Hip pain ????

[Nemo2]

But who wants to be on the permanent disabled list. Go slow and recover healthy!

I hear ya! (Now all I have to do is influence 'that' part of me that keeps nudging and saying "Let's get going here!" )

 

[braumeister]

FWIW, one of the best things I ever did was buy a Concept2 rowing machine (Thanks, Haha!)

On the days when I can't get outside (snow, ice, heat, hard rain), I can sit down and row away. Great workout and seemingly stress-free. At least it never bothers my hip.

 

[FrankiesGirl]

Just thought I'd throw this out there too, as I'd never heard of it before...

I started walking/jogging after I FIREd. I went from couch potato sedentary (desk job and then home to the couch and then bed) to doing 5 miles a day walking and riding my bike an additional couple of miles. In retrospect I was doing way too much too soon, but I was REALLY psyched and didn't want to waste the enthusiasm.

I developed a pretty bad shooting pain down my hip on one side, that extended from the top/side of my hip, through the buttock area, and down the thigh to my calf area. It was terrible - I would stiffen up within an hour of exercise and hobble like I was 100 years old (I'm early 40s). I bought new shoes, did the foam rolling, but none helped, and was starting to think it was going to be a doctor visit with shots.

Thought it was sciatica, but after doing more reading, learned about periformis syndrome and started doing yoga and other exercises specifically to target the nerves in that area, and making sure I had rest days as well. The pain is pretty much gone, just have occasional stiffness and mild soreness when I overdo it, but I'm keeping up with the stretches (the yoga and then the hip abduction ones like the clamshell, side leg lifts, etc. from the link below)


https://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/piriformis-syndrome-running/

 

[nanannjen]

Interesting topic. 69 years old, active. Just started experiencing similar
pain 2 weeks ago.

Mine only occurs in the AM, when I wake up. When I stand, pain right rear,
radiates down right leg. After I walk around and make breakfast. (about 15
minutes) Pain is gone.

Sitting or lying down, no pain. Like OP, wonder what it is? and Solution?.

That sounds like sciatica to me - it is worse in the morning and gets better during the day. I can't remember why, but that's what my doctor said.

 

[ZMAN]

I had a hip resurfacing with Dr Tom Gross in Columbia SC, going well out of network for it. The critical thing for your surgeon is that they do lots of hip operations. Dr Gross has done well over 3000 at this point and was doing 15 a week when I went to him in 2010. I had a great result after nursing the shot hip for 15 years. I felt my arthritic hip pain as a throbbing in the groin and butt area and not outside in the hip area and not as a sciatica type pain.

 

[RunningBum]

I had a hip resurfacing with Dr Tom Gross in Columbia SC, going well out of network for it. The critical thing for your surgeon is that they do lots of hip operations. Dr Gross has done well over 3000 at this point and was doing 15 a week when I went to him in 2010. I had a great result after nursing the shot hip for 15 years. I felt my arthritic hip pain as a throbbing in the groin and butt area and not outside in the hip area and not as a sciatica type pain.

Not sure if resurfacing is the fix for the OP but I recognized your doc's name/location. Dr Gross resurfaced a friend's hip and the friend just finished one of the most difficult 100 mile running races in the world last weekend, less than a year after surgery, with no hip issues at all.

 

[Amethyst]

Patience. You want to get back to your former activity levels ASAP, and I understand that. But it may be wiser to give it several months before going all out again. Even for young people, soft tissue injuries can take months to heal.

 

[eytonxav]

Nemo, if IIRC you were a prolific stair climber to keep fit. I hope you have backed away from that. What you were able to do, was always quite amazing and inspirational to me.

 

[Nemo2]

Nemo, if IIRC you were a prolific stair climber to keep fit. I hope you have backed away from that. What you were able to do, was always quite amazing and inspirational to me.

Not only backed away from it, I'm incapable doing it at all right now.

I'm not/wasn't the athlete that some posters here are, but, in the last couple years:

- A guy on a transatlantic ship, who'd seen me doing stairs in the early morning, pointed me out to his wife and said "There's the fittest guy on the ship".

- Last year, on the stairs, we encountered three young women who ran together, (they were doing 30 repeats, which used to be a warm up for me)....I picked up the pace, and I heard the leader of the group say to her friend "I never thought I'd have to push to keep up with a 73 year old man".

- A couple (late 50's who'd regularly see me) also said I was an "Inspiration".

- Our doctor, who recently relocated, said "I wasn't like most of his patients".


I say this, in no way boastfully, (I always figured, if I could do it, anyone could do it), but simply to illustrate how easily & quickly everything can go sour.....with the back, sciatica, and now the specter of an aneurysm, it all seems like a house of cards after a ceiling fan has been activated.

