New pain

Bigal76
Bigal76 Member Posts: 2
in Chat to our Helpline Team

Hello everyone, my names Alex I currently have OA in both knees, left one more severe. Over the last couple of years I have lost a lot of weight to try and help my knees out a bit but recently I have been having a new pain at the top of my left leg just below my buttocks, it hurts the most when I sit down, stand up, laying down too long (tossing and turning at night) and if I try to pick my leg up for example putting trousers on, going up stairs etc.

I have just started a new job which involves a lot of walking, sometimes up to 10 miles a shift and the only time I am in a lot of pain is at break times, walking up inclines, steps and trying to get in the car at home time. I wear a knee support and take ibuprofen for my bad knee and am currently trying hemp oil which does help but this pain in my upper leg is concerning me a little and I was wondering if anybody else has experienced similar pains to this?

Comments

  • PeterJ
    PeterJ Administrator Posts: 948

    Hello @Bigal76 and welcome to the forum, I do hope you can find help and guidance from others as we are a supportive, friendly bunch.

    I see that you have OA in your knees and now have left leg pains as well. Have you consulted a GP or specialist about the new pains? I would certainly suggest you do so as they may be able to help and ease your concerns. In the meantime please take a look at our website and also you can search for various articles which may be of help. Below are a couple of links which you may find helpful.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-knee/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

    I do hope that you can get some help and advice and that others on the forum will get in touch and share their experiences. In the meantime please keep posting and keep us up to date on how you are doing.

    Best wishes

    Peter (mod)

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,749

    Hi @Bigal76 , sorry to hear you're in so much pain. I don't know how you manage a job with so much walking involved. I agree with Peter, it would be a good idea to get this assessed. In your position, and with the NHS as a pile of smouldering ashes that it is, I'd be inclined to go to a private reputable physio, who unlike the NHS, are actually seeing people. Mine charges around £45 per session (not London prices). He/she will then be able to write to your GP, and make any appropriate recommendations for further assessment, eg xray, scan, referral to rheumatologist etc. It's not mandatory for the GP to follow their advice though - mine wasn't up for putting me forward for an xray until I could barely move my leg and was in excrutiating pain, but we got there in the end.

    It's possible you're developing arthritis in your hip from what you describe (which is what I have), but only an xray will confirm that. Once you have a diagnosis you can start putting things in place that will support you in managing it, eg exercise, pain relief, adapting your life/work to make things easier for you.

    Hope that helps.

  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,713

    Hi Bigal76,

    Thank you for posting on the Helpline Forum. I am sorry to hear about the new pain you are experiencing at the top of your left leg in addition to osteoarthritis (OA) in both knees. It is good that you have managed to lose some weight. This will help to put less strain on your joints. It is unfortunate that your work involves so much walking.

    As Peter says, it sounds as if it would be good to go back to your GP to ensure that you receive the right diagnosis and treatment. The pain in your upper leg may be coming from your hip or back. Peter has provided some helpful links. As Lilymary has said, physiotherapy may also help. Your GP can arrange this on the NHS. Private treatment is another option.

    You are welcome to call our Free Helpline on 0800 5200 520 weekdays if at any point you would like to talk things through informally and in confidence.

    I hope you will find the information given below of some help. 

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/work/

    Best wishes,

    Fiona, Helpline Advisor 

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