I had been having leftknee pain and had two meniscus tear surgeries over the past few years. After the last surgery, my left but hurt with walking, aerobics, etc. The doc and the PT staff thought it was IT band syndrome and imbalance in muscles since my left leg is now so much weaker than my right. Finally, a year after all the PT and shots, and sick of knee problems, I asked to have my hip x-rayed per my physical therapist.
As soon as my ortho looks at the X-ray he says I need a hip replacement, and I have osteoarthritis too. I don't reaaly know any diagnosis since he then recommend a hip doctor. I’m 56 and very healthy. He said it looks like it was injury induced about 15 years ago. I never had hip pain before last year? I need to learn but does anyone tried stem cells in the hip area?
Sorry the hear you are having knee and hip problems, especially given your young age and overall health.
I'm 70 now and had both knees replaced in 2022 (4 months apart), and had my right hip replaced this March. I was bone-on-bone in all these joints and in pain everyday. Once the appropriate post-op rehab was finished - well I haven't felt this good in many years.
As for stem cell therapy, PRP, hyaluronic acid (gel) injections, cortisone - my opinion is that these are band aids. Medical science, as advanced as it is, hasn't found a suitable replacement for human cartilage.
It may be time to take a serious look at hip replacement and possibly knee replacement. If you're just not ready for surgery, these various injections may help, but even when they work, they are temporary.
(Re: the hip. The pain I had felt like a groin strain, at least that's where I felt the pain. That seemed strange until my Dr pointed out that the articulating hip joint lies right beneath the groin.)
IMO the best surgeons never come out and recommend joint replacement. Rather they'll have a patient try PT, cortisone shots and other palliative measures before resorting to surgery.
Having been through two knee replacements, one hip, and one shoulder, my opinion is that once all the cartilage is gone from a joint and arthritis is present, it's time for a replacement.
But that should come as a suggestion/option, not as your only immediate choice.
IMO the best surgeons never come out and recommend joint replacement. Rather they'll have a patient try PT, cortisone shots and other palliative measures before resorting to surgery.
Having been through two knee replacements, one hip, and one shoulder, my opinion is that once all the cartilage is gone from a joint and arthritis is present, it's time for a replacement.
But that should come as a suggestion/option, not as your only immediate choice.
I have to agree with you from experience. I had both hips done with an RFA first to burn the nerves, then stem cells put in to "grow cartiledge". I had them done on August 22, 2024. It cost me $8200 as insurance didn't cover it. The right hip had more space between the socket and femoral head but the left hip was more "bone on bone". No space. I had them both done because they were both giving me pain. The right, which had space, seemed to have worked. I presently have no pain in the right hip. The left, I still have pain, it seemed to help at first, but within a couple of months, the pain was back. They said it was the iliopsoas muscle causing me pain and sent me to physical therapy to stretch it. That didn't work. It only got worse. They gave me injections in the iliopsoas and it felt good for a day, then the pain came back. A year later, I went back to them for the left hip and they decided I needed another stem cell treatment and they would do it on the left for free. I went ahead and did it. I can tell you, that treatment is not painless. I felt like a pin cushion. When I came out of the second treatment, the doctor moved my leg and asked if the hip hurt. I said yes. He said well, it couldn't be the joint because the nerves were burnt. He said he would set me up with a good PT near my home. He never did. I went to an orthopedic surgeon, he took an Xray and he said it's bone on bone, you need a hip replacement to get relief. I asked him about the nerves being burnt in that procedure and what the stem cell doctor said. He said sometimes they don't get all the nerves in that treatment. I went to 2 other orthopedic surgeons who also took Xrays and told me the same thing ..I needed a hip replacement. So in a few months, I'm going to go ahead with the hip replacement on that left hip. It's scary. But if I want to move, walk at least 2 miles, put on my socks and shoes, get in and out of my car, get up from a chair, and do exercises at my exercise class without pain, I've got to do it. My advice is that if its bone on bone, skip the stem cell expense.
I have to agree with you from experience. I had both hips done with an RFA first to burn the nerves, then stem cells put in to "grow cartiledge". I had them done on August 22, 2024. It cost me $8200 as insurance didn't cover it. The right hip had more space between the socket and femoral head but the left hip was more "bone on bone". No space. I had them both done because they were both giving me pain. The right, which had space, seemed to have worked. I presently have no pain in the right hip. The left, I still have pain, it seemed to help at first, but within a couple of months, the pain was back. They said it was the iliopsoas muscle causing me pain and sent me to physical therapy to stretch it. That didn't work. It only got worse. They gave me injections in the iliopsoas and it felt good for a day, then the pain came back. A year later, I went back to them for the left hip and they decided I needed another stem cell treatment and they would do it on the left for free. I went ahead and did it. I can tell you, that treatment is not painless. I felt like a pin cushion. When I came out of the second treatment, the doctor moved my leg and asked if the hip hurt. I said yes. He said well, it couldn't be the joint because the nerves were burnt. He said he would set me up with a good PT near my home. He never did. I went to an orthopedic surgeon, he took an Xray and he said it's bone on bone, you need a hip replacement to get relief. I asked him about the nerves being burnt in that procedure and what the stem cell doctor said. He said sometimes they don't get all the nerves in that treatment. I went to 2 other orthopedic surgeons who also took Xrays and told me the same thing ..I needed a hip replacement. So in a few months, I'm going to go ahead with the hip replacement on that left hip. It's scary. But if I want to move, walk at least 2 miles, put on my socks and shoes, get in and out of my car, get up from a chair, and do exercises at my exercise class without pain, I've got to do it. My advice is that if its bone on bone, skip the stem cell expense.
