Early stages - what to expect?

mudskipper

Hello

New to this forum, and to arthritis!

I was hoping someone might be able to give me a little more information about what to expect - all the googling I've done talks about hip replacements, but I hope I'm a long way away from that!

I recently started running, and after about a couple of months had quite severe hip pain, which eased, but didn't go away after a few weeks' rest. GP referred me to physio, who poked and prodded and sent me for an x-ray.

The x-ray report says 'minor degenerative changes' and I'm not really sure what this means. Physio seems fairly sure it's arthritis from the range of motion tests he's done. GP has given me anti-inflammatories to take for a few days, but was very non-committal about what the x-ray result actually meant.

It's been about two months now, and the hip is mostly stiff rather than painful, although it does hurt if I do anything more vigorous than a gentle walk, and it wakes me up if I sleep on my side.

I'm a bit scared as my mother had arthritis quite young - she had her first hip replaced at 52 - and is severely disabled now.

So I'd really like to understand what 'minor degenerative changes' means in real terms, and what I can expect in the future, and whether there's anything I should be doing now to minimise future problems.

I should add, I'm 42 and female.

Thank you for your help!

frogmorton

Hello Mudskipper

A quick welcome form me

Sorry about the arthritis But the upside is that you get to meet us lovely people

I'm not so sure about OA (sounds like form what you are saying?), but wonder if you could try a more gentle excercise like swimming to keep mobile??

Also try sleeping with a pillow between your knees - that can help.

Then there is the application of heat (wheatbags) or ice (icepacks covered in a teatowel) to the affected area?? Have you tried either???

Good luck - sure you will get loads more helpful replies.

Love

Toni xx

airwave

Hi mudskipper
'minor degenerative changes' are a general term when they don't know and you don't come within their sphere of knowledge or help! It means you have OA which they won't/can't diagnose.

According to rheumy, its a matter of going home and learning to live with it, he can't help, oh, and to see GP for painkillers.

According to Orthopaedics man my joints are worn out, he can't help and to go and see GP for painkillers.

.....and there we stand and wait, in between two fields of knowledge and treatment!

8) Its a grin, honest!

tanith

Hi and welcome to the group... your probs sound similar to mine when my hip started to degenerate, it might be an idea to treat it gently, no running but walking , cycling and swimming are good for keeping the muscles strong and the stronger the muscles the more support for the joint.. the longer you can keep going with your own hip the better but everyone is different , its possible that it won't actually get much worse , and it might deteriorate quickly..

I eventually had to have my Right Hip replaced 5yrs ago and my left is just starting to give me gip.. but I hope to keep going with it for a good few years yet , I just take the anti-inflammatories and painkillers and reduced mobility.. your doctor can give you a very low dose anti-depressant (used to relax the muscles) that will help with night pain...
Sorry to sound so depressing but you can live with it , and its not all doom and gloom there is help out there...

dorcas

Hi mudskipper (love the name)

welcome to the forum form me too

I don't know what they mean by 'minor degenerative changes' but think it's unfair for you GP etc..to leave you without a proper explanation.
Would it be worth contacting your GP again and reminding him/her of the family history of arther and asking if s/he would write to the radiologist to explain this terminology or get it put into layman's terms so that you know what you're dealing with.......after all it's the radiologist who put that down on the xray results ?

I hope you get somewhere with this, as it's horrible as airwave said to be stuck between two disciplines.

Irisx

mudskipper

Thanks everyone for your messages. Yes - physio said running is a no-no (and at the moment I couldn't even if I wanted to!) I already do a lot of cycling, so sounds like that should be OK - we're planning to do Lands End to John O Groats in the summer, so I hope so! I might give swimming a go too.

I guess it's just fear of the unknown at the moment, but will keep positive and not assume the worst.

airwave

mudskipper wrote:

Thanks everyone for your messages.

Apologies about sounding off, sometimes, just sometimes I get fed up.............

Anyrate, swimming does help, there is a body of thought that says breaststroke doesn't work for us because the way we kick our legs is not right for our joints. It isn't right for me but I do enjoy swimming and all the euphoria of exercise.

8) Its a grin, honest!

elnafinn

Hi there?

Welcome to the forum. Good for you for taking up running but I am sorry to read that it has not done you much good :roll: I take it that you have been diagnosed with wear and tear/osteo arthritis. I am sorry to hear about your mum. My mum has OA and has had a new hip and 2 new knees. She is 87 and still lives alone and gets out and about. It affects everyone differently.

I shall be 60 this year and have two new knees, one only 2 months ago. On looking back I had aches and pains off and one in my lower back, hands and knees mid thirties but nothing that stopped me doing too much for any length of time and I was generally extremely active.

I have never done running, but cycle, do stretching exercises every day and hula hoop too. Everyone is different with this OA and its intensity and how quickly/slowly it takes a hold. I take painkillers as and when and anti inflams and I think I lead a fairly active life still although nothing like it used to be .

