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Hip problems anyone ?

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Posted 5/20/2012 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Someone please give me some advice on what to do about my hip problem. I can't seem to find a doctor who really wants to take the time to help me. I have had Trochanteric Bursitis ( on the outside of my hip ) for over 2 years now. No amount of rest helps it to resolve. I have seen 2 Orthopedic surgeons in the past 5 months and had 2 series of Cortisone injections with very little relief. I am to do physical therapy but can't because of the pain. I have had an MRI which shows bursitis and tendonitis . Both of these doctor's are in Sports Medicine. Is that why they aren't very helpful, because I am not an athlete. I am just a middle aged stay at home mom who desperately wants help. I am becoming more and more depressed feeling that I will be in this pain for the rest of my life.
Posted 5/20/2012 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the board and I'm sorry the injections haven't helped.

I have damage to my right hip, including the same bursitis. As a result, I cannot lie on my right side. I've had numerous injections in my hip, SI, shoulder, back. Some have helped, some have not.

I assume you've tried OTC meds such as ibuprofen and naproxen? Oral steroids, Celebrex & Mobic are other options. Perhaps your GP will write you a script (note that Celebrex is quite expensive and insurance often rejects it).

Also, if you haven't tried it, how about regular icing? That may help break the inflammation-pain cycle.

As for other options, I'm not sure what to suggest. I presume there's no surgery - and that may be why you're not getting much help -- no money to be made.
Posted 5/20/2012 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Magsmom Welcome to Healing Well Chronic Pain Forum! I am curious, was your MRI of you hip done with dye? You said you have seen Docs in sports medicine, it might be a good idea to see and orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hips. There are some conditions that cause the type of pain you describe and it can be fixed with arthroscopic surgery. I know I have right hip problems and I have had two MRI's of my hip with dye, and I was sent to a hip specialist  up by chicago. He told me I needed a total hip replacement, but I am putting it off till after I get my lower back fixed. Anyway has anybody mentioned seeing a pain management doctor? If nobody is going to fix your hip, they should at least treat you for the pain.

 

You know I can empathize with you, and I am glad you came to this web site and forum. Hopefully somebody will be able to give you some more information. If nothing else, by coming here you will definitely find that you are not alone with suffering with pain, and although we can not """fix""" you. we can definitely listen to you and give you our support. Hopefully that will be of some help to you!

 

Again Welcome to the forum! Iwish you well!

 

White Beard

Posted 5/21/2012 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
I had a total left hip replacement about 7-month's ago and I am still suffering with bursitis. My ortho told me it will take a long time for this to go away. I am taking several narcotic pain med's because of my osteonecrosis and it does help with the bursitis but the problem persists. My ortho told me the only thing I can do is exercise. It's become a nightmare because as I walk my hip clicks in and out of the socket.
The bursitis has been going on for 3+yr's (before and after my surgery)If anybody finds a cure please post..
Posted 5/23/2012 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I can totally relate to the pain; in fact when searching for an active online forum for hip pain; I came across your post and decided to join here!

4-6 I had a lamenectomy at L3/L4 with hardware; did great after surgery - but oh my oh my oh my......the past 4 weeks I have been in some tremendous pain; had an injection for bursitis (outside section of hip) about a month prior to surgery; and a 2nd injection last week as I went to the ER for this non-relenting --- throbbing --- can't stand it pain!

So, I'm kind of new to this bursitis stuff; maybe we can share some resources & at least lean on each other for some type of relief - even if it's just a rant!
Posted 5/24/2012 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
I'd be looking for a good pain management doctor, one that does procedures & prescribes drugs for pain. They may be better qualified to determine a better course of action to relieve your pain. I am awake early due to pain in my hip area from lying too long. My pain is nerve pain generated from a herniated disc at L-2/3 and arthritis in my facet joints. So not all hip pain is from the hip. Have you had a MRI of your lumbar spine? This may be something to consider.

