Mild Osteoarthritis

denisestewart57

Hello

I have been struggling with pain over the last 3 years and recently given a diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis of the hip, both hips but the left hip worse than the other.

I try to stay active, I've always enjoyed walking and jogging and manage the pain with paracetamol and codeine. However, lately I have noticed my left hip swelling when doing any of these activities including housework. It also becomes very painful. When I discuss the pain with my GP he says it's only mild arthritis but the x-ray doesn't necessarily indicate the level of pain suffered by the patient. I am finding this difficult to get my head around, how can this be? i really don't want to have to give up my activities as yet but struggling to keep going.

My GP has suggested swimming, and cycling, but both of these activities also make my hip swell with pain.

I am currently seeing a physiotherapist for my back as I have a mild bulge in my lower spine (there goes that word mild again) but the last time I saw him he said he was going to refer me to a hip specialist.

Can you offer any help? Advice? What I should be looking out for to report to the specialist when I get to see him? Also, how to maintain a high level of activity without causing my hip to look deformed with swelling and painful reactions?

Regards
Denise

denisestewart57

Can I just add that I also get pain in my left leg, mainly the thigh, but also the shin and foot including toes. The pain in my thigh feels like it's bruised and my foot has a numb and tingling sensation.

Denise

helpline_team

Hello Denise

Thank you for your forum posting.

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been experiencing pain over the last 3 years. You say that recently you’ve been given a diagnosis of mild osteoarthritis of the hip.

It sounds as if you feel that your level of pain isn’t being acknowledged. It seems like you really want to keep going but that is proving to be a struggle. It can be so tough when we just want to continue leading our lives and the pain we feel doesn’t make that easy.

Well done on trying to stay active and I can hear that you don’t want to give up your activities. Low impact exercises are best for osteoarthritis for instance swimming and cycling, though both of those make your hip swell with pain. You mention jogging this can be a bit harsh on your joints as its more high impact which is best avoided.

The link below will take you to Arthritis Care publication about exercise that you may find of interest:
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets/main_content/Exercisebooklet2011.pdf

This link is to Arthritis Care publications including ‘living with osteoarthritis’ which may be of help:
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets

Your physiotherapist is going to refer you to a hip specialist. It may be helpful to make a list of where you feel the pain, describing it in specific terms i.e. stabbing/sharp. The more detailed information you can give to the specialist the better.

The link below is to Arthritis Research UK information on hip pain: This may prompt some questions for your appointment with your consultant:
http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/hip-pain.aspx

You ask about ‘maintaining a high level of activity’ My understanding is that you would be looking for a balance between rest and exercise. You will find further information about that in the ‘Exercise and arthritis’ link above.

As we are not medically trained on the Helplines I would suggest that you speak to your Gp/consultant about the sensations and pain you are feeling in your other joints.

Denise I wonder if you would like to give us a call on our Helplines 0808 800 4050 (Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm) Here we can chat to you informally and in confidence about what is going on for you.

I do hope this is of some help

Best wishes
Lynda
Helplines Team