Hip alignment

[Mistygreyhound]

I have just got back from a few days away,the hotel had a full length mirror,after a shower I was getting dressed in front of it i was shocked to see my hip was higher on right side than the other,i walk with a stick usually to help with my mobility issues due to spinal stinosis and my partner says I tend to lean on my left side which I try to correct,I was told a few years ago that I had a slight curvature of my spine,I wonder if this has got worse or if I have made it worse by leaning on my sick,a friend told me I shouldn't use it an get a crutch instead as it can lead to hip problems,anyone had similar issues?

[Scotsman53]

I'd say you should see a physiotherapist about this. If you have the means you can probably see one privately quite quickly. Otherwise go through your GP practice, some let you make a physio appointment yourself, others need you to speak to a doctor first who will refer you.

[Mistygreyhound in reply to Scotsman53]

Thanks for your reply,I made an appointment to see my gp but can't get one for 4 weeks,I am still waiting on MSK physio for my arthritis pain also but have been told that's a long wait,in the mean time I have researched excercises to do that might help with aleinment issues,I have been trying to walk without my stick but not sure if it's better or worse,so will just have to wait an see what the gp says.

[Maxgate2]

Unfortunately curvatures do tend to progress but with the right exercises and initial help from a specialist physiotherapist you can keep this to a minimum. Personally I would request a back X-ray/MRI . The white Tiger Balm helps with the discomfort, as does a hot bath. I have quite severe scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 58. With the right exercises and initial bracing I have reduced from 63 degrees. Good luck!

[Mistygreyhound in reply to Maxgate2]

Thanks for your reply,I thought the curvature would probably get worse and have been in my gp surgery this morning to ask about physio, she told me as I have a gp appointment in just over a week(i will have been waiting 6 wks for)that to mention it to her an she will refur me but I have looked on Internet for excercises for hip alignment and are trying those in the meantime,will also try the tiger balm and love a hot bath,especially this freezing weather.

[DollyDutchGirl_1946]

I have bilateral hip replacements and prior to the last (right) replacement, the surgeon showed me the X-rays where the left hip was vastly higher than the right. No problem I was told - that can sorted during surgery. Following the surgery in 2019, I am still lop sided, although to a lesser degree. So possibly, the best thing for you to do - would be to make a f to f appointment with your GP and, ensure you don’t leave until you have a have a referral to a suitable consultant.

Following extensive investigations, x-rays and MRI’s, my GP said that pain management was the only option - and he kindly refered me to the regional Pain Clinic. It took six months for the initial appointment to attend the Clinic - where the clinician finally explained that I have; minor scoliosis convex to the right with minor anterior vertebral body height loss at T12, L3 and L4, disc space narrowing at the lumbosacral level with hypertrophy of the lower lumbar facet joints. All that combined, are what’s causing me the constant pain I’m experiencing. ‘Unfortunately’ she said ‘there’s no cure, it doesn’t get any better’. Strangely, hearing that, suddenly, it all made sense - and, my thinking immediately swung from ‘Oh crap - I truly am stuck in eternal pain’ - to total acceptance of the situation. My mind went to ‘what can I do to make life easier for myself - and also for my husband - and our family’ (who live close by). I now have an indoor wheeled walker, that has a small tray - allowing me to move from room to room carrying a couple of cups of coffee. I also have an outdoor walker - with a firm seat, so that I can walk around shops/supermarkets etc., and, stop to sit whenever needed (quite often). When we go out for the day - I now have a small mobility scooter - that makes life a lot easier - and is a lot of fun.

At my latest visit to the pain clinic, I was physically examined - and the conclusion drawn, was that the right (replacement) hip was, most probably, causing or aggravating one or two of the issues plus, it was making my right knee turn in and consequently, my right foot turn out. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️. So I have been given some extremely gentle exercises to do daily - in the hope they may help to release some of the extreme tightness in the area….so we’ll see how things are at the next meeting - in June. Meanwhile, I will continue taking the pain medication, that consists of 70mg Amitriptylene each evening plus, a combination of Dihydrocodeine with two paracetamol every four hours, from 8.30am onwards.

I truly hope that you are able to receive some help in discovering the answers to your particular questions - and that the answers may provide you with a different way of dealing with your pain. 😊

[Mistygreyhound in reply to DollyDutchGirl_1946]

Thanks for replying,you have a lot going on there,I am sure I have a lot going on too but unfortunately I don't seem to be getting any answers with all my aches,pains and problems apart from just giving me different pain killers thst havnt helped,the latest one being amitriptyline which i know for some help especially with sleep,for me it had the opposite effect and kept me awake l night,and brain fog all the next day,dies it work for you?the state of the NHS and our doctors surgery is ridiculous the amount of time you wait for an appointment and for physio too,I have also been referred for an urgent appointment to neurosurgery at hospital that was in September and haven't heard a thing from them either,it makes you so depressed as I seem to be getting knowwhere,I am getting so desperate i thinking of paying private or at least enquiring about it as I can't really afford it.

