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trochanteric bursitis

Posted , 6 users are following.

Swindon60
Swindon60

Hi to all just update . 8 months post op TRHR was doing fine up until jan then started having pain on outer side of hip . Had ultrasound scan today now confirmed trochanteric bursitis seeing consultant in 2 weeks to decide if steroid injection required. Cannot get sound advice re exercise so am asking my hippie experts !! I have been doing walking and working out using my "wii fit" but am struggling as also work 4 days a week as a special care dental therapist. I am seeing a physio shortly but would welcome any advice .

Regards and Hi to all my old hippies Renee, mic sassy bees, carole to name but a few

Denise

2 likes, 18 replies

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  • carole49258
    carole49258 Swindon60

    Posted

    Hi Denise

    So sorry to hear that your recovery has been set back by this, especially as you were doing so well. Sea- kayaking if I remember correctly.

    When I first started having problems with my hip my GP thought I had Trochanteric Bursitis and fancying himself as a bit of an expert on hips, he gave me a steroid injection.It obviously didn't work for me as I went on to be diagnosed with OA but I have heard it is very effective when a correct diagnosis has been made.

    Hopefully it will work for you so you can get back on top form again.

    I often think of you as we became hippies at the same time.

    Sending you love and best wishes.

    Carole

    • Swindon60
      Swindon60 carole49258

      Posted

      Ah hi carole nice to hear from you hope you are keeping well . Great memory re kayaking and as yet apart from brief go in carribean in jan I haven't yet done any but due to go away next weekend to have a go think it will be brief as leg so painful at the moment and sitting definitely makes it worse .

      I just need to retire I think

      Regards denise

  • renee01952
    renee01952 Swindon60

    Posted

    Hi dear Denise, 

    So incredibly sorry to hear this - I have the same - started in old new hip and now in new new hip - 

    My surgeon didn't want to give me the injection (yet) because of increased risk of infection - I am not so keen on it myself as I have some sort of traumatic experience with steroid injection when I had tendinitus in elbow - 

    Rest ... and exercise (side leg raises, clam, bridge , balance on one leg at a time) all gentle I have been told - 

    I am seeing a physical therapist who is treating me with TENS machine and dry needling - dry needling is sticking acupuncture thin needles in tight muscle (superficially) to release the tension - according to her, trochanteric bursitis is a physical therapist's nightmare - 

    At the moment I am not doing all that great - feel as I have been set back quite a lot - because of the tension release and perhaps TENS treatment, I have to learn to walk all over again - having my Bride of Frankenstein's swagger back - 

    Sorry I can't be of more help, Denise - I am right in the middle of it - 

    big warm hug - we are just moving on and chilling darling - 

    renee 

    • Swindon60
      Swindon60 renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee and so very sorry to hear you not great at the moment. My surgeon did say (3 weeks ago) that if it is bursitis he thinks too soon post op for injection so I will see if that changes now I have diagnosis confirmed from scan . Problem I have is my job (special care dental therapist ) as it is hard going and I'm panicking about being off sick again . This has been going on since end jan and not getting any better . I'm bad too as I struggle to remember to do specific excercises (though I walk daily for about hour) I am an active person . I am taking co codimol when bad especially at night . Am back with pillow in between legs and can't lie on operated side . I may give my acupuncturist a ring after your advice see if she can help. As I work for nhs I will be seeing occupational health physio shortly too and she is great help.

      Many warm hugs to you Renee stay strong and positive as you always do . Let the hippies help heal you too (as you have sent many kind wishes and support to lots of us)

      Love from Denise

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Swindon60

      Posted

      you too Denise - kind of a catch 22 isn't it - stay moving and keep walking, but not too much, too long, too intensecheesygrin - good Lord ... you are right about discomfort when laying on the side(s) -  

      Your job sounds physically challenging ... sitting, standing up and that hurts!!! I am sure that sometimes you have to lift or help patients to get up etc ....

      Let me know what your OT/PT tells you -- I invite all tips and advice ...

      angel blessing

      renee

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK renee01952

      Posted

      Renee, I am sad that you are suffering so! Regarding the greater trochanteric pain syndrome, is your main symptom having pain down the outsides of both of your thighs and near the greater trochanter? Apparently it is quite common in us women-of-a-certain-age.😩 In the article I linked above it says, "...one US study of 3,026 people aged from 50-79 years found that greater trochanteric pain syndrome was present in nearly 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men." My sister has it, off and on. I have pain going down the outsides of both of my thighs all the time, and we are both in our late 60's. It is very secondary, though, to the pain I have from my torn gluteal tendons and whatever else is going on in my hip/thigh area, to-be-determined in my surgery on May 9. And, as that article, and many more that I have found, states, the reason is usually not due to an "inflammed bursa" but to "minor tears or damage to the nearby muscles, tendons or fascia." Have you tried lots and lots of icing and REST and nsaids? That's the first line of treatment. You can ice much more than that article suggests.

