Local radiologist just scared me to death

[mountaingoat]

Hi Everyone,
 I just had an x-ray this morning after feeling some pain in my left hip over the last week and a little in my right. I was mainly getting the x-ray for peace of mind to rule out anything with cup loosening or something but over the last 12 months I have had no problems at all and have returned to a high level of activity so I was really not all that worried. Well, the radiologist came in and told me right away that they were concerned that I had stress fractures in both hips and were referring me immediately to the orthopedic department for further evaluation. The radiology report said bone sclerosis and they believed the femur necks were starting to fracture.

Well, later in the day I got in to see the orthopedist and his PA. They told me they reviewed my films and were also concerned about stress fractures and advised me I needed to prepare myself for possible revision surgery very soon. They wanted to do a bone scan to confirm one way or another and also told me to stay on crutches until further notice. I sobbed through the entire appointment and literally almost threw up in the exam room. 

Well, as I was headed back to my cars in tears I got a call from Lee Webb who told me my x-rays looked perfect and she and Dr. Gross had both reviewed them that afternoon and said definitively there was no fracturing at all and both cups looked perfect, bone looked great, etc. She said the x-rays looked exactly as they should for 12 months out and that the stress fractures the radiologist and local ortho saw was actually bone remodeling they would expect to see at this point. I questioned her over and over because I was so worried but she was very confident that I did not need a bone scan and everything was fine - that I just need to rest and take NSAIDs for a few weeks. She reminded me again that Dr. G has never had a FNF  after 6 months. And I followed his protocol pretty religiously - waiting about 5.888 months to do any kind of impact activity and even then it wasn't much besides wearing a heavier backpacking hiking. I didn't ski or jog until just recently at 10-11 months.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? I mean, can doctors really disagree this dramatically on something so serious as a potential fracture? Should I still get the bone scan just to be certain? I am going to see Dr. Gross next week for my 1 year appt and I'll get more info from him then but I just can't believe the minefield of emotions I had to go through today! 

Amy

Bilateral Biomet Cementless, Dr. Gross,  1/25/12 & 1/25/12

[luann again]

Amy, so sorry! What a nightmare! So glad you sought more than one opinion! And thank goodness it is good news!!  Lu

[Ross]

Who's...sorry you went through that.  I bet you turned white as a ghost and nearly vomited.  Guess you can rest now and give your mind and body a break.

[Dee Dee]

I had so many doctors looking at my many  X-rays when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my hips. One hip specialist said nothing was wrong, one said my joint space was too far gone to have arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn labrum. It was so frustrating.  One said THR and one said no way was I ready for surgery just by the xray.  I don't know why so many docs saw different things.

When I arrived at Dr. Gross office the first thing Lee said after looking at the xray is that I have mild dysplasia. Next dr. Gross came in and looked at the xray and asked me if I was very flexible (when I was little they called me rubber band girl).  He also said I have dysplasia and that caused my hips to wear out early. 

Finally I got answers that made sense. I share this to say that I totally trust Dr. Gross and Lee Webb when looking at X-rays. Their experience is the best. 

I hope you get some answers to your pain.  I know it is hard not to worry that something might be wrong after we get this hardware installed. Take good care of yourself and let us know how it goes.

Dee

[hernanu]

Hi Amy... sorry you had to go through that. I would trust the person who has the most knowledge on the subject.

In your case, given that he did the surgery and has seen many recoveries, that would be Dr. Gross.  I understand your concern, but it really comes down to who has the most experience in that specific area, and what sounds correct to you.

I haven't had any of these situations since the surgery, but had them before. My primary care doctor went through a long list of possibilities and tests before I finally decided to see my first surgeon. I went through tests for Lyme disease, neurological problems - that one was fun, needles inserted in my arms, legs and thorax and sharp electric pulses run through me, long runs of physical therapy. Then when I went to several surgeons, they all spotted the OA and except for the last touted THR instead of HR.

