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zinfandel
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Revision THR Hip and buttock pain'
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Krista
post-grad
@zinfandel, be sure that you demonstrate to your physician your inability to do single leg balance. This should help him with a diagnosis. There are several muscles, and other tissues, that are involved in holding the hip steady while weight bearing only on one leg, including the gluteus medius and minimus muscles. Tears in those two are what caused my problems. I had 15 months of being unable to do single leg stance, and it never got better. After my repair surgery, I was only allowed partial weight bearing for 6 weeks, wearing a brace and using a walker all the time, to allow the tissues time to heal. After that, I WAS able to balance alone on that leg. My leg is very strong now. I went for my two-year follow-up a month ago and tested at the strongest possible level in most of the positions.
My original surgeon could not see the significance of not being able to balance on one leg. He thought it was just weakness. He assured me that gluteus medius tendons cannot tear. I knew he was wrong. He and two radiologists saw no problem with my MRI images. I am so glad I found a surgeon who actually knew anatomy and had much more experience with soft tissue injuries, and who has pioneered gluteal tendon surgery techniques. He fixed me! May you be fortunate as well.
My original surgeon could not see the significance of not being able to balance on one leg. He thought it was just weakness. He assured me that gluteus medius tendons cannot tear. I knew he was wrong. He and two radiologists saw no problem with my MRI images. I am so glad I found a surgeon who actually knew anatomy and had much more experience with soft tissue injuries, and who has pioneered gluteal tendon surgery techniques. He fixed me! May you be fortunate as well.
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Hi @zinfandel I am so sorry to read what you are going through. I would push to get a MARS MRI done. If the insurance company refuses, you will need to at the very least get a diagnostic ultrasound done.
Even though the severity of mine is not as severe as yours or Krista's, when I try to stand on one leg, my hip automatically drops. I still have a bad Trendelenberg Gait. Even the PT said that the glute medius is not firing...
Like Krista, my original surgeon did not think I had any issues (in part because my x-ray looked good). He told me to "try harder" and "exercise more". I knew that this was not the answer. I found a "hip preservation specialist" and am having surgery on January 31st to fix the tendons.
It just boggles my mind that so many orthopedic surgeons only think about bones and x-rays and not muscles and tendons.
When I had my revision done, it was because of groin pain. It was painful to do anything - sit, walk, drive a car, etc. Again, my surgeon said nothing was wrong. But come to find out, a screw was protruding into the psoas. The radiology report totally missed that (and my surgeon never looked at the images). But it was clearly seen on a CT and MARS MRI. So the revision was to remove the screws.
I am hoping that you will be able to get some answers for what is causing your pain. Do you have another appointment scheduled with your surgeon? Keep us posted...
Even though the severity of mine is not as severe as yours or Krista's, when I try to stand on one leg, my hip automatically drops. I still have a bad Trendelenberg Gait. Even the PT said that the glute medius is not firing...
Like Krista, my original surgeon did not think I had any issues (in part because my x-ray looked good). He told me to "try harder" and "exercise more". I knew that this was not the answer. I found a "hip preservation specialist" and am having surgery on January 31st to fix the tendons.
It just boggles my mind that so many orthopedic surgeons only think about bones and x-rays and not muscles and tendons.
When I had my revision done, it was because of groin pain. It was painful to do anything - sit, walk, drive a car, etc. Again, my surgeon said nothing was wrong. But come to find out, a screw was protruding into the psoas. The radiology report totally missed that (and my surgeon never looked at the images). But it was clearly seen on a CT and MARS MRI. So the revision was to remove the screws.
I am hoping that you will be able to get some answers for what is causing your pain. Do you have another appointment scheduled with your surgeon? Keep us posted...
@zinfandel - if the surgeon doesn't acknowledge a possible soft tissue issue that needs something other than more PT, ask for a referral to (or find someone who) specializes in Sports Medicine - may be more likely to consider a diagnosis beyond looking at an xray that shows nothing about soft tissue.
I'm so sorry you have had such a time of it all.
Please do take SaraK's advice in consideration.
Love your Avatar...what peaceful looking fur babes!
Please do take SaraK's advice in consideration.
Love your Avatar...what peaceful looking fur babes!
@zinfandel - any movement towards a solution after seeing your surgeon last week? Has he at least given you a referral? We need to get you on the path to pain free living!
Hope the new year brings you hope and answers.
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zinfandel
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Happy Holidays everyone!!! He said basically it could take a long time for the muscles to come back and do the exercises at home. He said it’s my abducter muscle not working but everything mechanical is great. So unfortunately I’m stuck like this for who knows how long. I’m going for medical marijuana card this week so hope that will be approved for the pain. My back is even worse due to the way I walk I’m sure. I’m hoping for the healing of the muscles won’t take years but looking that way.thank you for asking how I’m doing and wish everybody a happy new year!!!
