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THR Continuing thigh pain, loose stem?

@Fit4Family thanks for your reply. I have been watching your thread actually and you have kind of inspired me to look seriously at whether I do have a loose stem, and also helped me to face up to a revision, if it comes to that, that, and think, yes, I could do it if I have to. It helps me to know that.

I don't have some of your symptoms. Stairs and getting in and out of cars don't seem to be the big problem. I get the pain if I try to walk without a cane, and sometimes even with the cane. Also, that "funny bone" sensation I can kind of relate to. Sometimes the act of slowly stepping onto, or off of, the leg (like for one of my PT exercises) -- my leg kind of goes "boing!" like maybe you are describing. Also, funny thing is that biking doesn't hurt me. So, who knows? Quite different from what you describe, but it is persistent. And at 8 months after my surgery, not sure why this persistent pain. It just doesn't act like any kind of sore tissues I've ever had before.

I'm sending you digital healing vibes in hopes that your recovery goes well!
 
@Calgal: thanks for your message. Yes, the 12-month mark is important. I'm hoping to have a clearer idea of what's going on over the next several months. I just caught up on your thread and see that you've used Pilates to regain a lot of strength. Sounds like you're doing really well. I think I have a good physical therapist and I've made some progress, but it just doesn't seem to translate to getting rid of the stubborn thigh pain that kind of hobbles me. Eight months and still using a cane seems a long time. But your "can do" approach to regaining strength is a good lesson for us all to emulate! Forward ever!
 
Well, the “car sign“ as OS called it, is fairly common for a loose stem. Good you don’t have that. Erratic is exactly how I would describe my pain for months. I kept trying to pin it on something, new exercise, different chair, new trainers. Now that the pain is gone, the best description I can give you is like bone pain that radiates. Like it’s been knocked. Funny bone, which isn’t at all funny.

It sounds like you have progressed much farther than I ever did, I never walked without cane or did stairs every other foot. I believe mine was loose at 12 weeks for sure and just got looser. I worry that my thread has scared many here. I feel bad if it has added to your worries.

Do keep trying to find an answer. At eight months, gentle stretching, isometric exercise and deep tissue massage all seem like good starting points. If it’s muscles those will help. Sending digital ❤️ your way too. Hoping this all sorts its self out soon. Sarah
 
@Fit4Family - No! Your thread wasn't what worried me. What has been worrying me for months is thigh pain as I was well-aware that this is a very common symptom of loose stem. Hearing from a person going through the experience of loose stem and a revision is quite helpful. At this point I don't know if my pain is from a loose stem or not. If I can later report that there can be some OTHER explanation for this much thigh pain this late in the game, I will be happy to. We'll see.
 
My thigh pain has only gotten worse. I went back to the surgeon yesterday who said we had to do more tests. When I reported to him that one of my symptoms is that the pain I get when walking is mainly when I step OFF the leg (not onto it), he did say that could be a sign of movement of the stem.

The blood test they did yesterday already came back, and if I'm reading it correctly, all my markers for inflammation are low, making an infection less likely I would think. But the surgeon is expected to call me to discuss. Then next would be some kind of scans. But my gut feeling is I'm headed for revision surgery. Actually, aside from the generally bummer-ness of facing additional surgery and recovery, what I'm really worried about is another bad outcome. But I guess on the flip side, I need to keep reminding myself that some people do go through the revision and come out of it with a working hip. That would be a wonderful gift.
 
Good Morning,
I'm sorry you continue to struggle with pain and uncertainty. Please don't get ahead of yourself, just yet. I understand your feelings and would be concerned also, but if it does come down to a revision to get it right, you will get through it. There are many stories here of successful revisions. As an example, look how great Fit4Family is doing. Please do stay in touch as we'll be here to support you through whatever next steps may be.
Wishing you comfort and resolution.
@CafeFan18
 
Oh dear, I can only imagine how worried and frustrated you must feel.
Hopefully you will get the scan's scheduled asap and get a resolution to your issue.

