Hi
@ebair23,
My history of how I got to a THR is similar to yours... though my scope doc was only willing to go in once. When I started experiencing pain again several years out, he basically said going in a second time would do more damage, and really, a THR is what I needed.
Anyway, I am only three weeks out from surgery (one day shy actually), and I have no idea how my recovery will progress... but in saying that, I wanted to see if I could suggest some things for you. First, please note that I am not a doctor or expert in anyway, so take what I write with a grain of salt.
Okay, so the way I see it, there are two distinct possibilities regarding your pain. First, is tendinitis of the hip flexor muscles (iliopsoas). This is very common after a scope due to the traction they put you in. Interestingly, of the folks I know who have had the scope (hockey buddies), none (including myself) have ever fully healed from the traction. Aways some lingering tightness. aAnd in truth, many of us had tightness and pain in the hip flexor before the scope... so perhaps is was an underlying symptom of the FAI. I think it is possible that THR aggravated this for you, or made it worse. Also, if the cup of your THR is sticking out ever so slightly, this can actually cause tendinitis. Josephine has some wonderful articles in the library on this and other forms of tendinitis that can result from a hip replacement. While rest is needed, you may benefit from a steroid injection. Have a read of the articles and perhaps discuss with your OS.
The second possibility that I think you should consider is that the pain you are feeling is not actually coming from your hip, but rather is being referred from your back. In my research leading up to my THR, I learned a great deal about the hip/back relationship... though it helped that for 15 years leading up to my scope, many docs (including multiple OSs) thought my pain was coming from my back. Anyway, nerve disc compression, sacrum lumberaization, and lower back muscle imbalance are apparently all quite common in hip OA patients. I think it is possible that the pain you are getting may actually be referred pain. It may be worth having your OS take an X-ray of your back to see if anything is going on there.
Okay, last suggestion for you. Since you had a scope previously, I assume your OS prescribed a chryotherapy unit. Mine did. I used it all the time after activity (for the 7 years between the scope and the THR). No matter what I did, there was always pain and swelling after heavy activity like hockey or each volleyball. A couple of hours icing with the chryotherapy unit took this pain away. In fact, I finally sprung for another one for my THR (just got it yesterday) because my previous one sprung a leak. Huge difference so fro in terms of the effectiveness of the icing sessions. And the one thing ice is great at is reducing inflammation.... which will take pressure off the nerves if you issues is indeed some form of tendinitis. If you have one, use it daily. If you don't, get one... they are not cheap (about $250 USD, $350 CAD), but they are totally worth it. The one I have is the ColdRush by Ossur, but htere are other brands that are just as effective.
Last thing I will say.... Like you, I am quite young for a THR (also 42). What I have found interesting is that apparently younger muscular males are the most challenging patients for surgeons. Large bones, lots of muscle to be retracted during surgery, lots's of force needed to dislocate the hip, and lot's of pre-existing pains from the weekend warrior mentality. As such, surprisingly, recovery for younger males seems to take longer than for older patients. My OS told me as much during my first visit with him. I was telling him that I expected to recover much faster than my day (THR at 65+) because I was young. He told me to not get my hopes up. That full recovery would likely be at least a year... and possibly up to two. So hang in there my friend. It may take some time, but you will get there eventually.
Cheers
United States
for no infection and I hope the CT scan clarifies what the problem is...I can imagine that this is one of those"I hope they find out something but hope they don't find anything" moments.
