“Old” hip hurting with PMR more than “new” hip?

[SusyTe]

Hello All.

Apologies for bothering you with this but I am lucky enough to have got an appointment with the wonderful Professor Rod Hughes tomorrow and am compiling a list of things I would like to discuss with him. Hope he is well and in a good mood!

One of the issues is that I had a right hip replacement in July and am recovering well from that - but normally my hips hurt to the same extent with my PMR (in the early hours and before my Pred kicks in), as is usual for PMR. However, now my left (old) hip hurts a lot more than my right (new) one.

Is this normal after a hip replacement, would you think? My osteo seems to think it is. I am just getting worried that I may be heading for another hip replacement, which I really don’t want.

I am also hoping Prof Hughes might give me an injection to get me through Christmas as I think I may also have bursitis in one shoulder.

I have a cold and cough at the moment (Covid test negative) - kindly shared with me by my husband after I nursed him through his - so I shall dose myself up and wear a mask for my appointment tomorrow. I really can’t miss the opportunity to see the Prof - he is such a busy man and it was not easy to get the appointment - so I need to be on the ball.

Thank you for any thoughts.

[SheffieldJane]

I expect the osteopath has suggested that it could be the way you were moving in the run up to your op.putting the strain on the old hip to save the painful one. I hope so. I hope your appointment with Prof Rod Hughes is really satisfactory.

[SusyTe in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for replying. Maybe I have no reason to worry then. 🤞

I know others have it worse but my poor old bod has been through quite a lot this year. Horrible eye infections, excruciating hip bone on bone pain then hip replacement operation, bad back and knees and most recently a blocked salivary duct (at least that is what my GP thinks) so one side of my face swelled up.

This wasn’t what I expected being 60 to be like, I have to say. But I know I am lucky to have reached that age - some of my contemporaries have not - so have to count my blessings.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As SheffieldJane says perhaps a hangover from your gait prior to replacement -the body compensates in many ways -and then has to unlearn what’s gone on before!

Life’s complicated at times 😳 🤣😂

[SusyTe in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. You have both reassured me. I was beginning to think either I was heading for another op or I had got myself another illness of some sort - RA, Sjogrens etc. Need to pull myself together.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SusyTe]

No need to put yourself together- quite natural to think the worst. I know at lot of people say, once you’ve had one knee or hip replaced you’ll need the other one done soon - not always…many just have one done and that’s it. Me 4 and and 5 years with no signs in ‘other side’ … can say the same for shoulders - but un operated one is behaving itself [relatively] at the moment so hoping itremains thus. 😊

[SusyTe in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you - really appreciate your reply. Glad to hear your other side is ok-ish - long may that continue 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SusyTe]

Me too -🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Having a new hip does change they way you walk quite dramatically so it could be causing some soft tissue problems in the old hip - not to mention the possibility that that hip is a bit worn too??? But you mention back problems - and the hip won't have helped there either.

Enjoy your audience with our favourite private rheumy!!! I think we should get commission ...

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you - I appreciate the reassurance - I think I thought everything would be dandy after my hip op - daft! 🤪

Yes - so relieved to be getting back to Rod Hughes - my original rheumy who diagnosed me back in 2016. After a few years when things were going ok he handed me back to my GP, with my agreement. But when things got bad a year or so ago I was referred by the GP to a different rheumy and we do not see eye to eye at all - it has taken quite an effort to get back on the Prof’s list. So looking forward to seeing him and having a sensible conversation.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

I suppose you get spoiled when you have had a good experience. Same here though I do know there is another lovely one over in Meran if push came to shove but it is a long way!

[SusyTe]

I don’t suppose any of you have experienced this blocked salivary duct thing, have you? Just eating some lunch and both sides have swelled up under my ears. Uncomfortable!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

Is that cheek rather than under your tongue then? Not something I've ever experienced.

nhs.uk/conditions/salivary-...

has some suggestions.

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

It is under my ears, not in my mouth. That area swells up first then if I continue eating it swells up further to in front of my ears. Weird. That is why I had wondered about Sjogrens 🤔

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

But Sjogrens is a lack of saliva - you are obviously producing saliva for it to swell up.

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

Good point - thank you. Can’t think what it can be - I am not convinced by the GP’s explanation.

