Quix, Lulu or anyone? Hip flexors & abductors

For over 5 years and especially in the winter, I seem to have problems with what I think are my hip flexor or abductor muscles.  I'm not really sure what it is.

5 years ago I tried a walking routine and began having major pain in the abductor/flexor area of my right leg.  My right buttock area is swollen.  Pain extends down to just right above my knee and outide my thigh area.  I went to the ER because I had pain for 3 weeks that felt like a vise grip around my thigh just above my knee area.  When I walked it felt as if my leg was shortening.  At the ER, when I was placed into the MRI machine I had to lie flat on my back and while in the machine the buttock area and outside part of my thigh went into major spasms.  I spent the next 4 weeks in bed writhing in pain.  Meprigan didn't help my pain at all.  For 3 years after that, I couldn't lie flat on my back because the muscle in my hip and thigh pull so much, go into spasms and get pin stick sensations in my thgh.

When I sit in a chair and get up the muscles inside my legs hurt so much that it makes it so difficult to walk for a few minutes.  Sitting on a lower stool causes alot of pain in these muscles.  

Do any of you know what is going on?  Is this spasticity of hip flexors/abductors?  Would this cause my buttock to be swollen all the time.  The swelling does come around to part of my thigh.

Thanks for any assistance.  I'm having alot of problems right now and am not sure what to do about it.  (I am dx'd with MS)

[Quixotic1]

Hmmm, it sounds like you might have some tightness/spasticity of the hip extensors.  The flexors lift the knee while you are standing.  The abductors pull the leg out and away from the body sideways.  (Abduct = carry away = "kidnap").  lol, that's how I remember the abductors from the adductors (Adduct = bring in toward the body = "add to")

The selling you describe may well be bunched up muscle.

When you sit on a low stool you are flexing your hips a great deal - bringing your knees up toward your face.  This is going to put stretch on the tight muscles and will hurt.  You have got to take steps to lengthen those muscles.

Extending the hip tightens the buttock.

Sapsticity is generally worse in the cold.

The first line treatments go like this:

1) Look for any noxious stimuli and remove it.  This might be a source of pain, clothes that are too tight, infection like UTI, coldness.  Would you possibly benefit from insulating underwear like silk or Cuddleduds?? to keep those muscles warmer  or a heated car seat, etc.

2) Develop a stretching regime for the affected muscles.  This should be done under the supervision of a neurological physical therapist.  Stretching must be done firmsly, for long enough and several times a day.  Get a referral, if needed, from your doc.

3) Consider muscle relaxants - like Flexeril, baclofen, clonazepam.

Though not nearly as painful as you describe, I have spasticity in the entire extensor muscles of my right leg, including my right buttock and right lower back.  Four years ago (even before my diagnosis) I began sleeping in a recliner to keep my back and buttock out of spasm.  As long as I keep my hips bent at a 70 degree angle or so, I awaken without back and butt pain.  I also have some spasm if I stand too long.

Get yourself a good PY eval and treatment.  And try to keep your lower back and bottom warmer.  Is the cold the main thing that is different about the winter?  Or is there some activity you do in the other seasons that you don't do in the winter?

Hope this helps.

Quix

[Lulu54]

Hi Deborah,

Quix gave you a good house call here with her information.  I learn so much from reading her answers.  I would have been no help to you here, except to wish you well.

feel better,
Lulu

[Wobbly]

Hi there.  I have problems in this area of my hip, rear and legs... my pain seems to be worse when I'm sitting down.  And I try to stand and stretch abit...but that doesn't last too long.  

I have a difficult time with staying in one spot for long.  

thanks for the info Quix.. I'll look into that as well.

take care
wobbly
dx

[twopack]

Interesting.  I started sleeping in a recliner 6-7 years ago.  I would wake up after an hour or two in the bed and be barely able to move for the pain.  I'd move to the recliner for the remainder of the night.  

People told me that sleeping in a recliner was bad for my back, yet in the morning I might be a little stiff but not painful like when sleeping in the bed on my back or side..  I decided quickly that I'd just skip the bed part and have slept in my recliner ever since.

I have arthritic facet joints in the lumbar spine now and the recliner is still the best choice for me.  

I'm wondering if it's a muscular thing as well.  I've had painful "seat bones" in my butt for a long time.  Once in a while they're so sore it's hard to find a usable spot on a toilet seat.  Too much information I'm sure.  Sorry.

[twopack]

And........lying in the MRI machine is NOT a good thing even if they place a pillow under my legs.  I 'm so glad to get out of it but never know if I'll be able to get off that table and walk again.  Good thing it's skinny.  I just roll off to the side and hope for the best.

[deborah0904]

Thank you, so much for the wonderful words of wisdom!!!!  Saying Thank you seems so insufficient though!

I do know the abductors are a big problem.  Right before my ER visit I do remember lying on my back with my right leg bent and spread to the side.  I would wake up with burning pain so bad that it actually felt as if the nerve was on fire.  

I will attempt to locate some insulated pants or a warming seat cushion.  Thanks again!!!!