THR Juanita's Hip Recovery

[Layla]

Hi @Ryesgma
Did the surgeon give you the 50/50 odds before surgery, of after the release? One would think the odds would be different after the procedure, once he viewed and addressed what he felt was the issue. You mentioned the surgeon repaired everything he could tendon wise. Did he have any additional commentary, or give you a timeline as to when you should be up and moving with much less discomfort? Depending upon the outcome of your visit with him in 5 days, and given you admidttedly don't care for him, you may want to consider a second opinion. It wouldn't hurt to do some research now, even scheduling an appointment with another reputable surgeon who is not in the same practice as the surgeon who performed the procedure.
Wishing you comfort and relief.

 

[VSlowLife]

I hope you get your answers on Tuesday. So sorry you are still in pain. I hope some other members who have had this procedure can chime in, until then.

 

[DesertDiva]

Thanks so much for all your kind words , I'm trying to relax and get this anxiety under control as far as pain goes I'm sorry to report that it hasn't gotten any better yet but at this point in recovery I'm not going to get too discouraged. If there's anyone with any advice please please please let me know what I can do.

@Ryesgma - I'm so sorry that you've had to have an additional surgery and are having anxiety and pain. I've personally found that the "challenges" that we all have in life have a somewhat cumulative effect regarding our anxiety, mental health, etc.. Sometimes, things that seem minor "trigger" our emotions and we're surprised at our response. Be gentle with yourself - this too shall pass...

 

[Hip4life]

Remember you’re only about 10 days out from your surgery. Your thigh area has been traumatized again and it was still trying to finish healing from the THR. I totally get the doctor thing: that’s why I didn’t use the specialist in my OS clinic. We did not mesh at all. Thankfully my OS was good about getting me referred to someone outside the clinic.
I agree with the wise people here. Go and see what your OS has to say now post procedure. He is your best source for information right now. Then take it one step at a time from there once you get that information. Many times anxiety builds in the vacuum of little or no appropriate information. Juanita, you still have some options if, heaven forbid, this procedure isn’t the fix you were hoping for. Knowing that, just keep following the BoneSmart recovery rules and giving yourself the chance to heal. Don’t cross any bridge yet before you have to. My brain was always racing to the next “what if” and all it did was make everything worse and everyone miserable. Sure we’re gun shy. We want to be done with the pain and get back to real life. I discovered one truth in all of this: unless it’s a traumatic emergency, the orthopedic world can move at a maddening slow pace sometimes especially when you’re in pain. So, sincerely I say and I’ve said it to myself many times along this journey, take a deep breath. Or two. Or three. Try and step back a little and assess the situation and what you CAN control about it. Pamper yourself. Make a list of questions for your OS. Find out what options you have if you need them and go from there. I’m really praying it’s just a little more healing time that you need. We’re all different there and each procedure has its variables. We’ll still be here to support you in any case. You’re not alone. I hope that helps in some way. Pat

 

[CricketHip]

Hi Juanita I was away last week and am so sad to return to your thread and read about your pain and anxiety. Big warm hugs to you!
I agree with some of the others here and think it needs more time. Try not to give up hope just yet AND I agree with Layla and I would be getting a second, maybe even a third opinion while you are healing. I wish you the best of luck with your follow appt. next week.
Please take care and try your best to relax (and ice and elevate!)

 

[SaraK]

I agree wholeheartedly with @Hip4life . Even those of us who had a release won't have the answers. We got thru this procedure because we're built a little differently and there are different ways to do the procedure. Let's see what the surgeon has to say about the pain level. Hopefully it will ease soon!

