QUESTIONS??

I AM A MOM OF 2 GIRLS AND I HAD A LAMINECTOMY WITH FUSION IN THE LUMBAR REGION IN 1977 , DUE TO AN GYM ACCIDENT IN SCHOOL. I AM 41 YEARS OLD . I HAVE HAD HIP ACHING IN MY HIPS FOR ABOUT A GOOD 5 YEARS NOW.MAINLY THE RIGHT ONE.MY DR.S CHECK ME WITH MRI 'S AND SAY THAT IT IS COMMON TO HAVE HIP PAIN WITH HERNIATED DISCS AND FUSIONS , EVEN IF THEY DON'T USE THE HIP BONES. I ALSO HAVE PAIN IN THE RIGHT OVARY AREA ON AND OFF . SOMETIMES IT'S SO SEVERE IT GOES INTO THE RIGHT LEG AREA . I CAN'T USE THE STOMACH MUSCLES WHEN I GET IT . THE DR. KNOWS AND HAS DONE SONOGRAMS ON IT . HE SAYS I HAVE A SMALL CYST ON THE RIGHT ONE. I HAVE NOW NOTICED THAT I HAVE A LITTLE RED BLOOD ON THE PAPER WHEN I WIPE NOT AFTER EVERYBOWEL MOVEMENT BUT A FEW OF THEM  .MY PERIODS ARE NORMAL AND COME EVERY MONTH . I DO GET PAIN WHEN I OVULATE MORESO THEN WHEN I GET THE PERIOD ITSELF. I DID HAVE AN MRI OF THE SPINE WITH CONTRAST , AND I'M WAITING FOR THE RESULTS.DOES THE MRI ALSO SHOW THE HIP ARE ?? AND IF YOU SHOW ANY CANCER ? DO YOU FEEL I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT ALL THIS BECAUSE I AM MAKING MYSELF SICK ABOUT IT . I'VE EVEN THOUGHT OF BONE CANCER , IS THAT POSSIBLE ? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ALL CONNECTED OR IS IT ALL THE BACK . I'M SO CONFUSED AND SCARED !!! PLEASE HELP ME TO THINK THISOUT WITHOUT PANIC . THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME ,RUTHIEM

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is true that herniated disks can cause muscle weakness.  This should have been seen via the MRI.  The MRI of the spine with contrast would not routinely show the hip, unless that was asked for.

If the MRI is normal, you may want to consider a more thorough GI evaluation.  This would include a colonoscopy (which also would be a good idea given there is blood in the stool) and CT scan of the abdomen.  

Regarding bone cancer - this is not a typical presentation.  A bone scan would be the test to evaluate for this.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.