THR Juanita's Hip Recovery

[Layla]

Sorry this drags on for you and consequently your husband also.
Hopefully as you're going through the process of getting your real estate license back you find answers / plan to ease your ongoing discomfort allowing you to return to work without pain.
All the best to you. Stay in touch and let us know how things are progressing.
@Ryesgma

 

[Ryesgma]

Ok I need any advice you guys have to offer , I've been in such pain that I just can't really take it anymore . I went to urgent Care yesterday and got blood work done and it came back fine so no infection thank God but still no answers as to why this just keeps getting worse !!!! I have an appointment on Wednesday for a class for anesthesiology but not sure where it will go from there I went to see my therapist this past Wednesday and just cried my eyes out the entire session , I'm pretty much at the end of my rope . I've been using my ice machine (polar care cube) elevating and resting and I get absolutely no relief I can't sit , stand , or lay down without pain , sorry to everyone if it I sound like a broken record but I don't know what else to do

 

[VSlowLife]

I am so sorry

went to see my therapist this past Wednesday and just cried my eyes out the entire session , I'm pretty much at the end of my rope .

I hope someone with experience can offer you some advice. I hope there is a way to get your pain under control, to give you some relief, as soon as possible.

 

[Layla]

Hi Juanita,
You sound miserable and I can't imagine enduring the pain you describe for another four weeks.

my experience with this Dr has not been good at all!!! I would not have even used him but he was the only one who did this procedure so I basically felt like I had no choice ,

I'd do some research and schedule an appt with a revision specialist for another opinion.

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

An additional reason to find another surgeon to look over your history and advise.

@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?!?!!

If you're not interested in meeting with the anesthesiologist to weigh out whether a spinal injection may bring you relief, consider contacting a revision specialist.

Best of luck to you, Juanita. I hope you find answers and obtain relief soon.

 

[Hip4life]

Oh, Juanita, I feel so bad for you. I can only imagine how awful this is for you to be in such pain and having to wait for different people to try their hand at fixing the problem. I understand your frustration with the os who did the tendon release because the first os I saw was like that (arrogant and a poor communicator) and the only one in the department that did it. So my question here is and you alluded to this, did someone rule out that there was no issue with the hardware, like loosening, etc? If they have, then I’m with the above forum advisors: seems like a revisionist and/or spinal specialist are some good options for you. Outside second opinions wouldn’t be a bad idea. A few people here have had the Issues with the hardware and it wasn’t picked up on right away. I’m not trying to worry you, just making sure the bases are covered. Sometimes it’s hard to keep perspective when you’re hurting so badly. Besides icing, do you have or are you taking any medication regularly for the pain that helps? I worry that you’re not able to rest/sleep well, either. Praying for answers and direction for you. We’re here for you. Pat.

 

[Rdwolfe94]

@Ryesgma Totally understand what you are going through. Other than my fiance, no one could understand that I was still having pain i.e. co-workers, friends and family. My pain was 24/7 at 3 months. My OS told me that I focused on the pain too much and told me it was in my head. I saw my PCP, he listened and referred me to a Physiatrist (a Dr. of Physical Medicine). The Physiatrist was awesome. He told me from the first visit that he had no idea what was causing my pain but he would rule out everything he though might be causing my pain. He did every test from physical exams to imaging possible on my hip and groin. My hip was fine and still hurts a little but nowhere near where what it was at the 3 month mark. I Got significant improvement at month 5. Will be at 6 months on the 7th of next month. I am not a medical professional but my advice is that if there is a Physiatrist in your area it might be worth a shot to see him/her. However, I do not want to dwell on specific months and time frames. I hated it when people said you need more time. They were probably right but you are at 9 months if my math is correct and it is the last thing you want to here when you are in the pain you are in. However, the people on here are great, compassionate and have everyone's best interest in mine. No one should have to endure the pain you are going through. I see my OS Tuesday. Can't wait. Ready for his arrogance. Best of luck.

 

[CricketHip]

Juanita, I am so sorry that you are dealing with such pain. And the frustration that accompanies it..

Please consider the physiatrist, maybe if you google their training you will feel better about seeing one. They have extensive training, ortho and neuro and maybe he/she can get things started for you to find some relief.

Praying that you find some relief soon. ((hugs))

 

[Ryesgma]

@Hip4life ,@Layla ,@CricketHip thank you so much for all the kind words and I am going to the class on Wednesday for anesthesiology to see if it will give me some relief from this pain while I wait for a solution , I have emailed my surgeon yet again and asked for a referral to a hip revision surgeon I do believe this needs a fresh pair of eyes to look at all the info . I have also asked for the third time for all the information regarding my implant (manufacturer , type etc ) I still to this day have no idea what's in my body and can't understand why no one will tell me I'm really hoping. That this time my surgeon will get back to me and not his nurse , I'm so tired of being put off and not sure where I'll go from here if I don't hear back . As far as pain mgnmt goes I only take OTC meds as I don't want to take any of my opioid meds (I don't want to become dependant on pain medication) I have always tried to be a healthy person and being on a ton of pain medication can't be good for my organs . I'm really trying to stay positive but it's becoming increasingly harder as this just keeps dragging on with no answers but you guys are great and I know I can always come here for support and advice so thank you

 

[leejaa]

Contact the hospital medical records dept. and ask for a copy of all your medical records. In it would be the operative note from the surgeon and they have to list what prosthesis was used. By law they have to provide these for you even if there is a small charge depending on institution for the copying.

