HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Finally a diagnosis

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/17/2014 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
After being bounced from Dr to Dr for the past year, and having been misdiagnosed by the neurosurgeon, who was convinced my hip pain was from my lumbar spine, I finally got in to see an orthopedic hip specialist yesterday. He took additional xrays and went over his findings from the MRI and xrays in great detail. My right hip joint is bone against bone, which in his opinion has been the cause of all my groin and hip pain for the past year. He says that instead of being round, my hip bone has a slight bump on it (from birth) and over time has been like sandpaper rubbing against the socket, eventually wearing all the cartilage down to the bone. The only treatment is to replace my hip joint.

I am scheduled for total hip replacement on November the 3rd. The incision will be posterior and will be about 4 inches. I will be in the hospital for 2-3 days and will have home health care for 3-4 weeks. This surgeon comes highly recommended by my primary care Dr, as he is with a group of six surgeons who only do hip and knee surgeries. The surgeon says that he has done over 2,000 hip replacements, so he must be good. In the meantime I am taking 50mg of tramadol three times a day, and as long as I don't walk or stand much the pain is bearable.

Hopefully this surgery will again let me live a somewhat normal life. Being 70 years old, I have decided that I will not have another operation on my spine unless absolutely necessary. I just don't want to take the chance of a failed back surgery.

I still haven't heard a word from the neurosurgeon who at the 11th hr prior to surgery finally ordered an MRI of my hip. I believe he knows he blew his diagnosis and now wants nothing to do with me. That is fine on my part for I never intend to see him again anyway. Thank you all again for you prayers and kind words.

Charlie
Posted 9/17/2014 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Charlie

So glad you have a dx & surgery scheduled..

Prayers that the pain med is helpful for now & that your recovery is speedy!
Posted 9/17/2014 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm very glad you got some answers! I too am still searching for a DX so I can imagine the relief you must feel. I'm hoping that the hip replacement goes well for you and that you come out all better after you've recovered.
Posted 9/17/2014 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
My work colleague just had hip surgery. Its a new procedure with a 4 inch incision. She is home doing PT currently and should be back to work on Monday (after 2 weeks). She walked on her own yesterday and says she will use a cane for awhile but will be fine after a few months.

Good luck to you.
Posted 9/17/2014 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I am very happy for you, Charlie. I am 69 so we are close in age. I think I get the hebee jebees just being around doctors.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted 9/18/2014 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks folks, wishing all of you well, i will keep you posted
Posted 9/18/2014 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
It's great to hear you finally have a plan that should give you some relief. Will the surgery be at Harris Southwest with Dr. Weeden or any of his associates? Your description made me think of him, but there are probably others that also have lots of experience. Prayers continue for you and your comfort. Thanks for letting us know. We care.
Posted 9/18/2014 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Charlie...Congrats on finally getting a proper diagnosis with a game plan for surgery.  My mom broke her hip which required titanium replacement @ 80.  She did GREAT with the surgery/rehab.  She's now 88.  She'd still be walking with the "replaced" hip, but she has the onset of dementia.

You'll do well and feel SO much better=)

~~Dixie

Posted 9/18/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
That's great that you finally got a proper Dx. I think you are right by leaving your neurologist alone to eat his crow pie . . . Q
Posted 9/20/2014 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Charlie!!

I know exactly what you mean about finally being diagnosed. I also had a neurologist drop the ball on a correct diagnosis. I spent 6 months thinking I had MS, before finally being diagnosed with cervical herniations that were deforming my spinal cord.

The last time I saw that Neuro, he told me he still believed all the symptoms were BFS and a stretched nerve. He scratched his head wondering why my feet were effected.... Haha

Idiot is the word that comes to mind when I think of him now. How someone of that caliber in the medical field could be so inept, I'll never understand.

Sounds like you have a good team doing the hip replacement. Just so you know, my aunt had a hip replacement and was thrilled with the results. She left her pain on the operating table....

She was really sore and therapy was extensive, but the chronic bone on bone pain was gone and she was so relieved. She said she would not hesitate to do it again if given a choice.

I hope it goes perfect and you wake up and start running laps :)

Take care!!

Lila
Posted 9/20/2014 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Sure hope that you get a great out come from surgery! Keep us posted and get your physical therapy lined up, make sure not to over do things...hope you get relief and are doing better soon...
Posted 9/20/2014 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am new here and trying to figure out how to get my posts to the right place for chronic pain and people who can share their own experiences with a implanted pain pump...I was told last Thurs thats what I need and I am really scared and would love to hear personal pros and cons. What to expect etc...
anyone out there that can help?

Thanks in advance
Posted 9/20/2014 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
If you haven't researched the hip joint replacement they will use, you need to. It is best to be as informed as possible. Often the drs aren't aware of problems until a certain number of patients have had the same problems over a time frame.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply