GTPS?

[TennisLover123]

Mid 50s. Enjoy tennis, cold water swimming and cycling. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my left hip 9 months ago, but X-ray was normal and my symptoms were less typical (pain down outer side of thigh and shin; none in hip). More recently diagnosed with GTPS in my right hip (very sore around my hip and down my outer thigh and sometimes shin). This happened not long after playing tennis more intensively. Both diagnosed by an Physio at my GP. The pain is worsening and is quite intense a lot of the time and I’ve cut down on the tennis. Saw my osteopath today who knows me well and is questioning the GTPS diagnosis as well as the arthritis one! Does anyone have any advice? I don’t know who to believe or where to go from here. I have been given physio exercises to do.

[piglette]

Have you had an xray?

[TennisLover123 in reply to piglette]

yes I had a hip X-ray a few months ago that was clear.

[piglette in reply to TennisLover123]

At least that discounts bone and joint problems.

[Hectorsmum2]

bone changes show on X ray very early on. I had an x ray that showed arthritis 25 years ago and it is only recently I have experienced any real discomfort.

[Batty1]

it sounds like IT band issues and it can get agitated very easy.

healthline.com/health/it-band

[TennisLover123 in reply to Batty1]

Thanks for this suggestion. I will investigate. I am seeing a physio tomorrow so will mention it.

[weathervane]

The only thing that helped me was a steroid injection, gave relief, you may it done again when wears off, hope you find something that helps.

[Scottypoo]

Hi, it's very common for hip osteoarthritis not to show up on an X-Ray or even an MRI scan. Mine didn't. And the hip specialist who looked at my MRI scan said I just had bursitis - as I had a 7cm swelling on the hip joint. I got a second opinion and the new surgeon just said straight away I have hip osteo arthritis and I need a new hip. I also had strange pains travelling from my groin area down my thigh which I had months before any hip pain. Happy to say all pain went after my hip replacement in January. I spoke to a lot of people who had replacement hips before my op and over 50% of them said nothing showed on am X-Ray. But no one tells you this and you just keep on going and meanwhile your hip is getting worse. Good Luck.

[TennisLover123 in reply to Scottypoo]

Thanks for your message. That’s really helpful to hear. No one has suggested bursitis. Not sure it’s that but I think I’ll need to get a second opinion if things don’t improve.

[Winnats]

I've just belatedly read your post and it chimes with symptoms I've had for a couple of years now. I was told it was possibly an IT band issue and tried physio exercises for that which simply made the situation worse. I've always done regular physio exercises but now find they make this low back/hip/leg pain problem flare, whereas just doing nothing in the way of exercises with just light walking are allowing it to settle and heal on its own. I also use a far infrared heat pad which really helps the pain, and I understand it also promotes the healing process. I begin to question the use of physio/chiro/etc. as I had an intractable shoulder problem a few years ago and, again, pursuing physio simply worsened/re-injured the area. Only when I left well alone did it begin to get better on its own - it took a couple of years of incremental improvements but sure enough I eventually regained full range of movement and use and it's now completely normal. We're all different, but it might be worth your trying just resting things for a while, try heat treatment and gentle exercise when the pain has lessened. I think staying well within limits and resisting the temptation to push boundaries allowed things to heal themselves, and saved me a small fortune! Hope things are going well for you.

[TennisLover123 in reply to Winnats]

Thanks for your message. I definitely had to step back from more intense exercise, but hope to be able to pick it up again at some point. At the moment, I'm considering all options and, while still doing my physio exercises, I will keep an eye on this, based on your experience.