1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Undiagnosed Hip Pain

Posted by Traceface @traceface, Jul 10, 2011

Ever since October 2009 I have had severe hip pain. I have been limping for more than a year and a half over this past year I have gone to physical therapy for seven months. It helps with ROM however it does not help with the pain. I have been continously passed on from specialist to specialist with no answers. The last specialist I am seeing has said he is excited some one sent him a legitimate case. I have had many test done trying to figure out what is going on:
MRI/MRI arthrogram/Cortisone Injection/X-Ray/Bone Density/numerous blood tests.All have not given us any results.I have tried many medications to help with the pain:Ultram/Flexeril/Neurotin/Celebrex/Ibuprofen/Acetominophen/Lyrica/Savella/Elavil still nothing has helped. I also have sharp pain in my arms and legs off and at times I have a hard time keeping fluids down and on and just do not have the stamina I used to. I am only 23. I am dedicated to going to the gym even though it hurts. No matter what I do the pain is still there. I have difficulty walking up stairs. It is hard going from being an athlete to not being able to do what I love. I have severe gait issues where my left foot goes inward in to compensate for the pain. I did not know if anyone out there has any ideas of things I can look into or try. At this point I am searching for any ideas or suggestions!

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Traceface | @traceface | Sep 8, 2011
In reply to @zildjiangirl "I was reading your post assuming you were older and then I got to the point..." + (show)
@zildjiangirl

I was reading your post assuming you were older and then I got to the point that you're 23 and felt instantly connected to you.

I'm 25, my pain began at 20.

I've had even more procedures and drugs and therapies than you have with no results, I used to be active and otherwise healthy and have no family history or reason for my paralyzing pain!

Have you tried any stronger pain killers? I take a ton of oxycodone every day but it's the kind without Tylenol, so it's less harmful on organs and I will gladly become tolerant to oxycodone than lay in agony.

Do you see a Rheumotologist at all? Mine put me on Enbrel and I went from being unable to walk without crutches and needing help just to go to the bathroom to being able to walk without a limp.

Also -- did your MRAs show any labral tears? I had bilateral tears which was thought to be the cause of the pain but after two failed surgeries it's not -- but could be for you.

Now I am looking into Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with yet another specialist (a geneticist) because I have very hypermobile joints. I feel your pain, especially at our age. It may seem like you've tried all the meds but you have just begun, you may able to find a combination that works for you. I personally have been all the meds you listed and they all just felt like placeabos to me...abolutely no help.

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I saw two Rheumatologist Spring-Fall last yr. He was convinced with constant exercise and a proper sleep pattern I would get better. The medications they put me on originally changed me into a whole different person. I was forgetting things more than a 23 year old should it was scary. I had to taper off those medications. It has been a year now and still no answers. I recently tried Neurotin and Celebrex and those did not work but no other pain meds. One of my best friends has Ehlers-Danlos it is awful she has severe shoulder issues and every time she has surgeries they do not help

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1 reply
Traceface | @traceface | Sep 8, 2011

I went to a surgeon who said maybe it could be a sports hernia but he has no idea. He said we could do a surgery and use it as an exclusion factor. He could not guarantee anything and was not to convincing so hear I am at page 1 _________
AGAIN...

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Traceface | @traceface | Sep 26, 2011

I had a new doctor tell me he could do a sports hernia repair but does not know if that is what it is so he cannot promise it would not work. Why would I do a surgery on a guess???

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Traceface | @traceface | Dec 7, 2011

I went back to my orthopaedic specialist he was thinking maybe iliopsoas bursitis so I had another hip injection unfortunately it did not work. I have to return to my orthopaedic specialist we will see what he says.

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BethCIowa | @bethciowa | Dec 11, 2011

Lying in bed, in tears because my low back is hurting........... I am so tired of this!

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SusanneS | @susannes | Apr 23, 2012

Let's start writing to each other-when I read your post, it's as if it is my story-mine since sept 2009. I have chronic B/L hip pain. Sometimes my feet and hands hurt, but, it is mostly in the hips. I have seen 17 doctors/specialistsand still have no working diagnosis.

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bird | @bird | Apr 25, 2012
In reply to @julz777 "You could have avascular necrosis. Most docs do not know how to diagnose this or see..." + (show)
@julz777

You could have avascular necrosis. Most docs do not know how to diagnose this or see it on xray. You may want to see an orthopedic specialist who specializes in AVN and knows how to treat it.

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I agree. I thought I was seeing an orthopedic dr for an osteo a hip replacement. My dr saw something on the x ray so a MRI was performed and AVN was found on top of both ball joints in my hips. I was over the usual age. There is a list of items that can cause it. I had none. Next I had core decompresions on each hip to first relieve pain and pressure. Also a hole is drilled in the bone. This is to promote bone regrowth and new blood vessels to bring more blood supply to the head. My left hip was really bad. After two yrs I needed full hip replacement. This was in 2004 and replacement on 2006.. My rt hip has held its own and has stayed unchanged. I was 61 yrs old and I am 67 now. I also have o/a and r/a as well. I also have connective tissue issues. So now I have joint and muscle, ligaments etc as well.
I don't know if this helps anyone.

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bird | @bird | Apr 25, 2012
In reply to @bugs38 "Was the MRI of just your hip?" + (show)
@bugs38

Was the MRI of just your hip?

Jump to this post

Yes he knew it was AVN and MRI confirmed it

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twins4ever | @twins4ever | Sep 6, 2012

HI I'm only 17, but i've been experiencing pain almost exactly the same as Traceface...One problem that they did find was that i had endometriosis, this didn't help the pain and did require surgery but it can have permanent effects if gone untreated. I just feel so alone with this because the pain has gone on for OVER 2 YEARS! and its driving me crazy, and nobody wants to hear about my hip anymore. If anyone gets any more ideas please post anything! Seeing my 18th dr. monday :/

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