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Hip Pain/ Loss of Motion
Hi forum family☺ I was wondering if anyone could relate or give me any advice on what is going on with me. I do have a doctors appointment for tomorrow..although I wished I could have gotten one with my neuro but he's currently out due to having surgery himself over an injury. I also thought about going to the ER..but I might just hang out until my doc appointment for tomorrow.
One of my main issues is spasticity, and it's been this way since 2007, but it's gotten increasingly worse. I noticed the last few weeks I started into an episode of something..it effected my arms really bad. I noticed that my stride was getting shorter during this last episode. In fact, I fell over a few times expecting that my leg would go further than it did and BAME...I became off balanced and would go side ways into a wall. I noticed my knee is pivoted out (off center)..almost like the muscles are pulling it and turning it out. My hip is turned outward also. It's not horribly noticeable, but it's enough to cause walking difficulties and I can not pivot the leg or lift it all the way. I've lost range of motion.
Saturday we decided to go out to eat and I got in the back seat of my son's car. The right leg went in good first, but I literally had to lift the left leg with my arms to get it in. It was "frozen" to the ground. I was pretty active that night and on my feet for a good part of the evening.
Sunday when I got up, the leg, ankle and foot was swollen. This is no surprise, since this is the leg I had a previous blood clot in. My vascular surgeon said that I had valve damage due to the blood clot and that I'll have this issue the more I'm on my feet. The valves just can't push the blood back out of the leg...but the real issue is the hip pain.
It is severe. Use to, The leg would just stop at a certain point, no big deal and no pain. Now the leg stops at an even shorter point, and it seems like it's twisted. When I move the leg in certain positions, a sharp pain shoots from the hip down the leg. It doesn't happen all the time, just when I move the leg.
I had my hubby help me do some gentle stretching with the leg and I added more muscle relaxer. I also wore my TED hose last night to help with the swelling. The swelling went down a good deal, but there is still some left. The leg is tight and stiff. It's dull and achy when not being moved. I have a high pain tolerance but this pain, when I happen to get in just the right spot, has me screaming out.
I'm not sure if the spasticity is doing something to my hip/leg or what? any ideas on what to do?
One of my main issues is spasticity, and it's been this way since 2007, but it's gotten increasingly worse. I noticed the last few weeks I started into an episode of something..it effected my arms really bad. I noticed that my stride was getting shorter during this last episode. In fact, I fell over a few times expecting that my leg would go further than it did and BAME...I became off balanced and would go side ways into a wall. I noticed my knee is pivoted out (off center)..almost like the muscles are pulling it and turning it out. My hip is turned outward also. It's not horribly noticeable, but it's enough to cause walking difficulties and I can not pivot the leg or lift it all the way. I've lost range of motion.
Saturday we decided to go out to eat and I got in the back seat of my son's car. The right leg went in good first, but I literally had to lift the left leg with my arms to get it in. It was "frozen" to the ground. I was pretty active that night and on my feet for a good part of the evening.
Sunday when I got up, the leg, ankle and foot was swollen. This is no surprise, since this is the leg I had a previous blood clot in. My vascular surgeon said that I had valve damage due to the blood clot and that I'll have this issue the more I'm on my feet. The valves just can't push the blood back out of the leg...but the real issue is the hip pain.
It is severe. Use to, The leg would just stop at a certain point, no big deal and no pain. Now the leg stops at an even shorter point, and it seems like it's twisted. When I move the leg in certain positions, a sharp pain shoots from the hip down the leg. It doesn't happen all the time, just when I move the leg.
I had my hubby help me do some gentle stretching with the leg and I added more muscle relaxer. I also wore my TED hose last night to help with the swelling. The swelling went down a good deal, but there is still some left. The leg is tight and stiff. It's dull and achy when not being moved. I have a high pain tolerance but this pain, when I happen to get in just the right spot, has me screaming out.
I'm not sure if the spasticity is doing something to my hip/leg or what? any ideas on what to do?
LuLu- I tried ice and it seemed to help a little...that's until the coolness wore off. Maybe I should check my left side into a freezer. lol
MissLauraI- Thanks so much for the ((HUGS)). It means a lot.
jensequitur- After I saw your post, I put hubby to work (poor guy). He was helping me do leg stretching and giving me a massage.lol Good for me though☺
Mary- That's one of the things I was worried about ( hip dislocation). I can only imagine with everything tweaked the way it is, and muscles fighting to put it in that position..it wouldn't be good on the hip joint. I discussed with my insurance nurse the other day that I want some results- a diagnosis, and some care for my issues- PT. I am usually a laid back person and I usually let the doctors do what they need to do for my care, but I think now I'm going to start making demands and suggestions on what to do next.
