Rapid onset pain at back of hip and buttock

Deeryx

Hi there

I was diagnosed with left hip arthritis four years ago following a bang I got when I slipped. While it was painful for some time, and on the outside of the joint there is no cartilage. But it settled down and apart from aching when driving long distance generally does not give much trouble -even though they told me to have a THR back then. I was in London with my son in mid March and I'd say we walked about 30 miles over the weekend.

But about six weeks ago I had very rapid onset of pain at the top of the back of my hip and in the glutes. Sometimes now it gets very uncomfortable when walking and painful in bed, so difficult to get comfortable either side. The x-ray shows more moderate loss of cartilage than on my left, but the consultant said I will need two hips replaced, when is up to me. I suffer from hay fever so have a lot of inflamamtion generally these days and am wondering if this may be a contributing factor to the sudden onset of symptoms in my right hip when I didn't even have a twinge seven weeks ago.

I'd be grateful to know if anyone with osteoarthritis has had a similar rapid onset of symptoms, and if this pain in the butt (literally) is a common symptom? It's a long shot but if anyone finds they are more symtomatic during allergy season that would help.

I'm driving my wife crazy so she's urging me to get the two hips done asap.

Thanks

noddingtonpete

Hello @Deeryx and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

Our website has a lot of useful information which I hope will be of use. I've put a couple of links in below which may be of interest.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

Norny

This happened me January 23 pain in buttock area had soon physio and it settled. I went on a cruise last August walked on trips every day for a week when came back suddenly could not walk severe pain in right buttock. Had Mri showed arthritis in spine and hip. Have had cortisone injection in back and hip no improvement waiting for NHS appointment to see if need a hip replacement as consultant who I saw privately said pain there can come from back too.

Janlyn

@Deeryx I'm another who had a sudden onset of pain and inability to walk. I had been struggling with what I thought was mild arthritis for a few years then 12 months ago I went on a two week trip to a Greek island by several trains, buses and ferries. I had tried to pace myself but obviously must have walked further than usual without days off and with luggage. I came home expecting the usual recovery but it never came and I had my hip replaced last December. All going well and no regrets, I hope you get some relief from the pain and replacements organised if that is what you are advised and wanting to happen. I worried and worried but actually apart from the first few days it really wasn't too bad at all. Take care.

Tenbydog

I.get.pain.in.buttock.and.top.of.right.leg.i.cant.sleep.due.to.pain.i.have.to.use.a.pillow.between.my.legs.in.bed.the.meds.dont.work.for.me.i.sleep.on.my.back.and.cant.go.on.any.more.sorri.for.all.those.going.through.same.pain.its.no.joke.being.in.pain.my.gp.gave.me.course.naproxen.one.in.morning.one.at.night.for.month.that.helped.but.its.short.course.as.they.cause.ulsers.in.stomach.

Nurina

Same here. I had arthritic hips since I was a child but I didn't have pain, only a slight stifness. Around 5 years ago, my pain started, some days better, somedays worse but I could manage with exercise, stretching and low weight. Last August we were in holidays and our bus from town centre to the apartment was cancelled. It was a walk of around 4 miles. On our way I was limping more and more until my pain was unbearable. I thought I was going to faint. When I came back home, I asked for a x-rays and the GP confirmed the end stage of OA in both hips. My pain radiates to the back and buttocks.

Norny

@Nurina have they said you need hip replacement? The consultant I went to initially said I needed one and when the injection didn't work said could be coming from my back. Feel I'm back to square one! Going to get a second opinion. Going on holiday for week soon and afraid will come back like the last time using a stick to walk.

Nurina

Yes @Norny I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon straightaway. I had my left leg done in January and I'll have the second one, soon, I don't know when. We have several muscles that connect the lower back to hip and thighs so it's difficult to know where the pain starts and ends.