Spinal arthritis, not Hip Bursitis

[roubaixtuesday]

A few weeks ago, just before the end of our big tour, I started to suffer from hip pain, though not cycling, now tentatively diagnosed by GP as this. Have been given physio exercises, but they don’t seem to help and have now given them up as they’re sufficiently painful I think they could be causing more damage.

Initially, it only came on during the night, rapidly easing in a few minutes each morning, but has slowly, inexorably got worse day by day, to the point where I’m no longer able to walk more than a few yards (100 metres is about the limit without having a rest/sit down) – a position I’ve been in for about three weeks now.

It’s generally a dull pain, but if I catch it wrongly, it’s extraordinarily painful, to the point of just immediately collapsing.

I’m also getting more pins and needles and referred pain down my leg, and again, this has gone from nothing to start with to more and more acute.

Cycling is still OK, but I don’t feel safe out, partly because I can’t walk if there’s a problem, and partly the fear of sudden pain eg when putting a foot down at junctions. I’ve been driving to work for the last three weeks, something I haven’t done since pre-COVID.

Am now under care of a consultant, waiting MRI results later this week, but unless they show something unexpected, I’m advised this will just be a “wait for it to get better” and could be many months.

It’s starting to get me down, and I’m getting fat!

Any other experiences with this?

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesse...onditions/greater-trochanteric-pain-syndrome/

 

[Drago]

Not in the hip, but elsewhere. Had the bursa surgically removed in the end. They can grow back believe it or not, but mine didn't.

 

[fossyant]

Has the GP recommended any NSAIDS ? Might be worth something like volterol on the affected area to reduce inflammation. It's a vicious circle that takes time to 'break'.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Has the GP recommended any NSAIDS ? Might be worth something like volterol on the affected area to reduce inflammation. It's a vicious circle that takes time to 'break'.

Pain is internal, so gels don't help. Am on various painkillers, but TBH, nothing seems to make even the slightest difference

 

[Emanresu]

Have you posted this question on Mumsnet*? Seems to be the place to learn about all sorts of aches and pains. Such as this

Went to GP after months of hip pain , just one hip. GP told me to take ibuprofen so I paid for a private scan thinking maybe the joint was worn out.
Scan showed bursitis which I’d never heard of so googled. I went back to GP who wasn’t happy I’d had a private scan , she told me there was no NHS treatment available and I’d have to look at private treatment.
I can see two options online, a steroid ( cortisone?) injection or shockwave therapy.

*not a joke

 

[vickster]

If you’ve got private healthcare and the MRI shows inflammation, ask Consultant about a steroid injection.
In the meantime, alternate heat and ice to promote healing and swimming for exercise (crawl not breaststroke or use a pull buoy).
I’ve had bursitis there on and off (more common in overweight women, bingo) , usually ends up going away with time/rest/sports massage/physio

 

[raleighnut]

See if the consultant will refer you for Acupuncture, contrary to popular belief it is available on the NHS, I know cos I've had several sessions for knee and hip pain. Pretty weird since it isn't instant in fact it seemed to make it worse at first but the next day the pain in that hip was much diminished.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Well, that was a bit of a shocker.

Hip is absolutely fine on MRI. But immediately referred to neurosurgeon, MRI showing spine L5 vertebra impinging on nerve. Vertebrae showing arthritic damage. But some of the pain symptoms aren't quite consistent with it.

Neurosurgeon recommends epidural injection, 70% chance of success, then surgery to remove part of disc, 90% chance of disc.

I'm going to prescribe red wine and a few days to think about it.

Still, better to know what's up I guess. Very pleased now we did the big tour this year...

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Had the injection yesterday and immediately much improved - I can walk!

Quick 5 minutes to the park and back before wfh. For context, that's further than I've been able to walk for nearly two months.

Had a little cry I was so happy.

 

[fossyant]

When might be surgery ?

 

[gbb]

As far as NSAIDs ho (fir me it's osteo arthritis particually in the hips but also toes, lower back pain and knuckle swelling)
Violtarol works well but high doses give me a faster heartbeat. One of the negatives is it can cause heart problems so I tend not to take them anymore.
Co codamol work well even yhe low dose over the counter ones. Negatives are wooziness if using higher doses...and constipation.
Naptoxen...meh, seem to work but not as immediate as say co codamol. Perhaps they're a longer term slow drip thing. Negatives are you need stomach tablets as well, they're pretty aggressive on the stomach

 

[roubaixtuesday]

When might be surgery ?

Depends. May not be needed at all, equally if this doesn't fully do the trick or fades rapidly, could be quite soon.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

As far as NSAIDs ho (fir me it's osteo arthritis particually in the hips but also toes, lower back pain and knuckle swelling)
Violtarol works well but high doses give me a faster heartbeat. One of the negatives is it can cause heart problems so I tend not to take them anymore.
Co codamol work well even yhe low dose over the counter ones. Negatives are wooziness if using higher doses...and constipation.
Naptoxen...meh, seem to work but not as immediate as say co codamol. Perhaps they're a longer term slow drip thing. Negatives are you need stomach tablets as well, they're pretty aggressive on the stomach

Advice for this sort of pain seems to be that anti inflammatories are of minimal benefit.

That's certainly my experience.

 

[Psamathe]

nb I'm not any sort of medic so can't offer advice, just my own experience and repeat what medics have said to me

Re: NSAIDs: For me these are no help, neither pills nor gels. I asked a physiotherapist about this once and her comment was that the help some people but not others. With one (naproxen) I had to stop after a couple of days as I was suffering water retaintion really badly - but they were not helping anyway.

Not relevant to OPs situation but I do suspect that Voltarol does help me for situations were a gel can be appropriate (but pill form of drug seems not available or not prescribed at least not for anti-inflamatory use due to cardiac side effects.

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

Cycling is still OK, but I don’t feel safe out, partly because I can’t walk if there’s a problem, and partly the fear of sudden painn eg when putting a foot down at junctions.

I'm sure you are already more than aware of possibility and sounds like maybe still early days in your condition but do remember the option of a recumbent trike. And then, even if you have to stop to let pain subside you have a seat to sit on.

On recumbent the muscles and motion are different enough from on an upright to make a noticeable difference eg on upright after a bit (rides, miles and days) my knees will start to really suffer but on recumbent my knees are fine. Of course different does not necessarily mean better but if you get an opportunity to try one, maybe give it a try?

Plus they are really good fun.

That said, hopefully you'll find medical solutions.

Ian