Question
I had a Right Total Hip Replacement 1/26/07 - almost 8 weeks post op. Had severe erosion - degenerative arthritis I am 53. I am having severe thigh pain and can sometimes feel the bone or stem in femur snapping - there is also a popping sound someplace in the hip - xrays at 3 weeks looked really good.  My incision still hurts but healing well.  Might the stem be loosening so early or is that the muscles still need to heal around, I had a cementless replacement.  I still have pain in and around the hip - soreness - I think its just still healing -Is thigh pain normal - I still need to take pain medication because it is so uncomfortable.  I have been on blood thinner to prevent clots and was checked and circulation is OK. What is this slipping sensation - almost feels like something wobbly inside my thigh

Answer
Hi Debra

At 8 weeks post op, you are still healing.  Normally you are well on your way to healing after three months. Much of what you are feeling is most likely normal healing.

The slipping and popping "might" be a ligament slipping over the prosthesis.  I say "might" because I don't know if this is the case, but it could be what is going on.  When the prosthesis is put in, there is a lot of trauma to the surrounding ligaments and tendons and muscles.  They are stretched and in some cases cut in order to put the replacement in the socket, so it takes time for that to heal.

Unless you are not following protocol and doing things you should not be doing, I doubt that the replacement is loosening.  Pain for several months after the surgery is completely normal and there are also going to be times even in the future where you will have pain on and off.  Most times it's muscles.  Prostheses last over 10 years in general and when they start to loosen, you will feel the same pain you felt before you had the Total Hip Replacement.

Have you seen your orthopedist?  It sounds like you should talk to him or her to ensure that all is fine with the prosthesis.  Ask about the possibility of a ligament slipping over the prosthesis.  I had the same thing happen to me and was terrified. When my doctor explained what was happening, I was much better,  Although it is a scary sensation in the hip, it does not mean the replacement is loosening and eventually it does go away.

As far as pain meds go, some people need them for the first three months or so.  As long as you are not becoming addicted to them and you are lessening the amount you are taking, you should be fine.

I wish you many years of pain free living.

Sharon Davis