My first plain of action is to get my records to my GP. She said that the neuro hasn't been sending her anything on what has been going on (test results, findings, etc..)
I also plain on demanding PT to be ordered. I checked things out with my insurance and I know what to expect to pay on that end of it.
I also plain on asking my neuro to repeat another MRI and LP. I'm not looking forward to the LP, but if things have changed on my SSEP, maybe it has on the LP as well.
Then I will ask if they can send the results to CC and see if DR.B out there can review (especially the abnormal SSEP results). When I first saw Dr. B, he believed that most, if not all my issues were in the spine (spinal lesions) and wanted to look at my SSEP results (which were normal at the time). He said sometimes they can be reported as normal when they aren't. Of course, he didn't find anything weird, and I was left with no answers, but now with this new abnormal result, maybe this could make a difference, but I'm not going to travel 4 1/2 out there just to be sent home..you know?..unless he thinks it's significant.
Thanks Everyone☺
MissLauraI- Thanks so much for the ((HUGS)). It means a lot.
jensequitur- After I saw your post, I put hubby to work (poor guy). He was helping me do leg stretching and giving me a massage.lol Good for me though☺
Mary- That's one of the things I was worried about ( hip dislocation). I can only imagine with everything tweaked the way it is, and muscles fighting to put it in that position..it wouldn't be good on the hip joint. I discussed with my insurance nurse the other day that I want some results- a diagnosis, and some care for my issues- PT. I am usually a laid back person and I usually let the doctors do what they need to do for my care, but I think now I'm going to start making demands and suggestions on what to do next.
My first plain of action is to get my records to my GP. She said that the neuro hasn't been sending her anything on what has been going on (test results, findings, etc..)
I also plain on demanding PT to be ordered. I checked things out with my insurance and I know what to expect to pay on that end of it.
I also plain on asking my neuro to repeat another MRI and LP. I'm not looking forward to the LP, but if things have changed on my SSEP, maybe it has on the LP as well.
Then I will ask if they can send the results to CC and see if DR.B out there can review (especially the abnormal SSEP results). When I first saw Dr. B, he believed that most, if not all my issues were in the spine (spinal lesions) and wanted to look at my SSEP results (which were normal at the time). He said sometimes they can be reported as normal when they aren't. Of course, he didn't find anything weird, and I was left with no answers, but now with this new abnormal result, maybe this could make a difference, but I'm not going to travel 4 1/2 out there just to be sent home..you know?..unless he thinks it's significant.
Thanks Everyone☺
Sorry I didn't get back here sooner (not that I would have had an answer). The area you describe is the exact location of the ball and socket joint of the hip. I asked because people tend to identify several different areas as the hip.
It's pretty sad to get a statement of your problem from the doc but no direction about how to relieve the pain. I'm glad you finally got a script and hope it kicks in soon. I've found that I sometimes need heat to loosen the grip of a spasm. You do risk increased weakness with heat so be careful but if you're tied to one place anyway it might be worth the risk.
Whatever you do when you move that hip do it at a snails pace. Rapid movements will only worsen the spasms. You are dealing with large, powerful muscles that have the capacity to dislocate the hip if triggered to clamp down. I'm not trying to scare you, just steer you clear of a place I know you don't want to go.
I was going to suggest lying face down and v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y stretching out the hip but it doesn't sound like you are anywhere close to being able to go there. I wouldn't wait for the PT one more day. It is going to take a program to remedy this if it's been progressing for four years. Some ultrasound MIGHT help start the process. For sure you need mechanical treatment from a PT NOW in combo with the pharmaceuticals. I would think your GP can order this but may not have thought about it. I'd ask them to set up an urgent visit.
Adding my hopes to all the others that you find relief soon.
Mary
It's pretty sad to get a statement of your problem from the doc but no direction about how to relieve the pain. I'm glad you finally got a script and hope it kicks in soon. I've found that I sometimes need heat to loosen the grip of a spasm. You do risk increased weakness with heat so be careful but if you're tied to one place anyway it might be worth the risk.
Whatever you do when you move that hip do it at a snails pace. Rapid movements will only worsen the spasms. You are dealing with large, powerful muscles that have the capacity to dislocate the hip if triggered to clamp down. I'm not trying to scare you, just steer you clear of a place I know you don't want to go.
