post THA pain

I had a right hip replacement due to dysplasia in Nov. 2007.  In Jan. 2008 I was still using my cane outside the house because of the weather, and my right leg slipped going up steps to church.  Later that day my knee was swollen and painful.  But, I thought great, my hip doesn't hurt so at least I did not dislocate anything.  I was still going to physical therapy and they told me to ice it and take some pain relievers then call my dooctor.  My doctor was out of town so I saw a partner.  He took an x-ray, it looked fine, so he said I had IT band syndrome and it would take 12 to 18 months to heal.  I was returning to work and had a lot of knee and now thigh pain.  When I walk too much or use the stairs I limp.  I went back to my doctor in June, he scheduled an MRI of the right knee and I had a meniscus tear.  An x-ray of my hip said the prosthesis was fine. I then had an arthroscopy to shave the meniscus in Aug.2008.  My knee feels better, but I still have a lot of thigh pain.  When I have to work with the pain by the time I get home my hip feels tingly and burns. I feel so depressed because of the pain I cannot walk to do anything with my kids.  I am afraid to say how much it hurts because my family did so much for me during the recovery.  I have now made an appt. with my doctor again.  He cannot see me until Oct. 13.  
If the pain is due to muscle use I would like to know what can help it.  Right now all that helps is rest and ice. How long will it take to work the muscle?       Martina    


This discussion is related to Pain after Hip Replacement.

[Mollyrae]

Hello Martina and welcome to MH. I am very sorry to hear of all the misery you have had with this. There are no Doctors on this Forum, only others who suffer with pain. I am sorry that I really have no advise for you as I have not suffered with your injury however, there are many others who might post with simularitys. Members will come at different times so be patient. I hope that your issues can be resolved and that your pain free someday.

Take care and good luck,
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hi Martina,
I am sorry I am so late in my response. I had some laptop problems. I am sorry you have had such problems following your hip replacement. Pain is never fun.

Muscles can take a long time to heal and come back. I suggest you may need some more PT to strengthen those muscles.

Please be honest with your physician and tell him how much pain you are having. You should never be afraid you will insult or hurt their feelings in regards to how you are feeling. Pain is your bodies way of telling you something is not right. Your physician needs to know that you are having pain and at what level. This will aid him in treating you. You should also tell him because he was so supportive and did so well that you did not want to bring this up for fear it would appear as if he had not done a great job or that you were not grateful. You will be surprised in his positive response. Physicians respect honesty.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. Take care, Tuck

[Billie332]

Hi Martina,
I too have what I would call severe pain after total hip replacement. I have had both hips replaced and us forearm crutches to walk with most days - well actually all of the time if I want to limit the amount of pain I feel in the evenings. My first hip replacement was April of 2008 - the prosthetic fell apart the first time I stood after the surgery......it was revised in July of 2008. I have been in constant pain from that. I just had my other hip replaced in June of this year. Although still pretty sore, nowhere near as painful as the first replacement. I am beginning to come to terms with the whole situation I think.......I honestly think I may have to use pain meds the rest of my life. Normally in the day I use 2-4 tramadol, and 1-2 800 mg. ibu.  At night I use a vicodin especially if I have been on my feet much. I have two sisters with prosthetic hips and neither of them have much pai n at all. They don't use canes either.
So, I guess all I can add is that I'm sorry you are having trouble like the trouble I have. It seems like some do and some don't. I will call my OS on Monday or Tuesday to talk about pain management. Maybe use something different.....I don't know - My second surgery was at a different practice with different OS.
Billie