I would recommend some sort of exercise every day to keep going but the difficulty is overdoing things. We should pace ourselves but this is often not easy! :roll: So we have a few bad days but then get back to being ok again.

Yes, keeping positive is very important and laughter too is a great tonic. Try to think more in the present than worrying about what may not happen.

Wow - Lands End to John O Groats - all the very best with that

Look after yourself,

Luv
Elna x

sharmaine

Hello

Welcome to the forum. I have osteo arthritis (so does my mother and my grandmother hands etc) and I am 54. I had my first TKR 5 weeks ago and the next one will probably be done next year.
I have OA in hands and right shoulder too. I was wrongly diagnosed with sciatica (long story) and by the time it was correctly diagnosed I had full blown OA. Legs and back had been aching for years.

My hip has started to hurt and I'm praying that OA is not there. I hope it's due to my new knee.

I think you are the best judge of how you are feeling and if you feel that your hip is worse you should go back to see your GP and ask for fresh X-rays. My GP was very reluctant to do fresh x rays but as my mobility had deteriorated at such a speed she agreed and was extremely apologetic when she realised what a serious state my knees were really in!

Pain has to be managed and it took some time for my GP to get the balance of medication right. Don't suffer in silence. Rest when you feel weary etc. As my condition worsened my meds were changed or increased in dosage. I tried all the natural remedies too but they didn't work: copper bracelets; manuka jelly; magnetic mattress covers ...I could go on!!! The only think that works is my medication.

You should try and keep up some exercise even if it is just stretching.

Take care.

Sharmaine

woodbon

Hi,
I am sorry that you've got arthritis and it sounds like early oa. They call it 'wear and tear' or degenerative arthritis. It is important for you not to give up exercise, but at the same time you will find what you can do and what causes you pain.

It is a shock to here that you have arthritis, but you are not alone and I hope you pick up tips on this site and make friends. Do keep going too the doctors if you are suffering pain sometimes it takes trial and error before you find the right pain killers. Heat or ice can help if you have pain. You can get heat packs that you can put into the microwave to heat up. I'm sure you find a of coping. I'm glad that you have found this site, you can pick up lots of tips to help you cope. Or just have a moan to us! We've all been there!
Love Sue

mudskipper

Thanks everyone for your replies. It does seem as if there is no crystal ball - could be months or years (or hopefully never!) before things get bad. And it's great to know there's friendly people here to help out if I do need it.

hileena111

Hi Mudskipper,
Welcome to the forum.....or Madhouse LOL...It does sound like the start of OA....we are all different as you will have gathered by now.
Mine started about 8 years ago {I was 55} It was about a year before I was diagnosed with OA. With me I found that OA comes on gradually and you find you adapt to things without really realising it. Painkillers, heat {wheat bags} are my best standby.....although I'm 6 weeks post op...THR.....and I'm waiting to find out how this works LOL
I was on paracetamol and after 7 years of this I went to my GP and insisted I see a consultant/orthopaedic surgeon or someone...He sent me to the local hospital.....I was X rayed and came back and the consultant looked at me and said you need 2 new hips....from paracetamol to 2 new hips.....quite a jump...so I've had one......not sure when the 2nd one is to be done...Sorry I know you dont want to hear about Hip replacements.....but keep going back to your GP until you get your meds sorted out and you are fairly free of pain

Love
Hileena

chris7

Hi mudskipper and welcome

Have only just caught this one. Your doc sounds like mine, 6 years on from complaining of a dodgy hip she still says I have a little bit of arthritis
I found the physio much more helpful in explaining my x rays and if you can arrange some hydrotherapy when you find you need it, it certainly helped to keep me moving. Though you sound like you are keeping up with exercise as much as you can. I still work part time and have found the changes to have been gradual, we are all different but hopefully yours will be too. I've just hit 50, and only now after 6 years from diagnosis am I thinking surgery may have to be considered at some point.
The people here will offer support when they can and a hug if they can't. Let us know how you are doing when you can and do ask any questions.
take care
Chris

woodbine

Hi Mudskipper,

Just to say that I first had symptoms of arthritis about 10 years ago - revealed by an x-ray that apparently showed 'wear and tear'. The GP sent me for physio, but it took a number of visits and quite a bit of nagging to get him to admit it was OA - so keep on asking - you'll get there!

Like some others in this thread I've found that it seems to have spread (I'm 41) have it in my hands and knees too. Apparently this is common in certain types of hereditary OA. I only wish there was more they could do about it. I'd say it's worth asking for some physio to loosen the joint - even if this also takes some nagging - as this should help you move more normally, which will prevent further damage or stiffness in other joints, as well as making life more comfortable! Applying heat - in a pad, bath or hot waterbottle should bring lots of relief too.

Naomi