Question
Hello,
I am hoping from your expertise and experience, that you will be able to help answer a couple of questions?
I had a hip revision done in April of 2007. I had a ceramic - ceramic cup put in. It was great for 4 weeks. Not one tablet of Aleeve. At my 4 week checkup the doctor took x-rays and everything was perfect. The doctor said I could go to a cane, after 2 days I knew there was something very wrong. I had a lot of groin pain. I was told to ice and go back on crutches. I had x-rays taken 3 weeks later, they showed the cup had moved a little bit. The doctor could not believe it as he used screws and had such a tight fit. He gave me a cortisone shot. No help, matter of fact it progressively was getting worse. I went back in and they did a cat-scan no fractures. He now wants to schedule a exploratory surgery and will fix problems as needed. Is this normal to do exploratory surgery to find out what is going on? If so what is involved in exploratory surgery? Do they dislocate the hip? The doctor just set the date and happens to be on vacation. Thank you so much for your time...

Answer
If the cup has moved, there is a problem.  I am not sure how a cortisone shot would have helped that problem, but since you got one already, it's over and done with.  I would not get another shot if I were you since the problem of the pain is from the cup, not a problem with muscles or bones.

If I were you, I'd get a second opinion and delay surgery until you can see another doctor.  If your insurance company allows, get a third opinion as well.  I am not sure what the answer is because I am not a doctor, but before I would let this doctor perform any further surgery, find out what is expected if he goes in and sees a problem with the cup?  Find out also, before he goes in, if you can get further diagnostic testing to find the problem.  There are tests which show more than a cat scan. Ask for an test where they can put dye into your hip to find out what the extent of the loosening is. The test is called an arthrogram.

My best wishes to you.

Sharon Davis