Underlying hip problems in conjunctio... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Underlying hip problems in conjunction with RLS

LULI018 profile image
18 Replies

Dear all,

I wondered whether underlying hip problems are common in those suffering from RLS symptoms? I have hip impingement on both sides (worse on the right-hand side) and I do wonder if this might be somehow related, since the discomfort is nearly always on that side. I also have mild spinal stenosis and have suffered in the past with quite severe sciatica in my right leg. I can't help thinking that there may be a connection somehow.

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LULI018
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18 Replies
Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

Yes. Lots of studies and research papers confirm the link.Spinal cord injury and hip, knee, bone operations can cause RLS. The theory is that it interrupts the flow of dopamine up the spinal cord.

Zenawarrior73 profile image
Zenawarrior73 in reply toJoolsg

This is of great interest to me as I had no lateral hip labrum repair surgery this year that triggered my relentless rls and muscle twitching I had a mild impingement that the surgeon decided not to operate in but is now significantly worse post surgery even my physio states your hip impingement is greater than before so this theory has piqued my interest as my poor head the last 6 months has been wrestling for a reason and I seem to have aged since my surgery that was on their supposed to help me

ChrisColumbus profile image
ChrisColumbus

I agree with Joolsg on the *potential* links, particularly in relation to spinal stenosis/injury and surgery in general. But hip problems and sciatica are also common in those of us who are just getting older. After reviewing my general medications and my diet etc I only rarely have RLS now, and then only if I binge unwisely or stupidly take Night Nurse: I don't take anything for RLS. But I am having increasing - but luckily still manageable at present - issues with hip pain and sciatica/piriformis syndrome; my wife has had issues with both, but has never had RLS.

Munroist profile image
Munroist in reply toChrisColumbus

I suspect you spend quite a bit of time sitting given the tailored and well researched replies you give, which can be a big cause of the sciatica and other waist/back/hip issues. As we age and sit more, muscles in the lower back and hips e.g. medial glutes become less used and harder to recruit when moving which can lead to strain on other deeper muscles like the piriformis. Basically sit less, be obsessive about good posture, walk plenty and more often, don’t sit for more than an hour, (10k steps with some height and varied terrain is good) and do some focused work on core and hip waist muscles with Pilates or Yoga (if you are flexible enough). I try to follow this advice and when I do I benefit greatly although can be a little sore at the time. I need to build it into my daily routine and do it before I get near a computer otherwise I fail.

LULI018 profile image
LULI018 in reply toMunroist

Hi there, Yes, my job involves sitting all day - and I have been doing it for over 35 years. :-(

LULI018 profile image
LULI018 in reply toMunroist

PS: I tried to give a longer reply, but it seems to have disappeared. Just to say that I have realised recently that the pain I feel (like a shudder down the leg and uncomfortable, like hitting your funny bone) seems to be moving from the top of the thigh down the leg to my calf. I had the same discomfort during a massage when the physio touched the front of my thigh; it triggered the same kind of discomfort - almost like electricity. I'm also curious about involuntary leg movements with RLS. This is something that I have never suffered from. When I wake during the night, it is conscious pain that wakes me.

Munroist profile image
Munroist in reply toLULI018

If I trigger my nerves with an unguarded back movement, normally affecting the base of the spine it will frequently affect one side or the other and can cause various symptoms and intensification of sensations all down the leg. For example I get stabbing pains in my ankle when I know I haven’t injured it, or a dead feeling in my quad muscle or tingling toes, or tight hamstring and these come and go until the nerves settle down again. My point being that nerve feelings along the leg are quite common with things like sciatica and lower back issues.

ChrisColumbus profile image
ChrisColumbus in reply toMunroist

True enough. I did take up a tai chi class in the village hall, but had to give it up because of joint pains. I just spent 90 minutes on the allotment which helps!

Bantamdyno profile image
Bantamdyno in reply toChrisColumbus

Hi, diggin does my legs in, but i'm amazed when I go for a short trip on my vintage motorcycle my pains go🤔

Bantamdyno profile image
Bantamdyno in reply toChrisColumbus

Hi, Again I wont be golng on my bike for a while until this heals the GP's have been saying for over a year that its nothing,

depressing
Bantamdyno profile image
Bantamdyno

hi, have you found your pain points🤔

Acupoint
LULI018 profile image
LULI018 in reply toBantamdyno

It's so difficult to pinpoint where the pain comes from exactly. However, my osteopath told me that with FAI, there is no nerve in the immediate area, so the pain is always referred pain.

LULI018 profile image
LULI018 in reply toLULI018

I know that pramipexole is disliked in general by the group, but in my case (at least for now), once I have taken 0,18 at around 16:00, it gets me through the evening and night without RLS. My biggest problem is if I forget to take it. Once the feeling starts kicking-in, it can take 2 hours or more for the med to start working.

Eryl profile image
Eryl

Yes, often comorbid and due to eating grains, especially wheat. It initially causes inflammation which can ne reversed if caught soon enough but if left to get too bad will damage the joint.

Ticki profile image
Ticki

hi hon, I can only relate to being born with this position. It’s only always affecting my right thigh and I’ve always had hip aches and a slight spinal deformation so I thought I’d add that, me too.💜

Bantamdyno profile image
Bantamdyno

Hi,have you found your trigger points {pain points}

LULI018 profile image
LULI018 in reply toBantamdyno

I'm not sure what you mean?

Bantamdyno profile image
Bantamdyno in reply toLULI018

Hi, there is no easy solution,see my Posts for things I use every day to keep on top of it without drugs, any questions please ask

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