Maybe it is this 🤷🏻‍♀️

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

Which is?

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

Parotitis. 🤔 But maybe I am going down a Dr Google rabbit hole now …

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

Can be caused by a variety of things - parotitis is more a statement of the obvious not a diagnosis of the cause!

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

In the link it says it can be related to autoimmune diseases 🤔

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

The joys ...

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

The gift that keeps on giving ….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

Indeed!

[MrsPractical in reply to PMRpro]

Hi I suffered a blocked salivary gland a couple of years back. I was given antibiotics because the doc thought there may be some infection. The real remedy was to massage from the ear downwards to help the blockage to clear. I only had it on one side.

[proactive in reply to SusyTe]

SusyTe,

It is very uncomfortable! I had that happen after a surgery as well.

My Doctor showed me a medical book that stated a "Blocked salivary duct is a common post-surgery complication in the aged and debilitated patient". (I was neither!) With me it blocked when eating and I would immediately suck on a quarter of a lemon and gently massage the affected gland. A warm compress helped as well. I had an x-ray to rule out a stone causing the blockage and decided against surgery to widen the duct as one of the risks of that is "Facial Paralysis". I manage by staying hydrated and not eating dry foods such as peanuts without having water afterwards. It cleared up after a few weeks on its own.

[Jeanlindenburn in reply to SusyTe]

I have experienced this and it was very uncomfortable, GP advised sucking lemons…. It did help.

[SnazzyD]

When I was a nurse and since I lost count of the number of people who had a hip or knee replacement who went on to complain about the opposite number after the op. Even if your gait is better because of the ‘bad’ side being sorted, it is still a change from all the compensatory hoops you jumped through to keep you moving before. The body becomes upset about the change, even if it is for the better. Better the devil you know in action. If you have someone professional who can navigate you through the process of reeducating your body, more the better.

[SusyTe in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you so much. I have just been accepted onto the Nuffield Health Joint Pain Programme which starts in January so hope that will help.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to SusyTe]

I’ve just completed the Joint Pain Programme and can definitely recommend it.

[piglette]

I have had two hip replacements and my NHS hip is definitely not as good as my private one even though I managed to dislocate the private one!

[SusyTe in reply to piglette]

Sorry to hear that. My hip replacement was private but I think if the other one needs doing it will be on the NHS. Don’t want it if I can avoid it.

[piglette in reply to SusyTe]

If you have the other one done check to see which is best! I actually had the same surgeon for both hips. I wonder if it is more awkward to do one as opposed to the other hip depending whether the surgeon is left or right handed??

[SusyTe in reply to piglette]

Will do. And that is a good point! 🤔

[Bella59]

I have had both hips replaced in the last eighteen months.At times i had groin pain also from pmr.It becomes difficult to know exactly what is going on.Regarding pain and swelling under your ear sounds like salivary gland blocked, try massaging the area.I had this several years ago and it helped.Hope your appointment goes well and you feel better soon.

[Viveka]

I suggest you see a good physio - a private one, recommended if poss, and who also does sports injuries. They should be able to check your gait and see how you are weight bearing on either side then offer exercises to address imbalance. The physio you get after a hip op will only help to strengthen that side.

In my experience osteos, chiros and the like are good for their area of expertise but seldom think outside their particular box - in other words they behave like the mainstream medical profession. Even if your non operated hip has some OA, strengthening and lengthening the supportive elements around it will help.

[SusyTe]

Just got back from seeing Professor Hughes. I did wear a mask, but he actually has a worse cough than I do. We talked through everything I was concerned about and he listened and advised - so different from my last rheumy. Such a relief to talk to him - he was very reassuring and I feel stronger and more positive now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SusyTe]

Good to hear...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

And THAT is how it should be,

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

I said as much to the Prof. I also told him he was wonderful and well-loved by many on the Forum - made him smile 😊. Such a lovely, caring man.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SusyTe]

Should have asked for commission ...

[SusyTe in reply to PMRpro]

I said that too 😉

[Hidden in reply to SusyTe]

That's brilliant! A positive outcome. That's how I felt when I saw him in November. x

[SusyTe in reply to Hidden]

So glad he helped you too! We need more rheumatologists like him.