GTPS?

[granofthewest]

Physio appointment for hip pain after waiting 3 months and she is wondering if I have what used to be bursitis,now called GTPS. Doesnt think my symptoms fit PMR now. I haven't had a blood test since diagnosis so thinks what I thought was a flare wasn't. Thinks I need to wean off steroids but I'm worried about being in pain. Have exercises and will contact GP so I'll have to wait and see.

[piglette]

Have you the pain in both hips?

[granofthewest in reply to piglette]

No just my right hip which was one of the reasons she didn't feel it was PMR now as I do t have pain anywhere else. Did when initially diagnosed 2 years ago.

[piglette in reply to granofthewest]

It may be worth accepting a steroid injection to see if it has any effect. It could answer some questions.

[granofthewest in reply to piglette]

Yes I would accept the steroid injection but from what the physio said it doesn't seem as if I'll be offered one while still on prednisolone.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to granofthewest]

I've had them - and so have lot of others. Not up to the physio anyway.

[piglette in reply to granofthewest]

I had one. It didn't work but there was no problem having it!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can have both. I do.

GTPS is often due to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) causing tight muscles across the lower back - the piriformis and glutes in particular. And MPS is recognised by a few PMR experts are being an integral part of PMR

jrheum.org/content/46/12/1552

You wean off pred by reducing the dose to the lowest dose that manages YOUR symptoms - not necessarily off it altogether. And GTPS ofteh does respond better to more targeted management - local steroid inections instead of oral pred and manual mobilisation or physio, The local rehab clinic here uses something called extracorporeal soundwave treatment, like lithotripsy for kidney stones but adapted for soft tissue. It takes time as it needs 4 sessions but does work well and has no adverse effects. Don't know if they use it in the UK though.

[granofthewest in reply to PMRpro]

No she hasn't suggested that but did mention perhaps steroid injection but didn't think I should have one while still taking steroids. Thankyou for your helpful advice, I do find all of this quite confusing I must admit.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to granofthewest]

The rheumy I saw the other week asked hadn't I been offered a steroid shot, I wasn't at the time but the referral to the rehab chap was for a broader problem which he ignored and fixated on the bursitis which I had developed by the time I saw him. Had I realised how slow it would be this time I would have made more fuss. And had I been offered a steroid shot - I'd have grabbed it before they changed their mind!

Honestly - local steroid shots are really good for bursitis!