I am trying to only sleep on my right side but it is very hard and I think I'm rolling over in my sleep as I always end up on the left side which is the one with the inflamed bursa. I don't understand how it can be inflamed for a year and a half.!! I have been doing the pillow thing which I think is great advice.

I've had an injection but this didn't help either. Yes you are right about OS wanting 3 months after injection before he'll do the other hip replacement. I'm due to have it operated on within the next few weeks, so another injection is out at this point.

I will continue to do everything you said, but to tell you the truth, nothing has helped so far. I'm wondering if my lymphodema and RA is interfering with the healing process? Who knows. I think the whole thing is just a guess game at this stage.

Thank you so much for replying and putting in all the good information, I'm very grateful.

Cheers
Skydove

 

[Skydove]

Hi CricketHip,

I am so grateful that you answered my thread as I am truly at my wits end and am starting to believe that I'll never be able to get any help for this.

No, I have not had any MLD. I live in the country and the closest MLD therapist is in a city hospital. This is a 3 hour drive one way, so a 6 hour trip for me. I haven't gone in to have this therapy as the trip just plain wears me out. The physio that I see at the hospital is very good and she recently got me to try some leg pumps which for the first time gave me some relief. I am going back in tomorrow as she wants me to try a different brand to see if one is better than the other then we can decide which ones I can buy.

Since Layla mentioned the MLD, I sent an email to this Physio to see whether she would do this and am waiting for a reply.

As I said before, I am extremely worried about having the RTHR as from what I have been told, this could make the lymphodema flare up even more and there's a possibility I could get Bursitis on that hip as well.

I have an appointment to see my OS on Wed 29th Jan and will talk about these things with him but I don't like my chances of getting a positive reply. He doesn't appear to think that RA, Lymphodema or Bursitis is a problem. Both him and my GP are very blase' about it all. I guess they are able to night sleep at night, but I am not and they are not in pain every minute of the day, so they can afford to be blase' about everything.

I must apologies if I sound harsh, which is not my usual state, but I feel quite alone and depressed as I don't think I can get medical help for what is happening. I am feeling very upset about all this. I know I have to have the RTHR done very quickly as the hip has degenerated significantly and I can barely put any weight on it now.

I don't know what to do except to keep on going back to my doctor and the OS. It seems like an endless circle.

SKydove

 

[FCBayern]

@Skydove make sure you write down a list of questions before seeing your OS. If he seems blase you need to be very firm in dealing with him and making him answer your questions. We tend to believe doctors know everything and not question them. But that is not always the case and you deserve real answers not platitudes.

 

[Skydove]

Hi FCBayern

Thanks for your reply. I will do that.

Many thanks.
Skydove.