THR THR Follows Unsuccessful ORIF - Keeping Fingers Crossed

[lalo]

I swear when you describe your symptoms and pain it is as if you were describing mine exactly.
I saw Jos' recommendation to go see a chiropractor for piriformis.
I have never been to one; any thoughts on chiropractor vs a massage therapist?

Hats off to you dealing with the pain and having to spend nights in hotel out if town.
I tried the wedge cushion while driving and it helps some.
I find that I do OK sitting for 6.5 to 7 hrs at work . My drive home is 45 min and as soon as I get home grab an ice bag
I did 8 hrs last Friday and I was in serious pain and could barely drive home.
I missed my 3 month appointment with surgeon and rescheduled for 10-16.
I don't expect any answers on the piriformis, his comment is that it will go away in time .
Will see what your Dr has to say.
Thanks for your input and interest.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo I am late to reply again !!

I also know about the pain having just done a good few long days, it really catches up, doesn't it? The first long one, after driving the 100 miles, was ok, the 2nd one I thought was ok, by the 3rd morning I had loads of pain and had to take tramadol as well as cocodamol. My butt is throbbing more than ever today because I have either been sitting in cars or sitting in offices around the country. What a nightmare this is. Standing does not seem to cause the same amount of pain, as yesterday and today I had to stand for 4 hours running seminars. Less pain, strange. I am sure the incisions scar tissue hardness is pressing on something.

I went to the chiropractor but not for manipulation just for the tissue massage, she also checked my gait and alignment of muscles and wastage , that helped explain why the knee was involved and cracking sideways and also that weakened muscles hurt. It was really quite interesting how everything links and affects other parts of the body.

Do chiropractors in the States do the massage too, as they do over here? Might be worth checking, if not try massage again, as I did find this helped a lot, and with the piriformis. I need to go back again too.

The weekend I am determined to get started on my exercise machine to see if I can build some muscles up. Will let you know how it goes pain wise . Fingers crossed.

I do hope you are ok x

 

[lalo]

@Suzette
I went to see the physical therapist that I used during recovery. I had stopped going to PT about a month ago.
I basically "put my finger where it hurts"
The areas include;
Roughly center of butt
From back side of butt progressing thru groin and terminating just above knee on inside
On outside of hip and directly over incision.
He checked how much flexibility I had in my lower back and concluded that all my lower back muscles and hip were very tight and suggested back stretching exercises.
Also suggested to apply heat before stretching.
Said it may be 4 weeks before any relief.
I will add these to my routine.
I also want to find a massage therapist because it really helped

Good luck with you situation at work.
Been keeping up with your thread.
I'm kind of curious on your femoral nerve concern.
Does it come and go or is it constant.
I get occasional pains specially now that my walking has improved but not constant
The butt pain is pretty constant even though At times is barely noticeable
Have a great weekend I have next Monday off as a furlow day yippee !

 

[Suzette]

Hi
Yes my butt pain is a constant ache. I think i am getting used to it as I have found I ignore it a lot too...until the sciatica returns down the back of the leg.

The bit I think is coming from the femoral nerve isnt always there. It suddenly burns and stings down the front of thigh near the incision down towards the knee. That one is going to be tricky to explain as the burning feels like its in a different place at the front each time. But definitely feels to come from around the incision on the front.
There has been a bit more of a throb today generally but more in the butt..possibly due to the cross trainer exercise yesterday!

Hope you have a lovely weekend. I am just about to fill in a job application. I do find these hard to do.... x

 

[lalo]

@Suzette
I sure hope you get a break on your situation at work. Maybe a new job might be a reasonable solution
I forgot how long You have been there I think 8 yrs? That's long enough to make one think about packing up and leaving. Is there any chance the Tyrant might head to greener pastures?
Anyway your comment of ignoring the pain did not go unnoticed.
I would love to think that in time it would go away.
I currently function from 6 am to about 4 pm
After that I'm on my side in bed with ice
And the pain definitely involves the sciatic nerve and runs down to my knee.
Take care and thanks for your support.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo oh no that is really terrible about having to lie on your side after 4 pm. It makes realise that my functioning is better than I thought in comparison to yours. At least I can continue to get on with things until I lie down about 8pm.