[DollyDutchGirl in reply to Mistygreyhound]

I’m so dreadfully sorry that you are having such a seemingly awful time try to receive the help you need. I’m also sorry that the Amitriptyline didn’t work for you, re: helping you to sleep. Perhaps it could be worth asking your GP to try a higher dose???? I was titrated up to 70mg and taking that at 6pm, certainly helps me sleep through until 8am - when the alarm, for the first round of my daily meds, rattles off. Obviously, I’m unaware of your medical issues - but sometimes it can be worth talking with your doctor again and reminding them of exactly what your problems are, how they are impacting on your day to day life….and that you are still waiting for the ‘urgent neurosurgery referral.

I’m fully aware, that I’m extremely fortunate that my GP practice is, although seemingly a rarity, is excellent - as, certainly where both myself and my husband (who turned 80 yesterday) are concerned and, the treatment is first class. However, the issue of getting an appointment is the same as everywhere else but, usually an e-consult does the job - and we get either a call from the surgery offering an appointment within a day or so - or the GP gives us a call. Unfortunately, I have a quite a complex medical history - however, it does mean that I am usually dealt with fairly promptly. Please, please do get in contact with your GP again - especially re; the neurosurgery referral. In this day and age - nobody should be enduring chronic pain - when there are so many options of pain relief available. They may not take the pain away completely - but at the very least, it should be able to be brought down to a tolerable level. All the very best wishes to you in forging ahead. 😊x

[Mistygreyhound in reply to DollyDutchGirl]

Thanks so much for your best wishes yes you are very lucky with your gp,as for the amitriptyline she did tell me to start at 1 a night and then after a week to up the dose till I was taking 3 per night but after 4 nights of non or little sleep I have up with them,maybe I should have just not given up so easily,but I have read some horror stories also about the side effects and once on them it is very difficult to come off them,I have decided too to ring the hospital neurosurgery department tomorrow and just ask them what the waiting time for an appointment is likely to be and where I am on the list,Happy Birthday to your hubby and fingers crossed I get some help and answers soon.

[Morganalefaye in reply to DollyDutchGirl_1946]

My situation is very similar to yours, with the additional problems of Crohn’s Disease, Sjorgren's, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Psoriatic Arthritis, ++. I too have decided to accept the situation and do all I can to carry on as normally as possible.

[DollyDutchGirl_1946 in reply to Morganalefaye]

Morganalefaye - I definitely feel that my acceptance of having to live with chronic pain - helps me. It obviously doesn’t stop the pain - yet understanding exactly what’s causing it, somehow helps in my acceptance that it will never get better. I’m working with the pain management service who didn’t mess with their words when they saw the state of my back. I’d asked about injections but was told that things are quite the mess and that the doctor/surgeon would know where to place the needle as it could cause more damage. I guess at nearly 78, they definitely wouldn’t want to risk it….😂🤣😂

[Morganalefaye in reply to DollyDutchGirl_1946]

Strangely, when I had the first hip replacement, which is the one giving me the trouble, the anaesthetist refused to give me an epidural because of the state of my back, yet the same anaesthetist did give me an epidural six months later with the second hip. When I told him he said they’d had a really hectic ‘list’ when I had the first hip replacement and he just didn’t have the time. Maybe that’s why I’ve had so much trouble with the left hip?

[DollyDutchGirl]

Hopefully, the hospital will be able to give you the answers you are looking for. Do let us know how you get on…🤞

[Morganalefaye]

I’d already been diagnosed with early degenerative disc disease when I had both hips replaced in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The neurosurgeon treating my back problems opined that until I had my hips replaced he couldn’t assess how badly my back was affecting my mobility. My right leg was left slightly shorter than my left after the second hip replacement. By 2017 I’d developed a severe left concave scoliosis, and my L4/5 disc is impinging on the nerve root. The same with C5/6 and C6/7 impinging on the left exiting nerve root.

The only answer is surgery which at my age is of dubious value, or just keeping moving.

[Mitch48 in reply to Morganalefaye]

Hi there,

I’m sorry that you are having so many problems, you didn’t say if you’d had any pain management treatments? They can help delay surgery or if surgery is not an option for numerous reasons can certainly be tried for pain relief.

I’ve got cervical & lumbar spinal injuries causing severe chronic pain which is not controlled by medication sufficiently & have had help with the pain by having radio frequency ablation.

Kind Regards,

Mitch