Pain in Hip

[kws992]

I am scheduled for surgury on my left fibula for a lipoma in the bone.  I have had some pain for years in this leg before I finally went to see the doc.  Surgery is scheduled on Jan 11.  For the last 3 days I have been having some pretty severe pain in my left hip, both front and back of hip.  Any idea what is causing this?  I will either be going to the ER or calling my surgeon to find out what I should be doing about this most recent problem.  Thanks.

[JainMD]

Hi,
Mild pain would be there and gradually as the movement around your ankle increases then you would probably find pain free movements.
You can continue with your analgesics and also physiotherapy.
I think you need continue and do slow exercise initially and gradually you can pick up.
Keep me informed if you have any queries
Bye.

[kws992]

Update.  Saw the surgeon on Jan 28th.  He said everything looked good after the surgery and gave me a protective boot to wear.  HAd an xray taken and that also looked good to him.  However, I am still in pain after 4 weeks.  I have started to cut back on the lortab and started using more advil since the lortab makes me very constipated.  Went to the physical therapist yesterday to start therapy.  The therapist said that the ankle was still a little swollen and warm to the touch.  She used some shock treatments on the affected area and suggested that I keep it elevated and use ice packs 4-5 times a day along with advil to try to reduce the swelling.  Both the therapist and the Doc said that it looked okay and the progress, or lack thereof, was normal.  Why am I still in pain when I walk after almost 5 weeks?  I have  very limited mobility with the leg.  I have tried to go out a few times but, after just a short walk the pain returns and I need to rest the leg.  Most of my day is spent with the foot propped up sitting in bed.  Ugh.  Any help for the weary?

Chris

[JainMD]

Hi Chris,
Antibiotics are generally started peri-operatively, if no fever is recorded during the hospital stay, generally these are then discontinued.
Each hospital and its respective surgical team have there own protocol regarding antibiotics.
If it is not started, it suggests that it might their policy.
You need not start antibiotics on your own.
You need to follow doc’s advice, but if there is some concern then you can visit the hospital  emergency room again.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[kws992]

I am moving very slowly around the house..LOL.  I was not referred to anyone other then the surgeon who I am to see again 17 days after my surgery (Jan. 28).  I had my son bring me some crutches because the cane that was given to me at the hospital is not as useful as the crutches.  No, I am not a smoker.  I was also wondering about anti-biotics.  Should I be on those?  Nothing was prescribed other then Lortab when I left the hospital.  I was also told not to do anything with the bandage until I see the doc again.  17 days seems like a long time without changing the dressing.  Thanks.

[JainMD]

Hi Chris,
Congratulations on successful completion of surgery.
I think the good times have started now.
You should be going on slowly at the moment in moving around the house.
Did the surgeons refer you to physiotherapist? I think you should be doing mild exercises for time being. Do not ever try to exert yourself. The main problem after surgery is we try to exert ourselves and land up creating other problem.
Pain meds are good companion as of now, should be taken as per schedule.
Are you a smoker?
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[kws992]

Here is an update on my condition.  I had a blood test, EKG, chest XRay, etc. as part of my pre-sugical physical and all came out good.  I had surgery yesterday (11th) to remove the Lipoma in my left fibula and hopefully stop the pain in my leg.  My hip, by the way, does not hurt anymore.  Surgery went well, lasted about and hour and half.  Surgeon says it went "too well", meaning other then the lipoma he removed, he doesn't know if this will remedy my pain that I have been having.  The tissue sample was sent off to lab, but he said "it looked good and did not look aggressive at all".  He also said only time will tell if it cures my pain.  I was in the hospital for about 12 hours and then sent home.  Hardly any pain last night but, today is another story.  The pain meds help quite a bit.  Can't really put any weight on it today.  Last night I got around pretty good with a cane.  Probably over did it last night.  Will take it easy for a few days and report back.  Thanks, Bye.

[JainMD]

Hi Chris,
How are you feeling now?
It's nice to see when you say I am 58 years young.
If you are taking Lortab, you should be taking not only when you  have pain but also when you have no pain as per schedule.
In this way the pain is effectively controlled round the clock.
Keep me informed regarding your medical clearance and also about your blood tests.
All the best and take good care of yourself.
Bye.

[kws992]

OK, thanks.  My name is Chris, I am 58 years young.  As a matter I fact, I have Lortab waiting for me at the pharmacy to pick up.  The pain has subsided somewhat the last two days.  It's still there but, not as severe.  I haven't even used any pain meds the last two days.  Surgery not scheduled till the 11th, I have a medical clearance physical on the 4th and blood work on the 3rd of January.  I'll keep you informed.

[JainMD]

Hi kws,
What is your name? How old are you?
As suspected there is nerve involvement near your lipoma causing such symptoms?
The definitive treatment would be to do surgery and be pain free after that. But your surgery is planned only on Jan11th; hence you should be taking lortab to ease your pain.
Lortab contains Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from two of the naturally occurring opiates, codeine and thebaine.
It is an orally active narcotic analgesic and anti-tussive.
I think you should be taking analgesics regularly till your surgery. If the pain is severe, uncontrollable, please visit ER and get imaging done.
Keep me informed about surgery, your visit to ER and also report of imaging study if been done any.
Bye.

[kws992]

Yes, the Dr. mentioned the nerve compression.  In fact, the pain from the Lipoma usually is located around the left calf (above where the Lipoma is located) and sometimes has traveled to the thigh.  The hip pain started on the 23rd.  All the Dr. wants to do (could not fit me in today) is prescribe lortab.  The doc in the past mentioned that because of possible consciously avoiding the pain by changing my gait a bit, the pain might be traveling up the nerves to the thigh area.  Today the pain was not as severe as the past few days.  I will wait another day before visiting my er doc for a xray, if needed.

[Caliber2005]

Hi,
You have mentioned that you have lipoma in your left fibula and now pain in left hip front and back. Did the doctor any time mentioned about the nerve involvement around Lipoma?
Did he say as there is nerve compression or there are chances of Lipoma causing nerve compression?
I feel it is the nerve compression causing symptoms of pain in left hip. This might be radiation pain to left hip joint.
You can consult emergency room doctors regarding this to rule out any pathology.
Hope this helps.
Keep me informed regarding your surgery and post operative condition.
Bye.