Update on soft tissue and back pain
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi All:
thought I would update you on my issues with hip pain in both hips, pins and needles in feet, back pain, compression, headaches.
I saw my surgeon yesterday. Outcome is that the hip x ray showed everything is fine with the hip in place nicely from surgery outcome. I am 12 weeks so he lifted all precautions. As far as my symptoms go, the resident and surgeon say it's not my hip, everything points to my back being the issue. He gave a possible Diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric pain syndrome to explain the swelling and pain in both hips. I know some other hippies like Renee have this condition. In terms of the back pain and other symptoms, he said it could be Spinal Stenosis but not likely as I did fine on his testing my flexibility, strength, feeling in my limbs. So he gave me a script for a strong anti inflammatory, recommended continued physio, and ordered a CT lumbar scan. I see him in 3 months. Somewhat overwhelming but fortunately I was able to get an appt. with my physio for Monday. Getting some relief from the anti inflammatory and pain meds.
from the brief follow up reading I did, since I am thinking that I have Piriformis Syndrome. I read an article called Its a Pain in the Butt, Hip and Leg. 'This condition is referred pain in the posterior hip caused by atrophy or spasm of the Piriformus muscle. The pain associated with this condition often mimics the signs and symptoms of lumbar nerve root compression or sciatica in the buttock and posterior leg.' One of the main symptoms I have is a feeling of a weight in the back of my thigh and top of my buttocks if I am sitting too long fits with Periformis Syndrome.
Anyway, hope to discuss it with the physio and get the right exercises to do.
On a positive note, With restrictions lifted, I actually started bending to reach for things and was able to climb into the Jacuzi tub for the first time since surgery.
Hope you hippies have a good weekend. Thanks everyone for your support from my previous post about my symptoms.
3 likes, 15 replies
linda38528 cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy,
Kind of a two-edged sword: your hip is okay, but you don't have all the answers ye and your back may be the issue! You must be glad though for the follow up and physio and prescriptions. I hope the PT helps - mine has been superb and actually sloved some othe issues!
I envy you the Jacuzzi - ours is extra deep and I still cannot get in and out of it (partly due to other pre-existing conditions). Can I say wwwaahhhhh?!
Hugs,
L
cathy21850 linda38528
Posted
Thanks Linda. Your responses are so helpful and supportive to me and others. You can say wwwaahh for sure. Hope you can have some other hydro Therapy. Our Jacuzzi is also quite challenging more than 12" to step over. Funny though, it's partially mind over matter for me as I was super cautious with the 90 degree rule until the surgeon gave me the green light, then I realized I could actually do it.
Hugs to you too,
Cathy
vivb cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy. I am so glad that someone else has experienced pain in their good hip, I was thinking I was the only one and made an appointment for the GP next week as I cannot sleep on either side yet. I am certain it has nothing to do with the hip joint but do think it's a soft tissue issue. I am now 7 weeks p.o. today and after reading other messages on here am beginning to think it is too early anyway. Have a good weekend!
brenda92532 cathy21850
Posted
3rd time lucky, I hope. I keep starting a post and it disappears.
Im trying to tell you I have been reading your post and can identify with your explanations.
Im 6 months post op and have been given the all clear after having an X-ray on my hip at about 3 months. I had tried some gardening and ended up having a severe muscle spasm finding it difficult to straighten my body. Like you and renee I have lumbar stenosis and am suffering with no feeling in my foot only pins and needles and a stiffness meaning I am finding it difficult to bend it
brenda92532 cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy to continue with my post. I have been to doctors and because the hospital told them it was plantar fasciitis they told me it would be 9-12 months and there was nothing they could do about it.
since then I have paid for a physiotherapist to look at it and he said he thought it was a nerve problem from my spine and worked on the L3 nerve. I have been to a chiropractor who said it was caused by dropped arches which was changing the way I walked. I have been to the podiatrist who gave me some insoles and said I had no feeling in that foot.
My last resort is waiting for an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon and see what his inclusion is. All I want is to be able to walk in comfort.
Hope you read my post and I'm thinking about all you hippies with and without problems.
Hugs to you all Brenda
linda38528 brenda92532
Posted
Hugs,
L
brenda92532 linda38528
Posted
That seems a good idea. I sometimes feel people must be getting fed up of hearing the same thing. It's now been 6 months and I'm still trying to Dort things out.
Thank you for your concern Brenda
cathy21850 brenda92532
Posted
Hi Brenda. Thank you so much for your post and for your perseverance. It's a relief to hear that someone else has a similar situation. I do feel badly though that you are also struggling with pain just trying to get back doing everyday functions.
