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Steroid injection into hip replacement

(24 Posts)
Luckygirl3 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:28:57

Some of you will know that my hip replacement about 9 years ago did not go well. I have been in constant and worsening pain. Scans and x-rays have not been able to get to the bottom of the problem.

I have now been booked ion for a steroid injection into the replaced hip. I had thought that this was contraindicated because of the risk of infection.

Has anyone had tgis?

Luckygirl3 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:29:18

this ..

Charleygirl5 Tue 16-Jan-24 12:58:52

I would not have it done for the reason you described. If you did not have an implant the risk of infection is minute but it increases after the insertion of a new joint.

You need a revision hip replacement but done by somebody else!

I will happily help you find somebody else!

Gwyllt Tue 16-Jan-24 13:59:35

All the same comments as Charley girl
Surgeons come in many guises you need a good one can also happily help.

tanith Tue 16-Jan-24 15:04:04

I agree hip revision is what you need. Don’t risk the injection.

Juliet27 Tue 16-Jan-24 15:10:23

I could definitely recommend a surgeon in London at the London Bridge Hospital. He replaced both my hips and no doubt does revision too. If you’d like his name then pm me.

silverlining48 Tue 16-Jan-24 15:30:15

I remember the pain you have had luckygirl.
I had a guided hip injection prior to hip surgery nearly 2 years ago. It was supposed to help the pain, which it did for 10 glorious days before increasing ten fold.

I eventually got to see the surgeon for my operation and avascular necrosis was diagnosed.
Obviously this is a different situation to yours but that was my experience.
I woukd look into the revision option.

Aveline Tue 16-Jan-24 15:32:01

What all the other Grans have said. Good luck. I know it's all a difficult business.

Allsorts Tue 16-Jan-24 15:35:08

Dreadful situation fir you Luckygirl I do hope the other comments help you.

Charleygirl5 Tue 16-Jan-24 19:36:43

You could have a grumbling infection, flexor tendinitis or a nerve could be trapped.

Is there clicking of the hip occasionally or frequently? That would indicate wear and tear but I am aware it has not been right from day 1. I would not go down the private route, this can be treated on the NHS.

Have you got back pain as well as a painful hip with pain radiating down your leg? Have you got pain at rest and/or in bed?

Luckygirl3 Tue 16-Jan-24 22:18:47

The worst of the pain is in my groin. It is especially painful when lifting my leg and moving it inwards. For instance I have to lift my leg into the driving seat of my car as it is too painful to just lift it normally. No clicking. Just pain.

Various tests and scans have been done, including an aspiration - all of which concluded that there is no infection.

I realise that there can sometimes be confusion with pain emanating from the spine. I have had a microdiscectomy in the last year for a prolapsed L 4/5 disc which cured the back and leg pain, tingling etc. (and meant I could walk again!) But the back problem very much post-dates the onset of the groin pain, which started immediately after the hip surgery.

No-one seems to know what is going on, and it is very frustrating, but I feel quite reluctant to do anything that might introduce infection where there is none and make the situation worse. Especially as I live in a village with no public transport and really need to be able to drive.

The only thing I have gained from the hip surgery is the fact that it no longer locks in place as it used to.

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. I do appreciate them.

silverlining48 Tue 16-Jan-24 23:14:44

I was out walking but groin pain was slowing me down and apologised to a passing runner mentioning the pain .
She told me I probably needed a new hip which really took me aback, but she was right.
No doubt you know this having seen so many specialists, but you mention groin pain so wonder if a revision done properly might improve things.

Charleygirl5 Wed 17-Jan-24 03:23:23

My money would go on a trapped nerve especially as that would not show up on any x-ray or scan and you have had problems from day 1.

If you are not happy with your present NHS surgeon you could always ask for a second opinion but then it would be better to have a name in mind.

Gwyllt Wed 17-Jan-24 08:20:36

There seems to be lots more than your original post.
Have you considered requesting a second opinion
Perhaps someone new could look at your problem with fresh eyes

Luckygirl3 Wed 17-Jan-24 08:36:27

I think the idea of a second opinion is a good one. It is hard to know from whom!

Gwyllt Wed 17-Jan-24 08:56:27

What general area of country do you live in

Luckygirl3 Wed 17-Jan-24 10:02:46

West Midlands/South Wales border.

Gwyllt Wed 17-Jan-24 10:31:15

My suggestion might be the ticket for you pm me if you would like to take it further

Gwyllt Wed 17-Jan-24 10:33:46

And a possible suggestion of how to take it further Ie how to approach asking for second opinion
Got the tee shirt been there done it
You don’t want to alienate anyone if possible

Fishwife Wed 17-Jan-24 10:50:44

Hi. I had a hip replacement on a deformed hip (perthes) in 2002 and was left with slightly changed length of legs and lots of attempts at orthotics. From 2025/6 I’d been seeing consultant and having the hip X-rayed and although I had some pain in groin and more so in buttock after any outing/exertion I was told there was nothing wrong with the hip. In 2021/2 I I started having my knee clicking into place on sitting on first visit to loo. On next visit to hospital I had half dozen X-rays and was told I was badly knock-kneed and needed knee replacement. By the time of the operation my foot was so out of position I could hardly walk. I won’t go on as back to trying orthotics etc but just wanted to flag up my experience in case it was of any help. (Two different hospitals)

Fishwife Wed 17-Jan-24 10:51:57

Oops. Getting ahead of myself 2015/6 !!

Luckygirl3 Wed 17-Jan-24 16:36:54

I have arranged an appointment with the consultant who will be doing the injection to ask him questions about the risk/benefit ratio. They have slotted me in 2 days before the injection, and they will slot someone else in if I decide not to go ahead.

Aveline Wed 17-Jan-24 17:24:27

Good plan. Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

TinaTheTech63 Tue 25-Jun-24 20:59:50

I had a right total hip in June 2022. I started having the same kind of pain that you have had - Luckygirl3- in my right hip in July 2023. It hurts in the groin. I had an injury to one of my right toes in July 2023 and when I lifted my leg up for my husband to help me wrap the toe - the pain in my right groin was not expected. I have had no significant injury . It hurts when I am getting into the driver's seat of my car. It's definitely caused by certain positions so it doesn't hurt all of the time. The pain sometimes goes down into my distal femur but not quite to the knee. I have had an ultrasound to rule out infection. I have had an MRI. I have had a bone scan. I have gone through physical therapy. I have yet to have an xray of my entire right femur. When I have seen this orthopedic doctor and try to explain my pain - he has not been able to pinpoint what is causing my pain. He is now suggesting a cortisone injection - which has brought me to this page. I am an xray tech. I've seen patients that have had procedures that have not been successful. Something in me tells me to avoid the injection. I'm still making paymens for the right total hip replacement and now I owe for an MRI and a bone scan. I'm so tired of the pain. What is an update on your health / hip , Luckygirl3?