THR Psoas Tendinitis 9 months after THR

[Peaches]

Hi, @Kim22 ... checking in to say hi and ask how you are. Hang in there. Jan. 10 is almost here and you will be closer to some answers. Please let us know how you are. Thank you so much for weighing in with your experience on my thread. It was very helpful. It's so awful you and Calicat had to have those unnecessary surgeries. You have been through a lot, and I'm so sorry. Take care.

 

[Kim22]

@Peaches @calikat I had my ultrasound today and the radiologist confirmed my OS's diagnosis of Iliopsosis tendinitis. He recommended an xray guided cortisone injection which he said he would be willing to do but I have to be reviewed by my OS first. I asked him about success rates and he told me that a third of patients have a complete success with the first jab, another third need more than one and have some improvement which they can live with and the last third experience no improvement. He stressed that the experience and skill of the practitioner was the most important influence in a successful outcome. He advised me to rest as much as possible and to do stretches but not beyond the point of pain. He also mentioned that this condition is very common in the general population and not just with those with hip replacements. I have an appointment with a physio on 23rd Jan and I see the OS again on the 28th.

@Peaches I am so pleased that the pain in your other hip is less troublesome now you are walking less and just to let you know that I have experienced the same thing in that I took my last recreational walk early in the New Year and have only walked when necessary and for the shortest time possible and my left hip is not as bad now. The right front thigh is getting worse as is my ROM and I am now going upstairs toddler style once more.

@calikat How are you and what conclusions did your OS come up with when you saw him regarding the possible allergy ?

 

[Josephine]

He stressed that the experience and skill of the practitioner was the most important influence in a successful outcome.

Exactamundo!

He advised me to rest as much as possible and to do stretches but not beyond the point of pain.

hmmm .... wonder where I've heard that before?

He also mentioned that this condition is very common in the general population and not just with those with hip replacements.

Very, very true!

 

[calikat]

I am glad you have answers Kim. I have none really. My OS does not think it is my hip, but that I have developed some auto immune disorder which was exacerbated by the THR. I am not sure I agree. I have already been tested for auto immune diseases, but I am off for more testing. I probably won't be posting much so if I don't respond timely my apologies. I just feel so exhausted all the time, and I am overwhelmed. Good luck with your injections.

 

[Peaches]

Hi, again @calikat (I just posted on your thread). Please don't worry about posting in a timely fashion. Just do what is best for YOU. Rest, rest, rest. Fuel for your soul and your mind and body. If posting helps, great. If not, we all understand. We'll post to ask how you are, but no pressure for you to write back until you can. Anyone in your boat would be overwhelmed. Me, I would be spitting nails one minute, cursing like a sailor another minute. Then calming down. Rinse and repeat. I'm trying to say in my clumsy way that whatever mix of emotions and reactions are normal, so don't beat yourself up. I always think that's a really bad thing to add on to all the other issues.
I understand your skepticism about the autoimmune disorder speculation, but think you are wise to get that additional testing as it will provide more info and that will lead to getting the problem resolved. Remember your bonesmart friends are here and thinking of you and pulling for you. Please take care.

 

[Peaches]

Hi, @Kim22 ... so you are one step forward to getting some resolution, it would seem? You have been through the wringer. When you say you are going to see a physio, is it for the stretches that the radiologist referred to? Is this a different physio from the last time? I'm very glad to hear that scaling back on the extra walking you were doing has shown some relief on the one side. Having one "good" side or one side that is better is a big thing. I am very sorry about the ROM and pain in the right side; if doing the stairs toddler style helps, do that. My back PT told me to do that, too, just a couple of weeks ago when I last saw her. Like a cane, I think was her rationale--it was relieve some of the pain and pressure. Please keep us posted about your appointments and how you are doing and feeling. We care about you and are here for you.

 

[Kim22]

Hi @calikat I would like to second all that @Peaches has said above. You are bound to be overwhelmed and exhausted by your situation.I hope the test results provide some further information to help your doctors come up with some answers for you.Post only if you feel able to but we will be thinking of you and praying for a solution,

 

[Kim22]

@Peaches Thank you for your concern and good wishes.

My OS referred me for physio to help with the tendinitis. Appointments are controlled centrally and the tried to send me back to the same place but I insisted in going to the busy university hospital where my OS works. The physio is female so I know that I haven't seen her before as the other ones were male and as you recall I was not impressed. If she does not fill me with confidence it will be time to move into the private sector.

I an now resting as much as I can, doing gentle stretches for the iliopsoas and have decided to ring the nurse practitioner at my GP's surgery to request another short course of Naproxen. My last liver result was within normal limits so I feel that I can now cope with a time limited course of anti inflammatories. I must admit that my left side doesn't seem to care for me climbing stairs toddler style.