      I with you on being very leery of steroid or anesthetic injections. I don't see how that can "fix" the problem, but probably just masks the pain and then we overdo it and injure it more. Many people find temporary relief from an injection, and then the pain comes back. Multiple injections just can't be good for us. Plus, as you say, there is the infection factor for those of us with implants.

      I respectfully question the exercising you are doing. If it IS small tears, or even if it is an inflamed bursa, how does exercising help those things to heal? Perhaps NOT doing the exercising for a month or so (or however long you think is best), and just walking as usual, would be better for your thighs, allowing the small tears to heal, rather than perhaps aggravating them. I am certainly not a medical professional, but I have done a lot of reading (and experiencing!) of this, and thought I'd put my ideas out there for you to consider.

      If you have a limp, that is indicative of something wrong with a muscle, tendon or ligament, and would be a separate issue altogether. The greater trochanteric pain syndrome or trochanteric bursitis (whatever we choose to call it) does not include limping, just pain. It took me quite a while to get an official diagnosis for my nasty limp and significant hip/thigh pain. Actually, it only took me about 5 months. Many people go for years, or decades without a diagnosis or treatment. I don't know why this is so hard for the orthopedic profession. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all of the parts of the hip and thigh have been around for a LONG time. After all, it's not rocket science.🙄These professionals need to get cracking and properly diagnose and treat those of us who are suffering.

      There, rant over! (for now) 😏

    • renee01952
      renee01952 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi Annie, 

      thank you - I think I am going to do that - Icing and rest and Advil for a couple of days - no exercises- 

      It is pain outside my thighs going down to knees - so both hips now, which makes it interesting to lie on side .... rolleyes 

      Also walking has become weird as I feel unbalanced - like my torso is disconnected from hips - something like that - hence, the limp ..

       

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK renee01952

      Posted

      Healing of something like this take more than just a few days, so you might just hold off on the exercises for a couple of weeks, at least. If, for instance, you get a cut on your hand or leg, it takes a certain amount of time to heal. Who knows how big the tears are inside, and they are certainly numerous since they go all the way down to your knees. You can't hurt them by resting for as long as it takes for the pain to go away, and stay away, and by exercising (beyond your normal daily activities) you may hurt them more or prevent healing.

      Is the unbalanced feeling/limp a new symptom and is your doctor aware of it? I am sure you are being very careful, as feelings like that can cause a person to have a fall. Not good!

    • Swindon60
      Swindon60 renee01952

      Posted

      Hmmm I know what you mean ! Don't think I limp badly but my leg is heavy and doesn't always feel like mine !! And definitely different to 3 months ago . And not sure how it is for you Renee but mine is getting worse . Been cooking most of afternoon now leg is bad it's like a drawing deep pain . So in terms of rest for few days Annie I'm afraid mine has been on going for over 3 months ! So so hard to judge what and how much you should do . Think sitting definitely for me makes it worse

      Denise

    • renee01952
      renee01952 Swindon60

      Posted

      to be honest, Denise, it is not getting better. .should I stop the tens treatments and hair do nothing ??

      I know I mentioned the pain in old new hip to physical therapist at least 3 months ago ...something ,more intense exercises. ..

      what is wisdom at this point ?

      😨

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK Swindon60

    Posted

    Sorry you have a setback - but it's just great to hear from you again, and sooooo good to have this forum where you know you can inquire or just vent off about something.

    Hope you find an answer to your painful problem.

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • Swindon60
      Swindon60 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi Graham how are you keeping ? Yes I'm bit frustrated as so painful and back to struggling in and out of the car etc hey ho hopefully get sorted soon . Keep you all posted after I see consultant

      Regards Denise

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK Swindon60

      Posted

      I'm waiting to see a specialist in 'difficult cases' at RHOH Stanmore .... hopefully they'll say 'it's OK', or if not it may mean yet more surgery
    • Swindon60
      Swindon60 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Omg that's not good Graham I haven't been on here for while so missed that .

      Hope all goes ok

      Regards Denise

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