I was going to suggest lying face down and v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y stretching out the hip but it doesn't sound like you are anywhere close to being able to go there. I wouldn't wait for the PT one more day. It is going to take a program to remedy this if it's been progressing for four years. Some ultrasound MIGHT help start the process. For sure you need mechanical treatment from a PT NOW in combo with the pharmaceuticals. I would think your GP can order this but may not have thought about it. I'd ask them to set up an urgent visit.
Adding my hopes to all the others that you find relief soon.
Mary
Thanks sweetie, you too! Hey, see if massage will help. Sometimes the muscle can't be reached, if you know what I mean - but it's worth a try.
SB- I am sorry for the pain. That sounds pretty bad. I can only give you a hug and say I hope you feel better soon.
Glad to hear that you went to the doctor and have an official explanation rather than our armchair dx. I've heard heat and ice are both sometimes effective - not at once. Try one and see if it help. IF not, try the other.
I hope this stops - it has to be so painful.
I hope this stops - it has to be so painful.
Thanks for all your input everybody...I'll give it a try and see if anything will help. My GP gave another RX for some more Baclofen and Clonazepam to try to help the situation. She suggested the stretching as well and showed me some techniques.
cainer - TY for the ((HUGS))...(((HUGS)) back at you! I'm hoping for some relief soon ☺
Bob- Thanks for the info. I'll have to try a few of your suggestions as well☺ I plan on getting my neuro involved as soon as he gets back from his injury. I guess I should be a little more assertive about some issues. It's really not my new neuros fault. My left side has been this way since 2009, under my old neuros watch. I think on my next appointment, though, I might demand some PT to help out with these issues because this hip flexor issue is an old issue that's just not getting any better, even with meds. I might even demand an LP to try to set things in motion for a DX...4 years is just way too long to be in limbo..especially when things are going downhill.
jensequitur - It's sounds like you and I are in the same boat right now ;) I push on that muscle when I get up from a sitting position to a standing position..it might help with the pain sometimes..sometimes not. Right now, my left leg is tweaked to the left and if I try to straighten it and walk straight OMG! So now my limp is even worse....BTW I understand fully about the Flexaril on top of the Baclofen not working. I've been taking my RX of Baclofen & Clonazepam and I'm still in this shape, so I guess I need to ride this one out. Thanks for the input..and I hope you feel better soon too☺
cainer - TY for the ((HUGS))...(((HUGS)) back at you! I'm hoping for some relief soon ☺
Bob- Thanks for the info. I'll have to try a few of your suggestions as well☺ I plan on getting my neuro involved as soon as he gets back from his injury. I guess I should be a little more assertive about some issues. It's really not my new neuros fault. My left side has been this way since 2009, under my old neuros watch. I think on my next appointment, though, I might demand some PT to help out with these issues because this hip flexor issue is an old issue that's just not getting any better, even with meds. I might even demand an LP to try to set things in motion for a DX...4 years is just way too long to be in limbo..especially when things are going downhill.
jensequitur - It's sounds like you and I are in the same boat right now ;) I push on that muscle when I get up from a sitting position to a standing position..it might help with the pain sometimes..sometimes not. Right now, my left leg is tweaked to the left and if I try to straighten it and walk straight OMG! So now my limp is even worse....BTW I understand fully about the Flexaril on top of the Baclofen not working. I've been taking my RX of Baclofen & Clonazepam and I'm still in this shape, so I guess I need to ride this one out. Thanks for the input..and I hope you feel better soon too☺
Yup, that sounds about right.
My hip flexors have been going off the last couple of days. I stretch (side to side) which helps, and sometimes I can reach my thumb up above my hip bone and press down, getting that muscle.
But honestly when it's really bad I have to take Flexaril on top of the Baclofen. And sometimes that's not enough!
My hip flexors have been going off the last couple of days. I stretch (side to side) which helps, and sometimes I can reach my thumb up above my hip bone and press down, getting that muscle.
But honestly when it's really bad I have to take Flexaril on top of the Baclofen. And sometimes that's not enough!
Most spasticity is cause by sensory issues, not muscle control issues. The brain can't figure out the position of your leg because the joint position messages or the muscle strain messages are not getting back to the brain in a usable format. So the brain tries to fire off muscles to calculate "position awareness."
