Muscles in high hip and across buttocks freeze when I walk

Posted by kmintx @kmintx, Apr 27, 2016

I have a problem with my buttocks / hip muscles that no one has been able to identify for over ten years. I'm really exhausted from it - and had 3 back surgeries (even a lumbar 360) but to no avail. I'm female, a young 70 years old and honestly believe no one in the medical field has really listened or heard what I have to say. When I walk very far - say 1/2 block, my muscles in hips and buttocks begin to cramp so badly it brings me to a halt. I then have to wait at least 30-60 seconds to resume. I have read about intermittent claudication and it sure sounds like exactly what I have but the doctors and surgeons say no - not an artery or vein issue. But apparently, not a bone issue either. It IS an issue of one sort or another or I wouldn't be hurting.
Has anyone had this and what have you discovered to be the cause? I cannot walk for exercise. My right calf is very large due to venous insufficiency. Appreciate any reply.

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Wonder whether you are diabetic. I used to play racquetball 3 times a week before age 62. Moved to AZ and do fast walk 4 miles each day. One day, I was walking in the gym, and one of my legs freeze for no reasons. I also had jerks from hand or foot when I sleep during the night, I had these for 8 years. I thought it has something to do playing racquetball. Recently, my HBA1C gets to 6.8% from 6.2%. I am diagnosed as DM. My family doctor said that the symptom has something to do with "neuropathy". when I start to control my glucose level, it helps. However, I was told that once I have it, I will be lucky if it does not get worse.

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@lesk

Hi, have you found out what the cause is? I am a somewhat younger (57) male, and both my hips on the outside/inside top of the buttocks "freeze" when I walk - typically, when it starts I literally have to stand around for a while & then I can go on slowly. X-rays of hips are perfectly normal, no operations of lower back, legs are equal length. Funny thing is it comes and goes - sometimes my hips are fine, other days they are not. Which makes me think it could be some or other autoimmune disease that "flares" - problem is no other symptoms/culprits that lead the way. And anti inflammatories do not help either. Very weird (And frustrating!)

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It sounds like fibromyalgia.I was diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia and when I get stressed or any type of anxiety the pain flares up. Not only in different spots of my body but normally with a headache too. No cure and I don't think that any doctor knows how it started. The rheumatologist recommended medical cannabis for the pain. I have hip issues too , I never had so many health problems until I had open heart surgery last year. I use CBD Daily for the pain and that can be purchased from many companies since it does not have any THC......at night to sleep I use the medical cannabis in tincture form and at least I can sleep pain free. My orthopedic surgeon suggested exercise if able, the CBD oil and tylenol. One has to be careful using any nsaids or anti-inflamatroy drugs which can create some serious stomach issues. Always seek the opinion of your doctor for any treatment even vitamins if you have other issues. Hoping you feel less pain soon.

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Good Morning, everyone! Yes, I am new here. I just turned 61 yrs old. I have widespread Osteoarthritis in my spine (among a ton of other issues). To make a long story short, I visited a Physical Therapist yesterday, 06/20/19, for more strength and balance exercises (3 years ago I had to stop because of the severe cramping in my hip/lower back area). I, also, couldn't walk to the mailbox as my hips and legs also froze up, but with severe cramping in my lower back and buttocks area. I couldn't move at all when that happened - I needed help to get back. 2 years ago, by accident, I was almost dropped by an EMS Tech who caught me by my wrists and I hung there for just a little bit. Like a miracle, I could walk again and most of the pain had gone - just like that! I believe it acted as some form of 'traction' of my spine - a stretching out - and that it put something back into place! Al was wonderful up until six months ago. I had to pack up and move to another location. I had no one to help with any of it and I couldn't afford to hire anyone. I started to feel a little cramping again but not too severe. I eventually did have to hire a mover to move it all for me but whatever I did, it all started to come back again! The cramping, the pains. Now, back to the Physical Therapist of yesterday. I forget what his diagnosis is called but it's like the Sacro-Illiac Dysfunction - a type of pelvic disorder. He showed me exercises to treat at home and said that it is fixable! I asked how come this is the first time I've heard of this in my case and he said that I had ALL the symptoms. There was no fracture, but that the area was stuck in the wrong place and it needs to be trained to go back to where it belongs. So...it makes all the sense. He said that a lot of Doctors don't know much about this particular area. My PT Doctor is supposedly an 'expert' in this field and the field of 'Balance'. Just my 2 cents...thanks for reading!

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@tomasena12

Good Morning, everyone! Yes, I am new here. I just turned 61 yrs old. I have widespread Osteoarthritis in my spine (among a ton of other issues). To make a long story short, I visited a Physical Therapist yesterday, 06/20/19, for more strength and balance exercises (3 years ago I had to stop because of the severe cramping in my hip/lower back area). I, also, couldn't walk to the mailbox as my hips and legs also froze up, but with severe cramping in my lower back and buttocks area. I couldn't move at all when that happened - I needed help to get back. 2 years ago, by accident, I was almost dropped by an EMS Tech who caught me by my wrists and I hung there for just a little bit. Like a miracle, I could walk again and most of the pain had gone - just like that! I believe it acted as some form of 'traction' of my spine - a stretching out - and that it put something back into place! Al was wonderful up until six months ago. I had to pack up and move to another location. I had no one to help with any of it and I couldn't afford to hire anyone. I started to feel a little cramping again but not too severe. I eventually did have to hire a mover to move it all for me but whatever I did, it all started to come back again! The cramping, the pains. Now, back to the Physical Therapist of yesterday. I forget what his diagnosis is called but it's like the Sacro-Illiac Dysfunction - a type of pelvic disorder. He showed me exercises to treat at home and said that it is fixable! I asked how come this is the first time I've heard of this in my case and he said that I had ALL the symptoms. There was no fracture, but that the area was stuck in the wrong place and it needs to be trained to go back to where it belongs. So...it makes all the sense. He said that a lot of Doctors don't know much about this particular area. My PT Doctor is supposedly an 'expert' in this field and the field of 'Balance'. Just my 2 cents...thanks for reading!

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Hi, @tomasena12 and welcome to Connect.
Oh my goodness, what a nuisance that must be. It sounds as if the stretching that was caused by the EMS tech was just the right remedy. did you tell your physical therapist about that? Perhaps he could do something that would stretch your spine again. If not I hope you do have success with what he does for you. Please let us know how it is going with the therapy.
JK

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I have the same exact thing ... even the 360 back surgery, which would make someone think it had something to do with this issue. However, I had the glute/butt pain before the surgery, thinking it would absolve afterwards, but that's not the case. The back surgery did relieve the horrible sciatic pain I had but the burning glute pain remains, again only when I've walked about 5 minutes or so. Have been to pain management for trigger injections, neurologist and an orthopedic hip specialist. Also had X-rays and MRI, which confirm torn gluteal medius and minimus muscles.

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