sunnyday
junior member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2016
- Messages
- 26
- Age
- 48
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Gender
- Female
Hi everyone! I've been lurking and decided I'd like to share my hip story!
In January 2015 I started experiencing a sharp pain in the hip/groin area of my left leg, on the front. It happened usually after I'd been sitting and I'd yelp, limp for a couple of steps and then it would subside. I thought I'd possibly strained a muscle or something and didn't really think much more about it.
After 3 months or so, I realised it wasn't getting any better and the pain was actually getting worse. I visited my physio, who'd treated me for other ailments previously. He said he thought it was referred pain from my back, as he felt some stiffness between L3 and L4 in my lumber spine. I had a couple of sessions, he recommended waiting a few weeks and reassessing.
A month or so later the pain had become so intense I was only coping through taking pain relief and I decided to visit the GP. I figured if I needed more physio I may as well go down the NHS route.
The GP felt there was some nerve irritation from the back, told me to go away, stop wearing skinny jeans (yes really) and come back if necessary in a month or so, although he predicted that by then it would have resolved and I'd be better. A couple of weeks passed and the pain was becoming so unbearable I made another appointment with a different gp. She agreed with the diagnosis, told me to do pilates and see how I get on. I felt totally helpless, cried and told her I couldn't cope. She prescribed amitriptyline 10mg (but said I could build up to 30mg) and referred me to the spinal clinic.
A couple of months passed, the pain was still there but not as intense, the medication was working. It had the added benefit of helping me sleep too.
I had my appointment at the spinal clinic with a senior physiotherapist. He felt I had a bulging/herniated disc and referred me for physio on the understanding if nothing improved I could come back for an MRI. Physio appointment comes 3 months later, and only after I have been back to the GP as the pain has again become unmanageable. I'm advised to up the amitriptyline to 50mg.
Physio lasted for 4 appointments. Treated for herniated disc and after reporting a better week with pain, I was discharged (not my choice). Come new year 2016 and I'm in agony again. Back to the GP I go, asking to be referred back to the spinal clinic for an MRI. The dr obliges and come March I have my appointment.
I see a new physio who declares I do not have any issue with my back and the problem is my hip! He thinks it's impingement (pain is simulated with the impingement test), takes some hip xrays and refers me to an orthopaedic consultant.
I saw the consultant a couple of weeks ago who upon looking at my x-rays he tells me I have arthritis in my left hip. This is a complete surprise to me! I also have very shallow sockets and my hips are turned outwards. Consultant says the pain is either due to arthritis, which would be treated initially with injection pain relief, or a labral tear which will require keyhole surgery to repair. I have been scheduled for a MRA of the hip on the 28th June. The consultant was very reluctant to speculate on either scenario until he has the results of the MRA. However, I'm now really worried that arthritis means one thing, and I'm worried that the problem may be much worse and I'll need a hip replacement.
The consultant also said to stop with the amitriptyline and now I'm on tramadol.
The pain is now constant, made worse with increased activity or increased sitting. I'm having to reassess everything that I do just to cope.
I'd really appreciate any advice or opinions! And I'm so worried about the MRA, specifically the needle! Any reassuring MRA experiences welcomed! Thanks!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
In January 2015 I started experiencing a sharp pain in the hip/groin area of my left leg, on the front. It happened usually after I'd been sitting and I'd yelp, limp for a couple of steps and then it would subside. I thought I'd possibly strained a muscle or something and didn't really think much more about it.
After 3 months or so, I realised it wasn't getting any better and the pain was actually getting worse. I visited my physio, who'd treated me for other ailments previously. He said he thought it was referred pain from my back, as he felt some stiffness between L3 and L4 in my lumber spine. I had a couple of sessions, he recommended waiting a few weeks and reassessing.
A month or so later the pain had become so intense I was only coping through taking pain relief and I decided to visit the GP. I figured if I needed more physio I may as well go down the NHS route.
The GP felt there was some nerve irritation from the back, told me to go away, stop wearing skinny jeans (yes really) and come back if necessary in a month or so, although he predicted that by then it would have resolved and I'd be better. A couple of weeks passed and the pain was becoming so unbearable I made another appointment with a different gp. She agreed with the diagnosis, told me to do pilates and see how I get on. I felt totally helpless, cried and told her I couldn't cope. She prescribed amitriptyline 10mg (but said I could build up to 30mg) and referred me to the spinal clinic.
A couple of months passed, the pain was still there but not as intense, the medication was working. It had the added benefit of helping me sleep too.
I had my appointment at the spinal clinic with a senior physiotherapist. He felt I had a bulging/herniated disc and referred me for physio on the understanding if nothing improved I could come back for an MRI. Physio appointment comes 3 months later, and only after I have been back to the GP as the pain has again become unmanageable. I'm advised to up the amitriptyline to 50mg.
Physio lasted for 4 appointments. Treated for herniated disc and after reporting a better week with pain, I was discharged (not my choice). Come new year 2016 and I'm in agony again. Back to the GP I go, asking to be referred back to the spinal clinic for an MRI. The dr obliges and come March I have my appointment.
I see a new physio who declares I do not have any issue with my back and the problem is my hip! He thinks it's impingement (pain is simulated with the impingement test), takes some hip xrays and refers me to an orthopaedic consultant.
I saw the consultant a couple of weeks ago who upon looking at my x-rays he tells me I have arthritis in my left hip. This is a complete surprise to me! I also have very shallow sockets and my hips are turned outwards. Consultant says the pain is either due to arthritis, which would be treated initially with injection pain relief, or a labral tear which will require keyhole surgery to repair. I have been scheduled for a MRA of the hip on the 28th June. The consultant was very reluctant to speculate on either scenario until he has the results of the MRA. However, I'm now really worried that arthritis means one thing, and I'm worried that the problem may be much worse and I'll need a hip replacement.
The consultant also said to stop with the amitriptyline and now I'm on tramadol.
The pain is now constant, made worse with increased activity or increased sitting. I'm having to reassess everything that I do just to cope.
I'd really appreciate any advice or opinions! And I'm so worried about the MRA, specifically the needle! Any reassuring MRA experiences welcomed! Thanks!!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk