8.5 months post op - lots of problems still

[WillW]

I had my resurfacing done Nov of 2021. It was done by one of the most experienced surgeons in the country. My recovery was going fine until about week 6. My hip filled up with a big seroma and I had lots of pain for the next 3 months. I spent nearly 6 weeks almost unable to walk on it. Fluid is still there - it comes and goes. There is also a chance that the fluid under the scar is now in a membrane. I need to get an ultrasound to figure that out.  All inflammatory markers are negative for infection including negative blood culture. I even got a metal allergy test - also negative. My surgeon says I should just live with the encapsulated seroma if it exists. I told him it hurts. He kinda said I'd adjust with time.  Now at 8.5 months my hip remains stiff and achy. Significant impingement of the muscles and tendons of both flexion and adduction. Still hurts to put pants on. I can walk most days for about 5 miles - usually closer to 3 though. It often feels better once I'm walking. However, the impingement is brutal. I need to lift my leg into the car again. That had gone away and came back. Certainly not a linear recovery. I have spoken to my surgeon several times. First he said lets not put a needle in - it could create an infection. I agree. Then he told me in a few months this should all be behind you. At 6 months it was still an ordeal. He told me I'd probably be good at a year. Then I developed this odd rash only around the incision and fluid again. He said I don't know but I've seen them before. When I asked about the fluid and impingement he said yesterday - well resurfacing can take years to recover from. Years?!? I don't even know what to think or say about that. He initially told me I'd likely be back to normal in a year. I have a consult coming up with Dr. Su in a few days. I know this procedure works well for a lot of people. I am beginning to think I'm just not one of them. I'm trying to be patient. We will see what Dr. Su says. I'm already starting to look up complex revision surgeons.

[Olin001]

How did it go with Dr Su?

[WillW]

It actually went really well. Dr. Su did a pretty legit exam via computer screen, confirmed that there was indeed still fluid in / around my hip and gave some imaging to get and upload the DICOM files once I've done so to get a better handle on the impingement issues. . He discussed what might be going on, and what my options might be moving forward. It was a completely different interaction than the surgeon who actually did the surgery. He's actually not a bad guy, and I don't mean to imply that my outcome is his fault. But he is the surgeon and it's his responsibility to help me figure it out instead of rambling on about how many years it takes for bone remodeling. A good guy and a good surgeon but absolutely lost when it comes to communicating with his patients about post operative complications.

[Boz]

Hi WillW, I’m concerned about impingement too. Who was your surgeon?

[the_dw4rf]

WillW, did you ever figure out what caused the rash?

I had both hips done about a year apart, and only the second hip has had similar issues.

Mine isn't very painful, but a rash has appeared twice now. The first time there was a bit of fluid. Both times were after I was sick.