THR Pain 7 years after THR

[jasper01]

Hi Josephine,
I am walking more and busier since it is summer and we have company. That is where I get the thigh pain in the other leg. I still have plenty of rest time and am glad that 90% of any hip pain is gone. I will give it time. Thanks

 

[jasper01]

I had my left hip replaced in late May of 2016. I had my right one done several years prior. I am a 68 year old active female. I recovered slowly but surely to a normal life going back to the gym and the activities I enjoy. When I saw the surgeon for a 6 month check the x-rays were fine. I told him I planned to go on a 10 day kayak trip this past July. He said "Go for it!" I did and I worked very hard to be fit and able to do it.
The trip went well but I continue to have a few concerns.

1. Despite doing many leg strengthening exercises I do not have the strength in my upper hip/buttocks and thigh area like I did a couple of years ago. I notice this especially when climbing stairs or getting up off a low seat (like a low toilet) nor do I have my full range of movement back.

2. If I bend forward at the hips fully sometimes I get a pain (level 1 or 2) like a pulling pain. For example if I want to cut my toenails, or gardening. It seems to be at the rear outer side of the hip near the buttocks area where the joint is. If I sit down on a hard seat sometimes I feel a slight pain right where I sit at the back of the thigh where I bend. I do not know if it is the bone or muscles. It almost feels like sitting on a slight bruise. Could this still be the muscles healing or scar tissue? This same slight pain also occurs when I change positions in bed, and am lifting my leg. I don't have any noticeable pain in the actual artificial hip.

3. If I stand for a while or am busy walking around and doing normal stuff sometimes I feel a tiredness in the side of my left hip over the long scar area. Not so much a pain as just a sensation of weakness or tiredness. If I put my hand over my hip when I walk sometimes I notice what I can only describe as a slight crackling sensation, but I cannot tell where it is actually coming from. There is no pain associated with this or if I prod the scar area.

I do not remember any of this when I had my first hip replaced.

I am able to function fairly normally except for the things I described.

 

[jasper01]

Three years ago I had a left THR. A few days after that I had what my Dr said was a "surgical haematoma" which showed as a huge bruise that covered all the back of my thigh and a strip loin steak sized lump over the scar. After 8 weeks or so that went away.

However for the 3 years I have had several types of discomfort ranging from groin pain, thigh pain and feeling that my hip was locking up when standing. With some physio therapy these went away. But I still have a feeling of aching weakness in the scar area when I walk or stand for any period of time, a pulling stretching discomfort in the outer upper thigh when I move in certain ways and a painless crackling crunching sensation (like some one is chewing celery) when I walk and lay a hand on my hip over the scar.

A physiotherapist said this was due to excess scar tissue probably caused by the haematoma. My Dr had me get an xray a few weeks ago and there was nothing wrong with the hip joint. Is the diagnosis of excess scar tissue the likely culprit and what can I do about it?

 

[jasper01]

Bare with me on this as I try to explain and hopefully someone has some ideas. I had a THR of my left hip 7 years ago. A few days later I had a big hematoma. It was all inside and with the bandage I did not realise it except the entire back of my thigh was a bruise. Eventually it went away after 2 months, but since then I have had the following symptoms. Less mobility in the hip, stiffness, a feeling of weakness when standing. For a few years I got by OK but in the last year it has gotten worse. When I climb a step I have considerable pain in the area at the side and back of hip area. I have to climb stairs one step at a time leading with my right leg.
If I stretch the leg it hurts. I think it might be piriformis syndrome as I also have some aching down my left thigh. Lately it hurts all the time when I walk. I had an x-ray done a few weeks ago and the hip replacement is OK. I have an appointment in a month at a physiotherapy clinic. I could write more but this is getting long. Thanks for reading it and if anyone has any ideas or questions I am all ears.

 

[Layla]

Hello jasper,
I am sorry that you are still struggling. You have a long history with this hip giving you issues. Wondering if you ever sought a second opinion with a revision specialist unassociated with your current surgeon or his practice?
If not, it may be beneficial to have a fresh set of eyes review your history in an effort to find the origin of your pain and hopefully a way to resolve it. I wish you comfort and hope you'll consider this as an option.
@jasper01

 

[Debru4]

If I were in your situation I would do what Layla suggests and get a 2nd opinion from another surgeon or orthopedist if possible, rather than just a physical therapist. The fact that you haven't ever been pain free since having your hip replaced 7 years ago really must be worrisome to you on a daily basis. Chronic pain is so fatiguing, both mentally and physically. Hopefully there is something that has been missed that can be addressed so that you can get some relief. I applaud your positive attitude and wish you the best.