Thanks for sharing your story. Your pain will serve a purpose in getting others to consider joint replacement.
And for any joint pain, I would start with an ortho Dr/surgeon. I'm not sure, but it seems like the nerve treatment you received a) did little good and b) ultimately failed, and was done by a neurologist (I'm guessing it was a neurologist, not an orthopedic specialist).
It sure sounds like a THR will help your left hip as it has helped your right.
My experience with joint replacements (all bone-on-bone well before surgery) has brought me to the conclusion that sooner is better for replacement. At the risk of repeating myself - and only as it applies to the knees, hips, and shoulders - once the cartilage is gone, plan a replacement as soon as it is most convenient (it's never really convenient, right?!?). Just my opinion.
I only mentioned knees, hips, and shoulder because I have experience with total replacement of those joints. FWIW, I have been extremely happy with each surgery (pain reduction).
All the best Lori, and thanks so much for sharing your experience. You deserve some relief.
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And you surely want to get a second & even a third opinion.
One doctor wanted to do a knee replacement when only
had Bursitis= beware.
Water aerobics 2 times a week for my osteoarthritis right hip pain. It has helped me tremendously. No more pain.
Hi Patty,
Sorry the hear you are having knee and hip problems, especially given your young age and overall health.
I'm 70 now and had both knees replaced in 2022 (4 months apart), and had my right hip replaced this March. I was bone-on-bone in all these joints and in pain everyday. Once the appropriate post-op rehab was finished - well I haven't felt this good in many years.
As for stem cell therapy, PRP, hyaluronic acid (gel) injections, cortisone - my opinion is that these are band aids. Medical science, as advanced as it is, hasn't found a suitable replacement for human cartilage.
It may be time to take a serious look at hip replacement and possibly knee replacement. If you're just not ready for surgery, these various injections may help, but even when they work, they are temporary.
(Re: the hip. The pain I had felt like a groin strain, at least that's where I felt the pain. That seemed strange until my Dr pointed out that the articulating hip joint lies right beneath the groin.)
I wish you all the best.
Joe
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1 ReactionThanks Kay,
IMO the best surgeons never come out and recommend joint replacement. Rather they'll have a patient try PT, cortisone shots and other palliative measures before resorting to surgery.
Having been through two knee replacements, one hip, and one shoulder, my opinion is that once all the cartilage is gone from a joint and arthritis is present, it's time for a replacement.
But that should come as a suggestion/option, not as your only immediate choice.
Joe
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have to agree with you from experience. I had both hips done with an RFA first to burn the nerves, then stem cells put in to "grow cartiledge". I had them done on August 22, 2024. It cost me $8200 as insurance didn't cover it. The right hip had more space between the socket and femoral head but the left hip was more "bone on bone". No space. I had them both done because they were both giving me pain. The right, which had space, seemed to have worked. I presently have no pain in the right hip. The left, I still have pain, it seemed to help at first, but within a couple of months, the pain was back. They said it was the iliopsoas muscle causing me pain and sent me to physical therapy to stretch it. That didn't work. It only got worse. They gave me injections in the iliopsoas and it felt good for a day, then the pain came back. A year later, I went back to them for the left hip and they decided I needed another stem cell treatment and they would do it on the left for free. I went ahead and did it. I can tell you, that treatment is not painless. I felt like a pin cushion. When I came out of the second treatment, the doctor moved my leg and asked if the hip hurt. I said yes. He said well, it couldn't be the joint because the nerves were burnt. He said he would set me up with a good PT near my home. He never did. I went to an orthopedic surgeon, he took an Xray and he said it's bone on bone, you need a hip replacement to get relief. I asked him about the nerves being burnt in that procedure and what the stem cell doctor said. He said sometimes they don't get all the nerves in that treatment. I went to 2 other orthopedic surgeons who also took Xrays and told me the same thing ..I needed a hip replacement. So in a few months, I'm going to go ahead with the hip replacement on that left hip. It's scary. But if I want to move, walk at least 2 miles, put on my socks and shoes, get in and out of my car, get up from a chair, and do exercises at my exercise class without pain, I've got to do it. My advice is that if its bone on bone, skip the stem cell expense.
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1 ReactionHi Lori,
Thanks for sharing your story. Your pain will serve a purpose in getting others to consider joint replacement.
And for any joint pain, I would start with an ortho Dr/surgeon. I'm not sure, but it seems like the nerve treatment you received a) did little good and b) ultimately failed, and was done by a neurologist (I'm guessing it was a neurologist, not an orthopedic specialist).
It sure sounds like a THR will help your left hip as it has helped your right.
My experience with joint replacements (all bone-on-bone well before surgery) has brought me to the conclusion that sooner is better for replacement. At the risk of repeating myself - and only as it applies to the knees, hips, and shoulders - once the cartilage is gone, plan a replacement as soon as it is most convenient (it's never really convenient, right?!?). Just my opinion.
I only mentioned knees, hips, and shoulder because I have experience with total replacement of those joints. FWIW, I have been extremely happy with each surgery (pain reduction).
All the best Lori, and thanks so much for sharing your experience. You deserve some relief.
Joe
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3 Reactions