 

[Ryesgma]

Good evening , SaraK, Hip4life, CricketHip, Layla - thank you so much for all your support . I'm staying as positive as I possibly can I do know that I still need to recover from the surgery so I'm not going to consider it a fail until such time as the surgeon says I should be healed . I'm looking forward to getting my stitches removed on Tues and getting more information about the procedure and how he feels it went i do know however that this will be my only appointment with him post op because he told me before the surgery that this is all he does and won't be able to help me with anything else , he's not a great person as far as that goes so I won't miss his crummy disposition lol . I refuse to give up yet , I have way too much support and too much fun that has yet to be had!!!!! Looking forward to a very happy 2020

 

[leejaa]

If that will be your only visit with him, start making a list of questions as they pop into your head now and keep adding to them. Put everything on the list that pops into your head no matter how small. You are the patient and keep asking questions that you have till you get some answers. I did/do this on my phone in an app that takes notes but have done in the past in a notebook. I also bring a notebook in to the appt and jot down answers the OS gives me. I find that I remember better plus if I forget something it is jotted. I found even having my husband in the room - he did not hear exactly what the doctor was saying. Sometimes with the stress of pre op or post surgery and tension it is hard to remember everything we wanted to ask.

In fact, I decided to do this for my PC appt. also as I have a routine appt scheduled for May. This makes it efficient for me and the doctor.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Sunday
Best wishes all gets better soon. Let us know what you hear on Tuesday when you meet with your surgeon to have the stitches removed. Hopefully he shows up and not the PA.
Wishing you comfort and perfect healing, Juanita.
@Ryesgma

 

[Ryesgma]

I'm all done with my post op , I had my stitches removed and they put steri strips on and said they will stay on for 10 days but the incisions are healing perfectly I did see the surgeon and he said to give it another 4 weeks and if I still have the same pain after that then I need to see a hip revision specialist , he was very nice this visit and answered all my questions and showed me the pics of the procedure and explained everything he did , it was a good visit. I don't have any restrictions at this point and don't have to attend physical therapy , I do however have a phone appointment with my original os on Thursday to go over the results of the MRI I had done on my lumbar spine , I have been told that it did show disc desiccation of l4-l5 as well as bulging disc not sure what else is wrong but has anyone else had issues with their spine and has it caused significant issues with the hip ? I'm at a loss , any advice would be appreciated.

 

[FCBayern]

Glad to see you had a good visit with the OS @Ryesgma but sorry to hear you are having back issues, they truly suck. I can't offer any experience with back problems after THR but I hope you find relief soon.

 

[Ryesgma]

Well I talked with my original os on Thursday regarding my MRI results and they aren't good but they're not that horrible either , he is suggesting I go see the anesthesiologist and get a facet joint injection I guess I'm not real sure about doing this as I have very bad reactions to cortisone. He did however say that he doesn't believe that another 4 weeks is going to make a huge difference in my pain level from my psoas release surgery , but also doesn't want me to have to go through the process of having a hip revision , I don't know what to do or think at this point so any advice or suggestions would be sooooooooo appreciated I have since emailed him and said that I would like to meet with him or another surgeon because I need an end to this horrible hip pain .

 

[Jaycey]

I have been told that it did show disc desiccation of l4-l5 as well as bulging disc not sure what else is wrong but has anyone else had issues with their spine and has it caused significant issues with the hip ?

Yes, I have a long history of lumbar spine issues. And the pain radiates everywhere. In fact my bad left hip was diagnosed as more spinal issues for years.

My suggestion is that you see a spinal surgeon. A hip specialist can't address any spinal issues. And these days there are many treatments for disc problems. My first caudal epidural injection worked great. Unfortunately there is no way to predict how you will react. But given your MRI results sounds like you need a spinal specialist on your side.

 

[Ryesgma]

Ok now I'm in extreme pain!!! Not sure why it's ramped up to where it was before the psoas release??? It starts in the groin and goes down my entire thigh area (outside and top) I'm still waiting for my original os to email me back with a response on what to do next I'm not sitting around doing nothing in the meantime because mentally it was not good for me , I'm currently working on getting my real estate agent license back so I can go back to work ( haven't worked since 2011) I would just really love to do it pain free!!!! Sorry if I keep sounding like I'm whining but I just need to vent . My poor husband has had to see me upset nearly everyday and not be able to fix it , it's very frustrating for him . He's been an amazing caretaker through all this , but we are both ready for it to be over

 

[VSlowLife]

Oh no!

Ok now I'm in extreme pain!!!