 

[Nemo2]

Back from the hosp, (as per the 'Aneurysm' thread), Dr. gave me the name of a surgeon in a small town, (about 9,000 population*), about 110 miles away; said he was good, and his waiting times would likely be less than in the next closest (and larger) burg (about 50 miles away from here).

He's closed today, so at the first opportunity we'll call and see if we can set up an appointment for a consultation, or if it has to be done 'formally' when our new Family Doctor returns from vacation.

Other than that, a warning that, should I become incontinent, (deterioration of the spine can apparently cause that to happen), I should get down there immediately.

(*Presumably a large portion of his patients would come from Ottawa - about 50 miles in the other direction.)

 

[Nemo2]

Back from the hosp, (as per the 'Aneurysm' thread), Dr. gave me the name of a surgeon in a small town, (about 9,000 population*), about 110 miles away; said he was good, and his waiting times would likely be less than in the next closest (and larger) burg (about 50 miles away from here).

We contacted said surgeon's office this a.m. 10 month wait for a consultation, then, if surgery is considered, another 4 month wait for that! Plus, since we're not resident in the immediate area, he may not even see us at all!

 

[W2R]

We contacted said surgeon's office this a.m. 10 month wait for a consultation, then, if surgery is considered, another 4 month wait for that! Plus, since we're not resident in the immediate area, he may not even see us at all!

Nemo, that is awful. I think I'll stop complaining about the US healthcare system now....

 

[Nemo2]

Nemo, that is awful. I think I'll stop complaining about the US healthcare system now....

As I've noted before...our healthcare system is great.....if there's nothing wrong with you.

(This in no way reflects upon the medical personnel themselves, they do a damn good job......but, they're swamped.)

 

[Ian S]

Rather than cut & paste my situation I'll relink it:

http://www.early-retirement.org/for...y-and-looking-for-tips-82625.html#post1755616 Post #19.

Reading this thread I'm now in the position of wondering whether I should be encouraged or discouraged; the specter of permanently enforced inactivity has been quite, (often 'very'), depressing - although I'm not bad at adjusting my sights, the prospect of being pretty much inactive for the rest of my days is a real downer.

But.....if there's a possibility of a 'time frame', ("I'll be able to do something in six months or a year.."), I can work towards that, (impatiently [-]perhaps[/-] but I can do it).

Good luck to all of us!

Hip pain that radiates down the leg is a classic symptom of sciatica. In my late 20's I suffered with it for two years and tried every possible conservative treatment. Finally, I opted for surgery (L4-5 diskectomy) and am glad I did. I've been very active for the following 35 years but I do have occasional flareups. These are usually attributable to being careless with lifting but typically go away in a few days. Six years ago I had a really severe flareup that fortunately was quelled by a series of lumbar injections.

Obviously, the prospects for complete recovery from such surgery may vary with age but since you've been active and in good shape, that's a real plus in your favor. Before surgery, you should try the lumbar injections if possible. They tend to be hit or miss but if they work, then surgery can be postponed or rendered unnecessary. If you must have surgery, then it will either be an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon who specializes in it. Ideally, you'd like someone who does nothing else. An MRI will be required before injections or surgery.

Surgery can take significant recuperation but you MUST follow the doctor's orders regarding physical activity if you want the best chance at full recovery. Good luck!

 

[Ian S]

We contacted said surgeon's office this a.m. 10 month wait for a consultation, then, if surgery is considered, another 4 month wait for that! Plus, since we're not resident in the immediate area, he may not even see us at all!

Any chance of seeing a neurologist who can do the lumbar injections? You may also want to try special back exercises while you're waiting. I have relatives in Ontario and it seems that the system is pretty good for minor things and major life threatening things but others like your problem tend to require long waits for getting seen.

 

[Nemo2]

Ian S: Thanks for the input....will address the possibility of lumbar injections with our GP when we meet next month. I'll presume that, if he can't administer them personally, he might refer to a neurologist.

 

[Moemg]

We contacted said surgeon's office this a.m. 10 month wait for a consultation, then, if surgery is considered, another 4 month wait for that! Plus, since we're not resident in the immediate area, he may not even see us at all!

Is this for back surgery or surgery for the aneurysm ?

 

[Nemo2]

Is this for back surgery or surgery for the aneurysm ?

This would be to establish whether or not surgery on the back would be warranted for the sciatica.

(The ops for thoratic aortic arch aneurysms are a last resort, the procedure takes around 8-10 hours, and for a portion of that time the patient is clinically dead...and some stay that way.

It's something that apparently is not undertaken until the dimensions of the aneurysm are such that it poses a greater threat than does the op.)