Hope you get some relief soon. Let us know what you decide to do. Maybe you will find something that will help us as well.
Posted 6/15/2012 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all of your replies and insights into all of our hip problems. As for the MRI that I had done in May, it was not done with dye. I have been told numerous times that the hip joints themselves are perfectly sound and that the problem is all bursitis and tendonitis. It has been about 5 weeks since the cortisone injections into the trochanteric bursa and that has definitely helped. The help is limited as I am unable to do much activity that involves a lot of bending over, such as Gardening, which is a passion of mine. Suppossedly the Sports medicine doc that gave me the injections, was a " hip " specialist. I am to be back to doing Physical Therapy but how can I do it if it makes the hip pain unbearable ? I am told to try walking but that is painful. I take OTC Ibuprofin at 600 Mg every 6 - 8 hours. I do have Hydrocodone that I rarely take when I know I need to be able to do necessary chores or a lot of walking. The downside to that is although it does mask the pain , I pay for it when the pain med wears off. I am just ready to throw my hands up in the air and scream ! Am pretty much at a loss as to what to do next.
Posted 6/15/2012 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mags, have you told the doctor that the pain is preventing you from going to PT? Have you tried any PT since he recommended it? Actually, I prefer a sports medicine dr and have had good luck with them, I always feel like they have a bit of an edge over the other drs. Your age does not matter or whether you are athletic or not. If you tired to go and could not then the therapist can send the dr a note saying your pain level is too high for PT and that should get his attention. That would look better in your chart than you refusing to go. I know how painful bursitis is, I get it in both hips, left side worse than the right. The last time I had it the dr gave me an injection of Toradol and it worked really well.

You may want to consider asking your PCP to refer you to a PM dr for help. Take care...Susie
Posted 4/21/2013 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
After I had my total knee replacement I developed severe bursitis in the right hip of the other leg because my gait was off. And now it has also started in the tkr side. During my last p.t. I was told to buy a roller and lay my hip on it and roll
back and forth. It is very painful to do but it does relieve the tightness. Also another thing that works
is a rolling pin that you roll out dough with. I know it sounds crazy but if you have trouble getting up or
down on the floor the rolling pin works great. I have a small one that is easy to maneuver. I have had the shots and am on pain meds but that was not enough. You can buy the rollers in any workout section of the store. Good luck.
Posted 4/21/2013 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mags and a gentle hug to you. I have mild bursitis, glute medius tendinitis and inflammation & arthritic change in the hip itself. But boy does that lateral hip/leg pain hurt! Cortisone injections did nothing for the tendinitis - what my surgeon did suggest was something called a PRP (platelet rich plasma) injection - which is where they take your blood and process it to concentrate the platelets (particular type of cell found in the blood), and then they inject it back to the bursa, tendon, joint or whatever. He tells me it often works when cortisone doesn't...but because it's much more time consuming and expensive they try cortisone first.

Oh...and when you mention about the injections being not much help? I assume they also injected local anaesthetic with the steroid? How much pain relief did you have in the first few hours when the anaesthetic was active?

I haven't tried the PRP yet....I had a second shot a couple of weeks ago, this time into my hip joint, and I am starting to feel better from it.

Wishing you all the best :-)

Laura
Posted 4/21/2013 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mags and welcome to the forum. I strongly suggest you find a Dr outside Sports medicine, they serve their purpose and are great for injuries occurring from sports related injuries etc. You need a Board certified surgeon of Orthopedic nature.


None of us likes having to take pain meds on a regular basis but it sounds as if you may benefit in the long run. Due to your pain untrecated your not able to participate in therapy which could be very beneficial n the long run.You also are being less mobile which also can cause more problems for an already compromised joint.

You will find that all of us here understand pain and the stress living with it can bring.

Vickie
Posted 4/22/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there !!
I am 31 with bi-lateral FAI and right hip displasia. I have been living w this for 1 1/2 yrs now 24 hrs a day. Prior to this I was a runner and boxer with no evidence of any hip issues!!! Then one day while running BOom !!! Right hip flared up and never looked back!!
Left one followed suit soon after and a specialist confirmed the diagnosis with blown out cartilage and all kinds of fun tears in soft tissue !! Right hip surgery last oct. was a failure and I go in for the left one in 2 days ....
The surgeon has given md no "magic wand" diagnosis but says that they can do what they can to improve function and preserve the joint at this point.
The point of my ramble is to ensure you that you are not alone.
My name is josh 31yrs old from boston
I am with you on this (literally)
Posted 4/22/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Just fyi but the OP hasn't been back since June of 2012.

Caligirl, if you would start a new thread about your own issues with hip problems/leg problems, you will get a much better response by Posting a New Topic. This way we can welcome you and learn a bit more about your chronic pain journey...
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