Nerves in hip pain

Posted by cindiwass @cindiwass, Oct 10, 2021

An orthopedic surgeon told me that the reason I have pain in my hip is because the bone spurs are hitting a nerve. Question is: is there anything or exercise or acupuncture I can do to combat this? I expect to get surgery eventually, but in the meantime wonder what this means about hitting a nerve and if surgery would take care of that.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Oct 11, 2021

Hello, @cindiwass We are not medical professionals here on Mayo Clinic Connect so we cannot recommend specific approaches or treatments. We do provide support and always here to listen. I do have a few questions and suggestions that might help you figure out the best course for you.

What does your primary care physician say about your hip pain? Would PT be helpful while you wait for surgery in the future? Are there exercises you can do that will help and others to avoid so that the pain is not exacerbated?

I used the search terms "bone spur and hip pain" and found an article published by Mayo Clinic but cannot access the entire article at my university. I've copied the reference and the abstract below. When I tried to find the actual article for you I did find a helpful image of what your hip might look like. I posted that link.

If you'd like to access the entire article you can call or email the Health Information Library at Mayo Clinic and ask for it.
The general number for Mayo Clinic-Rochester is 507-284-2511 and you can ask to be directed to the Health Information Library.

Mayo Clinic Health Information Library : Diseases and Conditions, 2020-12-23
Subject
Arthritis
Bones
Osteoarthritis
Pain
Spinal cord
Description
Osteoarthritis of the hip Bone spurs and narrowed disks in the spine Causes Joint damage from osteoarthritis is the most common cause of bone spurs. Treatment If your bone spurs cause pain, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others). Write down key medical information, including other conditions you have, all medications and supplements you take, and family history of bone or joint disease.
Publisher
Rochester: Tribune Content Agency LLC

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/multimedia/osteoarthritis-of-the-hip/img-20008350

Please check back in here with us and let us know what direction you decide to take. I wish a reduction in pain for you as you find what works best for you.

Blessings,
Helen

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 11, 2021

Good morning @cindiwass - As Helen mentioned, we are not medical professionals, but I will share my bone spur experience with you. I have or had bone spurs "in all the likely places" according to my orthopedic surgeon. Some people just form them - they are common in my family, and can be really painful. I don't have them in my hips any longer because the hips have been replaced due to severe arthritis, but I remember the days of not being able to lift my leg to walk upstairs. Now, there are spurs in my shoulders, neck, elbows, wrists, feet...

Treatment is physical therapy (PT), pain relievers, topical rubs, and if a spot gets particularly bad, a cortisone injection to calm the inflammation it causes. Removal isn't usually a treatment except as part of a larger surgery, because they commonly just grow back.
You may ask what can PT do? It can help you figure out the best ways to move to avoid making the pain worse.

If joint replacement is in your future, is there a reason not to have it now to relieve the pain? I had both hip done 15 years ago, and have not regretted it.
Sue