MS and Hip Replacement Surgery

By fanaticalliberal

2 min read

This is my 1st time posting in a while but I AM STRUGGLING!!

A cocktail of meds gave me my life back

I was diagnosed in 2004 and, at the time, I think I was experiencing every MS symptom known to humankind (and about a million others that weren’t known to humankind!!) In the 15+ years since my dx, my amazing MD and I have worked together and finally landed on a cocktail of meds that have given me my life back. With flare ups major symptoms being reduced to happening once or twice a month, it is as close to a remission as possible without actually being in remission.

Hip replacement 2 weeks ago

That being said, I had an anterior hip replacement 2 weeks ago. (I should mention that 6 months ago I moved 1500 miles away from my beloved PCP and neurologist and I haven’t had the motivation or the time to find a new neuro yet.) That being said, 3 days into my recovery from the surgery, I started having these strange, seemingly nerve related symptoms. It felt like an electrical shock that began in my mid thigh and radiated down to my knee and up to my hip.

Sudden, intense electric shocks

The suddenness and intensity was so strong that, had I not been using my walker, it would have knocked me to the floor. It felt like the shock from an electric fence. It only lasted for a second or two and only happened sporadically, maybe every 15-30 minutes. Over the next hour or so, the frequency increased as did the duration. After about 2 hours, it was almost constant and didn’t stop for 3 1/2 – 4 hours. It was the most excruciating pain I’ve ever experienced. I called my ortho the next morning and he said that he’s never seen anything like this after hip replacement but I’m also the first patient with MS that he’s ever operated on.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

My question is this: Have any of you ever experienced anything similar after hip (or knee or shoulder) replacement surgery? I’ve become the medical anomaly and no one in my medical bubble can come up with answers as to what is happening or why.

Sorry for the long post but I’m praying that one of you guys has some idea what I’m talking about and has some advice. I should also mention that I have now made the time to find a neuro!! Unfortunately, there’s a 6 week wait for an appointment. My orthopedist and my new PCP are trying to rush an appointment but, as of today, there are far more patients than there are neuros in my area and I just need to wait.

Please help out a struggling fellow MS friend!!
Thanks!!

Share YOUR own story

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Lori Foster Member
Hi @ fanaticalliberal. I do not have any answers for you, but I am hoping you will hear from others in the community. That must be horribly painful. Have you reached out to your former neurologist? It sounds like your former neurologist knows you better than anyone, Maybe he or she will be willing to review your case. Has your doctor considered the possibility that your pain is not MS related? I do not have MS (My father did.), but I experienced excruciating nerve pain in my foot after tendon surgery, radiating all the way up my leg and down through my toes, like I'd stuck my toes in an electrical socket. Like your pain, it was short-lived at first, but got worse over time. Nothing could touch my foot. I couldn't even wear the medical boot. Turned out my doctor had stitched through a nerve. She was certain it would heal over time, but the pain only got worse. Two years later I had a huge neuroma removed. Explore the possible MS connection, but don't let that stop you from considering other possibilities as well. I hope you get relief soon. Hugs! - Lori (Team Member)
1. k5of6 Member
 I was diagnosed in 1985. Luckily I did my research. I learned that Calcium & Zinc helps my Immune system do what it's supposed to do. Haven't had the flu or bad cold in decades. Every time I would here v someone sneeze,cough, I would just say Zinc & Magnium.
2. Erin Rush Community Admin
 I'm glad you've found something that keeps you healthy and feeling good during cold and flu season, <inline-mention username="k5of6" user-id="4020883"/>! And, it's nice when the preventative/remedy is relatively cheap and accessible! I call that a win/win! Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
indygal Member
If it is the same leg I would think it is the nerves healing from the surgery. I had L4/5 spine fusion with hardware surgery last June. I had all kinds of weird nerve sensations during my healing. I am still healing in fact. It takes a year. In my case Lyrica 3 times a day helped tremendously! I hope you can find some sort of relief. When nerves are healing they can go haywire Hugs
1. jenee Member
 <inline-mention username="indygal" user-id="4085621"/> your description is exactly same as mine after Right hip posterior procedure 5/5/23. It’s still continuing as of 5/23, comes at night when comfortable not when doing pt movements. Mine is on Left thigh hot pins & needles but last night more like knives piercing the thigh. The skin of thigh usually feels numb but way inside… I’ve been taking 2 flexerile tabs each night preventatively, or at first sign of it occurring in bed when comfortable, not when exercising! In the hospital they used dilaudid by IV felt almost immediate relief, then have flexerile pills since then. I’m about to call my surgeon for any info he might know or if he has had ms patients before.. Will post again of I get any info. God bless THIS EXCELLENT WEBSITE WHICH SPEAKS FROM THE AFFLICTED POINT OF VIEW, RATHER THAN PHARMA. MOST HELPFUL. 
2. indygal Member
 It’s most likely nerves healing that you’re feeling. But our nerves are already haywire with the MS. I do take Norco’s generic hydrocodone. I’m always in pain from the MS, spine, now right hip, and now a recurrence of my Crohn’s disease. But you may need an opioid. Start with something very mild first. I started on other things before the norco. I also have Belbuca for breakthrough pain. Belbuca is a patch you put inside your cheek. I need right hip surgery soon. I’m going to try for Fall. Keep me posted on your pain and what the surgeon says. Your neuro may be the one to give you a pain killer though. I see a pain management Dr. In Texas and other states your primary can only give you opioids for 3 months. Then you have to see a PM dr. Good luck! Shirley
joannmaxwell Member
I had my hip replacement surgery in 2012 before my MS diagnosis which was shortly there after. As I was recovering in the hospital, I started experiencing intense spasticity and cramping. It definitely electrical shock! I agree with IndyGal that once you start cutting into the body, It can’t help but affect the nerves. Interestingly, that was one of the things that led to my MS diagnosis. In the hospital, they started me on flexoral which did nothing for me. So I switched to baclofen which seems to help much more. I’ve also found daily stretching and strength exercises are vital.
yoshitail9 Member
Hi everyone. Have not had hip surgery but a few years back was in tremendous pain, like electrical shocks travelling down my left shoulder and arm. After several months of trial and error Tegratol, which is an epilepsy medication, did the trick. Worth looking into. Good luck.
1. Erin Rush Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="yoshitail9" user-id="3938886"/>, thanks for sharing this suggestion! I am glad Tegratol has been working so well for you. Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.