The piriformis really does aggrevate the sciatic nerve. It is on par with the sciatic nerve pain I had from the disc prolapses in my back. That pain in my left leg is loads better since I had a nerve block in my back last Christmas.
Surely they must be able to do something with the piriformis causing the same pain? Like a steroid type injection. Have you enquired about that sort of treatment for your sciatic pain coming from the butt rather than the back?

The boss will never move to pastures new. She owns the company!! And even though we have even gone as far as a 360 degree appraisal and had meeting with her to discuss the way she is towards her staff . She just gets defensive and turns everything round onto us.
I have filled most if the application in. Now just have to do the person spec, I find that bit the hardest. Will tackle that bit tomorrow.

Have been at the company 6 yrs.

Thank you for your support too and I do hope you get some relief soon x

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo how are you? Just looking at your scar, did you have the anterior approach?

It's been a funny week for my pain as it has near disapeared until I lie down and that butt pain starts aching again, can't work out why that happens. I even did 4 hours driving and a 6 hour seminar yesterday and other than being really tired pain was manageable. Then other days it's awful. How has yours been?

X

 

[Plum Perfect]

@Lala and @Suzette I just had my 2 week wound check and ask questions visit with OS. The recommend continuing with Celebrex, if no bad side effects, for two months past surgery. They find it reduces the inflammation the causes many bad side effects. Have you taken anti - inflames regularly? I hope you get the pain under control.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @Plum Perfect it's funny as my GP surgery now seem extremely reluctant to prescribe anti inflammatories. They used to but now won't give me any at all. I was supposed to go to gp tonight and cancelled, but lying down in bed my piriformis pain is worse than when I stand or sit. I now remember why I was going to the GP ......

I have bought some so will go and have one now

 

[lalo]

@Suzette
I had the anterior approach. When looking at other scars I think mine is high on the thigh; not sure if it means anything.
Been meaning to ask did you get any screws to secure the cup ( whatever is called)? I got 2 screws installed.

I went to my physical therapist last Friday just for a consult. He recommended excersizes to stretch my back and to apply heating pad.
I have added them to my routine.
I think I have noticed an improvement.
I was able to work 8 hrs Tue Wed with minimal pain.
Today I made it 5 hrs before the pain kicked in.
I think there has been some improvement.
The wedge cushion has also helped with my driving. Driving is the hardest thing for me.
I saw your post on driving 4 hrs; I could not even think of doing that.
I missed my 3 mo appmnt with surgeon
Will go tomorrow
Last I saw him and mentioned the butt pain he said it would go away
Don't expect much on that subject

My walking is very good; still a little wobble but not bad
I thought my knee would never come around.
Now it's all about the piriformis and associated sciatic
I'm hopeful it will eventually go away.
Thanks for stay in touch
Sometimes I think I'll be the last to recover from the class of Summer of 2015.
Glad to see you are improving as well.

 

[lalo]

@Plum Perfect
Boy I feel like a new neighbor dropped by to say hello. Thanks for the post.

I have taken Celebrex after knee surgery in the past and it definitely helps reduce inflation and arthritis pain.
I was not prescribed any anti inflammatory after the hip replacement.
My one comment regarding anti inflammatory Meds.
I took Mobic for extended periods of time (before knee replacement) and it can really mess up your stomach. I would take it in halves after a meal.
Be careful; 2 months is not too bad but make sure you have food in your stomach.
Best wishes on your recovery.

 

[lalo]

I went to my OS office yesterday, it was my 3 month appointment 3 weeks late. Discussed the continued "butt pain". The Dr. mentioned that on my x-Ray he can see some arthritis in the lower back and thinks that, that is the source of the sciatic pain. I was prescribed some muscle relaxants and anti inflamatory to try for 4 weeks and was given a referral for a back Dr. If things don't get better. Discussed the option for a cortisone shot down the road.
On a separate note I joined a fitness center affiliated with the local hospital that has Aqua Therapy sessions mornings and afternoons. I went today for the 1st time and I have high hopes that they are going to be helpful in the recovery. Between the water exercises and the muscle relaxants I took a 3 hr nap this afternoon.
I'm tagging @Suzette with the update.

