Hip Bursitis or OA?

Megrose489
Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
edited 10. Dec 2014, 13:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
OA in knees, hands and foot. I've now got pain in my hips - both of them, but more painful on my right - which is worse at night when I lie on my side. I also have pain when I walk upstairs, again it's worse in the right hip. The doctor prodded the outside of my hip, which was painful, and said it was bursitis and to use a topical ibuprofen. I also take paracetamol. Now the pain is beginning to wake me up in the early hours and I'm struggling to get comfortable in bed. Just wondered if it was worth mentioning again when I go back to see a different doc in a couple of weeks for another malady. Has anybody else had bursitis? Or could this be OA in my hips?
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Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Meg
    I remember this well hip bursitis..I had quite a few injection in my my hip but sorry to say nothing worked then I had myTHR and most of the pain went the rest is coming form my back.
    Have you had them X-rayed and if so how do they look on xray if not you ask for one, hips are quite complex I didn't have much pain going upstairs but walking yes, and they couldn't believe how much movement I had even though they were bone on bone in the Xrays..so yes get them checked out again.by an ortho..good luck x
    Love
    Barbara
  • jen9432
    jen9432 Bots Posts: 37
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I would as, barbara said get an xray to rule out or in OA or anything else around the hip joints. I had hip bursitis with all of the same symptoms as you about 1 year ago. I was advised to ice and take anti inflammatories which did not help very much. Then I saw a deep tissue massage therapist who really worked hard on all of the muscles around the hip (there are lots). This treatment was very painful, but I got immediate results.. slept through the night with no pain after one treatment. I had a couple more as the pain started to come back, after 4 visits I was fine and have been since. I also have OA. Good Luck!
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks, Barbara and Jen. No, I haven't had them x-rayed - one of the few places I haven't! :roll: So, I will mention it next time I go to the surgery. They can sometimes be a little funny if you want to discuss two different things during an appointment. I've recently had an IBS flare and the doctor is checking up on some different medication I've been trying. If I talk really quickly, maybe I can tell him about my hips, too! :D That's interesting about the therapist, Jen, thanks for that.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jen9432 wrote:
    I would as, barbara said get an xray to rule out or in OA or anything else around the hip joints. I had hip bursitis with all of the same symptoms as you about 1 year ago. I was advised to ice and take anti inflammatories which did not help very much. Then I saw a deep tissue massage therapist who really worked hard on all of the muscles around the hip (there are lots). This treatment was very painful, but I got immediate results.. slept through the night with no pain after one treatment. I had a couple more as the pain started to come back, after 4 visits I was fine and have been since. I also have OA. Good Luck!
    Jen I find this very interesting ,my son has been to see what he calls a muscle man, for his shoulders and back..and he said that was very painful, but when he came out he felt brilliant, they sort of kneaded the tissue..he said there was like a popping with some of his muscles :o ..and asked if I wanted to go..but I do think it would take forever with all my joints that I have probs with..
    Meg you make sure you get in there and tell him you want an x-ray at least then you know what you are up against..I practice before I go in then it all goes out the window.. :lol: hope you can get some help soon x
    Love
    Barbara
  • dibdab
    dibdab Member Posts: 1,498
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hopefully a word of encouragement-I had bursitis in both hips and the rheumy nurse arranged steroid injections guided by scan into the bursa-I was told to rest for 2 or 3 days in bed to give the steroid chance to work. Happy to report that I started to feel results in a few days, and after 2 weeks was hugely better (I hadn't had much sleep for weeks before because I couldn't be comfortable lying down or sitting for any length of time). That was about 2 years ago, and though I'm starting to have some early signs again now I would certainly do the injections again if offered.

    Deb x
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That's really useful to know, Deb, thank you. In the past, my GP has given me steroid injections into my thumb joint (ouch!) with some success. I last had one a year ago and I'm just beginning to get pain again, so they obviously work for me.
  • Jenny1
    Jenny1 Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Megrose,
    I had bursitis about two years ago. I had physio initially but as I tried to do more exercise I kept aggravating it. I think one of the hallmarks of it is the pain is worse at night. I found that hard as I sleep on my too. I got a steroid injection too and after the initial inflammation I got two years out of it. The familiar niggle is back again. I am more aware now that the muscles around that hip tend to tighten up. I am attending an osteopath who has worked on these and it has helped. Hope you get some help with it soon.
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Jenny. Feeling absolutely fed up with this as the pain is in both hips and, when it wakes me up, I literally don't know which way to turn! Sorry for the moan! :) I'll definitely be speaking to the doctor on Monday about it.
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Update: Saw the doctor, who confirmed bursitis, but was happy to send me to have my hips x-rayed - fixed it for Wednesday. One of our doctors is qualified to give steroid injections so, depending on the x-ray result, I think I'll go for those. Painkillers don't seem to be having any effect on it.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope it helps, Megrose. At least you've got the ball in motion.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Update: The x-ray result showed mild OA in my hips, but nothing worth talking about. So, am having a steroid injection for the bursitis on Monday.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I do hope it helps. Don't forget to rest it for 48 hours after :)
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Meg I really hope it helps and so glad the xrays showed nothing bad, I tend to think that is why the injections didn't work for me ,because my hips were in a bad way... :roll: good luck..xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The best of luck for today, remember to rest the joint as much as possible for as long as possible after and I hope it helps. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    So, I had the injection and, for a week, things seemed to be improving. I did rest, as you advised, DD and Sticky. Unfortunately, I'm now back to square one. I've made another appointment with the GP, but have waited for six weeks as he told me it took this amount of time for steroid injections to work. He did say to come back if the injection didn't work. Twenty years ago I had a herniated disc on the same side and, over the years, I've had problems like sciatica and cramp. The pain seems to be all around that area, as well as at the top of the femur, although it's probably just referred pain. Do you think an x-ray would be a good idea? I've had two x-rays this year already - kidney stone and hips - is it safe to have another one?
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you, Megrose. These steroid jabs are so unpredictable even when we do all the right things as you have.

