Problems after 4 hips!

Notsohip

Hi, I'm new to the forum but sadly not new to hip resurfacing, replacements and complications! Along the way I've met some amazing people and after receiving horrible news yesterday, I thought where better to get advice!

In Dec'04 I had my right hip resurfaced, due to osteoarthritis, this caused constant pain and after much persistence with my consultant, he got me for a bone scan which showed increased activity. Once in, the unit was loose and removed. Unfortunately I think he put another depuy hip unit in and then 2008 I went to a new consultant because of painful clunking and he advised me to have this removed and go to a total hip replacement.

This is not the end, a bone scan 12 months later showed activity and proved that I was having a reaction to cobalt chromium, the stem was CC so this was revised to complete titanium in Mar'11.

I have just had another bone scan that show activity around both components and there is a concern for either infection or reaction to CC particles left behind.

Having had blood tests yesterday, I'm waiting to find out if it's an infection or allergic reaction to the previous hip! Either way, hip No 4 will be coming out.

I've not jumped on the bandwagon of compensation for hip resurfacing but I feel now I have little choice. I am so confused by all the websites and who to trust. I also don't want anyone else going through what I have, and that what motivates me to get this right. The last 10 years have been awful.

My first replacement happened when I was 34 and I'm now 42....it makes me laugh when people say I'm too young for a hip replacement....let alone 4!!!

Has anyone else had experiences of allergic reactions to cobalt chromium? I'd really love to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Can you help?

tillytop

Hello Notsohip and welcome to the forum.

It sounds as if you have had a really bad time with the hip replacements and I am so sorry things have been so awful for you.

I don't have any experience of joint replacements but I know there are lots here who do and I'm sure you will get some more replies in due course.

Meantime, lovely to "meet" you and look forward to seeing you posting. We are a friendly bunch and you will be made very welcome.

Thinking of you.

Tilly xxx

Notsohip

Thanks Tilly, great to meet you too!!

villier

Welcome Notsohip sorry I can't help you either, I just want to say Hello, you are certainly in the right place for support and great advice, as it is the weekend the forum is a bit quiter but I am sure as someone else said some of the "hippies " will be along soon to give you advice hope to see you around.........tc..........Marie xx

frogmorton

Gosh!
You poor poor thing!
You've had a dreadful time of it havent you :shock:
I have no experience of this sort of reaction (dare l ask whether you have googled it?), but there may well be folks on here who know more than me.....in fact bound to be
Lovely to meet you and welcome you here
love
Toni xxx

Notsohip

Hi Marie and Toni, thanks for your kind words .....it's nice to feel among friends already

dreamdaisy

Ye gods, you poor thing, what a tale of trial and tribulation. I was away at thne week-end (and netbook-less) so didn't see your post until now, but I did see some adverts in the press from a firm of solicitors claiming to be the ones you need to turn to if you have this problem, and that sent faint alarm bells ringing with me. I've not had replacements (and wouldn't bother with the compensation route either) but there are many out there who feel the need to litigate (even if their troubles are as a result of their own idiocy). It's a chicken-and-egg thing isn't it? Did the proliferation of these claim companies come first or the compensation culture? Anyhoo, I digress.

If you decide to take this further in your shoes I would talk to my own solicitor first and see if he could make any recommendations. I would trust his research about who to turn to better than adverts on the web or in the press. In the meantime I hope that you can soon find a better resolution to your hip troubles, it's about time that something went right, yes? I wish you well. DD

Numptydumpty

Hi Notsohip, I'm afraid I can't help at all.
I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.
It sounds as though you have really been through the mill, and I wish you luck with what ever you decide to do.
Numpty

knuckleduster

Welcome to the forum and I was so sad to read about the dreadful experience you have had over the last ten years. I can appreciate how you must be feeling and just hope and pray your consultant will do a good job when he takes out hip no. 4.

Keep us posted as to how you get on.

Janet xx