Thigh pain is bad, shooting pain also

[OZZ1]

karl australia wrote:

i have found a great surgeon here but after reading what ive seen its still a worry, ive had snapping hip L and R for 20years and had 2 opps for labral tears on the R, havent started on left its the same. 1st and second oppinion was to have both hips replaced im 34... fingers crossed....

Hi All,
I'm a male, aged 46 and I had a Stryker ceramic THR done by one of Australia's leading ortho surgeons in March 2003. In November of that same year the ceramic femoral head shattered into 30 different pieces, hospitalising me for a month. Stryker blamed the surgeon, who replaced the femoral head with a metal one. Stryker offered me a measely five thousand dollars for 'inconvenience'. Yeah, right.
Two years of absolute, mind-numbing agony and abject, excrutiating pain later the prosthesis in the thigh bone had come loose and the entire Stryker unit had to be replaced. Three total hip opertions in three years. Take my advice, DON'T TRUST STRYKER CERAMIC HIPS!!!
I wouldn't wish the way I've been treated on an animal.
Am happy to tell you more, if it will help you.

[Beth]

Chip wrote:

<quoted text>--I had my THR in 12/06 for AVN. I am suffering the same way with pain in the groin and down the thigh just like a dagger. I too have to get the other hip replaced eventually. Do you have a Stryker implant? There are problems with the implants. What does your doctor say about the pain?

No, I have a Zimmer MI Taper, Drs. started using them in 2005, I beleive it was. It is meant to be a minimal invassive surgery (smaller cut between muscles not through) and to be implanted without cement, used on 'younger' patients. I'm told that the main reason for replacements after 10 to 15 years is because the 'cement' fails not the implant.
After having Xrays and a Bone Scan with Radio-Active Dye I am told that the implant is not solid. My bone didn't grow to hold it tight. I will have this one removed and a new implant with 'cement' to hold it in place. You can bet I'm not looking forward to having it replaced, and then still facing the other hip as well.
Don't wait, have your Dr do the Bone Scan ASAP.
It doesn't get any better, only worse!!!

[Ed - Philadelphia PA]

February 21, 2008

Justices Shield Medical Devices From Lawsuits

By LINDA GREENHOUSE

WASHINGTON — Makers of medical devices like implantable defibrillators or breast implants are immune from liability for personal injuries as long as the Food and Drug Administration approved the device before it was marketed and it meets the agency’s specifications, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.

The 8-to-1 decision was a victory for the Bush administration, which for years has sought broad authority to pre-empt tougher state regulation.

In 2004, the administration reversed longstanding federal policy and began arguing that “premarket approval” of a new medical device by the F.D.A. overrides most claims for damages under state law. Because federal law makes no provision for damage suits against device makers, injured patients have turned to state law and have won substantial awards.

The Bush administration will continue its push for pre-emption in another F.D.A. case that the court has accepted for its next term, on whether the agency’s approval of a drug, as opposed to a device, pre-empts personal injury suits. Drugs and medical devices are regulated under separate laws.

The case before the court concerned only medical devices that had gone through the premarket approval process specified by the Medical Device Amendments of 1976. Most devices now available reached the market through a different process, under which the F.D.A. found them to be “substantially equivalent” to those marketed before the 1976 law took effect.

[Tom]

Gwag wrote:

<quoted text>I am 50 year old carpenter who had my left hip done at age 40 i go to the v.a. on feb1 to find out about the right one i have alreadty done all the shots pills exercise et. etc. b.s. adnausem so we all know whats next on to your problem you have developed a set of skills along with your carpentry that can be more profitable than banging nails ( i love banging nails it sucked at 40 I was in my prime ) you can estimate plan jobs hire subs and take your base construction knowledge and sell jobs learn how to mark up trades etc. and then go build something it will work if you have the confidence to sell yourself and your knowledge.

Paul, I was a lineman and a carpenter back in 94 when I broke my femur and eventually got AVN and was tired of pain pills. I had it replace in 95 and it was the best thing I ever did. I did change jobs. It took 2 to 3 years to get strengh back into the leg. You don't dare climb trusses anymore. You fall and break it may end you up in a wheel chair for good. I went on to be a commercial appraiser, then mid life crisis, went into the oil field where I am fairly active. I don't have a job where I stress the leg. I am 50 now had the replacement at 37 years of age. Scared the @#$^ out of me as to whether I could make a living and now I am in demand because of my knowledge. I would suggest that you look at what you know more than what you can physically do.

[Tom]

Does anybody have a guess as too: I've had a ceramic grow in hip since I was 37, I am 50 now and started getting these short sharp pains in my bottom. Don't know what brand. Never had any pain ever. Is this thing wearing out? I haven't seen my ortho. In years.

[Etsmommy]

Hello,
I had my left hip replaced January 2006. In May of 2007 I was walking across my son's little league field and suddenly couldn't walk. I immediately went to the doc, who as first thought I had a femur fracture. Didn't have one, was an artery through the bone, but they couldn't find an explanation for my sudden pain. Well the pain came and went over the next few months and a ct scan and bone scan later, still no explaination. two weeks ago, Feb 2008 just over two years post surgery after falling at work and being required by my employer to go to the ER, it was discovered that my femoral component was fractured in two mid thigh. See the following article, it is almost exactly like my story: http://www.priory.com/surgery/Femoral_Fractur...

