Greater Trochanteric pain

[PastelsinArt]

I've had pain in my right buttock and thigh which sometimes goes down the right leg as well for 8 weeks now. I keep thinking it's getting better, then it isn't. I have gradually tapered to 3.5mg of Pred with only mild PMR aches, though I've had to omit using my weekly Tociluzumab 3 times lately due to getting shingles (very painful!) at the end of September, then due to low Neutrophyl levels in blood samples after my 3rd Covid and flu jabs. I'm back on it now though. Can anyone advise what to do for the best with this bursitis, please?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not so sure it is "just" trochanteric bursitis - sounds as if the sciatic nerve is involved and that could be due to piriformis syndrome.

Have you spoken to your GP? Is there any option for self-referral to physiotherapy these days?

[PastelsinArt in reply to PMRpro]

I will get in touch with a physio I've seen privately in the past. Thank you for your speedy response. I'll let you know what transpires!

[SheffieldJane]

I was just going to say that my husband has piriformis syndrome and that it sounds similar. His physio, who also teaches Pilates has given him some stretching exercises that seem helpful. I have bought him a big gym ball which he likes to lie across. He’s very tall, I would need a smaller one, his ran away with me and I nearly brained myself on the low windowsill. The way forward is exercise of the right sort I think, under guidance.

[Nightingales]

Sorry you have had a bad few months. I have had Trochanteric bursitis in the past now called Trochanteric pain syndrome. I was told it was common with PMR. Mine responded very well to cortisone injections done under X-ray guidance in the pain clinic. The one done in the GPs office seemed to make it worse. This is the NICE guidance that might be helpful. Hope you can get some relief soon.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/grea...

[Pixix]

I have similar symptoms & was diagnosed with sciatica. It doesn’t mean that’s what you have, but shows a range of things can have similar symptoms! Consulting a doctor sounds the best idea!

[PastelsinArt in reply to Pixix]

I agree. I've managed to get a physio appointment on Wednesday morning to see just what she thinks is going on, and get some appropriate advice/excercises. I'm frustrated at not being able to walk as much as usual. Last night I used a small cushion between my knees when sleeping on my side, and that helped.

[Swdai in reply to PastelsinArt]

Be careful at physios -I was having exercises re severe hamstring tear in right leg and they were comparing that leg with my left one ( I had t- bursitis in that one but it had eased with steroid injection) & unfortunately the exercises caused the bursitis to flare again - physio said the exercises had aggravated the bursitis although they worked brilliantly for the hamstring injury !!!!

[Pixix in reply to PastelsinArt]

We walk a lit (live in a forested national park, & I currently suffer a lot of pain if we go o normal length walk. I do stretching exercises, but only did them after diagnosis & the ones recommended by doctor for sciatica…please be careful!!

[Swdai]

HiSorry to hear you are in so much pain . I had the same last year : have now had two cortisone injections into hip joint & they do ease it . Had to go private as GP weren’t undertaking steroid injections into joints due to pandemic.

Hope you can find some remedy to ease the discomfort

[whitefishbay]

Sounds like my piriformis syndrome. It went away with stretching exercises. There might be some online. I had to sit and put one bent leg over the other knee...hard to explain but it helped.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to whitefishbay]

Like these?

myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/...

[PastelsinArt]

Well, I saw the physio yesterday and she thinks (like one of the replies I had) it's Piriformis Syndrome, which can pinch the sciatic nerve. I have a list of exercises to do and an appointment in 4 weeks. Let's hope for some improvement. I have my Pilates class today which includes several helpful moves. Thank you for all the comments and insight.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PastelsinArt]

Hope the exercises help.