THR Implant Too Big

2hips99

new member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
5
Age
61
Country
United States United States
Gender
Female
Hi,

I have bilateral hip prothesthes. I had the right hip done in 2014, which has been great. O had the left hip replaced this past April. My back is killing me. The implant is a lot larger and has pushed my pelvic bone up about a half inch. My leg is also a quarter inch longer than my right leg. My back is killing me and I feel lopsided and am in a lot of pain. I am seeing a revision surgeon on 9/12 to get an opinion. I'm afraid that if I do need a revision, it wont be possible to get a smaller cup, since they probably had to remove bone to make this cup fit. Looking for opinions on this large implant and suggestions.
Screenshot_20190825-230553_Gallery.jpg
 
Oh wow...this is an interesting question. I will be very interested to know what your revision surgeon says. I'm tagging @Jamie one of our forum admins, to comment on this. I can imagine your frustration.
 
Thank you Sharon. My current surgeon keeps telling me that my new hip is perfect, but my pelvis feels really off. Everyone notices that my left hip looks higher. Indo have some back issues, but I never had symptoms until after my recent surgery.
 
Please try not to worry about this if you need a revision. Of course, it's up to the surgeon how he will choose to approach your specific problem, but if needed it is possible to do bone grafts as part of a hip surgical procedure. Please let us know how your appointment goes.

I'm sorry to hear you are having all this discomfort following your recent THR. I'm glad to hear you'll be seeing a revision specialist. You may need to talk with more than one to find the person you are most comfortable with. Be sure to take some written questions so you don't forget any of your concerns.
 
Hello @2hips99 - and :welome:

I'm sorry you have this problem.

Please will you tell us the full dates of your hip replacement and which hip was done when, so we can make a signature for you? Having your surgery dates in your signature will make it easier to provide appropriate advice, because we will be able to see how recently (or not) your surgeries were done.
Thank you.:flwrysmile:
 
@2hips99 I have lower back issues and they were really aggravated post LTHR. I worked with a physio whose specialty was spine and with an osteopath. I too felt things were out of alignment. You might want to explore this route if your revision surgeon does not want to proceed.

Do let us know how your appointment goes.
 
@Celle,

RTHR Stryker 3/2014
LTHR Corin 4/2019
 
Thank you for your surgery dates, @2hips99 . I've made a signature for you. Can you remember what date in March 2019 you had your left hip replaced? I'll add that too, if you can.
 
Hi Celle,

Thank you for creating a signature for me. I would like to keep the dates vague for anonymity. At least for now. Hope this is okay.
 
I notice Celle isn't currently on the forum. And she may not see your response without a tag so I will assure you your request will be honored.

Sorry for your struggles and the unfortunate situation you're in. Best of luck with the revision surgeon on the 12th. You'll have to let us know how it goes. Wishing you comfort in the interim.
@2hips99
 
Hi,

I have bilateral hip prothesthes. I had the right hip done in 2014, which has been great. O had the left hip replaced this past April. My back is killing me. The implant is a lot larger and has pushed my pelvic bone up about a half inch. My leg is also a quarter inch longer than my right leg. My back is killing me and I feel lopsided and am in a lot of pain. I am seeing a revision surgeon on 9/12 to get an opinion. I'm afraid that if I do need a revision, it wont be possible to get a smaller cup, since they probably had to remove bone to make this cup fit. Looking for opinions on this large implant and suggestions.
Screenshot_20190825-230553_Gallery.jpg
Hi,
I know it has been a while since I last posted this, but wanted to update on my visit with a revision specialist. I was told by the revision surgeon that my new hip (the larger one in the exray) is perfect. I asked him about the fact that my pelvis is pushed up by a half inch. He said that didnt matter. Well, I do not believe him, because I have terrible low back pain since this surgery still, especially on that left side right in the area of that raised pelvis bone. The doctor is not with the same group as the surgeon who did my surgery, but is located in the same part of the state. I am curious if anyone on this forum can see a problem with my new implant and can say if they think the height difference in my pelvis could be the cause of my low back problems. I know I've seen people chime in on other posts that had problematic exrays included.

