Question
Dear Sharon,  I'm not sure if you will be able to answer my question or not, but I thought it was worth a try.  I had to postpone my check-up appointment with my orhto surgeon in regards to this new development/problem. I tried to get him to talk to me on the phone since it is a 4 hour trip to see him (one way) and my other hip is getting very painful now when riding in the car, so I hoped he could at least tell me if this was normal to be experiencing or not..before making that long journey to see him. I had a non-cemented right total hip replacement due to severe osteoarthritis and my recovery went very smoothly  and at 4 weeks was seen by the doctor and was told at that time it was healing well and in 2 more weeks time I could be off the cane for good and could discontinue my exercises as long as I was walking regularly. after my surgery I never had any pain in the hip itself, just in the thigh muscle, since it had to be cut and stretched due to shrinking, but that also stopped after a short time. so after I got rid of the cane, I felt like my "old" self again and started to slowly do more and more...and since I had NO pain, I also started to forget about the hip precautions and began bending more at the waist...to put on socks, tie shoes, wipe my dogs dirty feet, etc....then about 3 to 4 weeks ago I started to feel this wierd sensation in the process of standing back up after bending...kind of like the ball was slipping a little in the socket.  not at all close to dislocating, but a definite movement.  then I also started having it happen when standing with most of my weight resting on the leg that was operated on...for instance, while standing at the sink brushing my teeth, I tend to shift my weight on one leg more than the other...I think most people do it without realizing it.  well, suddenly my hip would go whoosh! a little, just like the feeling when I stand up from bending.  I do NOT have any pain at all when this happens, just feels unstable. I've been wondering if it could be muscle related, cause I am able to get my hip to do it just by squeezing my buttock and thigh muscles just so.  it isn't so bad that I feel as if I would fall down, but it feels definitely not-normal.  Got any ideas???  I had an Xray taken here and sent down to the surgeon for him to look at before I came down there and he said that it all looked OK according to the film, but that I need to have him examine me to properly diagnose this problem.  has anyone else ever had or heard about this happening after hip surgery?
right now I am a little over 3 months post op.
I'll have the other hip done next spring, since it also has arthritis pretty bad and is now causing me quite a bit of pain on that side. I had hoped to have a few months without hip pain, but no such luck, I guess.  I'll appreciate any help you can give.  thank you for your time and consideration, even if you can't help.
sincerely, peggy

Answer
Hi Peggy

I had the exact same problem as you.  My left leg had the problem and I will tell you that in my case, it led to dislocations and a failed hip.  I know exactly the sound and feeling you are having, it's sort of like a slight popping sensation and then a shift.

You may be subluxating.  A subluxation is when the hip slips out of joint and then pops back in again on it's own.  If you were my sister, or mother, I'd tell you to take that four hour drive and see the othopedist immediately. Tell him you think you are subluxating.  Sometimes using the correct buzzword can get you attention more quickly from a doctor.

During a subluxation, there is no pain, but if the hip dislcoates, you are in deep trouble as well as deep pain.  You basically fall down where you are.  The first thing you need to do is call your ortho and ask the assistant, (if he won't talk to you) to order some X ray or arthrogram in your area and have the results sent up to him.  I would not wait.  Do it immediately.

Also, I don't know if you live alone, but if I were you, I'd get some type of cellular phone you can carry with you all the time in case you should dislocate or fall.  When I was having your problem, it went on like that for a few months and then eventually I'd dislocate.  Until my doctor re-did the surgery, (he ordered a larger cup and it took about four months to come in), I must have dislocated or subluxated 15 times.  And many of those times, I had to go to the hospital to get the hip put back into place.

Each time you dislocate, you are a higher risk for a future dislocation.  So here's the suggestions.

1. Call the ortho, talk to him or the assistant, tell them you are subluxating.  
2. Ask them to order an X-ray or arthrogram in your area immediately, and have the results sent up to them.
3. Do not do anything to put yourself at risk.  Follow all the precautions as if you just had surgery.
4. Sleep with a pillow between your legs so that your legs don't cross while you are asleep.  
5. Don't stay alone if possible.

I know that information sounds like a lot, but I am very cautious by nature and this sounds like a dislocation waiting to happen.

It may be that the cup you have now is too small and you need a larger cup and they may have to re-do your surgery.  But please don't wait and get in touch with your ortho or your primary care doctor immediately.  Sometimes if a primary care doctor will call the ortho for you, he listens a bit harder.

Please let me know what happens.

Sharon Davis