resurfaced hip serious burning pains after 8 years

suni · November 27, 2012, 08:55:52 PM

Being new to this site I first posted this message in the general topics where it does not seem to belong so I am reposrting it here:
I had a resurfacing (Burmingham Dr De Smet) 8 years ago. The two first years I had problems (pains, clunking) and De Smet seemed to think it was because the prosthesis he put is slightly too large.
Then I had a metal on metal THR on the other hip (left 2005) with the hope (surgeon, here in Canada, said it might help the right hip) and this THR failed and had to redo it in 2010 (also because I developed a cyst in the hip, consistent with metal on metal issues).
When the second THR (metal on plastic this time!) on the left got better, my right resurfaced hip got better too. And I had about one year mostly free from pain and able to walk and was soooooo happy.

Lately I started to have pain, burning in the resurfacing hip going down my right leg and it's becoming worse. It even is during the night.
I have a very high level of metal ions.
Does anyone have any similar experience with resurfacing after several years? or does anyone have any advice?
thanks

Spanielsal · November 28, 2012, 06:16:50 PM

Hi Suni, I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I had pain in my 9yr old resurfacing but it has gone since my right thr, I'm hoping that it stays away.

I'm so sorry that I have no advice for you, if you have high metal ions that is obviously worrying.

Do keep us posted about what you decide to do and how you are getting on.

Sal x

suni · November 29, 2012, 04:18:41 PM

thanks Spanielsal

I am going to wait and see for a little while. observing what makes it worse or not etc...
Getting an apointment with my surgeon is very difficult here! so I want to make sure there is really lots to report!

Toontowngal · December 09, 2012, 01:12:36 AM

I just had this conversation with my surgeon in Calgary. I ask what the symptome would be if there were serious issues with Chromium/cobalt, and the symptoms are exactly what you are describing. Burning/ swelling.

suni · December 11, 2012, 07:15:37 PM

thanks for the info Toontowngal
yes I think it's fairly typical and I am starting to be quite worried:
This morning I had my apointment with my surgeon here in Vancouver here is what the result is:
he said X-ray are ok so we need to do ultrasounds to see if soft tissues are reacting to metal. My symptoms can be a sign of that.
Depending on degree of metal tissue inflammation, surgery is recommended ASAP because if tissues deteriorate more or too much then the surgery is not successful. I should have ultrasounds in around one month. If ultrasounds are not bad then I should manage it with pain killer and monitor with ultrasounds once a year.
Surgery is replacing the resurfacing prosthesis by a THR (total hip replacement) which is major surgery and very complex.... :'( :'(
And surgeon here has done very few (less than 20) which means I will have to research and see if doing it with him is the best solution or if I should go to the states.

OtterDriver · December 12, 2012, 01:31:47 PM

Hi Suni -

Sorry to read about your troubles. I have no advice to offer other than do your homework thoroughly as it seems you are.

Good luck!

Bruce