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.
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SusyTe
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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. 😊
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 ...
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.
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!
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!
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 🤔
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.
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.
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.
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??
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.
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.
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.
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