OA and X rays?

chris7
chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
Have been struggling with my left hip for 6 years, and finally had a X ray which showed OA in both hips AND knees. I had assumed the knee pain was down to the hip problem!
A physio I saw in July said he couldn't help and sent me away with an exercise sheet, I couldn't manage.
Last week I saw a second physio in a specialist arthritis clinic who was much more helpful and supportive, but now has left me worried. She says based on my X ray result that my mobility in hips and knees is extremly poor. Has recommended urgent weekly hydrotherapy and physio manipulation and stretching exercises to try and improve things, though there is of course a waiting list.
What concerns me is that she was looking at an X ray I had had done over a year earlier? Is this normal? Should I really be having a second X ray? I don't doubt her advise but how long do X rays remain valid for in cases of OA which I assume will only sadly deteriorate?
Any advice welcome
Chris

Comments

  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Jan

    OH boy have things changed! Trouble is I know it's the jobs I do now, 4 days a week standing 8 hours a day. I day in a shop and 3 of them on a concrete factory floor with quite alot of lifting. Am terrified of losing jobs as they are all I have. Get home some days and have to crawl up the stairs on my hands and knees. Its a small family firm with less than 15 staff who would laugh in the face of DDA and successfully outed a former colleague with similar probs. We are so easily replacable!
    Am in a total panic as physio says I may have done too much damage to put right and will need surgery. I'm hanging on to the hope that the X ray is still correct and that the physio and hydrotherapy will improve things. She was lovely but I will be seeing someone different from now on I think which doesn't inspire confidence. Thanks for replying am having a real wobble on this one today.
    Chris
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Chris

    Never mind what the physio has to say what about your GP and the specialist? They should be looking at you and giving you this advice not a physio!

    I have OA in both knees; right shoulder and fingers and that's jolly painful. I will be having a TKR within the next 2 months.

    Sharmaine
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    The GP I had known for over 20 years left a few years ago and I was transferred to the youngest one who I haven't found helpful. She prefers to dish out anti-depressants like smarties.I don't have a specialist. It was only finding this site which gave me the confidence to go back and pester her for some help resulting in this second physio visit. Good luck with your TKR.
    Jan thanks again for the support I know you struggling too at the moment. I have already cut my factory days from 5 to 3 and they weren't happy about that but reluctantly let me do it. Would be struggling with the bills on any less and think I would lose my working tax credit with less than my current 30hr week.
    thanks for caring guys, just felt bogged down with all this today.
    Chris
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 14. Nov 2009, 18:57
    Hi Chris

    I know you are worried, and no doubt we all would be, can you not give them a ring and see how long do you wait if it is urgent.

    If you cannot do that, why don't you ask the exercise treatment you are starting, he might be able to find out for you.

    The physio sounds as if she is really good Chris, maybe you will get really good care. She does sound asif she knows what she is talking about.

    She may be in a position, to get x rays done for you.
    if you are an urgent case I don't think you would have to wait too long.
    Have you got her phone number, if you have why don't you try and ring her.
    What do the rhuemmy doctors say about you, have they not spoken to you? Have they given you any aurthur drugs. maybe they want to try this way first.

    I know you are worried about work, tell them when you go. I cannot see how they could sack you.....someone on here will put you straight tomorrow.

    I wish I could do more for you. Please try and not to worry too much.

    I'm sending you these (((((hugs))))) where's my humbugs :shock:

    love Trish xxx
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Bless you Trish

    Just feel a bit at sea with all this sometimes, all very new to me though I feel like I have been struggling forever. I will phone if I don't hear about an appointment soon. Just want to feel that something is being done, or that there is something I can do to help things. I think living on my own makes me panic about the future sometimes. I promise you have the exclusive rights to the humbugs! Bless you all for caring.
    Take care of yourself.
    Chris xx
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Chris

    I've been a bit down today, but that does not matter. You have missed our chats and laughs today have'nt you and you have been worrying yourself over whats been said and it has overwhelmed. You.

    You have spent the day on your own and worried yourself silly.

    Where's my peardrops? what can you get tomorrow???

    trish xxx
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Trish

    Thanks again love. I've posted you on Night Owls
    love Chris xx
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Chris okay.

    If you are really worried why not talk it out with the helpline, they maybe able to help you more than what we can.

    There might be someone on tomorrow, I don't know if they work week ends.

    We can only try and reassure you. You said that that physio lady you saw was very good did'nt you?

    You've been there for me Chris, so I would like to return the favour.
    Try and ring them though and see how long do you wait if it is urgent. That is what I would honestly do if it were me.

    I hope you can sleep.

    all my love trish xxx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris

    I am sorry to hear how it is for you at the moment. I presume the person you saw is in liaison with your gp so that it all goes on your notes. Perhaps your gp will be advised that another xray is in order for you. It makes sense to me to have another xray now for comparison. The treatment the physio is advising sounds good and I hope this can be sorted soon for you.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Chris,

    Sorry you are worried over this. I think the exercises are probably based on your examination and movement with the xrays being a reason if that makes sense? Its good she is going to get you some help for it and hydro really does help get things moving, well it did me after my back opp. Its also nice and warm :wink:

    Did you say somewhere your doctor isn't very helpful? I just think after a year you should be able to ask for another xray to see whats gong on. Technically they could be out f date the day after they were done but I would honestly think she is gong more on her examination. Have you been referred to an ortho consultant at all? You could ask to see one of those as well. One thing though the exercise program will have been based on your movement more than your xrays so should help you. I hope work will be ok for you today and I know exactly where your coming from over needing the bills covered. ((( ))) and try not to worry cus with luck the physio will help free you up and strengthen the muscles. Cris x
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,464
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    chris7 wrote:
    Have been struggling with my left hip for 6 years, and finally had a X ray which showed OA in both hips AND knees. I had assumed the knee pain was down to the hip problem!
    A physio I saw in July said he couldn't help and sent me away with an exercise sheet, I couldn't manage.
    Last week I saw a second physio in a specialist arthritis clinic who was much more helpful and supportive, but now has left me worried. She says based on my X ray result that my mobility in hips and knees is extremly poor. Has recommended urgent weekly hydrotherapy and physio manipulation and stretching exercises to try and improve things, though there is of course a waiting list.
    What concerns me is that she was looking at an X ray I had had done over a year earlier? Is this normal? Should I really be having a second X ray? I don't doubt her advise but how long do X rays remain valid for in cases of OA which I assume will only sadly deteriorate?
    Any advice welcome
    Chris


    Dear Chris

    Thankyou for your posting on the forum. It sounds as if you are having a difficult time at the moment and I have sent you a private message to your email address in response to your postings.

    Best Wishes
    Dawn
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Elna
    Yes the physio did say her notes would go to my GP and also said she could refer me elsewhere directly if it comes to that which I am pleased about. Am feeling much more positive today, thanks.
    Cris, Yes am sure she was advising on the assessment itself, she just seemed so shocked it really spooked me I think. The doctor I had known for 20yrs left a while ago and the new one doesn't inspire confidence. Work went OK today, thanks.
    Dawn at Helpline
    Thank you for your message, very helpful and supportive. I have replied and won't hestitate to ring the Helpline in future.
    Thank you all for your replies, if you see this before then Sharmaine, hope all goes well tomorrow.
    Bless you all for the replies.
    Chris