Hip pain directly on hip bone

From your limited description, it sounds like you have a tight IT band. I had that for a while and still am dealing with that. I go to a MFR therapist twice a month and he fixed it for me and he showed me how to self massage it when it acts up.
@marthadean these days people in their 80s have hip replacements. The Cortizone injections can work for years, then months, then days, and you will no longer be able to move and then you will need surgery anyway. However, you will be that much older when it happens and in worse condition. Some people delay surgery then decide the pain and disability is so intense, but by the time they are ready, their body is no longer able to have surgery because their heart isn’t strong enough. My suggestion is to return to your orthopedic surgeon and look at the x-rays with him. It might be a good idea to schedule the surgery and have the Cortizone so you can get your body in good shape before surgery. There are some people who don’t want to deal with the after surgery rehabilitation. Those are the people that shouldn’t have surgery and the doctors usually advise against surgery. Your hips are the second largest weight-bearing joints in your body with your lumbar spine being the first. When these things go, they are the most excruciating in pain. I was scared and surprised that I needed hip replacement at 55. I had no insurance I paid for it out of my pocket, it was worth every penny and then some. So much so that I wrote a check and ordered the surgeon to do the other side he said I didn’t need it, but I wasn’t willing to suffer the excruciating pain. I was starting to have just at that time. The affordable healthcare act kicked in and that surgery was covered. Being that I did the second one earlier on my recuperation was Swift half the time of the first surgery if you select an orthopedic surgeon who is known for good quality surgeries with no revisions then you can be sure you are in good hands good luck.

Great summary Lorie. And I agree that cortisone shots work for a little while. When the relief is measured in days or a week, time for a replacement imo.

Just a warning to people considering this, joint replacement surgery can't be done within 3 months of a cortisone shot in the affected joint.

I agree that it's best not to wait too long, especially when a replacement is the inevitable solution. But after having both knees replaced and doing the hard rehab work, it's worth every second to get it done. And yeah, do a lot of research on surgeons, great advice. (Also be aware that the great surgeons have a long waiting list.)

Thanks Lorie.

Joe

Hi Martha,

Sorry for the hip pain you're experiencing. All of my joints, including my hips, are full of arthritic osteophytes.

I have a hip that needs to be replaced. The pain I get is located on the right side of my groin. That seemed like a strange place for hip pain, but the hip joint does lie directly under the groin.

Out of curiosity, why don't you want a replacement? I certainly think joint replacement is the last option, after you've exhausted other avenues. I'm not familiar with Kenalog, I hope it helps you.

Would you ever consider replacement, and if no, what would be the reasons? I'm just curious. I've had both knees successfully replaced and there is no more pain. And I did exhaust all my options.

Thanks Martha, and please be well.

Joe

robert f kennedy jr said hip replacement is too much for elderly to bear. i am looking into stem cells.

Well, I have friends as old as 85 who have had successful hip replacement surgery. One can ot make blanket statements based on age - every person is different. Some people may be "too old" at 60 based on physical condition and attitude. Other people are energizer bunnies well into their 80's or even 90's - I may just take a little longer to heal.
My friend had knee replacement at 79 last summer, and she is line dancing with her grandkids, gardening and teaching painting classes.

Thanks for your concern. It is helpful to know of others responses to dilemmas. I am 84 and basically very healthy . There is no guarantee that a hip replacement will be successful, nor is there any guarantee that I will be able to handle the recovery period successfully. I do believe with temporary injections to deal with the pain and intense physical therapy I will be able to handle life successfully.

I don't know how long you've had hip pain. I'll relate my experience FYI. In 2019 I developed hip pain that made walking difficult. I saw an orthopedic I had been to before for knee problems. He also was an experienced hip doc. He told me My spine was the cause of my hip pain. I ended up with spine surgery from T10 to L5. I still had hip pain. This was five years ago, I was 68. With Covid's help I finally ended up in agony for about two years before I found another hip doc who showed me on the imaging why I could barely walk. That was Nov 2021, I was scheduled for a replacement Jan 2022. I was using a cain by now. A week before my surgery the hospital closed to elective surgery. I got the new hip March 23, 2022. I was living in excruciating pain for months. Even with Oxycodone I was in Hell. As soon as I awoke from anesthesia I knew it was good. A few hours later when I got home I was able to walk up the steps to my second floor. When I find myself at the orthopedic these days I hear the same stories from people about being in terrible pain that keeps getting worse but won't get the surgery. Well it won't go away by itself. And when you try to make an appointment you'll have to wait (maybe a long time for a good surgeon), while the pain just intensifies. I see a handful of people in church hobble on bad knees for 20 years or more. They get injections and do PT and they keep getting worse and tell me they're afraid to have surgery. There's also a few brave ladies in their 90's who had hips and knees replaced and walked pain free for many years. The pain just keeps getting worse.