Does anyone have gluteal tendinopathy? Any successful treatments?

Posted by bunstuffer @bunstuffer, Mar 11 5:20pm

I have gluteal tendinopathy and am getting to the point that I can hardly walk. I've been to 8 doctors and had injections of several kinds to no benefit. I've been to physical therapy at least 10 times with very little benefit (I must have done 10,000 "clam shells" and "bridges").
The only thing that helps some and gives me a few hours of reduced pain is hydrocodone. I don't know if there's any point in pursuing more treatment.

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bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | Aug 7 2:50pm

In reply to @sueinmn "Have you been able to see the rehab specialist yet? If so, did they come up..." + (show)

He's a regenerative therapy provider. Of course, it is not recognized by mainstream medicine and thus not covered by insurance. The injections of your own blood and platelets are $3000 each. I thanked him for his time and declined the treatment.

dpadg | @dpadg | Aug 7 5:38pm

In reply to @denisejones00 "My comment is directed to anyone living with chronic pain. I recently read a report in..." + (show)

It saddens me that so few medical doctors know about the use of Naltrexone for pain management. It isn't a new thing. My chiropractor told me about it so I went straight to my 'pain management' doctor and mentioned it. He already had 6 patients on it so we started me on it immediately. It totally changed my life. I have since, been diagnosed with Gluteal Tendinopathy so Naltrexone was/still is perfect for me. Never hesitate to talk to your doctors about LDN, Low Dose Naltrexone. If they don't know about it, they should. If they refuse to learn then shame on them and it's time to find a different doctor. Good luck to all of you reading this. No one deserves to live a life of unrelenting pain.

Ann Shrader | @annshrader | Aug 8 6:30am

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@bunstuffer Have you talked with your orthopedic specialist about debridement surgery? My bilateral gluteal tendinopathy and..." + (show)

I had a hamstring tear and had difficulty sitting and doing my fun activities. I have been seeing my non-orthopedic doctor and after a time, was referred to the ortho surgeon who specializes in the "butt" issues that come. I had a tendon repair and debridement. There was a good bit of "stuff" removed. Post recovery, much better. I can sit (probably more than I should) and enjoying new activities. I had the surgery at 62, so it might be a way to go. Do the rehab, stay active and listen to and follow directions.

Ann Shrader | @annshrader | Aug 8 6:35am

In reply to @loyd1957 "I keep talking about doing regular massage and have yet done it. Maybe that will help..." + (show)

Like the Nike commercial says, "Just Do IT!" and share the results.

Ann Shrader | @annshrader | Aug 8 6:38am

In reply to @loyd1957 "MRI actually needs to be specific in some cases since it take slices of images. Hip..." + (show)

Agree! As an exercise physiology with an interest in in women's health (and yes, it is personal), we can "own" the research by proactively looking at how our bodies change during the life span and trying different lifestyle factors that will positively impact our bodies and share with providers.

Yes, research is always short but we can be a part of making it happen!

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Aug 8 8:09am

In reply to @monicaboc "I've had severe chronic pain of the hip and gluteal and low back regions for 8..." + (show)

@monicaboc

I've had severe chronic pain of the hip and gluteal and low back regions for 8 years! Seen multiple specialists, physical therapists, pain clinics, injections and various medications. Nothing really works. Lumbar mri does show arthritis/disc disease and hip/pelvis mri shows gluteal tendonitis. Since it won't go away, Drs. say I have gluteal tendinopathy. I used to exercise daily (yoga). Now, If I try to exercise, even walking 1-2 miles, it makes the pain worse. I can't sit comfortably. Every day is a battle to be as comfortable as possible with the least amount of pain I can bear. I agree Norco works the best at pain management. But I do not take it due to all the scrutiny. I do use Elavil which helps my lumbar region about 40%. But I still can't walk or stand without severe pain. The gluteal tendinopathy is hardly ever controlled. I recently started low dose naltrexone as a last resort. Only been on 1.5 mg for 6 weeks. It has helped with my sinus inflammation, but not my hips yet. I'm hoping as time goes by and I titrate up to 4.5 mg I will have some relief. I'll give it 6 months. If still can't exercise, I will try a biologic like enbrel, cosentyx, or rinvoq. I do see a rheumatologist and dermatologist for autoimmune related symptoms. Perhaps try a rheumatologist you may have chronic inflammation (what they claim is my problem). I used lyrica and various nsaids they all provided some relief maybe 45-60%. However, I developed numerous stomach ulcers and can no longer take either. I do get hip joint injections, hip bursa injections and they help but not long enough maybe 3-4 weeks. I'm getting ready to have a medial branch block to see if it helps with the back. However, I feel the bi-lateral hip and gluteal pain are permanent after 8 years. I'm 60yo female and developed osteoporosis in the hips after all the steroids. Not sure what my future looks like. I try to take it day by day. My friends and family are supportive, but that doesn't mean I can just plan things and go. I'm not even able to take a slow walk in the park. Not sure what advice I can offer you. But know you are not alone! I suffer daily and agree Norco helps the most. I decided not to take it, but there may be a day when I have to. If you find something that works let me know and vice versa. I recently met a woman also diagnosed with gluteal tendinopathy. Her dr prescribes Norco so that she can keep her job and not go on disability. Thankfully for her she functions well on it and holds her job as a CPA. But her life is only work and then home nursing the pain. I was forced to take disability about 7 years ago when I could no longer sit or stand to perform any work duties. I even went to the mayo clinic in MN. They said surgery is so risky and not positive outcomes that they don't perform the tendon surgery unless it's to save your life (accident, dog bite, something that severs the tendon). But gluteal tendinopathy is poorly understood and under recognized. I hope you can get the Norco, or find an equivalent that helps. Hugs and prayers!

