Hip/groin injury - frustrating - no real diagnosis or solution

[Buckeye]

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Originally Posted by Scuba Last January/February, I did a fitness challenge to help me drop holiday weight gain. I aced the challenge, averaging about 15K steps per day. Many of the steps were obtained by hiking steep trails, not just walks. However, towards the end of the challenge, I started to feel sharp pain in my right groin area, especially but not only when I walked up an incline. Between then and now, I’ve seen my PCP, a sports medicine specialist, and a hip surgeon who is nationally renowned. I’ve had X-rays and an MRI. The MRI definitely shows degeneration of the right hip, but none of these docs think hip replacement is necessary or would even necessarily solve my problem. The issue is they don’t have any other advice either. I’ve been told: - Surgery is unlikely to help, definitely not a sure thing - Physical therapy would not likely improve the situation - I can take anti-inflammatory meds but those aren’t intended for long-term use - I can just put up with the occasional but sharp pain The pain isn’t bad if I limit my physical activity to very little, but I’m an active person and this isn’t good for my health in many other ways. I’ve tried lower impact things like swimming and biking, but the repetitive motion still causes pain. I have an appointment with one more orthopedic surgeon in February, but three docs have already told me similar things. I don’t want to be inactive the rest of my life, but don’t want to live with more pain either. I wish someone could come up with a plan so that I can return to my usual activity level with minimal pain. What would you do if you were in this situation?

This sounds like my (DH, 72) who got a new hip in early November 2021. He went undiagnosed for about 2 years after he stepped in a hole/stumbled in the yard while mowing. The x-ray about a year from the injury showed some hip degeneration. The x-ray about 2 years out from the injury looked terrible and he was immediately approved for a hip replacement. All I can say is you might be looking at putting up with the pain for a year and then get another x-ray. He did several rounds of PT but it never resolved the pain. He has a very high tolerance for pain so he rarely took meds. Sometimes I had to 'ask' him to come inside and sit down because he was limping so bad while working outside in the yard.

DH's experience with the hip replacement has been fantastic. He had the anterior method done from an excellent surgeon who we found because a neighbor had had 2 hips done by him. He was walking without assistance 5 days after the surgery. 3 days using a walker for stability and 2 days using a cane. He stayed strong and flexible by doing Pilates for the last 6 months. The cost of seeing his PCP, getting an MRI, follow-up with PCP, initial consultation with the ortho surgeon, pre-surgical ortho surgeon visit, surgical clearance activities, surgery, and PT after surgery cost about $275 with Medicare and a Part N supplement. $203 of that was his 2021 Part B deductible.

So, I guess the good news is the condition of your hip might deteriorate to the point where you will qualify for it to be replaced.

[anothercog]

Following. This is timely. I also joined a weight loss challenge and due to back issues I am mostly walking off the pounds but now have pretty significant left hip pain. Good suggestions to check orthotics and will look into it.

[UKadventurer]

As an extremely active person, now 58 years old, I've had my share of sports injuries. There's plenty of good advice on therapy. In my case, injuries did heal (herniated discs) and knee injuries, but they took an annoyingly long time to do so. I've had no surgeries at all. I just continued with the exercises that I could tolerate focusing on core strength. When I hike, I use hiking poles and when I lift heavy weights I avoid using my back exclusively.

Even when we're older, we do still heal many injuries, it just takes a lot longer.

[Jenna]

Have you considered red light therapy? You might also find some alternative therapy's by looking into Dr Ray Peats work. He is a scientist but I have found his information to be sound. He is fascinating to listen to. He does a podcast on Youtube with Danny Roddy-a younger dude. Thought provoking for sure.

[Scuba]

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Originally Posted by SoCalGirl Watch a few Bob and Brad (so corny, I KNOW, I KNOW) physical therapists on hip pain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNMICPmhQXg Also, flip flops DO ME IN. Always. And someone already said - watch your shoes. Yes. New Balance. Go get measured at the store. And don't leave until you find THE pair. You will know it. Finally, what chair are you sitting way too much upon? Certain chairs do my hip in, go figure. And too much netflix. But Covid. lol Good luck!

Thank you! That toupee was bad, but I really like the idea of trying the three simple moves every day. Never heard of Bob & Brad!

I have good shoes and do far less sitting than when I was working, and do have a good home office chair which is where I sit most of the time when I am sitting.

Really appreciate the video link. Hope this helps me!

[Scuba]

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Originally Posted by sjwoo Have you ever considered retro walking? https://www.verywellfit.com/does-wal...nefits-3436890 When I run my weekly three miles, I actually run backwards for about quarter of a mile (not on roads for that quarter mile but a parking lot). It will take some practice to run backwards, so definitely start with walking backwards. It has solved just about all of my hip/groin issues.

Wow! This is a new idea. Definitely never tried this one. Good to know, thanks!

[Scuba]

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Originally Posted by Murph I don’t have any advice. I’m just taking some comfort in seeing I’m not the only person with this problem. My wife, on the other hand, had been having much greater pain in her hip and finally got the hip replacement back in October. It has not improved her pain and in some ways has worsened.

Sorry that your wife hasn’t improved. Most people I know who had hip replacement surgery say it’s the best thing they ever did. Once they recovered from the surgery, they had no issues.

[lem1955]

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Originally Posted by Aerides Have any of the docs suggested a cortizone/steroid injection at the main pain site? While usually not a cure, they can sometimes last for months at a time, and most ortho docs won't mind repeating once or twice to buy you time to heal or seek more permanent treatment.

One shot in my wrist eliminated pain I had for 5 months after a slip fall on a mountain hike. I had multiple xrays and an MRI - no fracture. But it just wouldn't stop hurting. Couldn't write or hold anything as heavy as a coffee mug.

[ychuck46]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerides Have any of the docs suggested a cortizone/steroid injection at the main pain site? While usually not a cure, they can sometimes last for months at a time, and most ortho docs won't mind repeating once or twice to buy you time to heal or seek more permanent treatment.

I have the same issue as the original author. Been an athlete all my life (now 68) and put on a lot of running for the last 55 years. Unfortunately the hip pain got to the point where I stopped a year ago. My doctor did give me a steroid shot in 2021 that made me feel so good I quickly got back up to six miles per run, but it only lasted a few months. Have heard some bad things about the degenerative effects of too many steroid shots and hesitate to get more, but I am putting a few pounds on the stomach without having the running outlet.

Anyone have repeated steroid shots that can comment on the long(er) term affects of them on themselves?