Question about pain in hip

[Bobbi]

When I was intro'd to trochanteric bursitis it was at a stage that I thought my adult life was just beginning. I was 22, and ... it is still with me several years later .

If no one else will say it, I will: Even with injections, those injections can make it far worse before lessening of symptoms happens. My first hip injection ... well, it flipped out the "possible" worsening. After the pain subsided, I changed a lot of things about how I was living.

I was in college at the time, and was using a lot of slant boards for manual graphic design and layout. With a bunch of assistance from people (classmates) we went for donations and a re-design of our office.

Whether at home or work or whatever: the standing and for prolonged periods is the killer.

My doctors ended up writing up notes to present so that I wasn't required to stand in lines, but... stubborn me did it just the same. Still, looking back now, my standing in lines didn't cause the probs. I have, but... I wouldn't do it the same if I had to tomorrow.

Just keep the pressure off the weight bearing joints; the hip is the only joint in the human body that is constantly in motion (whether one is awake or asleep).

[GJZH]

Carolyn and Kathi,

If you mean the knee surgery...My point in seeing someone new was to ask how to avoid a knee surgery. I do not want more metal in my body. I do not think it is any time soon. The Synvisc seems to be working for me...The problem is when it is time for the shots again, the knee clunks from bone hitting bone and gives out when walking. They keep telling me it is the lumbar spine, but I do not believe them.

My mother told me this week that my 82 year old aunt is having her hip replaced...She has spine problems and her hip wore out from the way she has adjusted her gait...so I think maybe the hip problems come from the gait...but will we eventually develop arthritis...I want to prevent this...

The Synvisc injections are no more painful than the steroid injections into the knee...It takes about as long as the steroid injection, but seems to last longer and the relief from pain is different. I noticed the knocking sound of bone hitting bone is gone as well....It is much more expensive though and must be approved by your insurance company...

[Bobbi]

I've not had - or been offered - the type of injections you describe, Gloria. I'm also following along.

What was presented to me was the stripping out of the synovial (sp) fluid, only the ortho. surgeon consulted said, no-go. He said he wouldn't do it with me as a patient - due to my age and the fact that the procedure would need a repeat within five years, along with the scarring.

Reading what you've stated: I should broach the topic again with my doctors. (My ortho surgeon had said that I "wouldn't look good in a bathing suit with the incision." Like... I cared about that!).

I don't think people are as shallow these days.

[Kathi49]

I had good results with the one injection for the trochanteric bursitis. It took a couple of days but then kicked in and rid me of that pain. What really helped was the exercises I was given to help with hip pain; and one in particular. I don't know what brought this on other than my OS told me that sleeping on a firm mattress (and I am a side sleeper) put pressure on those areas. Which is why I bought the mattress I did (on another post).

My OS has already told me (after xrays) that my left knee has very severe osteoarthritis and that I was looking at a knee replacement in the future. However, he did mention the Synvisc injections and that I could try them first. The strange thing is, it NEVER bothers me in the spring and summer. It is when winter kicks in is when I really feel it. I am certain my insurance will cover it only because I have a friend who also has BC/BS (Federal) and she received the injections a few times before she actually had both knees replaced. I do remember though, she had to wait for some kind of approval which only took about a couple of weeks. And, oh, she sees the same OS I do. Sad to say though, the injections didn't do much to help her but she admitted she had waited way too long and should have started with these a long time ago.

Now, if I could get these injections and stop the bone on bone crunching that Gloria speaks of, I would be happy. I never feel the knee giving out it is just painful when I walk up the stairs. And I don't want anymore surgery in the near future either. But first things first, I go today to see my Urogynecologist for pelvic floor dysfunction. So, it seems I am going from the neck downward in an attempt to take care of ALL the pain associated with that! Eventually, I will get to the knees LOL!

[Kiya]

If the pain is in the groin area, make sure you have an MRI of your hip and they that also look for osteonecrosis. I developed this after just a few caudal lumbar ESI steriod treatments. Best to catch the Dx early if can.

Here's a link for some info on Osteonecrosis (ON; also called Avascular Necrosis, AVN):

http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/...f_the_Hip.html


Kiya

[GJZH]

Kiya,

Thanks for posting this information...This is what worries me the most about my hips. I am afraid there is some underlying disease that does not show up on the ex-ray, but might on a CT Scan or MRI. I saw my RA doc before the OS doc I saw last week. She twisted my legs around and I screamed in pain from the twisting. She immediately said I have arthritis in the hip, but it did not show up on the ex-ray, so the OS dismissed it immediately.

I think I have to find an OS that takes my complaints more seriously instead of just dismissing everything to the lumbar spine. It might be the lumbar, but even with the steroid shot into the hip, it is still painful when I roll onto it at night, so something must brewing in there.

I am going to make an appt to see another OS that is not interested in me as a surgical patient, but instead someone that needs maintenance care. I want to do everything I can to protect my bones so that I do not have to go the route of artifical anything.

[Meagain]

I've had my trochanteric bursa injected at least 3 times....with not much relief. They seringed fluid off, which released pressure for awhile, but fluid soon returns in pillow fashion. The pain drives me insane especially at night when rolling onto my side.

I find the exercises worthile....a specific lunge stretch that my physio instructed. I do this in a heated pool on the steps. I also use the steps of a spa.

[Kiya]

GJZH, you're very welcome. I believe my OS did have a CT scan of the hip made as well. I was lucky in that ON of the hip was his research specialty. I am on medicaid and the problem had gone undiagnosed for about 2 years before I lucked out and got him assigned as my OS.

So, do try to get an MRI and a CT Scan of that hip.

Kiya

Originally Posted by GJZH

Kiya,

Thanks for posting this information...This is what worries me the most about my hips. I am afraid there is some underlying disease that does not show up on the ex-ray, but might on a CT Scan or MRI. I saw my RA doc before the OS doc I saw last week. She twisted my legs around and I screamed in pain from the twisting. She immediately said I have arthritis in the hip, but it did not show up on the ex-ray, so the OS dismissed it immediately.

I think I have to find an OS that takes my complaints more seriously instead of just dismissing everything to the lumbar spine. It might be the lumbar, but even with the steroid shot into the hip, it is still painful when I roll onto it at night, so something must brewing in there.

I am going to make an appt to see another OS that is not interested in me as a surgical patient, but instead someone that needs maintenance care. I want to do everything I can to protect my bones so that I do not have to go the route of artifical anything.

[Melanie]

Originally Posted by carolynms

My OS does think the hip pain is trochanteric bursitis. I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder today, so am going to wait to see how the hip does before I get one there. Do most of you have pretty good results from the hip injections?

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn How are you doing now dear? I've had many shots in my hip(s) over the years and they've all helped, some more than others. Currently I'm taking prednisone because of wide spread inflammation, just makes it easier to take the pills than shots every where I think!

Good luck!

[carolynms]

Melanie, I am doing pretty good! How are you doing and feeling? It is always so nice to see you post.
My fusion went well, and my back feels great! I still have the sciatic nerve pain, though. I tried neurotin, and could not take it, and a medrol pack. My OS said it could still go away, or be permanent nerve damage. When I asked him about my hip, I thought it was from the sciatic nerve. Now I just have another place to stick another cortisone shot. I hope I can avoid it, but with walking 10 miles a day with a load.................................
I hope you are doing well! I have not seen you on the boards for a while, and was a little concerned..............................
Hope all is well, and (((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))
Carolyn