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@monicaboc
I really feel for you. You are not alone in your pain. I can relate with the spine (stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, neurogenic claudication) and bilateral gluteal tendinopathy. I also have bilateral high grade partial hamstring tears. The tendinopathy after perimenopause and sitting for my job for 30+ years definitely contributed.

I did have lumbar surgery since standing, sitting, walking was difficult for me (pain, numbness and weakness from low back down to feet) and it helped relieve many of the symptoms. I have Hashimoto’s and hypermobility autoimmune issues, too. It seems my tendinopathy has improved somewhat with rest and since I stopped working (lost job and then went on disability) so I am not sitting at a computer for 9-12 hours a day anymore. My physical movement is limited (also had cervical spinal cord myelopathy compression injury and surgeries) and need to move slowly and not overdo anything or I will hurt myself. For example, I had to bend over to pick up something and had a hard time standing back up and pulled a muscle (my body mechanics have changed with the 3 fusion surgeries in neck/back and I am at higher risk for adjacent segment issues with vertebrae and discs above and below the fusions).

I am just trying to take one day at a time with Jesus. He is my rock, my strength, my hope. I pray for His help to get me through each day and help me cope with chronic pain, disability and depression. I am in my 50s and a single parent of a teen which keeps me going to persevere through the pain.

bayhorse | @bayhorse | Aug 8 9:09am

In reply to @dpadg "It saddens me that so few medical doctors know about the use of Naltrexone for pain..." + (show)

Could you please tell me what dose of LDN you are taking for the gluteal tendinopathy? Also, did you start low and titrate up? (I have heard variously that titrating is and isn't necessary.). I was taking 4.5 mg last year for stenosis and glute pain, and it seemed to be working great, and then suddenly quit working. I would like to try it again, but my current doc is clueless about dosages.

bayhorse | @bayhorse | Aug 8 9:12am

In reply to @annshrader "I had a hamstring tear and had difficulty sitting and doing my fun activities. I have..." + (show)

@annshrader, Can you tell me how your gluteal tendinopathy was diagnosed? Tests? What kind of physician was your "butt" specialist? I understand he was an orthopedic surgeon, but what is his area of specialty?

I have lumbar stenosis and all of my glute pain is being attributed to that, but I truly believe something else is also going on and would love to find a butt specialist!

bunstuffer | @bunstuffer | Aug 8 1:31pm

I never have heard the words "gluteal tendinopathy" come out of he mouth of any of my doctors. I did a lot of online research until I stumbled on that condition on the Cleveland Clinic website. I asked about it but that diagnosis was never confirmed by any doctor. I've been in and out of physical therapy for years. I finally asked my physical therapist what they were treating me for and she said gluteal tendinopathy. Three of the specialists I saw said I had sacrojoint inflammation and gave me injections for that but there was absolutely NO effect from them. Then I got 2 epidurals. Again, NO effect. The only injection that I could even tell I had was in my hip bursa and it gave me a little relief for 4 or 5 days. My pain doctor is now talking more epidurals and back surgery and I'm totally opposed to that. She said they don't use LDN in their practice but she would look into it.

dpadg | @dpadg | Aug 8 2:53pm

In reply to @bayhorse "Could you please tell me what dose of LDN you are taking for the gluteal tendinopathy?..." + (show)

I originally started taking LDN for my lumbar and sacral spine pain 2 years ago. I have degenerative disc disease, mild scoliosis and arthritis, all of which I've been getting help with for 10+ years. My sacroiliac joint is a mess too. BTW I am now 72 years old. I started LDN for that pain, 1 mg then 2mg then 3mg and now 4mg. Yes, it also stopped helping as much as I wanted after almost 2 years. So I stopped taking it and OTC pain meds to find out just what my baseline really is. It is HORRIBLE, I have never been as miserable as I was during that week when I stopped taking everything. In the meantime, it was 'discovered' that I have gluteal tendinopathy (GT) in my left hip, and that is what was the major source of pain now. A specific MRI of the hip was done, I don't know technical terms for what. I had gone back to the Spine Clinic for reevaluation after not seeing him for a year and a half. BTW the doc was arrogant and condescending, but I convinced him to do the MRI any way. It revealed GT and a few other messy things going on in that hip. I have a separate pain management doctor who is a neurosurgeon that got tired of the hospital BS and opened his own offices specifically for pain management. He is who I get the Naltrexone from and have gotten steroid injections for the lumbar spine as well as trigger point injections. So, when I resumed taking Naltrexone it has helped quite a lot, but I am not pain free ever. But I can still function in spite of the pain.
I'm not sure how much longer I can tolerate it, but there is no alternative. There is no surgical remedy for GT, only meds and physical therapy from someone who knows exactly how to work with GT. BTW doing the "clams" exercise is contraindicated in cases of GT, it makes it worse. Hope I answered your questions and forgive the long rambling nature of my reply. I could write a book about this stuff. Good luck to you bayhorse.