Newly diagnosed ... or not?

Mary13

Briefly - I'm 50 years old. I had hip pain in my left hip for a long time (more than 3 years now). X-rays showed 'nothing' and osteopathy helped.

In the last 6 months I developed much worse pain in my right hip, and it was (and still is) really affecting my everyday life. My lovely osteopath didn't seem able to make a difference so I went back to the GP and was sent for more X-rays.

When the radiographer checked the X-rays on the spot, she told me she could see why I was in pain as I had degenerative arthritis in my hip (she was only doing the right hip, on the GP's instruction). She did explain that the arthritis was in the early stages, that some of the pain might be referred pain, and that there could be something trapped which was causing worse pain than the direct joint problem. All logical and sensible.

With me so far?

Then, on my follow-up visit to the GP he says the X-rays are clear and that the report he has received (from the radiologist) says 'there is no reason for hip pain'. (Not happy with that as of course there's a reason - just because he can't see it...)

My symptoms match well with descriptions I have read of hip arthritis and much as I'd love to think there is 'nothing wrong', I'd rather have a name for my pain, and therefore know how to deal with it.

My GP is going to do blood tests and send me for physio, but still - how do I know who is giving me the more accurate diagnosis? Do the specialists have parameters that I have fallen outside of (I mean, if it is really mild, would they not count it, even though the radiographer could see it?) But if it is that mild why does it hurt so much?

I'm just frustrated - at least the GP is doing something, but he says he can't explain my symptoms. I told him what the radiographer said, but he dismissed it and says he has to go by the report he receives.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of confusion?

stickywicket

Hello Mary13 and welcome to the forum. It sounds complicated, doesn’t it, and I can see why you feel confused.

OK, hip pain. In my experience (two THRs in) it’s normally felt in two places, though not necessarily at the same time. When I first started with it, it was kind of just above the top middle of the affected buttock. When it got bad it was in the groin too.

Now I think (but I’m not sure) radiographers aren’t qualified to read X-rays, only to take them though I guess they do build up a fair bit of knowledge and she may well have been right that you have early stages of OA in your right hip. As you’ve had pain in your other hip for longer, it could be that at least some of the pain in your right hip is to do with the problems with your left. It’s called ‘referred pain’. We overcompensate for one pain and create another. (We cannot win. :roll: )

Everyone wants to ‘name the beast’ whatever the beast may be. Bearing in mind I’m simply someone with arthritis and with no medical qualifications at all, it seems to me that you probably have early OA in both hips. GPs deal with OA by giving pain dullers (quite a lot of us refuse to call them pain killers) until it’s time for surgery. And the fact that it might be 'early' doesn't mean it won't hurt.

However, your GP has ordered a blood test, possibly to make sure you don’t have one of the auto-immune versions of arthritis such as R.A. If you do (I don’t think they usually present first in large joints such as hips), he will refer you to a rheumatologist who will give other meds too.

Physio is very valuable. It keeps the muscles strong. Strong muscles support the joints better and so you get less pain. I still do mine daily and it’s worked for me. Also, AC do a booklet on exercises which you can find in their ‘Publications and Resources’ section.

frogmorton

Mmmmm....

Lots of us get reports that don't match our pain Have you received a copy of the report yourself? If not can you ask for a copy after all it is about you?

If the radiographer did not put in writing what the Xray person saw that's where the problem lies. I am not sure whether the person who takes the Xray is actually a qualified radiologist or a technologist :?

This has really got you 'stuck' at the moment. Maybe someone else on here will have another idea how to move things forward for you.

Love

Toni xx

hileena111

Hi Mary
Welcome to the forum......Firstly I'm not qualified to give any sort of diagnosis.....all we can do is give opinions.

My hip experience......{1 THR} I went to my GP who kept telling me nothing was wrong, I went back and back and got the same answers.
Eventually I asked for a referral to a consultant.

After he had x rayed them he informed me i needed 2 new hips {GP kept saying nothing wrong} :shock: I had one done then they decided there were problems with my back which they wanted to sort out first {before doing the 2nd one} That was a couple of years ago.....The back people say its is referred pain from a hip that needs replacing.....the hip people think it is referred pain from my back :x
I dont care....I just know its sore!!!!

You need a proper diagnosis from a consultant......either RA {apparently the blood tests arent always correct as far as this is concerened} or OA which will be treated by your GP with pain killers, poss physio, poss anti-inflammatory meds.
Have you tried any self help methods?? Some people heat helps others its cold. You can buy wheat bags that you put in the microwave or you can use frozen peas from the freezer if cold helps

I'm sure someone else will be along soon with more idea than I have

Love
Hileena

Mary13

Thanks for the answers/support.

In fact I don't think the radiographer is qualified to diagnose per se, but she saw what she saw.

We'll see what the bloods show, if anything. I'm looking forward to the physio as I know I am a bit wonky one way and another , though I'm not sure what's cause and what's effect any more!

Good (?) to know that other people get conflicting medical advice, so I'll persist with this if I feel I'm not getting anywhere.

Will go and see what's in the freezer!

frogmorton

Well done Mary!

Onwards and upwards!

It is not time to give up yet is it?

Love

Toni xxx

kellerman

Hello Mary,
The radiographer doesn't usually comment on the xrays. Its not their job.
The GP may not have seen them and just seen a written report.
Its all a bit of a minefield. I've been told different things by the same person never mind two different ones. Just keep chasing for answers you will eventually get them. May

barbara12

Hi Mary and welcome to the forum
The others have given you good advice
All I can add is that they cant make there mind up with me, both my back and my hips show quite alot of damage....so I know how you feel, sometime when I see them I just feel like screaming I just want something done about the pain.
Im so glad you have joined us, at least you can now talk to us lot
Hope you get some answers very soon x

lizzieuk1

hi mary,

its worth remembering that its not just arthritis that can cause hip pain theres lots of soft tissue there too and short of a better diagnosis i would be pushing for an mri - cartilage tears do occur in the hip so that may need flagging up with the gp too.
x