Can a bad hip have caused my back to go bad????!!!!!

[BJG1422]

ok...here is a question for you!!! i just had a spinal fusion and started my physical therapy. I have been having bad hip pain, much worst after my surgery.But have always had some hip discomfort here and there through my life. Well my physical therapist said that she noticed something wrong with my left hip not being the same as my right. She said that my hip could have been the reason why my back went bad and the dr.s should have looked at that before they did my surgery. So my question is has anyone heard of this and what should i do? I have tried looking on the internet and can't find anything. Please help!!!!!

[Dee1956]

Hi I am not a doctor just a fellow patient.  If it has been a short time since the surgery I would give it six months to see if the hip pain improves.
I can't imagine that the doctor would have fused your back if  you did not have back problems.  You mentioned that you have had hip problems for awhile, did you mention that to the doctor before surgery?
In my humble opinion it sounds as if this fusion has made the hip pain worse because you are not as mobile as you were before the fusion.  I would go back to the doctor and discuss the worsening of the hip pain and/or get a second opinion.  Also while the physical therapist is trying to help you, she is not a doctor and while she can give an opinion she really isn't qualified to diagnose.  If she were she would be a doctor.
I have also read that hip pain can be a sign of a calcium deficiency
I hope you feel better soon

[BJG1422]

glad he is doing better and hope you are too!!! they used a device to fuse my spine so they didnt mess with my hip. And no rods or screws, just plastic i think!!!

[sueduva]

Hi, my dad was in a very similar situation.
He had back problems and had back surgery.  But after the surgery his problems remained and needed a hip replacement.  He is doing much better since his hip surgery.  

I have also had a spinal fusion L4,L5 and S1.  I have spondylolisthesis.
When the fusion was done, bone chips from my hip bone were used.
I did have some discomfort in my hip, but it only lasted about 6 months after the surgery.  I would suggest seeing a hip specialist and having an xray or mri, if you don't have any metal in your body.  I had rods and screws in my back from the back fusion, but had them removed a few years ago. So now I can have Mri's to better monitor my spine.

Good luck, Sue