I had my first THR in October, 2002 (at the age of 64). It was a metal-metal cemented procedure (with a titanium liner) Since that surgery, I have always experienced numbness along the incision in the thigh and "uncomfortableness" where the prosthesis is. I saw my surgeon a week ago and he said it was probably bursitis, gave me a cortisone shot, and then explained that the numbness was from the nerves and it takes a year for them to heal. However, I still am experiencing a "tightness" feeling and am unable to be on my legs for any length of time because of the "achy tight feeling" where the joint of the prothesis is located. (My surgeon did tell me prior to surgery that he makes sure the prosthesis is a "tight fit".) I also need THR in my other hip, but that hip feels better than the hip which was operated on. Are the above symptoms permanent? I'm apprehensive about the second surgery because this THR is not what I anticipated it to be.

-- Jan Bear (jbear@pvaz.net), June 19, 2003

Answers

The symptoms you are having are uncommon. The numbness may indeed be related to injury of a nerve. It is difficult to assess without seeing you and your x-rays. Not everyone has a perfect result after a hip replacement, I would expect you to be feeling better at this point. As far as the other side, THA is elective. If it's not infringing on your life-style hold off till you feel it is.

-- Harpal S. Khanuja, MD (hkhanuj1@jhmi.edu), June 25, 2003.