How Soon Does Bladder Sensation Get Back After A Hip Joint Replacement Surgery?

Posted on Thu, 8 May 2014

Question: Hello Doctor, This is for my mother who had hip joint replacement surgery on March 15th. Since then she has completely lost bladder sensation and currently on foley catheter. She is recovering reasonably from surgery but she still doesn't have bladder sensation for almost 3 weeks now. She is also diabetic and had ARF last year. Her current creatinine is 1. Can you please advise, how soon can she get her bladder sensation back, would you suggest any tests or treatment plans which we can discuss with Urologist locally? Can there be any alternative treatments like Aurvedic or Acupuncture therapy to treat this condition? I would like to add that my mother had been having intermittent incontinence problem just before this surgery. Can this be a reversible condition? For additional information you may also read about her ARF treatment here:http://www.healthcaremagic.com/AskDoctorInboxServlet?page=viewQuery&queryId=69231 Thanks and waiting for your response. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Naveen Poola (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Inability of proper urination is common after a major surgery. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank You for consulting HealthcareMagic! Inability of proper urination is common after a major surgery like hip replacement. This due to a number of contributing factors including medications, anesthetics, urinary retention, catheterization, subsequent urinary tract infection, and constipation. But in your mother's case pre-existing incontinence problem also need to be considered. To exactly say how soon she get her bladder sensation back, we need to know the cause. For this, few investigations like ultrasound examination, urloflwmetry, complete urine examination with proper physical examination are needed. Anyhow, as she is a diabetic and has previous history of ARF, this problem needs to be addressed seriously. You need to follow up with your Urologist as early as possible. Stay healthy and thank you for consulting! You can contact me again anytime, if you need clarifications or further assistance in future. Kindly rate the answer if you are satisfied.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Poola (12 hours later)

Thank you Doctor. Ultrasound was normal, lab reports were normal, sugar well in control. How long usually it takes to reverse the bladder sensation after hip joint transplant? Yes, she did have uti 7 days after the surgery, her catheter was changed after that, she also had urine sensation couple of times during motion but again she lost bladder sensation. Any further suggestions or treatment plan you may have?

Answered by Dr. Naveen Poola (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Urodynamic studies may be needed to assess. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for follow up! Catheterization and urinary retention occurs for about 2 to 5 days approx. but it varies widely based on associated findings which I mentioned in previous answer. In your Mom's case, there is need to find of whether the cause is because of problem in nerve supply to the bladder or if it is due to obstruction. Urodynamic studies may be needed to assess. However, thorough Physical examination by a Urologist is needed first to know were the problem is. Previous incontinence problem could also have been significantly contributed for this. I am sorry that I could not help much in suggesting treatment plan as physical exam is needed before getting an idea about it. Stay healthy and thank you for consulting! You can contact me again anytime, if you need clarifications or further assistance in future. Kindly rate the answer if you are satisfied.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen Poola (10 days later)

Hello again Doctor, As I mentioned earlier my mother did not have any bladder sensation at all but since last 7 days she was having bladder "full" sensation every 3 to 4 hours. We went to Urologist for further advise and now she has been advised to clamp the catheter for every 2 hours and then empty the bladder. Urologist said catheter removal decision can only be taken confidently when sensation comes every 2 hours and also urge of urine which my mother says she doesn't have currently. We have been advised that bladder sensation is natural process and beyond catheter clamping we cannot do much. I am writing you for your opinion. Would you advise anything differently? Regards, XXXX

Answered by Dr. Naveen Poola (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Refer below Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX I can understand your concern. But, without doing a physical examination I cannot comment on this. This cannot be generalized and varies from patient to patient based on physical findings and associated things. Take Care!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj