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I had my hip fused because of a fracture that wouldn't heal. About six weeks after the operation, my back pain went away. I've had back pain for almost 10 years. Is there a connection here?

It's not uncommon for pain in other places to go away after a hip fusion. It's more common for joint pain caused by the unstable fracture site to be relieved by the new hip position. Relief of chronic back pain isn't as likely.

Doctors think the reason for the pain relief is caused by changes in position of the hip and spine. Improved stability in the area may take the load off joints and soft tissue structures above and below the fused site.

Reference: 

Michael D. Stover, MD, et al. Hip Arthrodesis: A Procedure for the New Millenium? In Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. January 2004. Vol. 418. Pp. 126-133.

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