    Would an x-ray help? I think your doc can judge that better than we can. However, as for the safety aspect - they don't pull as big a radiological punch as they used to in the bad old days so I think that wouldn't be a problem.

    (Once, years ago, an enthusiastic young consultant insisted on taking 24 x-rays of different bits of me despite my protests. I'm still here :D )
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks, Sticky. I'll speak to the GP about it and see what he suggests. Thanks also for the reassurance about x-rays. The number that I've had over the years comes nowhere near to beating your record!
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just an update and a question. I saw the GP again yesterday and he is referring me to an orthopaedic consultant. I was a little surprised, but I think it may be because the injection hasn't worked. He also checked my spine, as I have an old herniated disc in the same area and I've got pain going down my leg. However, he said that my spine was OK. Now to the question. He's given me Naproxen to take for a month - plus Lansoprazole. I've been coping with paracetamol and am a little wary of taking NSAIDs, being 68 and already taking medication for high blood pressure. I'm probably worrying for nothing, but, what do you think? Are they safe enough? I don't know how long it will be before I see the consultant.

    By the way, I am writing this on Mr Megrose's computer and no liquids are allowed within 100ft! :shock:
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think the referral is good news as it means no stone is being left unturned. As for the NSAIDS - he's also prescribed a stomach protector which is a very good thing. NSAIDS do get a bad press because they can play havoc with the stomach. They did with mine but I was on them for about 20 years with no stomach protection. As for raised blood pressure - I bet half the meds going will list that as a potential side-effect. 'Potential' is the crucial word. They might make no difference. If your GP thought it likely to be a problem in your case I'm sure he wouldn't have prescribed the NSAID. If it's likely to worry you why not buy a BP monitor from your local pharmacy and keep a check on your own? They only cost about £10 and are not as accurate as the 'proper' manual ones but at least you could keep a check as to whether it was stable or not.

    I am typing with a cup of coffee next to my keyboard. I've never spilt yet. I specialise in toast crumbs :wink:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, Sticky. Back on my phone, which takes forever. You've reassured me about the Naproxen, so I'll give them a go. We do have a blood pressure monitor somewhere, so I'll root it out - good suggestion. I do tend to worry about drugs, I'm afraid. Hopefully, my appointment won't be too long.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Better to be over-cautious than under-cautious where meds are concerned, Megrose. Well, it is in my book anyway :) Always take them with food too, to help avoid stomach problems. Just a small plain biscuit will help.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • paulch
    paulch Member Posts: 103
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI I just recently posted about hip bursitis. I had 2 hip injections corticosteroid yesterday they where saying they normally only do one at a time, i have had a stroke yhey did not want to put me through anymore trama, the proceder is not to bad, and took 30mins , it is very painfull afterwards which is common and takes a week for corticoseroid to work they said so far my left hip feels a little better , i let you know how i progress.
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm pleased that the injections seem to have worked for you, Paulch, and I hope that your hip continues to improve. My GP muttered something about more injections, so maybe he meant guided injections. Who knows? I'd love to hear how you get on.

    Take care,

    Meg
  • paulch
    paulch Member Posts: 103
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :? hi JUST a update, the injection has certainly worked for right hip, but not so much in left, unfortnally, i have Periphenal Neuropathy which has got much worse , and i have been fast tracked to hospital neuro!!, physio are working on me too try and make movement in left leg better.
  • paulch
    paulch Member Posts: 103
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :shock: HI All Been away a while been in hospital with Dystonia
    Am to have follow up steroid injections in both hips in the next 6 weeks, it did work but wore off .
    As it happens my wife has severe athur in her right knee at sh is on waiting list for next feb/march for a knee replacement so she be on here i expect.
    tc