@BMsea You really are having a tough time of it, aren't you?
The dr recommends going off the OxyCodone and put me on Tramadol 50 Mg two every four hours and alternate with 800mg Motrin. I really don't see all that much relief, but it's something. Has anyone had any better painkillers or combination that might help better?
Motrin is ibuprofen, an NSAID, which is actually a very poor/mild pain killer. Plus it has some side effects. I know many doctors (UK) who won't prescribe or even recommend it these days. Read this
Medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) and NSAIDs, differences and dangers.
However, I've always found Tramadol to be a really excellent pain med and always recommend that based upon my own experiences of TKR. But I'd suggest you do three things:
1. take 100mg every 6 hours
2. take 1,000mg Tylenol with it - as per this chart
3. if one dose is scheduled during the night, make sure you take it then - set an alarm if you have to!
You may find this better, you may not but it's worth a try.
the pain got so bad I switched to crutches
I was going to suggest that from your earlier post. I hope you're finding it better.
The doctor and I talked about having to be infection free for about 2-3 months before replacing the hip.
Absolutely! And longer if possible.
my hip is making clicking noises when I walk
That will be because the bone is in direct contact instead of having the cartilage lining. IN addition to which, the bone will be rough, like a gear box. And this will be the clicking you are aware of.
He did possibly recommend a temporary hip replacement. Said once he cut off the femoral ball, if any infection was present it would be gone. He told me I could stay with the temp hip upwards of three years before getting the permanent hip installed. Has anyone heard of this?
I have. It's a very good resolution for such a situation. It's called a Girdlestone's op, that being the surgeon who first described it back in the 1900s! Before the advent of the hip replacement (in the late 1950s) it was almost the only remedy for arthritic hips. Patients generally have a very odd gait after this as that side tends to drip down as they put weight on it but the plus side is that it is totally pain free. And later, when the infection is eradicated, the THR can be done in the usual way.
This is what such a hip looks like and a normal hip to compare. I hope this helps to reassure you.
United States