 

[Plum Perfect]

Great news @lalo! I came home to read your message just now. I hope the water therapy is really helpful and you are able to resolve the pain without more invasive techniques. The nap sounds like you are off to a really good start. Have a relaxing pain free Sunday, lots of healing vibes heading your way.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo thats great that you now have some idea on what is going on and that you have some new meds and are getting some water therapy.

I am really hoping that my back is not causing the right sided pain as in the past it has only ever effected the left side. I am due to see the OS in a month. This time i am not going to be fobbed off with its normal.

I have had loads of butt ache and thigh burn the last 24 hrs. ..and this gets triggered more by lying on my side and it doesnt matter what side I lie on either. The burn starts.

Mind you I have a horrid cold plus its rather chilly too.....

I really hope all your new meds and the water therapy helps to improve the pain. Let us know how things go

Xx

 

[pamac]

Just caught up on the last couple weeks. I hope the pool therapy helps, low impact movement is good. I say that but I haven't done it! There is a pool at my gym, I just need to look at the schedule. I say you need to get back to regular massage. Even if you have some arthritis in your back, the pain can make your muscles tense which affects everything. Massage can help release that tension. Best wishes to you! You have come a long way in your journey and that butt pain needs to leave you alone!

 

[DianneK]

Hi lalo! I'll probably be right with you if you are the last to recover from summer 2015! My left hip got soooo bad that I've had to support it totally and let my new right hip sort of fend for itself. Nov.2, I'll get my new left hip. Reading thru your whole experience was encouraging for me. What you had to live with and keep looking toward the light at the end of that tunnel. Up's and down's for months and months. You told me in my thread that I was strong - but you're the strong one, lalo. I'm sure hoping that the water therapy will ease the pain for you. There you go!

 

[lalo]

@DianneK
Thanks for your kind encouraging words.
Nov. 2nd can't come too soon for you. Ill be looking for your posts and wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo how are things? Have you had water therapy or, and, more massage yet.

I really need to get massage soon, I am stiff aching and stinging and massage really helped. Although I have been working away the last 3 days and sitting a lot, plus being a passenger for a lot of mileage . Worse than actually driving, no seat adjustment and too low.

Back in the office tomorrow, luckily, no boss in.

Keep well x

 

[lalo]

@Suzette
I actually think I'm doing a little better, ie my piriformis/sciatic pain has reduced somewhat.
A week ago I was prescribed muscle relaxants and I noticed right away that it seemed to help.
I also attended pool classes 4 times this past week. I went to 3 different classes offered, Aqua Flex, Back Rehab and Aqua Yoga and feel like they helped. The pain while driving is less and I actually drove to work 5 days in a row this week. Up to this week I was working 1 day from home.
Having said that, I still have sciatic pain and I still use an ice pack when I get gone.
As long as the pain is reducing over time I can continue to practice patience.

 

[Suzette]

Hi @lalo so glad you have less pain and the relaxers are working too.

I am not sure whats going on with my right leg today, but I have had serious nerve, butt and complete leg pain. From my butt down the back of leg to my foot. Then down the front of my thigh and to the side. I woke with this pain.

I had to take tramadol and cocodamol plus celebrex and am now icing my thigh but trying heat on my butt.

I dont recall twisting awkwardly. Really strange but it is worrying me as the bony bit on my outer thigh stings if i touch or lie on it.

Good thing though, it seems the OS didnt cancel the hosp appt on the 27th oct. He said he was happy with my leg and the pain is normal so moved appt to 24th nov. I will be going on the 27th as I do not think this pain is normal. If it is, I want to know exactly what is causing it.

Sorry to waffle! Is this the sort of pain you have been getting? Where the whole leg throbs and burns?

X