Michael

[Healthliving]

I have PMR since Jan 2015 and then went on to get GCA, I stopped steroids 2 years ago, but not without pain, but I was having a lot of Osteoarthritis and I think it might be from steroids,I have had MRI s on the lower spine, cervical spine, MRI on Thigh and Xray on hips, I have had cramp like pain in thigh, i developed it walking up a hill and thought it was a hamstring injury, I have had it for last 3 months, unbearable when I try to lift my leg, hard to go upstairs and get into a car,

Alot of bulging disc and Gluteus medius tendinitis on right hip, and wonder would this be cause of pain in thigh? Thanks

[Grammy80]

Sounds like many questions and not many answers...do you have any idea what your blood test show as far as inflammation? I hope you can see a rheumatologist to try to get this sorted out. Most in your time zone are asleep now, I'm a GCAer in the States and just now, since 2019, down to 2 mg pred plus Actemra. Where you had been diagnosed with GCA, please keep a watch on that to avoid any permanent damage.

What do the doctor(s) say about the results of all the tests you have had. It may be a hip issue, plain and simple?? Often times when we have pain in one area, we can create pain in other areas because we throw our gait off compensating. 💞

[piglette]

Have you had your right hip X-rayed?

[Healthliving in reply to piglette]

Thanks for reply, Xray showed osteoarthritis, or so the say MRI showed right hip worse than left hip, showed tendinitis on hip.

[piglette in reply to Healthliving]

Have they talked about a hip replacement?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Think you probably need to see a physio or at least look up some exercises for your right hip -plenty on line - but did you hip X-ray should OA?

Can you be referred to the muscular-skeletal clinic within the orthopaedic department at local hospital?

Had you given your post a more relevant title you might have brought related posts to view.

Not sure you can entirely blame the steroids.

[Healthliving in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for reply, I have an appointment with physio tomorrow and I'll bring all reports, just want my leg back to walk.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

First of all - sorry to sound picky but please could you amend the title of your post to reflect the content - even if it is just "thigh pain" or something like that? When the title is about the content it brings up potentially relevant past posts.

Where exactly in your thigh IS the pain? I assume your doctors have actually done physical examinations? MRIs are all very well but they don't show everything although some doctors seem to think they do.

Some doctors also blame pred for patients developing OA - but it doesn't always lead to cartilage damage and you can develop OA without ever taking a dose of pred.

[Healthliving in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply, not sure what you mean with heading? the pain is around back of thigh and bullocks, unbearable to sit down, I do have appointment with physio tomorrow, I just thought it would go away on its own.Just thought people on here maybe had similar.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Healthliving]

The title of your post has come up as Michael - when you write a post there are two boxes, the first says Title and somehow all that has come up from that is the name Michael. Then there is a second box to write your question or comment before posting it. It has happened a few times that the poster's name has appeared - but that doesn't appear to be your name either!!!

As for your pain - piriformis syndrome could cause pain in the position you describe.

[Healthliving in reply to PMRpro]

Oh thanks I'll try and correct that, as I was on wrong site RA to begin with

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Healthliving]

Have a look at this -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

-and at editing your post 😊

[Healthliving in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks

[Sumojo in reply to Healthliving]

I had a similar pain. It was a torn gluteal tendon

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Thank you for your reply Sumojo, can I ask what the treatment was please

[Sumojo in reply to Healthliving]

Surgery! I had completely torn gluteal medius and minimus on right leg.good result, but long recovery. Having exact same op on left leg in four weeks

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Hi Sumojo I know it's been 3 weeks, just wondered what the surgery entailed, and was it a hip specialist you were undet, What sort of pain did you have from Gluteus medius tendinitis, how were you restricted in movement, I did have some physio but i thought it aggravated it, I do think this pain is coming from Gluteus medius, I do have a appointment with hip specialist, hope you are doing ok 👍

[Sumojo in reply to Healthliving]

I’m getting my other side done next week. I’m certainly not looking forward to it. The symptoms were as you described. Difficulty in walking etc. until the tendons tore (full thickness). Then it doesn’t hurt that much. You’ll know if it tears it’s excruciating. Best to get the surgery before full thickness tear. An orthopaedic surgeon is who you need to consult and an MRI to prove the diagnosis

Sue

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Sumojo did you mean when it tears its more painful, yes I have the MRI that showed it, I have an appointment for the hip specialist? Should I be seen an orthopaedic surgeon? I wish you all the best with operation, my son had a Achilles ruptured tendon and had to have operation before Christmas, it took 2 doctors to pull it together to stitch it.

[Sumojo in reply to Healthliving]

I found once it had completely torn it wasn’t as painful. Yes an orthopaedic surgeon did my operation.

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Thanks Sumojo I seen hip specialist next Thursday, we're you happy with the operation or was recovery tough. Is the operation best solution in your opinion or can it recover on its own thanks again.

[Sumojo in reply to Healthliving]

The previous operation was a success. The recovery wasn’t really painful and the recovery wasn’t too bad. Eight weeks into physio I was walking unaided. The reason I’m repeating the process on the other leg is because I’m pretty sure it’s affecting my knee and foot which are giving me more pain than the hip. I get back pain with the gluteal tear and I’m afraid it will only worsen. I’m eighty years old so if the surgeon is willing then that’s good enough for me.

Patience is called for and physiotherapy. The last op was done last July so this will be both ops within a year.

When I first saw my surgeon he said for little old ladies we usually suggest a motorised scooter or a stick. I soon gave him a piece of my mind. So I believe you do have to be a bit bloody minded.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sumojo]

If he actually said "little old ladies" I hope you complained about it. Hardly a dignified mode of address even if you are 5 foot nothing in your socks and over 80 ...

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Yes you really have to practice your assertiveness before you go to see these Doctors, I have an appointment next Thursday with a hip specialist, but my own Doctor said he's not very nice, 🤔but he's very good, so don't think I'm looking forward to it too much, I wish you all the best with operation, and hopefully you will be a new young lady😀

[Healthliving in reply to Sumojo]

Hi Sumojo I've been to hip specialist and he said I need a hip replacement, so a bit shocked, he said the Gluteus medius tendinitis wouldn't cause that pain, even though when you go on line, it describes my pain and described same symptoms, so I might get a second opinion, did you have yours repaired yet? Hope you are doing ok.

[cycli]

Read your bio. If you still have PMR why have you stopped pred. Not surprised you are still in pain. Sounds to me like you need a serious sit down with your rheumatologist to address your issues. Good luck.

[Healthliving in reply to cycli]

Thanks for your reply. My Rheumatologist, told me my PMR was gone and what I was experiencing was residual pain.even when I try to say my inflammatory markers were up he said they are high because of your age. He said he arranged physio for my neck as in alot of pain with neck. My leg is a new one.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Healthliving]

Well he is one to get away from. If the markers are high for you it isn't due to age. Even taking age into account, anything over about 30 signals trouble. And the more up-to-date view is that higher ESR/CRP in older patients doesn't reflect their age but the fact that they have an undiagnosed inflammatory condition. Like PMR ...

[cycli in reply to Healthliving]

I totally agree with PMRpro. My inflammatory markers have remained at 4 and 2 for 9 months and I am steadily reducing. a few issues but nothing unbearable. You need a new Rheumy or just deal with your GP if a good one, but it sounds like you still have some PMR to contend with.