I would also talk to your PC about a referral to a revisionist specialist, he/she would probably be more useful and helpful than your OS.

 

[CricketHip]

It's a real shame when a Dr won't comply to the basics of decency. You have a right to have your surgery details and what was used.
My OS never discussed it with me beforehand but he was happy to give me my info on both hips.
I wish you the very best in your search for answers and relief.

 

[Ryesgma]

Well I did get a response from the email I sent my surgeon and once again it was responded to by a nurse who had no idea what she was talking about it was like she didn't even read my email so I called member services yet again and asked to be referred to another orthopedic surgeon in a different area , they put in the referral and said I should be getting a call to schedule an appointment , I am however going to go the anesthesia class tomorrow and see what that's all about . I'm really hoping that with a new set of eyes looking at this whole thing that I can finally get an answer and a plan to end this nightmare

 

[Mojo333]

I called member services yet again and asked to be referred to another orthopedic surgeon in a different area , they put in the referral and said I should be getting a call to schedule an appointment

I do hope they can get you an appointment soon, but wishing all the best for your appointment today with anaesthesia class in your search for some much needed relief.

 

[SaraK]

Juanita, I hope you are able to find a solution soon. I know what a horrible path this can be trying to get to the life you expected when you had the surgery. I so hoped the psoas release was going to do it for you. I know you have been so far, but please stay persistent! You have to be your own advocate to jolt people out of typical narrow view.

 

[SurreyGirl]

That sucks! I hope you will get a W solution to this soon. Is there a Patient Advocate Service you can use to speed things up?

 

[Ryesgma]

Hey all , I went to the anesthesia class and it's quite a process I have a phone appointment on 2/19 and then a face to face appointment on 2/27 then after that if they feel a procedure is necessary it can take in upwards of a month to even get in for that (what a joke!!!!) I called and left a message for my os to call me back because I had questions regarding the whole anesthesia thing and once again his nurse called me back and was very condescending and told me that it's in the other departments hands and basically they had nothing to offer me , I just can't believe that for one that the Dr doesn't even have the decency to call and at least give me all the info and second that his nurse is always so darn rude and could care less about the condition I'm in . The only thing I have to hold onto at the moment is that I have an appointment with another surgeon in a different area on Wednesday I'm really hoping that this Dr listens to me and will actually help me , and if he can't then I hope he will refer me to a revision specialist (with my ins I have to get an orthopedic surgeon referral to see a revision specialist) and of course my original os won't give me the referral. I'm not sure what else I could possibly do at this point , I have already filed numerous complaints with member services so...... If anyone has advice or suggestions of what I can do to get this whole situation fixed the right way please let me know .

 

[Ryesgma]

Good evening , well I did meet with the new surgeon last Wednesday and he said he thought my pain was from my nerves because I had two hip surgeries in a year which I thought was nonsense so I pushed him a little more and got him to order a CT scan and I had it done on Friday . I just got my results back today and it states " the inferior fixation screw protrudes approximately 7mm beyond the posterior cortex of the acetabulum , extending into the course of the right sciatic nerve and displacing it posteriorly " it also says physiologic joint effusion is demonstrated and that mild chronic osteitis pubis is visualized .
I knew there was a reason for my pain , but I'm not sure what the protruding screw in the acetabular cup is all about ???? Not sure if anyone has any info on this but from what I've researched it's not a common complication and I'm not sure how they will fix it because I can't keep living with this pain . Any additional information or advice at this point would be beyond appreciated.

 

[VSlowLife]

You sure do have a reason to complain!

Congratulations for being persistent and getting some answers.

I just got my results back today and it states " the inferior fixation screw protrudes approximately 7mm beyond the posterior cortex of the acetabulum , extending into the course of the right sciatic nerve and displacing it posteriorly " it also says physiologic joint effusion is demonstrated and that mild chronic osteitis pubis is visualized .
I knew there was a reason for my pain ,

Sounds like the new surgeon’s initial impression was wrong, unfortunately. I think I would seek out a second opinion.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Ryesgma
Your persistance has definitely paid off in so far as getting answers. And it does indeed sound painful.
I'm suppose you have a follow up to discuss these results and get this new surgeon's recommendations for a solution.
Forgive me if you have already mentioned, but this new OS is a revision specialist with no ties to the former one?
I know we have a member who had an issue with the screw, @Marvy and also had a horrible time getting a diagnosis.

it also says physiologic joint effusion is demonstrated and that mild chronic osteitis pubis is visualized

I would guess, and inquire of the new surgeon that these issues could be a result of the protruding screw and not separate issues.
I imagine that you have some semblance of relief from the validation...we know our bodies better than anyone.

I sure Hope they get a plan to resolve this sooner than later.

 

[Mojo333]

In doing some research...I came upon this report and case study that you may want to discuss with the surgeon.
Not sure it is an option...

Endoscopic resection of acetabular screw tip to decompress sciatic nerve following total hip arthroplasty

This may be a specialization that is not widely available but it does sound like this screw will need to be dealt with in order to get rid of your pain and not cause potential further damage, in my opinion.

 

[Layla]

Hello Juanita,
It looks like you finally have an answer. The conclusion of the CT scan explains the pain you've endured for so long. Because I've also lost track of how many surgeon's you've consulted with over the past several months in regard to your issues, you may want to consider an additional opinion armed with your most recent test results, then go from there. Wishing you comfort as you make decisions and move forward. Please stay in touch.
@Ryesgma