Gotta say that the orthopaedic surgeon was limited in what he did as although he ordered other investigations such as a CT of the lumbar region, he seems focussed on the hip. One pharmacist suggested consulting with a pain specialist. Do you have someone like that in your area?
What has given me relief at this point is the Tramadol every 6 hours. Don't know how long one can take this med though. I have also been desperate to find answers. Not getting much sleep. Yesterday I got a prescription for a sleeping pill for a few days. I took one last night and finally got a good nights sleep and had less pain than usual during the night. Seems like the body also sees rest as vital.
3 doctors have mentioned Depression as part of the issue-mind body connection. I accept that this is there. Feeling a bit more optimistic this morning.
What at are you doing for relief from pain?
The oharmacist who filled my script also mentioned some new band that one attaches to their limb which is supposed to help with back pain. I will get the name. He hasn't tried it yet but says it is for his father and one gets it on Amazon. for about $250 Canadian or U.S. I am not sure. I will get back to you with the name. For now, gonna go with more standard tx. Including Physio, meds, exercise, , rest, activity, and optimistic future looking thoughts for getting better.
All the best to you and our hippy friends.
Warm Hugs,
Cathy
cathy21850 brenda92532
Posted
Hi Brenda. I replied to you but my reply is also being moderated for some reason. I will check back tomorrow and repost if it doesn't come up. I won't say much here in case the same thing happens.
just, I really appreciate your post and how you share your situation with parallels to mine. Only it is worse for you at 6 months. Hope things improve.
Warm Hugs,
Cathy
cathy21850 brenda92532
Posted
Seems like my response worked this time. Go figure?
Anyway Brenda, I was suggesting to try going to a pain specialist as I didn't find the surgeon that helpful in giving guidance or info. related to treatment and/or post op strategies to work on if they don't deal directly with the hip.
Take Care,
Cathy
brenda92532 cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy I'm having the same problem posting. Hope I have luck this time.
In reply to your post on painkillers. I was given tremadol in the hospital and they made me sick. When I had my bunion removed I was given cocodamol and I blame them being diagnosed with hiatus hernia. I have had stomach upset with ibroprofen. I'm taking paracetamol and the doctor gave me some codeine. So far I have been ok but they don't seem to ease the pain. I don't know if it's because I only have one kidney and no spleen. I prefer to try alternative therapies but they don't seem to work lately. I'll keep trying.
Kind regards
Brenda C
cathy21850 brenda92532
Posted
Hi Brenda. Sorry to hear about the effects of the pain meds. I think my post before was audited because it looked like I was trying to promote a product but I was not. I wondered if you had a pain management specialist near you. Or, don't know if this will be useful but when I was working, a doctor who has an interest in pain management did a course on Mindfulness based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Chronic pain. It was a group course and there is a handboôk and CDs. I am sure she is not the only one so perhaps you can find something in the library, online or at the hospital. I really should do the same. I have a whole new level of appreciation and understanding for people living with pain.
Hugs,
Cathy
brenda92532 cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy thanks for your advice. I'm willing to try anything, I've tried acupuncture about 6 times over the last 10 years. I've been to a chiropractor. I used to go to yoga but I don't think I could twist my body into the positions now. I do some research into the pain management therapies.
Hugs
Brenda C
cathy21850 brenda92532
Posted
Hi Brenda. Good to hear from you.
I went to my family doctor for an appointment today. We had a talk and reached a similar plan as I have been really trying to get a handle on things. Decided to stop using the various anti inflammatories I have scripts for as I seem to be getting various side effects and little true lasting relief.gonna just take Tylenol extra strength, odd Ibuprofen and try to focus on doing stuff to get myself moving forward in my thinking and be less symptom focussed. Dr. thinks depression is playing a big part on how I am struggling. So I signed up for and went to a Gentle Waves water exercise class, drove myself there, and watched my husband play Pickleball. It was nice to see people and surprisingly, the bench did not hurt my butt or hips until about hour 3.
Funny thing about the water exercise class, I was so anxious. When we did the running in the water, I could only feel my left cheek butt on my operated leg bouncing in the water.
Best to you in your journey of recovery. I feel for you. Didn't know that this thing would take so long and take so much out of us at times.
Cathy??
brenda92532 cathy21850
Posted
Hi Cathy
I don't know if you remember me, bout 4 months ago we had long discussions on pain management and depression. I hope you are feeling well now?
My situation with the foot has still not been resolved. I eventually got an orthopaedic surgeon to agree it was probably nerve damage and to send me to another hospital for a nerve conduction test. This was on August 20th. I am still waiting for this appointment.
My foot doesn't improve any and I am still not walking far. I take short walks where there are plenty of seats to keep resting on.
Agan I say I jope you are improving and managing your depression.
All the best Brenda C