So my point is that there is often disagreement, not because they may not be good doctors, but because they either don't have enough information, because it is not their field of expertise or because they have reached some philosophical conclusion that they can't retreat from. In the end, I tend to trust the ones most expert, but also use my own goals and gut feel to choose among the experts. In your case, you have a greatly experienced surgeon who knows exactly what your hips should look like, I would go with him.

[mountaingoat]

Thanks everyone. I feel a bit better today although I'm still sore. I did have a similar experience prior to surgery when I was dealing with labral tears and impingement in that many different surgeons told me a thousand different diagnoses. I guess in this case Dr. Gross and Lee Webb look at more post-op resurfacing x-rays than anyone (besides the other top HR surgeons).

I keep wondering if there is a way that I got an infection that I don't know about - urinary tract or somewhere in my body. I don't really feel sick or anything but I know infection is always a concern when there is hip pain.  But again, I would think my symptoms would be more dramatic and I would feel feverish, etc.

I'll keep you posted and thanks again for the support. I'm glad to connect with some of you again - it has been too long!

Amy

[obxpelican]

Glad that your fears were unfounded, if Dr. Gross told me that I did not have a fracture I would take it to the bank.

As to an infection, I've never heard of a Dr. Gross hippy getting an infection, that hospital is pretty darn good.  Keep track of your temperature, that usually tells you what is going on.


Chuck

[mountaingoat]

I didn't think I got an infection from the surgery - my surgery was almost a year ago. I was just wondering if I could have gotten one somewhere in my body without knowing it and it spread to my hips.

I just did some trigger point needling and that seemed to help at least the worser hip. It wasn't fun though. 

As much as I trust Dr. Gross and Lee Webb, I have to say that even having the local doctors put that thought in my head is now impacting my confidence and ability to sleep soundly. Every time I pick up my daughter I feel a little nervous....

I guess I can do the bone scan at some point if I'm still having pain and need the peace of mind.

[John C]

Hi Mountaingoat,
Here is my 2 cents worth.
I have tremendous respect and faith in Dr Gross and Lee. Having said that, if I were under as much stress and uncertainty as you are, I would get the bone scan as soon as possible so that you can regain some confidence and get back to sleeping at night. Whether or not your hips need the bone scan may be less relevant at this point than the question of whether you mind needs it.
Living with this much fear and uncertainty is not good for you, and the option of getting the bone scan may possibly make all of this unnecessary.
I sincerely hope that you get some good news soon.

[obxpelican]

I have to agree with John, get the scan, it will either put your mind at ease or let you know what is going on.



Chuck

[mountaingoat]

Thanks John and Chuck. Since I leave for Columbia for my 1yr appt on Wednesday I may wait until I get back to do the bone scan but I think you are right -- I have tremendous faith in Dr.Gross but I want to put my mind at ease now that I have a twinge of doubt. Quite honestly, if I didn't have a toddler to haul around most of the day  I would just lay around for a week and maybe even pick up some crutches to really give things a rest but until I know more that's not a very viable option.

Another surface hippy in my area had a similar experience at our same hospital where they told her something had shifted with her cup alignment and of course being that McMinn was her surgeon everything was completely fine so I know it does happen.

I've got a really fun ski hut trip planned in February to some backcountry yurts in Northern Colorado a few hours from here...I'd so like this to be resolved by then!! 

Thanks again.

[lyn]

I agree with the other coments,I would trust Dr. Gross first, but get a bone scan if you think that would make you feel better. I hope your stress gets better with continued good news!

[John C]

Hello again "goat"
Just me, but I would get the scan before seeing Dr Gross, if at all possible. Though he said that you do not need it, if you are going to have it done, it makes sense to have the results available to him at your appointment so that he has the maximum information available when you are sitting in front of him. He may shake his head at you for going ahead and getting it done, but I bet he will study it with interest as part of his exam and diagnosis.