The first thing I would do is make sure the hip prosthesis is not defective or something wrong with the surgical procedure. See the original surgeon for an evaluation and if he claims there is no problem, ask for a second opinion.

Make sure your sil followed all the post operative instructions regarding exercise, etc. and cannot be held accountable for anything that could have gone wrong. No matter the outcome at this point, be sure and get the manufacturing specs for the hip and do research to make sure there have been no other complaints for that model.

The only one I know that had a problem post surgery for hip replacement was a coworker and after doing all the above it was determined he did not do the post operative exercises as much or as long as he should have. His problem cleared up when he began his exercise program again. I have, however heard of instances where the hip was defective and recalled for replacement. I would definitely be po'd if that happened to me. Going through that surgery twice would not be a fun thing.

If the original parts and surgery are to blame in any way then the cost to correct it should be minimal to your sil but I wouldn't doubt that some negotiation will have to take place.

Sooz, those components being displaced and being displaced more than once means somethings wrong. Who has been treating - the emergency room doctors or do they call a orthopedist for her. The surgeon who originally placed the hip should certainly know or be addressing it.

Dislocating an artificial hip isn't all that common unless someone is going way outside the prescribed range of motion during the initial healing process (10 weeks post surgery approx)...but you'd (patient) have to be doing something reckless or experience a fall to even dislocate it then.

The muscles and ligaments should support it once fully healed (again, if not engaging in reckless behaviors like downhill skiing, off trail hiking, singles tennis) - if it displaces more than once it would normally be surgically revised. Period.

I don't know what to say about the insurance but she's certainly within her rights to have a functioning hip one year after surgery, I'd be wondering if it was a poor fit, poor surgery...either would be the responsibility of the surgeon, proper sizing is his job.

There are surgeons who specialize in revising previous replacements that are failing...I don't know where she is but I know of two in that category in the Seattle area and I would imagine most major city surgical centers would have them. A primary care doctor she trusts could do that research for her; as another starting point - it would be a name a good well established physical therapist could likely provide too.

Thank you both for your thoughtful comments. I will share them with my SIL.

Your input is much appreciated!!!!
Smiles,
Sooz

i am a bi-lateral hippy, my hips are 9 years old this year. i have not had a single problem. i walk miles, ride horses, even did some dog sledding since my surgeries. i would definitely say she should go back to her surgeon if she hasn't already and if she can't get him to take this seriously, because it IS serious, she should go for a second opinion.

I'm 8 years post op THA and have had problems with my hip pain and a dislocation that was remedied in ER 3 weeks after it was done. I have been living with this pain for years, but my primary doctors have done Bone Scans, xRays and everything seems to be alighned correctly. Now, 8 years post op it has popped out 4 times and fortunately has gone back into place. However, I have severe pain in my hip radiating into my leg and up into my back. I'm told I can't have MRI (titanium hip, not recalled) because of metal, but there has to be something wrong for it to keep doing this and to have pain since 3 weeks post op (of course I expected pain right after surgery). I cannot do the things I used to do, am frustrated and I was 50 when I had the initial surgery so I consider myself still young enough to enjoy life. I try walking as much as I can to keep things moving and doing exercises that I did post-op, but nothing seems to help. All Drs. want to do is medicate. Any suggestions?

i'm sorry you are having these problems. this is a very old thread...my hips are now 15 years old and i haven't had any problems.

your problem sounds very much like what my mom experienced after THR. she was miserable. i finally demanded that her doctor take it seriously and come to find out, it was discovered that the hardware they used was the WRONG SIZE. they re-did the surgery and she healed and was able to do whatever she wanted, within reason since she was in her 80's. ;)

wishing you luck. i can't imagine living in that sort of pain for so long!

Thank you for your info. Do you remember if they were able to do MRI? or what kind of testing they did. My leg is slightly shorter than the other but nothing significant.

i'm sorry, i don't recall how they figured out the implant was the wrong size. i don't know if mom had an mri or not. i don't think the slight difference in leg length would be enough to cause these problems. if i were having issues like you are, i would be parking myself at the doctor's office until he did something!

Finally today I got the referral to ortho! Yeahhh! Thank you for your help!

awesome!!! update when you get some news!