THR undiagnosed pain almost a year after

[lovemanatees]

Hello. I was so glad to see this websit. Hoping someone can help. I had a total hip replacement last September at age 48. I saw several surgeons to make sure it was necessary. I appeared to heal up fine and was feeling better, wondering why I hadn't done it sooner. Then a few months ago I started getting pain again (different than before the surgery). I get pain mostly when I walk but at other times also. It can be in the groin joint area, buttocks, outer hip, or thigh. They have tried a lower back injection in case of pain referral. I have had an MRI and lab work. My doctor referred me to another surgeon in his office. The pain has steadily worsened and now I am at the point where it hurts just to walk around the grocery store or to the parking lot for work. I feel more debilitated than before the surgery. I don't know if it is a bone/hardware issue that they can't see yet, or if it is a soft tissue thing. None of them ever even look at the area or touch the area. They are saying it is not muscle weakness. I have done much research myself also. They have no idea why I am having this pain, which is quite frustrating and depressing as I basically can barely walk. Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas? Anyone know a really, really good specialist who could help me figure out what is going on? I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!!

 

[Zorro]

Hello to lovemanatees. I hear your frustration and I regret that you continue to be in pain. Do analgesics or cortisone help?

If time and insurance permit, you might seek even another third consultation with a different orthopedic surgeon from a different office or even a different city. You might bring a strong advocate with you to the appointment to take notes and prompt your questions.

May your distress soon be eliminated. God bless you.

 

[CricketHip]

Hello and to the forum.
I’m sorry that’s it’s pain that brings you here.
I would pursue visits with more specialists, one not affiliated with your present surgeon.
Here’s some questions for you/ May we have your exact date of your THR and which hip was it? We will make you a signature for an easy reference for anyone reading your post here.
What is and what has been your activity levels?
Is it possible, since you had an easy recovery that you have overdid things?
I’m going to leave you our recovery articles which might give you an idea about taking things slow and easy.
You’re not a full year out yet and while that seems like a long time, there’s still healing to

 

[CricketHip]

HIP RECOVERY GUIDELINES

1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.

If you want to use something to assist with healing and scar management, BoneSmart recommends hypochlorous solution. Members in the US can purchase ACTIVE Antimicrobial Hydrogel through BoneSmart at a discount. Similar products should be available in the UK and other countries.

2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs
The recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.

We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery. While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Welcome to BoneSmart. I am sorry you’re struggling with pain and
uncertainty. I am not sure how far you’re willing to drive, but the Hospital for Special Surgery has a location in West Palm Beach and they have an excellent reputation in Orthopedics, if you care to research the hospital.
I wish you comfort and hope you can get to the cause of your pain so it can be resolved soon.
@lovemanatees

 

[Hip4life]

I’m so sorry you’re now dealing with more pain again. Does icing or heat help? Has anyone mentioned trochanteric bursitis, IT band or piriformis syndrome, tight iliopsoas muscles (hip flexors?) These are the soft tissues that come to mind with what you’re describing. Also, if the gluteal muscles aren’t firing correctly, it can cause issues in the rest of the hip. I know that’s a lot of stuff to consider but as your gait gets back to normal (or doesn’t quite) it can cause other issues. Have you been evaluated by PT or chiropractor? Those are some other possibilities to try. Sometimes you need to change shoes more often as your gait corrects as well.

Soft tissue issues can be frustrating and, as you know, painful as you try to sort out what’s going on. You just start with the most likely problem and work from there: easiest solutions to the more complex. Sometimes, it might resolve with cutting back activity, icing or heat, gentle stretches on your own. You can do a search at the top of the page with key words and see who else has dealt with similar issues and their suggestions. There are also many good stretches from PT people on the internet that you could try. You’re not alone. Many of us here have dealt with our share of trying to solve this mystery. Just don’t give up until you find that solution and/or provider that will help you. Keep us posted. Best wishes going forward.

 

[Coopdville]

I get pain mostly when I walk but at other times also. It can be in the groin joint area, buttocks, outer hip, or thigh.

I’m sorry you’re having this setback. And how frustrating that your doctor isn’t being more helpful to zero in on the cause and help you with treatment.

Your symptoms sound very similar to me. I am only 2 months post surgery (so by no means am I a THR veteran or expert), but your pain areas sound a lot like what I’ve been experiencing, and like descriptions I’ve been reading about iliopsoas tendinitis/impingement. As hip4chat says, this, or other soft tissue aggravations could be the cause.

In any case I hope you’re able to pursue another doctor’s help and get yourself back on the road to (re)recovery. I wish you all the best and hope to hear more updates from you.

 

[Coopdville]

I meant @Hip4life, not hip4chat.

 

[lovemanatees]

thanks for the advice all. maybe I will try the place in west palm. @CricketHip : I believe my surgery was 9/6/22. it was poster. right hip. I was not overly active. My concern is that it seemed to be getting better and lately it is progressively worse, which is why I don't think it will heal itself in time. My gait seems normal until the pain starts. They assure me my leg lengths are even. I think something is wrong, but the scans all show that it looks fine. The pain is bad enough that it affects basic activities, like vacuuming the house, cleaning, work, going to the store... I don't usually take anything for it as tylenol doesnt do much and NSAIDS kill my stomach, so I can take them very rarely.

 

[HipButSquare]

I don’t mean to hijack your thread but I am also having undiagnosed pain one year out from my posterior right hip replacement.

My recent MRI and blood work were fine. I had gotten up to walking a mile and a half and now can barely walk around the block.

I’m on Gabapentin but I don’t think it helps much. I take Tylenol once in a while.

I’ve put on almost twenty pounds since the surgery and can’t exercise to take off the weight. I will cut calories.

My pain is mainly in the quad, with numbness in the outside of the hip.

My surgeon is puzzled and he has decades of experience doing hip replacements. He’s not going to do exploratory surgery.

It so frustrating to not know if I’ll be able to get past this pain.

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @HipButSquare
I'm really sorry that you and @lovemanatees are still struggling and enduring pain.
I really would like to ask some questions but don't want to derail this thread.
Perhaps you could start a thread and give us your date of surgery and which hip was replaced?
Would also be helpful to provide a bit of pre-op history and how your recovery went.

 

[CricketHip]

@lovemanatees Thank you for the information as to the date of your THR and I see one that of the admins added your signature. it's very helpful.
I hope you do try the Facility in West Palm. HSS has such a good reputation. That very well may be your answer.