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After repetitive bending and lifting when doing a house renovation I have injured my piriformis, hamstrings and heaven knows what else. I have been in PT for a month with minimal improvement and I am beginning to think it is a tendon and not a muscle injury, both hips. How do you get a diagnosis? Should I see an orthopedic doctor rather than my GP? They have run all the inflammatory labs and rheumatology labs, all coming back normal.
Replies to "After repetitive bending and lifting when doing a house renovation I have injured my piriformis, hamstrings..."
A month in physio isn't long. I'd give it a little more time, Sarah, 2 more months. Then if it's not better, see an ortho guy.
I initially went to a couple of orthopedic surgeons, who correctly diagnosed the tendenopathy but offered little more than a referral to PT. When it became clear that PT wasn’t going to be the cure I sought out a specialist in sports medicine at a teaching hospital. They haven’t provided a magic cure, but we are trying PRP injections nd there has been some improvement. As others have pointed out, it’s a painfully slow healing.
You really need an MRI to see the possible issues. That is where I went from bursitis to Gluteal Tendinopathy diagnosis. My inflammation markers go up and down and never consistent.
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See a sports medicine orthopedist or osteopath instead of a surgeon if you have that option, many larger orthopedic practices do. They focus on function and rehabilitation, with surgery as a last resort.
Keep in mind that tendon and muscle injuries can heal VERY slowly. I have been in PT for tendinopathy in my shoulder for 3 months and am finally seeing progress. Also healing from "massive" rotator cuff repair in the other arm - approaching normal after 10 months, with a new setback after tendon repair on the elbow on that side.
I am learning to be kinder to my body. Hard to do after 60+ years of doing whatever I wanted!