Hip Replacement Foot Problem

[Dagman]

Hi ABers, my wife had a hip replacement last Wed, she now has 'drop foot' as a result. The surgeon says it may be the nerve behind the knee and confident it's temporary but could be weeks/months to resolve. Do any of you have any experience with this? I feel we are being diverted from the fact it may be permanent damage at the hip area. I have looked on the net and I now have doubts about the surgeon's comments. There also appears to be no easy enquiry access or support other than to see the surgeon again. TIA Dagman

[Sqad]

Foot drop is due to damage of the sciatic nerve.
This damage is either bruising (stretching) or cutting and if it is due to the latter then this becomes a medico-legal problem.

It is most commonly bruising and may take at least a year to recover completely and if it hasn't recovered by this time then the sciatic nerve has been divided (negligence)

This is unfortunate for your wife and she will have to watch and wait for the next 8-12 months.

Best of luck.

[Dagman]

thanks sqad, going to chase up specialist in morn to see if scan would be beneficial. If there is damage that can be repaired, surely wise to do it sooner rather than later.

[Sqad]

Dagman......I disagree.

A scan would not be helpful and to surgically intervene so soon, would "bugger up" the whole issue. May well damage tissues that are perfectly normal....."a needle in a haystack comes to mind."

[Dagman]

It's now in the hands of the specialist following an email. I just don't want to say "if only we'd asked at the time!" should things not work out right and it turns out something could have been done. I imagine the specialist knows what's best but we all make mistakes. No harm in asking though! Just wondered if anyone out there has experienced something like this. Thanks