Krista
post-grad
@zinfandel, I wish you a Happy New Year, too, with a resolution of what ails you! So did you have any scans done, i.e., MARS MRI or diagnostic ultrasound, to determine if there is a tear, and, if so, how extensive, or to see whatever else is causing your inability to balance on that leg alone? I don't see how your doctor could know for sure without being able to really "see" what is going on. It has been so long already, and you are debilitated and in pain. Why not do the imaging? I was like you, unable to weight bear on that leg alone, and the tears were so bad that no way could they ever heal on their own. Does your doctor know just how bad things are for you?
If a doctor said there was something wrong and you needed surgery, you might decide you needed a second opinion. In this case it goes the other way. Don't rely on the doctor that doesn't necessarily deal with muscle and tendon issues (and that could be blamed depending on what's wrong). If he won't refer you, do a self referral. Please make an appointment with s sports medicine doc.
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Hi @zinfandel
Happy New Year to you.
I'm sorry you continue to struggle and suffer pain. I will add that I agree with both Krista and SaraK. I think you need to seek another opinion. Rather than just settle, without much direction, for an indefinite period of time, I'd dig deeper.
I'm certainly not trying to dissuade you from medical marijuana but rather than put a bandaid on it, I'd want to get to the origin of the pain. A year is too long...
Happy New Year to you.
I'm sorry you continue to struggle and suffer pain. I will add that I agree with both Krista and SaraK. I think you need to seek another opinion. Rather than just settle, without much direction, for an indefinite period of time, I'd dig deeper.
I'm certainly not trying to dissuade you from medical marijuana but rather than put a bandaid on it, I'd want to get to the origin of the pain. A year is too long...
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zinfandel
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@Layla with my new insurance it’s so expensive to go to specialists. But I don’t know where to go for second opinion. All this as set my depression spiraling. I should have my medical marijuana card next week so at least that’s better then oxy 4 times a day. I’m scared as my dr said just do abductor exercise and eventually it will build up. Ugh. I don’t know what to think. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you!!
@Krista and @SaraK thank you so much for your follow up and concern. Also sorry been MIA. Dealing with a lot of depression issues. The Dr just said it’s my abductor muscle. I don’t buy it. I can’t walk right and in pain 24/7. I feel like I’ll never get my life back.
@Krista and @SaraK thank you so much for your follow up and concern. Also sorry been MIA. Dealing with a lot of depression issues. The Dr just said it’s my abductor muscle. I don’t buy it. I can’t walk right and in pain 24/7. I feel like I’ll never get my life back.
Wayfarer
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Zin, I hope the medicinal pot, if nothing else, helps you get to sleep and keeps you asleep for a while. We can be at our worse when sleep deprived. Things are going okay this end, but I do take a vape draw right around bed time and it's really relaxing, and I feel at peace till the next day.
Oh I do wish you felt better
Do things feel noticeably better or worse after PT?
I guess you feel like an ice cube after a year
I guess they have ruled out bursitis or some kind of tear?
Maybe you could consider massage therapy for relief? Here's an article from our library that can explain some things to watch for
Muscle guarding
I hate that this revision hasn't brought you some relief...we are on your side!
Do things feel noticeably better or worse after PT?
I guess you feel like an ice cube after a year
I guess they have ruled out bursitis or some kind of tear?
Maybe you could consider massage therapy for relief? Here's an article from our library that can explain some things to watch for
Muscle guarding
I hate that this revision hasn't brought you some relief...we are on your side!
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zinfandel
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@Wayfarer thanks for the advice. I have my first appointment at dispensary Friday. I’m hoping this will help. It’s been a terrible year. Just hoping for best.
@Mojo333 thanks for your message. I don’t go to PT anymore. Can’t afford it. So Dr just showed me abductor exercises to do. It’s just so frustrating that a year later I still can’t walk without a cane. As for bursitis nothing has been mentioned. Maybe I should call and ask. And where I live to get into a good ortho for another opinion takes 6 months to a 1yr. The wait is crazy.
@Mojo333 thanks for your message. I don’t go to PT anymore. Can’t afford it. So Dr just showed me abductor exercises to do. It’s just so frustrating that a year later I still can’t walk without a cane. As for bursitis nothing has been mentioned. Maybe I should call and ask. And where I live to get into a good ortho for another opinion takes 6 months to a 1yr. The wait is crazy.
I'm sure after all you have been through, it takes alot to not feel discouraged.
Looking back at my recovery, I can certainly say that Well over a year...things kept improving. And certainly I didn't have a revision.
Two big surgeries on same hip within 14 months is ALOT...
Maybe you can make that appointment...if all gets better...you can cancel, right?
Please do keep the faith and know that we care and want to see you happy and healthy.
Looking back at my recovery, I can certainly say that Well over a year...things kept improving. And certainly I didn't have a revision.
Two big surgeries on same hip within 14 months is ALOT...
Maybe you can make that appointment...if all gets better...you can cancel, right?
Please do keep the faith and know that we care and want to see you happy and healthy.
