groin pain

[Deyazlex]

PMR since 2017. No real problems, fluctuating from 2 to 4 over last 2/3 years. Experienced family anxiety during 2024 culminating in sharp pains in groin/pelvic area resulting now in difficulty walking and leg unexpectedly giving way. Not really wanting to up dose as mindful of affecting bone density but should I do so and to what level. Now 80 so should I expect/accept mobility problems! (sigh 😞)

[SnazzyD]

If you can, it might be worth having it looked at by a more nuts and bolts person to see if it is a mechanical or neurological issue. By that I mean a good physio or osteopath if you haven’t got a GP who is good with musculoskeletal problems as not all of them are. Problems with ligaments can feel like a knife as can pelvic and buttock area muscle tightness. When you say it gives way, is that because the pain makes you unable to finish the movement and you pull back or that it literally buckles under your weight? If so, where in the pelvis to leg does it buckle? Which movements hurt?

[Deyazlex in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for replying. It seems to give way at the top of the right leg. It hasn’t culminated in a fall as yet. Sometimes gentle walking around the house relieves the pain. But hits me after I get up from sitting. Fed up as so used to being fit. I’ll try strong paracetamol and see how that goes. I really don’t want to go down the doctor/physio/osteopath way, they always seem to feel they have to offer something, necessary or not!! I thank you for your advice, which is greatfully received and I’ll keep it in mind if the paracetamol doesn’t help. But I guess from your response upping the pred may not the answer…. xx

[SnazzyD in reply to Deyazlex]

You don’t have to take what is offered but you do need a diagnosis which includes discounting things. It’s such a complicated area there. Plus, if you need to get on a list of some sort, the sooner the better. Upping Pred is something you can do because it is readily available, whilst keeping in mind there are a range of diagnoses possible. Strong paracetamol is a temporary symptom relief only but its effectiveness adds a piece to the puzzle.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with Snazzy - it needs a proper physical exam and possibly even an x-ray to rule out various things.

If you saw 80 year olds here where I live - loads of them are more mobile than me and galloping up mountains still!! But a sudden change such as you describe needs looking at. Not least because a collapsing leg could result in a fall and a broken hip and there are various reasons for it that need to be ruled out.

[Deyazlex in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. It’s really strange as I can do squats ok, raise my knees, bend down and touch my toes but to start walking and getting up after sitting gives me the problems!! Maybe just need some WD40. But I get from you and Snazzy that upping the pred may not be the answer so I’ll try strong paracetamol and see how that pans out. Greatful for the inputs from you both 🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Deyazlex]

I had severe groin pain that sound very like what you are experiencing in the early days of PMR - probably due to bursitis affecting the trochanteric and iliopsoas bursae. Over a period of 3 or 4 months after starting pred it eased and went so it IS possible more pred might help BUT there are better more targetted approaches, It returns every so often - but we deal with it more directly.

[Deyazlex in reply to PMRpro]

Sounds like trial and error, something we females are good at! I’ll maybe try upping the pred a bit first, if to no avail, try strong paracetamol and see if that helps, then on to the X-ray route. At least I have options brought to my attention. Thank you so much ladies xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Deyazlex]

And of course, piglette's suggestion is not outside the bounds of possibility!!!

[Deyazlex in reply to PMRpro]

Had thought of that but I feel not quite that drastic yet 🤞🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Deyazlex]

Yes, but the cause does need to be identified because there are one or two quite nasty things that need more urgent attention, Knowing what it is doesn't really change anything as long as it isn't an urgent problem.

[piglette]

I had bad groin pain and it was found it was my hip. I had a new one and the pain went away!

[Deyazlex in reply to piglette]

Best put my name down now, could be sometime before I can get that !!

[piglette in reply to Deyazlex]

That is a good point. I went privately for my second hip replacement, but with the same surgen, I would probably still be waiting for the NHS!