THR One perplexing short, sharp pain after two years

[Beacat]

Also, I should clarify that it only hurts when I move out of the position of standing and bending over, NOT while I am doing that activity.

 

[Jaycey]

He said that if I was not satisfied with the results, that a new implant can be used, that is more aggressive. He explained "aggressive" to mean different materials (still not totally clear, I think the thought is that the bone would grow into a different implant better?).

You posted this in April 2021. In your most recent followup appointment did the x-ray show enough bone growth into the implant? A loose implant can cause this type of pain.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Seeing someone who is not in any way connected to your surgeon might shed some light on this problem.

 

[Beacat]

Thanks, Yes, he said the x-ray showed sufficient growth. This was confirmed last August as well. And yes, the X-rays were also seen a year ago by an unrelated doctor who also confirmed no loosening.

The back connection is starting to seem possible to me, as the doctor's PA has also thought it could be related to the back. I didn't believe it could be, when she said that, but she has been excellent. She went right to a sore area when she examined me one time without my saying anything, and explained it was a tendon issue.

She advised more stretching for the tendons (and I do know that I have been tight for for decades), but didn't say anything more about the back.

But I must repeat, it is very short lived, and I am still just trying to understand it. I could have written about it all year, it stays about the same. I am grateful that it is so minor in relation to many of the stories I have read here.

 

[Layla]

it stays about the same. I am grateful that it is so minor in relation to many of the stories I have read here.

This is sad to read and we often do realize things could be worse when we’re dealing with adversity, however it doesn’t make your physical pain any less. I wish you comfort and hope you find answers soon.

 

[Beacat]

Thank you. I am often left feeling I am not conveying the whole picture. I must add that my recovery still goes in the direction of improving, not worsening.

 

[subie2021]

Good morning, Beacat...
I had sort of a burning pain in the front of my thighs. The trigger was almost always standing for more than a few minutes and it was relieved immediately by sitting, walking it off, or resting a foot on a step or stool. It was odd to me, and I had no idea about what was going on. It was one of those things where ya think, "Well this is odd!" and just go on with life.

I mentioned it at a physical one day and my PCP sent me for imaging. My spine is a hot mess but I don't, and haven't, had back pain. I thought what the heck, it's my legs that hurt, not my back! But my doctor educated me on radicular pain/radiculopathy and and it finally made sense. He sent me to pt for back and core work. It was 6 or 8 sessions. He prescribed Lyrica for nerve pain because I was going out of the country for some volunteer work and I was unsure about how I would be able to cope in a third world country.

The pains resolved without any invasive procedures. Once in a while now I have a little issue with my left leg, but not the right. It's annoying but not enough to complain about or to seek treatment.

At my first consultation with the OS for my hip, he spent some time telling me how back problems can present as hip or leg pain, and how hip problems can feel like back pain, and that it can be difficult to sort out.

Maybe you can do a google search for radicular pain or radiculopathy and find a model of nerve roots and the areas affected, to help you figure it out. Visuals make things clearer for me.

I hope this helps. Best to you!

 

[Jaycey]

At my first consultation with the OS for my hip, he spent some time telling me how back problems can present as hip or leg pain, and how hip problems can feel like back pain, and that it can be difficult to sort out.

This is so true! My first hip was diagnosed as spinal issues for years. If you look at the images in this article you see how very close the sciatic nerve runs near the hip joint. Sciatic nerve pain

 

[Beacat]

Thanks so much Subie, this is very amazing to read. I did google when you wrote your first reply, and it started to seem possible that this is describing my situation. A couple more questions, you called your pain “burning” and I called mine “sharp”. Probably neither of us knows if we are describing the same kind of pain, because descriptions are very subjective. Any thoughts on the difference?

So, since yours came with standing for more than a few minutes, did it always happen? Just standing doesn’t do it for me, I have to also be leaning over a little, otherwise the pain doesn’t come. And I am intrigued to hear the different ways you worked it out, sitting, or standing on a step; I have only used the “walking it off method”. Sounds like it was manageable for you, as you said:

”It was odd to me, and I had no idea about what was going on. It was one of those things where ya think, "Well this is odd!" and just go on with life.”

Mine does not happen every day, and I have been waiting for the next time it happens, to answer Mojo’s questions about whether it is when I straighten both legs at the Same time. I think so, but haven’t paid close enough attention, and have not deliberately created the situation to bring on the pain and observe it. It will happen soon enough!

Yes, I have just been going on, but will certainly explore this direction further, thank you again so much.

 

[subie2021]

It started as occasional, then sporadic, then regularly enough that I could count on it. Sometimes I could stand quite a while without a problem, and other times my leg bothered me after standing for a few minutes. I remember my doc asking about that, because he was cautious about prescribing Lyrica for just occasional pain.
I've had another experience with back issues causing leg pain. This was about a year before the replacement. My hip was bothering me after a fall, so I was sent for xrays. The tech took pictures from several different views which meant me having to reposition myself several times. All was good until I got home and the most horrible pain grabbed both legs. It was excruciating and deep and ran from below my butt to my feet, and made me wish I could get to the chainsaw. Whew!
I saw the doc know about it soon after; was told that probably flipping around on the xray table caused a disc to move and hit a lower lumbar nerve. It hasn't occurred again and I really hope it stays away.

 

[Beacat]

Thanks so much, I think I am finally out of questions!

 

[JohnWilky]

Thank G for that!! There’s always someone moaning on here about this and that!
If you read my story, you will understand that once we get a new for old it’s never gunna be the same ever again, just get on with it and stop sitting around all day.

Of course it’s so very annoying after all the good work you’ve put in, if the pain goes away ASAP, I wouldn’t be taking any meds, I’m wishing you all the very best best from a sweltering UK, hoping that it improves, stretching gradually is cool.

Have a great day B and continue taking the brilliant advice from the super duper team at Bonesmart.

Also I think you need to articulate a bit better like what I do. X

 

[JohnWilky]

I was jesting B, good luck.

 

[Beacat]

Thanks for your encouragement, John, and adding a bit of fun! Recovery is indeed, a slippery slope.

We're heading for some hot muggy weather here in Massachusetts this week, but luckily still won't be sweltering.