Not an answer I was looking for

[Fluffysmom]

I saw a new doctor today about my hip labral tear, a sports medicine surgeon.  I was hoping I could have the tear repaired and reduce my pain level so that the rest of what I'm going through would be easier.

The people there were nice.  They took new hip x-rays, set up my hip arthrogram for viewing, took my history and records to the doctor.  The doctor was very nice, professional, no nonsense.  She did a thorough exam of my hips (ouch!), looked at my films, and told me the answers that I didn't want to hear.

She told me that most of my pain was coming from arthritis (news to me, in the hip anyway), and the labral tear was a small irritation by comparison.  She told me that repairing it would most likely not have a good outcome, and may speed up the degenerative process in my hip.  She sent orders for me to get a cortisone injection from an interventional radiologist, and said that injections could buy me time until I'm ready for a hip replacement.  Gulp!

She said I could have a resurfacing, but she would suggest that I go straight for the replacement since I'm not into competitive sports or other things that could wear out a total hip quickly.  She told me that she knew I was young to be thinking of such a thing, but that more people are getting them done younger now.

I'm already holding my knees together with Euflexxa injections, waiting to be old enough and/or in so much pain that they decide that I can have them replaced sooner.  I'm gonna be a bionic woman!

I called to set up the cortisone injection, but the orders were incomplete so I have to call back in another 45 minutes or so.  It will be interesting to see how much of my pain it will relieve.

Oh, when she tested my strength in my feet and toes, my right big toe had no strength to resist at all.  Dang radiculopathy!  I'm afraid to see a neurosurgeon about my lumbar stuff; they would probably say that I had to live with the pain until it's bad enough for a fusion.  Boo hoo, enough crying about my woes.

I'm working on a positive spin on all this; like, I will eat healthy and take off those extra pounds I put on, and find ways to get stronger that don't hurt me, so I'll be healthy enough for these replacements when it comes time.  I know that each extra pound puts four extra pounds of pressure on my knees; that weight that crept on is like carrying an extra person around when you look at it that way.  I'll bet the hip doesn't like the extra weight, either.

Maybe I'll try physical therapy again when the cortisone shot kicks in, or at least some water aerobics (being careful not to aggravate the herniated lumbar disc more).

If it turns out that I do have MS, will that have any effect on whether or not they do the hip and knee replacements?  

I have to call and see what's holding up that appointment with my new neuro.  I found out she accepted me as a patient, but they had to check with my insurance.  That was nearly a week ago.  I'm calling again.

Thanks for listening, my forum family.

Lotsa love,

Kathy

[Fluffysmom]

I already have the cortisone injection scheduled!  For Friday the 13th; good thing I'm not superstitious, lol!  They will shoot in lidocaine or marcaine or something, too, so it should help right away, before it aches for a while and then the benefits kick in.

I called the neuro department, and was told that it's still under review.  I called my insurance, and found out that the nurse from the neuro dept. called them today, so I should be getting a call to schedule soon.  If not, I'm calling again tomorrow afternoon.

It's great to hear that the injections help your hips so much; hope they help mine, too.  I had one epidural for my lower back that helped a lot, too, but I also had one that just irritated everything.  The guy that did the good job only does them diagnostically.  Hey, maybe this interventional radiologist could do one, take care of the radiculopathy for a few weeks or months.

Big Hugs,  

Kathy

[spastic]

Hey Sweetie, sorry to hear of the arthritis in the hips.  :( I feel ya girl on that one, I got it there too.  Da** Stills anyway.  I get cortisone injections in my hips every once in awhile and they help tremendously.  It might take a day to a week for you to feel the benefits of it but I think it your case you should notice it quite quickly.  I also get injections of lidocaine/steroid mix (I never can remember the name of it though) And that one I feel immediately.  That one I get by my spine and I go numb pretty much from the waist down.

Sounds like you got a lot of calls to make.  Keep me updated Sweetie.

Love Ya,

Ada