Trochanteric bursitis

[Maud1970]

Morning I've had steroid injections last Wednesday in my hip as I can barely walk, been told it's like magic but unfortunately it's not been. It's made no difference whatsoever. This has disabled me totally. Has anyone else had this & how long did it take to recover? Did anyone need surgery? Any advice would be much appreciated thanks

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Maud1970. I was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis in July. At the same appointment my Rheumy requested my GP performed a full pain relief review as my OA was also having a real gnaw. The pain meds I started on & now reached full dose have eased also the trochanteric bursitis somewhat but I'm still aware of it as it's prevented me doing some of my exercises.

One thing I had trouble with was getting in & out of the car but since sitting sideways on, swivelling round & lifting my leg in it's far less painful for my right thigh, equally my left if a passenger. I massage both my thighs with arnica gel after I've had my shower which seems to help too.

My Rheumy did tell me she prefers not to treat it with steroid injections as she believes there's there's little evidence to show it helps. As yours hasn't helped you I would report this back to your Rheumy team & see what their thoughts are.

I hope you get help, it is particularly painful. I consider that I have a reasonably high pain threshold but that combined with progressive OA stopped me in my tracks!

[raggedy3 in reply to nomoreheels]

I was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis almost 3 years ago - long before I was diagnosed with RA in July. My osteopath figured it out and sent me to a rheumatologist who gave me a shot that, indeed, did "cure" it immediately. The respite lasted 6 weeks and then it returned. Another shot, another 6 weeks of relief. I was told that it was "self limiting" and would probably last for a year. I then went to a very good chiropractor. It took about 3 sessions and it got worse before it got better but it did get better and hasn't troubled me since. To this day, I don't know if it was related to RA or if it would have gone away without treatment.

Your symptoms sound, especially the pain in the groin, sound the same as mine. I'm surprised that the steroid shot didn't help. My advice would be: second opinion. Make sure that the diagnosis is correct. Then - I hate to suggest this, but getting the injection right requires considerable skill. I do hope that you'll insist on getting some help because, as I recall, the pain is spectacular.

[Hidden]

I have it but 'mildly', whatever that means. The worst thing is that I cannot sleep on my left side and it is making stairs that little bit harder. I've not had a steroid injection but rheumy said to contact my GP or hospital for one, if the bursitis becomes more painful. None of this will be especially helpful to you although the main thing is that roughly 6 weeks on it does seem to be easing up. Hope you get some relief soon.

[Maud1970 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for yor reply. I've had this since June when it was mild , it's now excruciating and at its worst been taking max naproxen , paracetamol and tramadol with gabapentin on stand by . It's made me have an RA flare up and cannot walk more than 20 steps without severe pain . I'm currently off work and am due to return next Monday but I just don't know how I'm going to cope and I'm very worried about long term

[Moifoi]

A couple of years ago I had Trochanteric bursitis quite badly to the point where I could hardly walk. Luckily for me my GP injected steroid in to the joint and within a few days I was up and walking again. it has never bothered me since.

[Someonesmother]

Injections did nothing for me. I am just living with it in both hips. It helps being on pred but never goes away. i hope you find something to relieve the pain.

[samhawks]

Hi I'm not sure what is going on with mine but I have lots of pain in my groin area . It hurts when I move in certain ways at at nights it's so pain ful , I have problems with shoulders but had them injected with steroids but after two weeks they are more painful then ever , good luck and hope you find relief soon xx