So sorry! It’s a holiday for some folks and a three day weekend. I hope you hear back soon.

 

[Hip4life]

I’m so sorry you’re still having so much pain. My xrays showed issues with my spine (which a chiropractor had also hinted at) but the hip was bone on bone and the back is still tolerable at this point. Did the one OS lengthen the IP tendon by partially cutting it up by the acetabular cup? Again, my arthroscopy OS completely released (cut) the tendon from its insertion on the lesser trochanter explaining that was his preference with THR patients with IP impingement on the acetabular cup so that there wasn’t any possibility for re-impingement. Hip revision was my other option (another arthroscopic OS did not think I was a candidate for a partial release.) I have been very pleased with the results a little over 2 months out and happy that I didn’t need to have the revision. I don’t know if the complete release is something you would consider at this point if it was an option but my relief was pretty immediate. It was fairly straightforward and “easy” especially compared to hip revision. Maybe a little more time with your recovery will bring more relief. I know I was told the partial release would have been a longer recovery if I had had it while the tendon healed. I was also told with mine that I should expect up to 3 months for complete healing. I also noticed that the low back tightness and pain I had on the right side (my THR side) improved post release. My hip and groin stopped feeling like it was in a vice after walking, exercising, etc. post release as well. I know this is from my unique experience but I hope it can help with a little perspective from someone who has had some of the same issues. I wish you continued healing and prayers for less pain. Pat

 

[CricketHip]

There are several members on the forum, including myself that had trouble getting our hips diagnosed because we had back issues first.
Please don't despair about your spine and the issues, there are so many options to help you with this and ease the referred pain.
Have you considered seeing a physiatrist and getting a full assessment of both your spine and your hips?

I'm sorry you are having such pain tonight.

 

[Ryesgma]

@Hip4life my os told me it was just a partial release at the acetabular and that I shouldn't have any pain at this point , and he went on to say how easy the procedure was (45 minutes) and the recovery was easy too , total weight bearing after with no restrictions . I'm starting to think at this point that maybe that wasn't my issue?????? Like I said I'm at a loss and don't know what will help but I'm hoping that maybe seeing a different os would be the answer since my original os wants me to go to an anesthesiologist to get spinal injections?!?!!?

 

[Mojo333]

Like I said I'm at a loss and don't know what will help but I'm hoping that maybe seeing a different os would be the answer since my original os wants me to go to an anesthesiologist

I'm sorry you are still hurting but I agree it cant hurt to find some distraction.
I know you are probably frustrated with different doctors and different opinions, but I'd the OS wants you to get spinal injections...would you consider Jaycey's suggestion to see a spinal specialist?
He could rule in or out if he thinks your symptoms are due to this issue.
I hope you catch a break from that pain.

 

[Rdwolfe94]

@Ryesgma I have complete empathy for you. We went through a lot of the same stuff. My PCP referred me to a Physiatrist. My OS was a complete jerk when I saw him at 12 weeks. I see him again next Tuesday. This time around will be a different as I am not going to let him take me off guard. Anyway, the Physiatrist did everything to rule out the pain was coming from the hip. He did a full CT scan and ultrasound, etc. I think you already had that. He determined my back was fine also. He diagnosed me with nerve pain from a hernia surgery that I should have never had. He worked me up to 60 mg of Cymbalta and I am back in the gym (weights and stationary bike) 5 days a week. I liked the Physiatrist because he looked at the whole body i.e. muscle-skeletal not just hip or back specifically. I won't lie, I have some pain the days I work out and the next day but have had 80% improvement seeing the Physiatrist the same day I saw my OS at 3 months.

My significant other was awesome through 3 surgeries (hernia, hip scope, hip replacement). She was like your husband in that respect. It is great to have that support. I first though it was my iliopsoas at first but the Physiatrist told me that it is hard to know and like your OS told you it was a 50/50 shot at success. I am hoping that with time you heal and your pain gets less but I totally understand. No one understands unless they go through it themselves. I had pain for a year and half and am not just feeling better. I wish you the best. Hang in there.