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Pain in legs

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Nancyo

BoneSmart Staff
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Location
Oklahoma
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Hello All,
I'm new to this forum, but am so happy to have found it! The past four years I've had increasing hip/groin pain resulting from a fall I had while visiting in a different state. I was taken to a clinic and x-rayed, given 30 pain pills and sent on my way. Arriving home 3 weeks later, I received a phone call from that clinic insisting that I return to the clinic because they had identified a "non-displaced" occult fracture in my hip. Well, after almost a month had passed they were just now getting around to reading the films? I told them I wouldn't be returning because I was now 600 miles away from them and after this length of time a certain amount of healing had taken place. I had enough forethought to request and bring home with me a copy of the films. I took them to my friend, an Orthopeadic surgeon who is retired. He read the films and said; yep, they finally figured it out. There wasn't much to be done about the fracture at that point except to let it finish healing. Anyway, 18 months ago, I was knocked down really hard by a horse while I was feeding the band in the pasture. This resulted in four blown disc and numbness down both legs from the knees down. I went to a nurosurgeon who said that the pain was all coming from my back, but because of the location it was not "fixable". Now the pain in my groin/hip, and running down my legs is intense, and I feel as if the hip wants to pop out of place. The nearest set of doctors is 130 miles from where I live and trying to find a trustworthy surgeon is going to be a challenge. Can any of you give me ideas as to what type of Doctor I need to be looking for? I can't seem to seperate as to where the pain is coming from anymore. I am now on disability and had to retire from a job I loved. I am now 61 years old and have always been very active having ridden cutting horses most of my life. That is no longer even an option. I know I sound as though I'm living in a pity party, but I'm confused and a bit frightened. Any advise or thoughts on which way I need to go first would sure be a help. My retired doctor friend has since moved away so that's no option. I would be so very grateful for your help. Thanks for listening
 
Re: pain before surgery

Nancy,
I am sorry to hear about how much pain you are in. I would find an orthopedist who specializes in the spine. I have been going to one for over 2 years now. He did send me to a hip surgeon last year which did result in my getting a hip replacement.
I would get more than one opinion and make sure you get pain meds that work for you.
Let us know what is going on.
Welcome to bonesmart
Judy
 
Re: pain before surgery

Judy,
Thank you so much for your response. At least I feel now that I have a place to start. I've called 3 listed Doctors this morning and the recordings all say to call back after New Years Day. lol Ok I can do that. Anyway, I feel better this morning just being able to log into the forum and read about what other people are dealing with and how they are handling each problem. Maybe it sounds strange, but I don't feel so isolated anymore.
Is there a location on here that can give me some clues as to how to work the different things in this forum? Guess I'm not very "techy" when it comes to certain computer operations. Thank you! Nancy
 
Nancy, I have moved your posts into a thread of their own so not to derail rsalle's thread and also to make sure you get answers of your own.

As for your situation, occult fractures are extremely difficult to identify and an awful lot go undiagnosed but it's not really crucial as there is often no appropriate treatment anyway. They probably just wanted to keep an eye on you to make sure it healed up ok which is entirely appropriate.

As for the back problem, though this isn't really the remit of this forum, I'm sure we'll do our best to help if we can.

You could look for either a neurosurgeon or an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in backs. You can search for a surgeon using BoneSmart's (broken link removed: https://bonesmart.org/clinic_lookup.php. You might also try a chiropractor.

I would also suggest you try a TENS machine to try and control the pain. This is a non-invasive method and can be used on top of any medication you are taking. You can read about them here although it seems that, in the US, you need a doctor's prescription to get one. However, a couple of members on here broken link removed: https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TENS-Machine-11-Pain-Relief-Programs-Dual-Channel-NEW_W0QQitemZ230315850007QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Medical_Equipment_Instruments_ET?hash=item230315850007&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 without!

As for using the forum, just ask what it is you want to know and I or one of the members will be very happy to advise. We don't have a "How to" on here (yet!).
 
Jo, Thank you for your help. I appreciate your imput since I know very little about being on a forum at all. I realize that I have misstated my problem, so let me explain. Yes, I do have pain down my legs which is the result of my back injury I guess. My primary problem is the fact that since this past Sunday, my hip keeps locking up and I can not move. Sunday it was constant, all day long I was unable to walk or move without pain at all. Monday, it was slightly better with intermittent pain and catching. Today has been better in that I can walk without crutches or a cane and sit in the recliner without help. My problems in locating a doctor are as I told you about before. After the 1st, I will try again to locate some type of help in the city. One of your members "Judy" had been a tremendous help in directing me as to how to look for a doctor who can help me out. I've been through several who didn't work out to well. I have a very sever metal allegery and have been tested for this so I know which inserts that I can't use on a hip replacement. I really appreciate this forum as I've learned a lot just reading posts from other members. If anyone who reads this is from Oklahoma, USA and knows of a doctor one can trust and feel safe please let me know. I'm on the hunt!
Thanks again!
Nancy
 
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