Chronic pain 2 years after hip replacement

Hmm. You post some interesting questions. I, myself, have had both hips replaced since 2012. The last one (done in 6/13) is still kind of dodgy.

All sorts of things can contribute to pain.

Is it possible for you to go with her to an appointment to her ortho surgeon who did the hip surgery and ask these very specific questions?

They're all quite valid suggestions, but only a doctor,...her doctor,...is going to be able to accurately dx her situation.

I'm still in PT (and have been since 2011), so is it possible she could need a longer stretch of it?

And as you know from yoga, the more inactive she continues to be, the harder and harder it will be for her to get up and get going again. We learn that here at CP....some of us (cough-cough) the hard way!










M.

Hi Brian and welcome to the chronic pain forum at HW. Sorry about your Mom and it must be worrisome for you to be away from her and not able to help.

I've not had a hip replacement but have both knees replaced, one fully, one partial and the full one is considered a failed surgery since it didn't correct the pain but left me with more then pre-op as well as a great deal of mobility issues. I did not have screws removed however and now have broken hardware that I have decided to let well enough alone for time being.

Sciatica is unfortunately one of the most common issues seen post procedure as it takes so very little to rile it up. A nick during surgery, a little pressure from the new hip being larger then her own, a bit of infection post-op, inflammation and swelling also, any small thing can set it into motion and its difficult to settle back down if ever.

I realize she doesn't want to go the pain med route, most of us don't! That's not always the best choice because pain forces us to limit movement, exercise, and mobility. Pushes us to sleep in nonproductive positions and with little good healing rest,causes nausea and general malaise that diminishes our appetite so we're not getting proper healthy healing diets.

All or the combination of those eventually causes depression to visit and we end up doing ourselves and our bodies far more harm then good!

It's been proven time and again that patients with adequate post-op pain relief heal faster and better then their undertreated counterparts!

Has she tried or been offered any of the neuropathy meds used to treat sciatica? Neurontin, lyrica, cymbalta, amitript? How about anti-inflam meds? Just in case inflammation is causing some distress to the joint or sciatic nerve? Even a low dose narcotic to have and use when she absolutely has to for therapy, or exercises? She doesn't necessarily have to be on something daily or regularly but to help until she gets this under control to improve the healing process.

Hydrotherapy is my saving grace if you will since it's the one place I can exercise freely and weightless.

Also would look into checking out a MRI for her spinal issues since this may be related to a degeneration there displaying in her hip which at the post-op point will be her weakest area.

Good luck to you both!