Anyone have an X ray to show wear?

Hi Nancy – I don’t believe there is any way to detect wear with an X-ray, merely that the components are still sited where they were installed. I have a metal-on-metal BHR and there is a blood test which can detect chromium and cobalt ions and this will warn of excessive wear taking place (none in my case, at 3 years) but I cannot believe polythene debris would be detected in a blood test. Cross-linked polythene has a really good life nowadays, carry on as you are would be my advice!

Pete

I second that Nancy! Carry on as you are. I have the same hip components. 6 years in and my only issue is a bum knee on the opposite leg.

I had an x-ray on my hip about 4 years after my THR as I was having a lot of pain in my hip from doing a lot of running. The good news is that everything was still perfect, so that wasn’t the problem. For me I’ve learnt that I need to do a lot of strength and flexibility training to keep me injury free, in addition to not going all out on every run. I’ve ran over 5,000 miles over the last 3 years and I wouldn’t change a day. Yes I’ve had some issues, but take each moment as a learning experience and you will come out of it stronger.

I I’ve run on mine since THR in May 14. 1500 miles each year and back racing. Had other hip THR Aug 14 last year. X-ray showed all good with the 14 one. Raced 4 mike off road today in 36 minutes. Both good. Run as you feel and listen to your hip. It’ll tell you if you need to ease back.

Andy G

Hi guys!
Thank you so much. I feel at home reading all these inspiring and encouraging experiences from all of you. I just turned 25 two months ago. I had my THR surgery on October 2016. The recovery process so far is unbelievable but the only thing I’m struggling with is swelling on the affected leg especially after walking a few miles, and severe lower back pain. Sometimes even the unaffected leg gets swollen and it worries. I have never used any killers so far, I just lie down flat and elevate both of the legs till the swelling goes down. Another thing is memory loss, but I learnt that it’s the anaesthesia and it will just fade with time. I haven’t done any Xrays so far but I’m just living positively and doing everything quite normally. Does anyone know why the other unaffected leg gets swollen and painful as well? Love from Kenya, XO.

Hello Carol.
I had a THR in 2014, titanium stem with ceramic ball and plastic cup. The plastic is extremely strong and durable. I started running 3 months after my surgery and have been running an average of 4 miles a day for 3 years now. I have a follow-up exam every year, and my doctor x-ray’s the hip every year. My doctor told me that the x-ray would show if the plastic cup is wearing away. So far, there has been zero visibility of the cup wearing away. My doctor also told me that if the cup starts to wear out, they can replace the cup without having to do any bone drilling. So it’s not as invasive a surgery as the THR is. To me, the THR was not nearly as painful or traumatic as I thought it would be, so I’m okay with having to get the cup replaced when it wears out. Running is such a big part of my life that I think the benefits of running is well worth having the plastic cup wear away sooner than if I don’t run!

As for your other leg getting swollen, I’m not a doctor or medical specialist, but from past experience it could be because you’re other leg is compensating for weakness in the affected leg. That could also explain the back pain. You should probably see a physical therapist and have them give you some exercises for strengthening the affected leg, and to work on your form.

Good luck!

Oops. My comment above should have been two separate comments. The first paragraph in reference to Nancy’s original comment. The second paragraph was in reference to Carol’s reply.