I would like to know what others think about my photo, because so far the doctors say things look perfect, but I am in so much pain.
 
Sorry to here of your troubles. I had my right hip replaced on Sept. 09 and had a hard time mentally with going thru with it or not. As to your current problem that is affecting your back, maybe as a temporary solution you might consider a lift in the opposite shoe. Something that would level your hips temporarily until a more positive solution is found. At best this may eleviate the back pain that you have.
 
@2hips99 ,
Was the x ray taken in a standing position? If so, then I suggest you see a PT, Chiropractic or a Podiatrist to take a look at your leg length. I can see how your pelvis may be elevated.

It is common after THR for members feel the operated leg is longer, working itself out in a few months. I imagine this is what the surgeons are anticipating will happen with your new hip.
Leg length differential - LLD

There are two types of LLD -
Functional - Your bones are the same length, but somehow your pelvis/back has shifted giving you an apparent LLD. PT, Chiropractic, Podatrist, may be able to help with a functional LLD.
Structural - Your bony structure, including the prosthesis, is two different lengths. You may benefit a lift and/or gait training to see what will work for you.
 
Last edited:
My right and left devices are different manufacturers, are somewhat different in size and shape, are mounted at slightly different lateral locations/acetabular cups.

I initially felt like it was an issue, but after working on my gait, at about two months thrre was no difference. No limp after that.
 
When I asked my OS how do you tell if one leg is shorter than the other he said using the X-ray they draw a line across at the bottom of the pelvis and use that to judge. Then if that line is tilted there is a difference. Using the angle of that line (if any) they can tell by how much it’s off. He said they don’t look at the top of the pelvis for this determination.
 
This is mine. I have almost no LLD but my hips aren’t quite perfectly level.
 

Attachments

  • D201BFC9-F1CC-46EA-92D7-89C31745DE0E.jpeg
    D201BFC9-F1CC-46EA-92D7-89C31745DE0E.jpeg
    156.2 KB · Views: 136
Sorry to hear of your troubles. First thing that comes to mind, is that if you have 'pain' there must be a reason for it and I would continue to find answers to the issues you have. Did you have any kind of pain after you first hip replacement? (aside from when you were recovering).

What was the date of you 2nd hip replacement? And, how long have you been experiencing pain. I ask because..I am 6 months post-op and have been very concerned about my back getting very stiff (not pain) when walking any more than 15 minutes. While it is not painful, it is exhausting and I so want to just walk to get back into shape.

I have had 2 appointments this last week..one with a physical therapist - and a week later, my surgeon advised me to see a Dr. in the Physical Medicine Department to try and figure out what was happening. The P/T appointment really helped me because my gait had obviously changed and I was very cautious while walking because of a pulling of a muscle or tendon in the groin area. In order to avoid that discomfort, I walked cautiously. Sometimes, the simplest advise can help - I was told that the discomfort in my groin area was just a weakening of the muscles in that area, and to just relax more while walking. I left with a few exercises as well. When I ignored the feeling in my groin and relaxed more, my back no longer stiffened as it did before. By the time I went to the Physical Medicine Department, I no longer was having this problem.

Yesterday, for the first time, I was able to walk a mile or so w/o feeling stiff - tired, yes...but I am hoping that if I stick with exercises, etc. and I just relax while walking - that it will lessen with time. I am not saying that your issues are the same as mine - but if I were you - I would try and get some answers as to why you are still in pain.
 
Hello, I have just read this thread. I had one leg longer than the other, post surgery, so I wear a heel lift in the opposite shoe. I'm not sure whether this would help you or not, but it might? I was also told to let everything settle after the surgery before using the heel lift, so had a few weeks of greater discomfort.
Claire
 

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • EalingGran
    Staff member since January 23, 2024
  • Jaycey
    ADMINISTRATOR Staff member since February 2011

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
65,181
Messages
1,597,066
BoneSmarties
39,365
Latest member
Dave4562
Recent bookmarks
0

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom