I think my left hip is going bad

It's been bothering me off and on for a few months. Yesterday I did some work at the food bank warehouse (no heavy lifting, just a lot of bending and stocking shelves) and it's killing me today like it used to before it was replaced. It's only been 11 years...is it being greedy to feel annoyed that a decade is all I get out of a hip replacement? I was told it could last 20 years or more if I was careful with it, which I have been.   I'm getting clicking sensation, too. I swear, it seems like I get one thing fixed and something else breaks. Argh...

Wow! That really stinks! I was told about 20 years with mine as long as I was careful also. I don't think you are being greedy, you want what you pay for  : * ].     I wonder what's going on? I feel bad for you because I remember what pre hip replacement was like. Bone on bone and in a wheelchair, very painful.  I pray things will work out for you. Take it easy! 

Hi Carolan,

I wish I could give you some advise but my hips are the only thing I haven't had done. (knocking on wood here) I wish you luck in finding out what is wrong. Just go in as soon as you can and have someone look at it, you don't want to let it go to long!

take care,

Kelly

Carolan,

Good luck on finding out what is going on with the hip. I  haven't had mine replaced and my right one is giving me issues but not from the bones, the tendons AGAIN!!! 

The Ortho said we have to get on the right med regiment and find a good PT Program for me or I will be a constant visitor to his office.

Tess

I'm beginning to think this might be a tendon problem, because right now I'm sitting here doing leg extensions (multitasking - heh) and even though the hip itself isn't moving, I'm still feeling a slight "pop" in it when I straighten out my leg.

Carolan,

That is how my hip started and it was all tendon issues. Is yours on the outside of the hip or thin inner portion. (outside the hip bone) hard to explain with no pictures and pointing devices.

Tess

It's hard to say. Sometimes I'm sure it's tendon, then I'm wondering if it's the hip socket. The pain is mainly in the groin so I think it might be the socket.

For a couple days it stopped hurting all together and I thought maybe it was only a strain and I'd gotten over it. But today it's bad again and I'm even considering digging out my cane.   I guess I should call the rheumie, but I've already got an appointment next week...

I would talk to the Rheumy and actually request an MRI of it.  Mine still comes and goes and the MRI shows nothing except swelling of the tendon and it is in the groin area, I just have to watch my footing and yes take the cane out when it is bothering me.

Rheumy looked at it again today and Ortho last week, they have me on a PT regiment for it and it helps a little but there isn't much they can do at this point for it.  Sometimes it gets worse when I am having a flare but my RA is effecting more of my tendon's then the distruction of the joints for some reason. (As doc says unexplained hasn't seen this happen very often).  So I get to get used to having surgeries to loosen the tendons and PT will be in my future for a long time.  

Just don't let it go.....don't make the same mistakes I have.

Good Luck,

Tess

Update:

Actually not much to update. LOL I saw my rheumie yesterday. Good news is, my bloodwork continues to be "perfect" and we are decreasing the mtx still more! Yay!

She took two xrays of my hip, and I will call her today to get her opinion on those. She said she really wants an MRI done but the xray is the first step.

It's still a bit sore, but now that I'm taking two Mobic a day the pain is manageable. The clicking/popping still occurs on extension of the hip. Something just ain't right in there.

Carolan,

I hope things turn out well with the xray, even though the MRI would show more.  Stupid question on my part was this hip replaced or is this your own hip? 

I know some of the folks here have had joints replaced and can't keep it all straight.

Tess

Left hip replaced 1997, right hip 2000.   '97 is the one bothering me, only 11 years old.

I know what you mean...I can't keep my own surgical history straight, much less anyone else's!

Okay, the good news:

My rheumie saw no evidence of implant failure on the xrays.

Bad news - it's still sore. She says if it's not improving in a week or so, she'll order an MRI.

I have this idea that it might be a bone spur like in my finger, because it "went" the same way - from 0 to 60 in terms of pain, in a matter of a split second. Not sure if that would show up in an xray, though - the one on my finger didn't.

More good news is that whatever is wrong with it is not interfering with riding the exercise bike. So I'll keep doing that in hopes of strengthening the muscles and tendons around joint.

Update:

My rheumie is going to schedule an MRI. The hip was doing better as long as I took two Mobic a day, but on vacation last week it became clear that any kind of significant walking worsens it. After a horrendous, delay-ridden flight home yesterday, I can barely walk today. It doesn't help that I came from the warmth of Cancun to the cold, damp rain of Toledo!

Hey Carolan -

I had my right hip MRI'ed (is that the verb version?) a couple of months ago.  It didn't show a lot except that the synovium was indeed inflamed (duh - I have RA).  We did a steroid shot, and it lasted almost 3 months.  Now its starting to hurt again.  At its worse, I could feel the wind blowing through it.  It was awful!  But this may sound like a dumb question, but do steroid shots even work on joint replacements?  I only have my left wrist done, and so far no issues, but its only been 10 years.  I hadn't even been diagnosed with RA then...I know, its weird. 

But keep us updated.  Welcome back!!!! 

I have no idea! I guess I'll find out, and of course whatever I learn, you guys will know ten minutes after I get home.

All I can think is that it has to be either soft tissue (synovium or a tendon), or something going on with the cup and the socket implanted in it, because there aren't any pain receptors in the hip itself any more.

This ticks me off b/c I had a number of plans for this summer that may have to get canceled if I have to have surgery again. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

Kati, did I already know taht you lived near the OBX? I forget. LOL I envy you!

LOL - Well, we've always lived about an hour from the OBX (and an hour or so from Virginia Beach), but we are moving closer to the OBX today actually.  I didn't want to tell you guys we were moving AGAIN - its so embarassing.  Essentially what happened is we rented a house from friends (Let me advise againts this right now).  It is a lovely house in a lovely neighborhood. We were supposed to be here until July, at which time I will have finished my internship/degree and Chris would have news about whether or not he was going to be given his own school.  At the point, we planned to buy a new house near his school and settle down finally.

Well the recession took hold of my friends, and her husband's branch in Miami is closing.  He somehow got his company to agree to buy their Miami house, so they want to move back here now ASAP. They say for every month they stay, they are losing 3500 on a mortgage. Our thought was didn't they at least need to let their 11 year old finish the school year???  In any case, we were given about 2 weeks notice that we are to move.  (Read: lost some friends).

So we were left with these options: sign a lease and possibly leave in 2 months; buy a home and possibly leave in 2 months, or move in w/ my mother.  Hmmmm...Not great options, but we decided to move in with Mom. This makes the most sense b/c she DOES live 20 minutes from the OBX,  and she has a huge house w/ extra rooms and a pool.  Thus, I've decided to treat it like an extended vacation.  LOL. 

No, it also works out b/c my internship is down the street from her, there will be an extra set of adults to help w/ Cole when I have those flares, and one of the Principalships for which Chris is being considered is in the OBX.

So that was the decision.  But I do worry for Cole.  This is our 3rd move this year.  He was able to stay in the same preschool until now, so he had that consistency, but none of us have enjoyed this constant moving.  Still, my RA is the most under control it has been in years, so I'm thankful for that - OH, and there's this, Chris says if he gets the principalship, he can hire a nanny to help with Cole if I want to try coming off the meds. once again to have a baby.  But I don't want to jinx it.  Still, keep your fingers crossed for us.

And let us know about your hip!!!!

- Kati

Holy cow, I thought my life was hectic!! I'm glad your Mom has the space for you - and that y'all get along well enough to take advantage of it. LOL

My MRI is scheduled for Tuesday. I'm told an MRI is safe even with all my metal implants, but if you hear something on the news about a woman's hip impant flying out of her body and impaling a couple of xray technicians, you'll know it was me!

As they say, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...

Carolan (of the sick sense of humor)

LOL i will def be on the look for a news story about a flying hip implant lol.

I havent had either hips replaced yet( knock on wood) however I have had to get a series of several cort. shots in each. It takes about 3shots in 3months and lasts about 1yr to 1 1/2 year.

Good Luck!

Emily

Thanks, darlin'.

FWIW, I had RA for over 30 years before I needed a hip replacement, so maybe that bodes well for you "youngster"!

Carolyn,

Hope your doing well, it has been a while since I have had the strength after working all day to type another word on a computer. 

I am very interested in knowing how this is all working out for you, keep me posted,

Kati, If you and Chris have a good relationship with your parents this could be a blessing in diguise, I believe there has to be a silver lining in every cloud. If I didn't believe this I don't think I could smile all day long and keep going with the RA and the stress from work.  Good Luck!!

Tess

Okay, here's the scoop:

The MRI showed "significant" fluid around the hip. The physician's assistant couldn't tell me anything else, like why there's fluid there. But my rheumie is referring me to an orthopedic surgeon.  His office is supposed to call to schedule an appointment.

I had this idea that the synovium was destroyed when the hip was replaced, but maybe that's not the case. I can't imagine where else fluid would build up except in a tendon. Oh well, I'll find out. The good news is, according to my previous x-ray, the hip implant itself was fine so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that major surgery won't be required.

If they have to go in there an look around or do something with the tendon, fine...just as long as I don't have to go through the whole replacement process again!

So now we're in wait-and-see mode again!

Carolyn,

My thoughts are with you and hope this will be something quick and simple. Just keep us up to date.

Tess

Report: I can't get in with the orthopedic surgeon until the end of May.