 

[Josephine]

If she does not fill me with confidence it will be time to move into the private sector.

You don't have to do that. You can ask to see the department manager and ask him/her to be assigned to another physio. That's perfectly allowable.

Also, I am concerned about your intention to ask for more NSAIDs. If you've had previous liver issues, you should stay off them forever. They are much too dangerous to mess with. What other pain meds are you taking?

 

[Kim22]

@Josephine It is my experience that physios working in the private sector allocate more time for consultations and are more willing to try hands on treatments than those employed in the NHS.

I appreciate your concerns about anti inflammatories but I finished the short course today.My last liver test was within normal limits back in November.I plan to avoid them altogether in the future but thought that a few days supply may help calm down the tendinitis.The only other medication that I take is paracetamol.

 

[Josephine]

Well, I give you that! I've also consulted various therapists privately on occasion.

 

[Vetgirl]

Hi @Kim22 I will be following your story with interest as I may have the same thing although I have a joint infection so who can say that it's not that????

I'm dealing with the infection first and hoping that it can be cleared without surgery but I must say I am once again struggling at times on the stairs

Best of luck with the injection.....

 

[Kim22]

Hi @Vetgirl Thank you for stopping by and posting on my thread. You have had a lot to deal with regarding your joint infection and I really hope that you don't have iliopsoas tendinitis as well. I am waiting for an appointment for the cortisone injection and the OS told me there is a six week wait. I am continuing to do the gentle exercises prescribed by the physio and taking very short walks on the level. I feel that at the moment I am back to where I was about six weeks after the hip replacement when in reality I am over ten months and by rights should be back to normal. I find the whole situation very depressing and frustrating. I hope that your antibiotics get rid of the infection very soon. Thank you again for your kind words.

 

[Vetgirl]

Oh yes @Kim22 I so hear you on the depressing and frustrating part!!!

We have to try and find the good in each day while we wait for our situation to be sorted.

I hope I can offer some support back to you through this time.

By the way....I'd love to see your X-ray if your inclined to share?

 

[Kim22]

Hi @Vetgirl Thank you for your support and you are so right that its a good thing to count ones blessings and to seek out the good things on a daily basis.It is so easy to plunge oneself into a pit of depression about the situation we are in.For a long time I didn't post on here as most of my cohort had recovered well and moved away so it is good that we can support each other until we get our lives back too.

 

[calikat]

Hi Kim. I wanted to stop by and say hello. I understand completely your frustration and sadness. Do you have an actual date for the injection? I am pulling for you.

As far as NSAIDS go. I know they have risks, but some of us would be unable to function without them...me for one. I have tried many other other pain medications, but I get the most relief from a combination. My doctor said it is a balancing act. Chronic pain is detrimental to your health also.

 

[Kim22]

Hi @calikat I am still waiting for the appointment for the injection. I so agree with you about the detrimental effects of chronic pain which drags you further down both physically and psychologically as well as keeping you awake at night. It is a real balancing act of finding the right one at the right dosage. As I had one abnormal liver test and a small bleed from an old haemorrhoid I was told to stay away from anti inflammatories and to use paracetamol on a regular basis instead. Anti inflammatories certainly have their place but I think I just took them too long. Please let us know how you get on with your next appointment.

 

[Poppet]

Hi @Kim22 - how are you? - curious Aussie minds are wondering

 

[Kim22]

Hi @Poppet Thank you so much for stopping by and posting on my thread.The appointment I had for the cortisone injection was scheduled for this Thursday but I just had a phone call today rearranging it for next Tuesday.I have waited 5 months for it but I am now in two minds whether or not to have it as the moment it is much better and the pain is more intermittent now.I certainly seemed to improve after a course of physio which increased both the strength and ROM in the operated side but the pain returned once I increased the walking and activity again.I am reluctant to cancel as I have waited so long and it would be just typical if I cancelled and then the pain came back in the psoas .On the other hand I don't want to have the injection if I don't need it as it has attached risks such as tendon rupture and the effects are generally short lived but the OS has recommended it as a diagnostic procedure.I am having it under ultrasound so at least they can check out the situation in the psoas tendon before he gets the needle ready.I am in a bit of a quandary about it to be honest.

My other side is getting more and more painful I can only walk about 0.2 mile before the pain strikes in the hip and knee.i know that you are in the same boat ie.in between hip surgeries and limited in activities.I know you are longing for your retirement and it must be getting very close to that wonderful event.How is your home by the sea ? Do you visit often ?

 

[zauberflöte]

@Kim22 Poor thing, you are dithering back and forth, aren't you
I would say if your OS recommended it, that you might as well go ahead. You have a good practitioner, you are in safe hands, and it might just be the same magic that Josephine had with her trochanter! But whichever you decide, I'll be thinking of you!!