Ongoing hip problem

[margiebell4]

I posted on here a few weeks ago about my painful hip. I've been to 2 GPs The first one told me to increase my prednisolone as it could be a flair. When that didn't help I went back, the second GP said it could be either osteoarthritis or bursitis but didn't think it fitted the symptoms of either and referred me to a physiotherapist.(no suggestion of X-ray or scan) I suspect it will be weeks before I get an appointment, meanwhile I am trying to carry on working and lead a reasonably normal life whilst being in quite a lot of pain.

I have turned to google and found a condition called osteonecrosis, which can be associated with long term steroid medication. Has anyone had any experience of this?

[piglette]

It sounds very unlikely it is osteonecrosis. My orthopaedic surgeon did say the steroids had eaten away the cartilage though in my hips. A good doctor should be able to tell if it is your hip by moving it about and an X-ray would confirm osteoarthritis if that is the problem. My GP failed too and In the end I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon for a private consultation who confirmed hip problems.

[SheffieldJane]

I wonder if you have to visit a GP three times in a row before they finally send you for the appropriate tests? I think you are going to have to be a bit of a nuisance margiebell you need a proper diagnosis. It's not PMR you've discounted that. Back you go and tell them you can't sleep for the pain!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Go back and tell them you would like a hip x-ray done in the meantime. It won't diagnose much probably if it is bursitis but it will rule out some of the options.

If it is bursitis then oral pred is unlikely to make much difference quickly - it took several months for mine to fade originally at 15mg.

Describe what it is like again... With all the details - what makes it worse, where it is and so on.

[Ruadh]

Phew. My physio will not see anyone for musculature / skeletal work unless he has a scan / MRI / X-Ray / or Ultrasound (as appropriate) in his hands. Horrified that any physio would see a patient without appropriate diagnostics.

In addition, suggest requesting yr GP for the diagnostics. First 'Do no harm', and as much harm is done by negligence, you need to be (politely) after him ! Take care -

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ruadh]

Ah well, the chances of an MRI for a referral for manual mobilisation or simple physio in Europe is something of a pipedream! Physios do have considerable clinical skills and would request them if they felt it was necessary though.

[Ruadh in reply to PMRpro]

Ohhhh. Well, I livve in Europe, France. Can generally get an MRI, I just ask ! In addition, my physio advises the GPs that he will not see a patient without the diagnostics, as he says, far too dangerous : could be doing untold damage.

One thing we can get here in France, are diagnostics, but all arenot equal ! Some of the radiology clinics are poor- poor 'readers'. Sigh.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ruadh]

I live in Italy - you wouldn't get an MRI by asking! x-ray, u/s probably. It does very much depend on the system. But the physio will do an assessment and ask for anything she feels is needed. And in order to have health service physio I must first see a rehab doctor - who also does a clinical assessment.

Going privately is another ball game though.

[Ruadh in reply to PMRpro]

Hmmmmmm. Glad I can get my MRIs etc as and when !

[SusanEleven]

Once I hit a certain point in my pred taper (been on meds nearly two years) I started feeling hip pain both sides. I also wondered if it was a flare though it felt nothing like PMR pains. My rheum doc sent me for x-rays and restested my CRP. No rise in my inflammation blood work. X-rays showed bone spurs on both hips and some pelvic degeneration. Waiting for my rheum to call and discuss but I think it boils down to osteoarthritis. My hips are not moving well in their sockets due to the bone spurs. Big ouch. Also x-rayed my knees. Mild osteoarthritis there. I’ve had arthritis in my hands for years. I’m almost nostalgic for my higher dose steroid days that banished my hand pain!

[Ruadh in reply to SusanEleven]

Susan, did they check the sacroiliacs ?