Back / Hip Pain

[Lav99]

I was hoping someone could help! I am a 35 Year Old Female. For about 2 and a half years now, I have been having pain in my lower back and hio. My ortho sent me for an MRI and he said I had Spondylolisthesis. He treated it with Physical Therapy (which didn't work) and with Pain meds. He retired about a year and a half ago and I can't find someone who will treat me because its a "Chronic Condition. I was finally sent to a pain clinic. The Dr there wants me to have Facet injections and I am so afraid to try that. I have had some cortisone injections that have done nothing. I went back to my Family Practitioner who said it sounds like I could also have a touch of arthritis in my back and hips so she set up an appt for me to see a rhrumatologist. Anyone experience anything like this? It no that I want pain meds but that seems like the only thing that helped. I am in so much pain! When I did have the pain meds I would only take 1/2 a pill at a time instead of a whole one that was prescribed. I haven't asked any Dr for them because they make you feel like your a drug addict! lol Any opinions would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Kristen

[Chuckie327]

I am much older and have experienced low back, hip and knee pain. Because of terrible low back pain this year I have done a fair share of
research. I have had the lethesis problem in the past, My recent MRI did not show a sign of it. However my pain was mainly between my left hip and back and with a 9 on the "1 to 10" level of pain scale. Much better now since I stopped the forward bending to weed in my yard, Love flowers but not enough to handle this awful pain.
The new MRI shows many changes in my back and an xray confirms Degenerative Disc  Disease as well as the disc at L4-5 pressing on the
nerve root. Like Doctor S Kaul advised "rest" helps. I used a new heating pad as well and a muscle relaxant in a low dose. Pain pills helped only a bit. Aleve is an OTC low dose NSAID that may reduce your pain, I have been taking Naprosyn 500mg when needed for my arthritis. Found out that an MRI will also reveal other concerns or even assure you of good news.
For example no aneurysm in the abdominal artery,
  Hopefully you find a physician near your home who specializes in conservative measures for your treatment, You can research on such sites as American Board of Neurological Surgery for certified MDs, Hopefully you have a health insurance company and find a physician in their network
who will suit you. Also you might try researching the questions to ask your surgeon or physician.
  Hopefully you have an easy time getting your pain under control. Also have had just tendonitis causing real bad pain in a hip or knee, Just rest and anti-inflamatories help that. Good wishes for fast relief. Feel free to text and I will try to answer with more specific "words of wisdom." MMM
Chuckie
  

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hey Kristen!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms, though possibilities such as degeneration, arthritis, inflammation, neuro-muscular causes etc would need to be considered as well. I would suggest an evaluation by an orthopedician or a rheumatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Meanwhile I would advise taking rest. OTC NSAIDS may be helpful for symptomatic relief as well.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!