Re: Question on slow recovery after right THR

June 25, 2011

Have you talked to your doctor, or sought another opinion?

In a message dated 6/25/2011 10:33:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

franybill@... writes:

I am four months out from total hip replacement and have stopped using

narcotics for pain management due to side effects. I have continued aching

and pain, cannot sit for long, cannot drive, etc., etc. PT caused

worsening pain and inflammation and doctor finally stopped it. I am

allergic

to all anti-inflammatories so cannot take anything other than Tylenol.

Wondering if others have had this experience and how long it took you to

recover. Are there some things that can be done to make the bone of the

socket begin to grow into the prosthesis? Or am I destined for another

surgery? Any input would be very welcome.

Thanks.

------------------------------------

Be your own advocate! The best patient is an informed patient!

Groups Links

June 26, 2011

Surgeon says everyone progresses at individual rate, and if we were six months

or even a year out, we would be looking at re-operating. Xrays show dark shadow

around top of prosthesis cup, indicating lack of bone growth. Having heard many

stories of quick recovery from delighted patients, I expected the same, but have

been disappointed. I was tested for infection in the joint, which was

thankfully negative, although blood tests showed positive for inflammation. This

we think was brought on by too-vigorous PT. Mobility has improved with time and

pain reduced somewhat to generalized aching, stiffness, start-up pain after

sitting, and interrupted sleep. Will see the doctor next week and talk to him

then. I'd sure like to get back to some semblance of normal activity!

Sent from Fran's iPad

June 26, 2011

I'm 3 months post op and am 100% back to normal with no pain just muscular

tightness around the joint. My PT is done and I'm fully recovered. I had direct

anterior approach and stopped the pain meds somewhere in the fourth week. If

this is truly a problem with your bones I would be having X Rays and asking your

OS about supplementation for bone growth. Usually exercise is what speeds this

process along.

On Jun 25, 2011, at 8:08 PM, Fran Decoster/Bill Feetham wrote:

>

> I am four months out from total hip replacement and have stopped using

> narcotics for pain management due to side effects. I have continued aching

> and pain, cannot sit for long, cannot drive, etc., etc. PT caused

> worsening pain and inflammation and doctor finally stopped it. I am allergic

> to all anti-inflammatories so cannot take anything other than Tylenol.

> Wondering if others have had this experience and how long it took you to

> recover. Are there some things that can be done to make the bone of the

> socket begin to grow into the prosthesis? Or am I destined for another

> surgery? Any input would be very welcome.

> Thanks.

>

June 27, 2011

Since I was one of the few unlucky ones who had to have mine replaced at about

one year, I can tell you what I have been told by various doctors. Before I had

the revision, I got two additional opinions.

It is difficult to tell if bone is growing from Xrays, but there was a shadowing

at the top of my prosthesis.

If there is too much space between the bone and the prosthesis, bone probably

won't grow to it. There were no drugs to aid in bone growth that were mentioned

to me.

After about 9 months, the worse symptom was after lying down or sitting for a

long time, when I tried to get up, the pain while walking was very bad. It would

ease somewhat after walking through it.

It is now a little over a year after the revision and it is definitely better

and I can hike about 5 miles. However, the recovery process has been slow and my

revision surgeon said it sometimes takes 2 years for it to get as good as it

will get.

That is just my experience and your situation may be different. My suggestion

would be to request a second opinion. I wouldn't rush into a second surgery

unless you are very sure the prosthesis is loose, but once you are sure, get it

done as soon as possible. I hope it all works out for you.