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Hip pain- does this sound like bursitis or RA?

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Posted 11/9/2010 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
When I was preggo with my middle child, in 2004, I slipped walking downstairs. My toddler was on the stairs next to me, and in order to not knock her down, I turned my body sideways and tried to grab onto the handrail. I fell onto my right hip. Of course, I was more concerned about possible damage done to the baby, but after calling my OB/Gyn, I was reassured that she was fine. I had pain in my hip, but I figured it was because I fell and it went away after a whilealthough for a while I coudn't even sleep on that side. I have been having pain in that hip ever since then, and it is driving me crazy! It's not exactly in the joint, it's more on the side of my thigh, but it's not muscular. If I press on it, that doesn't bother it. Sometimes if I am standing still and I turn my body to the side suddenly, that will aggravate it, or when my kids sit on my lap with their weight on my right leg, that really makes it hurt. A couple years ago I was describing the symptoms to a friend of mine who was an EMT, and he said it sounds like bursitis. I have looked that up on the internet, and that does sound like what I have. I don't understand why it comes and goes, though.
Is hip arthritis always directly in the joint? Or does this sound like bursitis? I know that if I go to the doctor, they're probably going to tell me to go get x-rays done, and tell me to take ibuprofen.
I guess I am scared that if I go, and get x-rays done, that nothing will show up. I think the only treatment for bursitis is rest anyway, and that will be near impossible, seeing as how I have 3 young kids to take care of! Any advice? Thanks!
Posted 11/11/2010 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not a professional, but my doc (PCP) told me I had bursitis. After a lot of different anti-inflammatories and blood tests, I have RA. If it is bursitis, the anti-inflammatories should work. If they don't, confront your PCP about a blood test for arthritis. If your tests come back positive, he/she should refer you to a rheumatologist, and then you can go from there.

Also, if it is bursitis, you probably shouldn't take those prescription anti-inflammatories long term. Talk to your PCP about a cortisone shot in the affected area.

I hope this helps.
Posted 11/11/2010 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Doesn't sound like RA, sounds more like an injury-which could lead to bursitis. Phyisical therapy worked wonders for my sister's hip which she also hurt during pregnancy-not that that means much but-any leg or joint injury should be checked by a doctor and they may recomend PT.
Posted 11/12/2010 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have bursitis in my left hip. It is very painful. When it gets to the point that I can't stand it anymore, I go to the Orthopedic, and he uses a cat scan to guide the injection of prednisone into the bursa.  I get this done about every 10 months.  They did an MRI of my hip and there is a lot of scar tissue there by the bursa. The pain wraps around my thigh into the groin area, and it makes my knee hurt, a lot.   I believe he said I have Iliotibial Band Syndrome.  Hope this helps!  Peace, V
Posted 11/12/2010 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I get bursitis in both hips regularly. My rheumy told me if it is pain on the outside of the hip it tends to be bursitis, if its hot to touch, it tends to be bursitis. Cortisone shots help the best, ice helps too or sometimes heat depending on the weather.
If the pain is between your outside hip and groin its more likely to be something else.
Hope this helps, your bursa can often inflame from injury.
Horrible to fall with a baby in tow, so frightening, best wises, golitho
Posted 11/15/2010 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies! I did not include the facts that I have both fibro & RA, I figured my signature would go up on my post. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I'm probably going to have to just bite the bullet, go to the doc, and get x-rays. The problem is, the pain isn't every day, and on some days it's worse than others. It usually gets worse as the day goes on, so that by the evening, I am in a lot of pain. It's mostly on the outer part of my right hip, and it doesn't go into my groin at all. I also have lower back pain, and one of the anesthesiaologists who gave me an epidural during one of my births also told me that I have a mild case of scoliosis. So I don't know if that can translate into hip pain either. I should probably have x-rays done of my back too. Heck, I should probably get x-rays of all my large joints since I have a lot of joint pain all over!
Posted 11/16/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Moggy, yeah it sounds as if you're going to need a doc to suss it all out. It could easily be from your back, bursitis or even osteo???

My rheumy was telling me its less common these days to have hip joints involved with RA because of all the good meds around. I keep getting hip pain, but she doesn't feel its RA based, probably from some old injury acting up.

Hope you manage to get some answers soon, golitho

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