Be a squeeky wheel and good luck!
Etsmommy

Dave W wrote:

I am 34,an industrial mechanic with 2 hip replacements.I will not be able to tell you if you
can do that type of work again.I did go back into
mechanics for a year,but only part time.It was really hard at times.I had to stand all day and had
very bad pains in my legs occassionally to the point
I had to stop working for a few minutes.I moved from
NJ to FL,where I have yet to find a job I can physically do.I am so scared for my future.Sometimes
the pain I get in my thighs and knees is so bad that I can't even walk.It feels almost as bad as the bone on bone pain before the surgeries.Am I alone here with this pain I'm experiencing?

[Etsmommy]

Etsmommy wrote:

Hello,
I had my left hip replaced January 2006. In May of 2007 I was walking across my son's little league field and suddenly couldn't walk. I immediately went to the doc, who as first thought I had a femur fracture. Didn't have one, was an artery through the bone, but they couldn't find an explanation for my sudden pain. Well the pain came and went over the next few months and a ct scan and bone scan later, still no explaination. two weeks ago, Feb 2008 just over two years post surgery after falling at work and being required by my employer to go to the ER, it was discovered that my femoral component was fractured in two mid thigh. See the following article, it is almost exactly like my story: http://www.priory.com/surgery/Femoral_Fractur...
Be a squeeky wheel and good luck!
Etsmommy
<quoted text>

I should also add that I am a 46 year old rehab counselor/job developer, who doesn't bungie jump, jump out of perfectly good airplanes, or slide into home plate anymore. Pre-child birth, I was a very athletic, mobile person who ran about 5 miles per day, played softball with passion, and loved to dance. Having a baby at 39 did my body in! So...there is no perfectly good explaination in my mind for why this thing broke. Thanks!

[Dome]

To EVERYONE under 60 consider THR: Don't do it without looking into HIP RESURFACING. The reports coming back on it have very few complaints. It is far less invasive, and will allow future surgeries (whereis THR typically takes away too much Femur for a really good second replacement.
If you are young, and are willing to get physically fit before AND after the operation, hip resurfacing is the way to go. The technique is being improved more and more. Europe has years of success doing this, and I believe there are good places here in the US.
I'm looking into RESURFACING and will avoid THR entirely. Good luck.

karl australia wrote:

ive had hip pain 24 years, im 34 now only to be always told its in my head, now ive been told i need both hips replaced and have been warned about thigh pain sounds like dambed if you do and dambed if you dont its just not good enough our lives are the ones put on hold where is OUR quaulity of live and where do we end up
best of luck to you all

[angelheart]

Resurfacing will only work in milder cases of arthritis. My case was extremely severe and would not have responded to resurfacing. Don't I wish that I could have had resurfacing!!

Dome wrote:

To EVERYONE under 60 consider THR: Don't do it without looking into HIP RESURFACING. The reports coming back on it have very few complaints. It is far less invasive, and will allow future surgeries (whereis THR typically takes away too much Femur for a really good second replacement.
If you are young, and are willing to get physically fit before AND after the operation, hip resurfacing is the way to go. The technique is being improved more and more. Europe has years of success doing this, and I believe there are good places here in the US.
I'm looking into RESURFACING and will avoid THR entirely. Good luck.
<quoted text>

[Judy Wilson]

I had my RTHR 2 years ago and am experiencing pain and discomfort in the groin when I walk more than about a block. On lifting my leg to get in the car or, indeed, on flexing my leg at all aggravates the pain. I can hear a clicking noise when I bend into certain positions. Have had MRI, the wire removed (which was placed round the greater trochanter when they broke it at the op), ultrasound and x-rays and no clue can be found but the walking is getting more restricted. I had the THR so I could walk without pain and all that has happened is that the pain is now different but just as disabling. I have a Stryker PSL cup.

[Judy Wilson]

P.S. I am 58 years old, weigh only 53kg and am fit, just from swimming and cycling - but I need to be able to walk.

[Faye]

I have been having chronic thigh pain for about 4 yrs now. No doctor can tell me what is going on with me. We have tried several different medications and none so far have helped. Even tried different kind of pain pills. One doctor said if it is PAD I would probably have to stay on medicine for the rest of my life. So can someone recommend someone or something I can do. I don't sleep at night because my legs hurt so bad.

[Sandy]

I had total hip replacement 3 months ago,even though i didn't think i would ever walk again, i finally got rid of the walker afer a couple of weeks and slowly got better. Now for a couple of weeks the thigh pain in my surgery leg is so bad i can't walk. i am 62 years old and i have never had such pain.I went for my 6 week checkup and my surgeon said i was fine. he said it would take a year to get back to normal. i do not see that happening with the pain i am having. i just wanted to see if anyone else is having this thigh pain. i am calling my dr today to see if i can come in.

[Ed - Philadelphia PA]

Everyone should know that Strker was required to post payments to Doctors from 2007-2009. Go to their website and check out your doctor. The monies being exchanged here are absolutely sickening. My doctors and their office has been paid millions of dollars last year alone. How can they have our best intersts at heart with so much money being involved here for individual doctors

[Chip]

Beth wrote:

<quoted text>
No, I have a Zimmer MI Taper, Drs. started using them in 2005, I beleive it was. It is meant to be a minimal invassive surgery (smaller cut between muscles not through) and to be implanted without cement, used on 'younger' patients. I'm told that the main reason for replacements after 10 to 15 years is because the 'cement' fails not the implant.
After having Xrays and a Bone Scan with Radio-Active Dye I am told that the implant is not solid. My bone didn't grow to hold it tight. I will have this one removed and a new implant with 'cement' to hold it in place. You can bet I'm not looking forward to having it replaced, and then still facing the other hip as well.
Don't wait, have your Dr do the Bone Scan ASAP.
It doesn't get any better, only worse!!!

I was told that I have a tendon rubbing on the cup and causing the pain. My doctor did a proceedure to release the tendon by cutting it on Friday 7/11/08. I am hoping it will get better but as of right now it feels as bad as when I had the THR after a few days!! I sure didn't expect all of this in the beginning.

[Jennifer Klask]

I'm 38 yrs. old and had two hip replacements because of avascular necrosis - I'm experiencing severe pain in my thigh and sometimes it feels as if my leg is going to give out. Other times it hurts to pick up my leg to walk. The doctor has no clue as to what could be the cause.
I'm trying to diagnosis it over the internet.

[alice]

Karan C wrote:

I had both hips replaced 4 years ago. Since that time I have contiunued to expierence pain in my thighs. My surgeon told me my hip replacements were healing nicely and he could not tell me what was causing the pain in my thighs - all but said not his problem. I have had every test run known to the medical profession- they all show I am in excellent physical health - which is a very good thing - however it does nothing to releive the pain in my thighs. The doctors all but infer I am neurotic and am just looking for a reason to have another surgery/test/etc.- and that I am obviously depressed. I have been unable to find any pain medication that works and usually makes me sick. I am relieved to find that I am not the only one experiercing this pain. I have tried accupuntcure, chriropractor, pain management- all of whom want to run more tests to no avail. I work in an office so it has not caused me to be unable to work but it has certainly taken away any enjoyment in life. I would really like for the physicians to take a closer look at this problem and find a resolution.

Karen, If you are still experiencing undiagnosed thigh pain , check it out on the internet and you will find many references to the stem not binding with your bone (my interpretation) that will validate your pain. I am 2 years into my hip replacement(s) and having the same pain in my thigh(s). So far have not found a solution but I know that it is more frequently painful..sometimes disabling after a day of physical activity. good luck Alice

[TeaserOHIO]

I had two THR's when I was 49 and 50 years old. The second, on my right leg, was in January of '08-- apporximately 18 months ago. I have thigh pain in the right leg when I walk. Otherwise I have no other complaints. Doing research on the internet I found two things, if you haven't reached a 24-month period, there is still hope that the thigh will heal. After that, the second thing, is that it is officially a side effect of the surgery, which is common. I knew going in that thigh pain might be an issue. And it is. For me it feels like the prosthesis and the bone are impacting hard when I take a step. I hope it goes away.

[Bill San Diego]

I had a THR done on my right hip in April of 2007. It was done at Scripps Green in La Jolla. The recovery period and therapy went well and I was back playing golf again 4 days a week 6 weeks later. I am 71 years and am doing well but experiencing the following:
1. I have occasional numbness running from my hip to my knee on the outside of the leg. This usually lasts for about 5 minutes and then goes away.
2. After I play golf or am on my feet for over an hour I have moderate pain in the hip area. It is not a severe pain but is unconfortable. The pain usually subsides after I am off my feet for awhile.
I have been back for X-rays each of the past two years and my surgeon tells me that the hip is fine. I was told that I do not need to have a checkup now for 3 years.
I am still able to do most of the things that I did before the THR and the problems I am experiencing are nothing compared to the pain I was in before the procedure. I didn't mention that the reason for the replacement was 4 cracks in the top of the femur that were caused by a fall on the golf course on a railroad tie. Other than the problems I have mentioned, I have no squeaking, or clicks in the hip.
Dr. Richard Walker of Scripps did my replacement and I would reccomend him to anyone.
good luck to anyone needing this procedure.
3. When I bend over from the waist, I feel a sharp pain in the muscles at the waist in the hip area. This goes away as soon as I am upright for a few minutes

[Jeannie Blumenthal]

I had a total left hip replacement, titanium, no plastic, metal on metal..about 10 months after, I began having a popping sound in my lower back area. When I went in for my yearly checkup, Xrays were taken, the implant was in position, nothing out of line was indicated. Now 4 months later, I have more and more popping, grinding, and some pain under the buttox area and some thigh pain. It is very uncomfortable and I have begun to limp, whereas I did not limp before. I am so frustrated. I am going back to the surgeon Dec. 2009.