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Hip Pain? Would love advice/experiences.

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Posted 8/2/2014 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!
My name is Tom. I am 18 years old and have had some seriously debilitating pain in the last year or so. I have been to all sorts of doctors about it, although just this week I got my MRI results back with a diagnosis of a tear in my hip acetabular Labral muscle. Which is right where my femur is connected to my hip, as I understand. I am really relieved that they have seemingly figured out why I have pain, although I still have tons of questions and this whole situation is really stressing me out, because I literally cannot stand for more than 10 minutes without SEVERE pain. Sometimes I am completely fine, which is inconvenient because my doctor has never seen me while I am in pain, like I would be later in the day after standing. This obviously is really affecting my life because I am only 18---I want to be able to go to concerts or even tiny things like running in to the grocery store for a couple of things. I am always having to leave early from things. Muscle relaxers help my pain, but I can't take something that is going to make me sleep for 14 hours every day, and I can only take it when I am about to go to sleep. So obviously that is not practical. Anti-inflammatories, I take them everyday, I'm kind of just used to taking them, and my pain comes every day despite it. Physical therapy is helpful while I'm there, and the pain just comes back later or the next day.

So I really would love to hear anyone's thoughts or your own experiences with any similar kind of muscle problems, what their doctors have done and how the problem was treated. The doctors I have seen have mostly left me feeling hopeless, they don't know what to do, and they don't want to give painkillers to an 18 year old. I understand that. I seriously just want to be pain-free, so I can go back to being young like all my friends. I am not opposed to anything, treatment wise. I just want it to be solved. I have already missed so much and every day past 8:00 PM, I can do nothing but lay down because of how bad it hurts.

Thank you SO much for your time and incite into my problem. I REALLY appreciate anybody reading or responding.

-Tom
Posted 8/2/2014 8:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Tom and welcome to the chronic pain forum at HW. Really sorry to see you here with your problems at such a young age and to see your life is drastically effected by pain and mobility issues.

Labral tears are commonly seen in shoulder injuries less so in hip. The labrum is found only in socket joints and its best described as a gasket like structure that lines the plate of the joint and prevents the ball from sliding off the socket so it's a very important structure to the joint and the reason your life's so effected by even a small tear. Its rarely an isolated tear meaning there's likely more then one or some other issues with the hip not seen on the MRI.

I dont know what kind of Dr has been treating you but it's commonly repaired with arthroscopy easily enough. Your best bet would be a Sports Medicine Dr since these types of tears are really really often seen in athletes. They perform the arthroscopic repair frequently and are better at determining whether the tears related to injury or genetic issues.

Many times steroid injections into the hip joint will calm down the inflammation until which time the procedure can be done. Has none of the Drs suggested arthroscopic surgery? Or injections?

I would try to get an appointment with a Sports Med Dr and if your having difficulty finding one check the closest University or teaching hospitals since they're school affiliates they're going to like have a sports medicine program.

Good luck to you and please continue to seek help to resolve this. No one your age should be missing out on the time of your life!!
Posted 8/2/2014 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Tom,

Welcome to HW.

I really don't know what to suggest other than trying not to injure it further.

What can be done for it?

Stretching,riding a stationary bike,swimming.Yoga.

As much as you can.

As far as Pain Meds.Surgeons will give them after they cut on you and not a moment sooner.

I hate that you're hurting.

Do you have a Primary Care Physician? Can you talk to them like you are here?

The right Doctor is they key.

You're right that in a Doctor's office the older and more disabled you are the better they treat you.

Hope you find some relief,

Rick
Posted 8/3/2014 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
i have a horrible shoulder, that started with the same type of injury. I am 29 now and this started a few years ago, so i understand being young and pain effecting your life so much. I hope you have a good group of friends that understand and work with you.
Treat it gently to try and lesson any further damage!
I agree with the nutritional stuff-look up anti-inflamitory foods, there are great smoothie recipes, and I like essential oils, and a cream called Deep Blue.
I also suggest consulting with a sports med ortho doc. I hope you don't get caught in the surgery circle but can find relief naturally and as noninvasive as possible.
Just want you to know your not alone on being young and in pain. It sucks, but you can find a good life. Continue to pursue your dreams!!
Posted 8/3/2014 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
AngMichelle,

My older Sister has just gotten into the essential oils,actually has the kit to make all the different balms.

She talked about something called a "morphine balm".She didn't have the key ingredient with her.

I read about the thing she was missing and it's used for everything from inflamation to IBS.

If it helps any that's a plus.

Rick

Posted 8/3/2014 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others, take all your current tests results to the best orthopedic surgeon that specializes in hip surgery. A good surgeon will start with treatment therapies and will not be surgery happy...
Surgery at this point could be your best bet, but you will want further testing first such as contrast mris and contrast cts, along with x-rays...

I'm also having hip issues and pain.

Hope your doing better soon...
Posted 8/3/2014 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Char and surgery may be the answer. Your young and healthy enough to fix rather than deal with issues. Find the best Dr in the field in your area and get more testing and then make the best educated decision from those results.
Posted 8/4/2014 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tom & welcome to the forum. I would encourage you to look for a sports medicine dr that deal with hips only. There is such a dr.. Like Vickie said, this can be repaired by arthroscopic surgery which is much better than a full blown surgery with an big incision. If you do nothing & let this continue you could possibly do further damage not to mention surgery not helping much later on down the road. You don't want to run that risk its just not worth it. You are young & the people your age bounce back so much easier than us older ones here at the forum.

Let us know what you find out.
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