I agree with @Layla in that @Fit4Family is a perfect example of how things can be improved upon.

Anxious to see your continuing updates on this. I am sending you positive vibes.. :console2:
 
Thanks for your supportive comments. I've spoken to the surgeon who confirmed that my blood work is good, so not pursuing infection angle. He is setting me up for a bone scan to see if it shows signs that might confirm a loose stem. But he also said again that my x-rays look "textbook" -- i.e. fine -- so he is at a loss to explain the pain.

I've now developed a new symptom, which is a throbbing (very high level) pain that comes intermittently for no apparent reason. It almost seems like a delayed reaction to moving, like rolling over in bed.

I now require a cane in the house and crutches when going to work so I can function.

I know some people get through things by trying to be super-optimistic. For me, I try to picture the "bad news" coming of a revision surgery or infection and picture how to handle that; how to move forward in light of that. There are plenty of people on this board who are inspirations from that point of view. So, I prepare mentally, and use crutches!
 
Hello @CafeFan18
We're each unique in that we all have different coping mechanisms.
In picturing the "bad news" it hopefully won't be any more dire, but you'll be pleasantly pleased that it's not worst case scenario. Prayers to that end. Stay close, we're here for you. :console2:
 
Hello @CafeFan18
I‘m wondering how you’re doing and if you’ve had the bone scan yet?
We haven't heard from you for a month. Please let us know how things are when you have time. Hope to hear from you soon.
Stay safe and well!
 
Hi @CafeFan18 I'm 2 years post RTHR and haven't been on BS for a little while. My 2 year anniversary was last week so I thought I'd pop by and see what's happening. Although I haven't read through all of your posts, it seems that you have a chronic issue with thigh pain, is that right? I'm not sure if my experience is helpful, but I was experiencing the same thing and was concerned that I might have a stem issue. This was just prior to one year post HR. My surgeon took X-rays of both hips (my pain was in both, I thought my L was going the way of my R) and determined that my HR was fine and my L hip still had plenty of miles left on it. What he did ask about was my back. I do have OA in my back and it was acting up quite a bit. He referred me to a doctor in the Spine health department that has a 'back boot camp' which is essentially an intensive 6 week PT program. That program was life changing. It got rid of the thigh pain, L hip pain and back pain (although they will return if I get lax with my home PT program, don't stretch daily or sit too long). I have been continuing with the home PT program they gave me for almost a year now and it continues to work for me. In the year since I have been able to increase my activity, I don't take any OTC for pain and I have lost 50 lbs and am now a healthy weight and as slim as I was in high school. I feel great and credit my current health with first getting the RTHR, getting my back issue addressed and losing weight, all of which allow me to stay active. The doctor who prescribed the back program is in the Boston area and I'd be happy to PM you with his contact info if you're interested. Good luck and I hope that you find your answer.
 
@AJinNH - Haven't checked in for awhile. Just now seeing your note. Definitely interested as my worst thigh pain also coincided with some back problems, which I thought was coincidental. Right now during Coronavirus work-at-home the thigh pain is down and I can walk around the house without a cane. But if I walk longer, I get thigh pain back -- seemingly the more walking, the more pain I get. I'd love to get a PM from you on this. Thanks for your thoughts. My doctor doesn't know what the problem is, but it's being set aside of course right now due to the virus crisis.
 
@Layla thanks for checking in. My bone scan results were somewhat ambiguous, as the surgeon predicted they might be. It is too close in time to the surgery so some of the activity seen in it could be the result of the surgery, or it could be the result of a loose stem. He said the scan wasn’t great, but wasn’t horrible. But he said with the current state of things with coronavirus outbreak, we would postpone discussing further anything about this.
 
I’m sorry you’re kind of hanging in limbo here. I wish you comfort as you continue healing.
Hopefully the pain eases or you can discuss further with your surgeon soon.
Hang in there and stay in touch. :console2:
@CafeFan18
 
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