Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 5/14/2009

Question
5 weeks ago i had my r-hip replaced .ever since day one ive been in severe pain, groin and buttock, right in the joint.pain is terrible on weight bearing and sitting is not an option, upon sitting the pain starts in the buttock and radiates into the groin. even after laying down the pain persists. if i put to much weight on it , i get a stbbing pain in the butt right where i had pain before the surgery. my dr said he thinks its in my mind,what an insult. ive had other surgerys and this isnt normal. i had the same hip arthoscopicly  worked on 8 months before which failed. please give me your thoughts.

Answer
Hi Boyd.

Did you have Physical Therapy? if so did they give you any ideas what it could be?

If not it sounds like it could be a case of sciatica. Thats just a hunch. The fact you are having pain in the buttocks and pain on the backside when laying flat leads me to believe the sciatic nerve may be inflamed.

Did that ever come up in conversation? If so was that ruled out?
Ask the doctor or your physical therapist about it though a PT would have been on top of this already.

There are times when a doctor will prescribe prednisone for problems like this but all MDs have different schools of thought on this.

Generally when the sciatic nerve acts up the pain runs through the buttocks one side or the other and down the leg.

Check the sciatic nerve.

Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida. 33950