What can help with constant pain in back, hips and legs?

Decompression therapy procedure performed in Chriopractor office.
A bit pricey. Very very effective! Highly recommend. I was one foot away from surgery. Could not walk my 11lb MaltiPoo.
I was desperate for non surgical help. It works. And diet. Greens and foods that are high in calcium as well as calcium supplements coupled with vitamin D3 taken together. Exercise with weight bearing weights
Can do arm and leg exercises in a chair. That’s what I do. My balance is not so great. Keep the body moving.

Yes I’ve had several over the past few years, it all just keeps getting worse, shrinking isn’t helping the situation either. Just had my 2nd epidural with now positive results. Gabapentin is the only thing that seems to be helping me, I’ve been taking diclofenac for years too, so am now taking both. Maybe the combo of 2?? I don’t know but refuse to take opioids, so as long as this keeps working for me, this will be my thing, lol. Best of luck to you too, this crap ain’t for sissies, that or sure

@gwj734 I replied but didn’t go through

@jstpeachey but that did

@ Yes I’ve had several over the past few years, it all just keeps getting worse, shrinking isn’t helping the situation either. Just had my 2nd epidural with now positive results. Gabapentin is the only thing that seems to be helping me, I’ve been taking diclofenac for years too, so am now taking both. Maybe the combo of 2?? I don’t know but refuse to take opioids, so as long as this keeps working for me, this will be my thing, lol. Best of luck to you too, this crap ain’t for sissies, that or sure

@jstpeachey there we go

I’ve had MRI a few weeks ago, after lower back/hip/back of legs pain started. Worst was over left hip at first so the NS’s NP ordered an SI joint injection. Before I even had the injection the worst of the pain moved! To the right hip, then ended up in lower center of my spine.
Pain will travel down back of my legs- severe pain. Actually goes down to my feet too, where it hurts to put weight on when walking. I’ve never had such a problem like this before and don’t know what the answer is.
After the Memorial Day holiday I will call my NS’s office and seek direction.
Since the SI injection was not helpful, an epidural injection was given last week, bilateral.
It helped me be able to pick up my feet when walking with my walker, then went back to same cycle of worsening pain then constantly changing.
I was able to get in the pool with my grandkids a few days ago and walk back and forth in the water, it helped a lot that one day.
Ive had two lumbar fusions, first one L4-5, in 2021; the last one was L5-S1 in 2023. That’s where the epidural was given this past week.

Where do I go, has anyone had similar experience that can shed their advice?

@ga29
I forgot to mention, MRI report says new activity around previous surgery, bulging disc in that area, and a 2MM Tarlov cyst at S1-2. It’s slightly growing from stable 1.9.
Some previous reports say it’s compromised the nerve roots.

@heyjoe415
Wow, it's funny how we run across information that relates to us on this site! "Getting older isn't for sissies" is my new moto! Your comments are right on point.

I've had two rotator cuff surgeries. In 2017, the right rotator cuff had 3 torn tendons (1 off the bone) and 2 torn muscles. A year of being undiagnosed led to the one off the bone. Moved & got an amazing Orthopedist Surgeon. Will never forget his words after surgery: "I did the best I could!" He was only able to repair the "off the bone" tendon. But I recovered & did therapy. Was then off work for a year & a half, not because of the surgery. In hindsight, it was the best thing that could have happened because that right shoulder NEVER gave me trouble until I injured both rotator cuffs in October of 2025. Meanwhile though, I injured my left rotator cuff using extreme force to turn a wheel in November of 2024. Knew immediately it was my rotator cuff and had surgery & therapy and returned to work in about 10 months total. In October of 2025, I injured both rotator cuffs and both hands using extreme force turning a wheel. Here it is May and I am still having "red flag" pain. Because it was on the job, it has taken me this long to be able to see my surgeon. Will be seeing him in two days to get a diagnosis and hopefully a recommendation.

For me, I have known for years that carefully strengthening my core muscles will help my now osteoporosis ridden and severely degenerated spine, keep me mobile, and keep pain at bay! Personally, I am fearful of ANYTHING that just masks your pain. The injury is still there, and if you're not careful, you run the risk of damaging yourself further.

I'm 75. Took Gabapentin after my last surgery. Almost immediately suffered SEVERE memory loss, realized it was the problem, and quit immediately. Memory went back to normal. As far as meds after surgery, I was taking a humongous amount of pain pills. I have a note pad totally full of every pain pill I took and the time so I wouldn't lose track and take too many.

Other than a ride to and from surgery, I took care of myself at home. However, not all surgeries are the same. For instance, knee replacement would be more difficult, but your insurance should be able to provide some needed necessities like a beside commode and check in on you. Most insurances have some benefits for at home care visits and for Nursing/Rehabilitation Facilities. I totally agree, we do all have to be responsible for our own health. Otherwise, we may not enjoy the consequences!

Hey there Peachey, fellow lower back sufferer here. And I'm 71. I've had both knees replaced, right hip, left shoulder. Rampant osteoarthritis.

And my lumbar spine is a mess - stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerated discs and arthritis spurs everywhere. Three years ago I committed to getting my weight from 190 to 150 (I'm 5'10"). My weight is now consistently between 151-155, and I'll take that!

I used cardio and cut way down on sugar to achieve this, and I'm a former marathon runner - done in eventually by arthritis. I spin 5x/week for cardio and 2x/week resistance training.

My back surgeon tells me my lumbar spine is being held together by a very strong set of core muscles. That's fine w/me. Replacing a joint is relatively straightforward, with few complications.

But lumbar surgery, including fusion - well I'd really like to avoid that. So glute thrusts and ab exercises are a big part of my weekly routine. And there are many, many ways to strengthen your core that don't take up a lot of time. Stretching the lower back also helps.

Be well, friend.

Joe