 

[Ian S]

Ian S: Thanks for the input....will address the possibility of lumbar injections with our GP when we meet next month. I'll presume that, if he can't administer them personally, he might refer to a neurologist.

I doubt a GP would do lumbar injections and even if they do, I'd want a specialist doing it. My lumbar injections were done without sedation in a neurologist's office but I know others have had them done as out-patients and were sedated for the procedure. Pain specialists also do the lumbar injections. Again, they seem to be hit or miss but they worked well for my flareup six years ago. They did not work when I tried them 35 years ago but I suspect the technique has improved vastly over those decades.

I'd also recommend special exercises for the lower back. Your GP should be able to advise on that or look on the internet. He should also be able to advise activity to stay in shape in the meantime that won't worsen your sciatica. Even after surgery, a good back exercise routine will be needed to reduce the chances of more problems down the road. TBH, I've been a bit of a slacker in that respect.

Surgery or not, be very careful of lifting anything. No furniture moving! Lifting with my back is the one thing almost guaranteed to make my sciatica flare up. That said, you ought to be able to be very active after the surgery/recuperation period.

 

[SteveNU]

Maybe this can help?

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1489353/research-shows-viagra-can-be-used-to-cure-back-pain/

Researchers found a daily dose of the anti-impotence drug speeded recovery. Taking it for a month also healed damaged nerves and boosted movement.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[Nemo2]

Maybe this can help?

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1489353/research-shows-viagra-can-be-used-to-cure-back-pain/

Researchers found a daily dose of the anti-impotence drug speeded recovery. Taking it for a month also healed damaged nerves and boosted movement.

The cost would be high.....but it might impress the folks down at the pharmacy.

 

[SteveNU]

The cost would be high.....but it might impress the folks down at the pharmacy.

Yes it would make for interesting conversation behind the counter at the pharmacy!

"This guy is 73 and he is getting 30 pills for a 30 day supply"

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[Nemo2]

Yes it would make for interesting conversation behind the counter at the pharmacy!

"This guy is 73 and he is getting 30 pills for a 30 day supply"

"Cutting back this month Mr. Nemo? Some of them gone on vacation?"

 

[kcowan]

I say this, in no way boastfully, (I always figured, if I could do it, anyone could do it), but simply to illustrate how easily & quickly everything can go sour.....with the back, sciatica, and now the specter of an aneurysm, it all seems like a house of cards after a ceiling fan has been activated.

Love the analogy!
Luckily my plight is less severe but I can feel the breeze from that ceiling fan!

Left leg: plantar fasciitis, spider bite led to 8 days in the hospital (cellulitis and phlebitis), then small broken bone then stretched tendons.
Right leg: stretched tendons

So my walking days are suspended. Major change in exercise regime. Fortunately I can still bike. Just completed a bike/barge trip down The Moselle.

 

[Bobw235]

Just thought I'd throw this out there too, as I'd never heard of it before...

I started walking/jogging after I FIREd. I went from couch potato sedentary (desk job and then home to the couch and then bed) to doing 5 miles a day walking and riding my bike an additional couple of miles. In retrospect I was doing way too much too soon, but I was REALLY psyched and didn't want to waste the enthusiasm.

I developed a pretty bad shooting pain down my hip on one side, that extended from the top/side of my hip, through the buttock area, and down the thigh to my calf area. It was terrible - I would stiffen up within an hour of exercise and hobble like I was 100 years old (I'm early 40s). I bought new shoes, did the foam rolling, but none helped, and was starting to think it was going to be a doctor visit with shots.

Thought it was sciatica, but after doing more reading, learned about periformis syndrome and started doing yoga and other exercises specifically to target the nerves in that area, and making sure I had rest days as well. The pain is pretty much gone, just have occasional stiffness and mild soreness when I overdo it, but I'm keeping up with the stretches (the yoga and then the hip abduction ones like the clamshell, side leg lifts, etc. from the link below)


https://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/piriformis-syndrome-running/

Sounds very similar to my wife's situation. Last year she had an L4-L5 fusion to correct nerve pain in her lower leg. It was keeping her from doing any kind of prolonged standing or walking. Did well with recovery through the Fall last year, then we joined a gym in January. We both started being much more active, especially so for my wife who was a true couch potato in her working life and then once she retired (due to the leg pain). Long story short, she developed hip pain a few months ago. Got a shot of cortisone, but it did nothing. Referred to a physiatrist who diagnosed it as "dead butt syndrome", probably caused by too much activity too soon. She's now in PT twice a week and starting to see relief, but it's a slow process. Her PT said to limit walking for now, so when she goes to the gym she warms up on a stationary bike before doing strength training. She'll get there, but it's been discouraging after what had been a hopeful period following her surgery.