Is my hip pain from prostate radiation?

Posted by flax @flax, Jun 3 11:02am

I finished radiation a year and a half ago. I recently have had several episodes of left hip pain. The last happened 3 days ago. It was severe and makes it difficult to get around without crutches or a walker. I am taking OTC pain and anti-inflamatory pills 3 times a day and it seems to help but I still need a cane to walk.

I've never had hip problems before and Iam in my 80's. I just don't know if the pain is from something I did in my active life style or from the prostate radiation.

Has anyone out there suffered from hip pain a year or two after radiation? I will be talking to my doctor soon but would like to hear from others having the same problem and any remedies that could get me back to feeling normal.

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I do have serious hip pain sometimes, but I think it's more likely from the nerve damage to my spine (when a metastasised tumour compressed it) than from the radiation to my prostate. It's possible the radiation contributed, though.

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flax, radiation can cause damage to the bones of the hip or the cartilage. Imaging of the area could determine mechanical cause. You might want a contrast MRI of the femur and the joint.

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Had rad to left ilium only 3 treatments next day super painful hip doc said was not rad issue but they still can't explain hip pain

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Your doctor will likely take plain x-rays to determine the 2 most likely causes at your age with a history of prostate cancer:
A metastatic to your proximal femur or adjacent pelvis
Garden variety degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis ), which can be very painful.

The radiation could have damaged the nerves to your hip/leg (doubtful) and radiation injuries usually present themselves later rather than right after the treatment.

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On the orthopedic subject did anyone have joint replacements or steroid joint injections while on adt? Need knees for prior wear prediagnosis . Is this risky or even possible?

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I had Radiation and 4 month ADT course.
About 2 months after beginning ADT I developed back and leg pain.
I believe that the ADT caused some muscle loss and decreased bone density (I lost almost 2 inches of heigth) which caused my existing back defects to become symptomatic.
I am 77. I still have some pain episodes but can walk 5 miles, do strength training and bicycle 20 miles.
I believe ADT was the culprit regarding the pain I was experiencing and the source was my back.

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As you can see there are a number of possible causes, You really need to follow up with a doctor to get answers.

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@gently

flax, radiation can cause damage to the bones of the hip or the cartilage. Imaging of the area could determine mechanical cause. You might want a contrast MRI of the femur and the joint.

Jump to this post

Radiation caused bone marrow edema in my femur, placing me at greater risk of fracture.

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Same here, but I think mine is from the Eligard! Back, hip, legs.

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Howdy Flax (great handle)
No radiation but I"m prone to osteoarthritis (Right hip and shoulder replaced 10-years ago. Both fantastic now 🙂
And I lost about 1" to 1.5" height before PC and ADT shots (Lupron) for 2-years and now another inch loss. ADT effect??? Maybe. Doc gives me semi-annual Prolia shots and I take an OTC calcium pill daily. I'm sure both help some.
AND I had hyaluronic acid shots to my arthritic knees March, 2023 then switched to cortisone November of 2023 and March 2024. Both fantastic and NO side effects added to ADT's existing hot flashes, etc. So (with doc's ok) go for it!
BUT having better knees has aggravated my left hip from the added activity so that's on the list for replacement before long.
PC and age just keep on giving challenges. (I"m also 77)
Keep up your good fight and seek the best doctors you can find.
And don't give an inch to the problems!

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