Muscle relaxers may reduce the strength of the spasms, but it will not stop them. Baclofen or another antispasmodic may help. Changing the position of the leg and providing the brain with changes in the join position messages may help. A cool bath might help. I have to stretch when I;m getting out of bed in the AM. I sometimes lay on the floor with my knees bent at 90 degrees and my feet and lower legs on the couch. I have no idea why, but that some what neutral position seems to stop my knees and hips from pulling.
This is a problem your Neuro should be involved in treating.
Bob
Muscle relaxers may reduce the strength of the spasms, but it will not stop them. Baclofen or another antispasmodic may help. Changing the position of the leg and providing the brain with changes in the join position messages may help. A cool bath might help. I have to stretch when I;m getting out of bed in the AM. I sometimes lay on the floor with my knees bent at 90 degrees and my feet and lower legs on the couch. I have no idea why, but that some what neutral position seems to stop my knees and hips from pulling.
This is a problem your Neuro should be involved in treating.
Bob
no--- but glad you went- my arm did something simular, i well i babyied my arm in about 6 weeks it was almost gone- did a c scan- nothing wrong! so im sure your on relaxers?
maybe call dr and get something stronger?? sure hope you get over this!! hugs!!
cainer
maybe call dr and get something stronger?? sure hope you get over this!! hugs!!
cainer
Just came back from my GP. She said that my hip flexors are in a spastic fit. It's putting pressure on my joint because it's tweaking everything else.
Does anybody have some tricks or some ideas on how to get some relief?
Does anybody have some tricks or some ideas on how to get some relief?
jensequitur- My thoughts too. I'm also worried about blood clots as well, that's why I was thinking about going to the ER. Right now, I'm holding down the couch as much as I can and making sure the pain doesn't increase or change. Thanks for your input.
LuLu- I talked to my mother earlier (she's an RN) and called my nurse through the insurance co. I can deal with it, as long as I don't move too much. I hope it does stop soon.
twopack- It's coming from where the thigh meets the pelvic bone..very close to where you feel your hip bones in the lower left part of the pelvic area. It dull and achy most of the time, but sometimes I'll get a sharp pain from that area when I move it a certain way. My knee is even giving me some pain as well..almost like something just isn't in the right place. Everything seems tweaked to the left.
LuLu- I talked to my mother earlier (she's an RN) and called my nurse through the insurance co. I can deal with it, as long as I don't move too much. I hope it does stop soon.
twopack- It's coming from where the thigh meets the pelvic bone..very close to where you feel your hip bones in the lower left part of the pelvic area. It dull and achy most of the time, but sometimes I'll get a sharp pain from that area when I move it a certain way. My knee is even giving me some pain as well..almost like something just isn't in the right place. Everything seems tweaked to the left.
SB, this sounds horrid. Can you make it until Tuesday for the regular GP ? Don't think you have to push through. If you need relief now, go to the ER.
Whatever is going on, I sure hope it stops soon for you.
hugs, L
Whatever is going on, I sure hope it stops soon for you.
hugs, L
It sounds like spasticity in the hip/leg!
I have this problem, and mine is getting worse, too. Ordinarily I just have pain in the inner thigh muscles, from the inside of the knee to the outside of the hip. Right now it's really bad - not only are the usual muscles going off, but I'm having pain at the top of the hip, running over the bone, and my lower back is killing me.
It's like I have no strength to hold myself up in the torso. If I slump down and support my torso with my arms on my thighs, or if I lie down, that's better.
I turn my right foot out when I walk, because of a couple of reasons. My knee is really weak, and turning the leg keeps the knee from folding. Sometimes I can't lift it, because the muscle is sore. Plus it feels better than trying to keep the foot pointed in front of me.
I also have a blood clot in the right leg (the one with most of the problems) and I have to wonder if the two are connected.
Oh, yeah - and make sure you don't have another blood clot. I thought my pain was spasticity when it turned out to be a clot.
I have this problem, and mine is getting worse, too. Ordinarily I just have pain in the inner thigh muscles, from the inside of the knee to the outside of the hip. Right now it's really bad - not only are the usual muscles going off, but I'm having pain at the top of the hip, running over the bone, and my lower back is killing me.
It's like I have no strength to hold myself up in the torso. If I slump down and support my torso with my arms on my thighs, or if I lie down, that's better.
I turn my right foot out when I walk, because of a couple of reasons. My knee is really weak, and turning the leg keeps the knee from folding. Sometimes I can't lift it, because the muscle is sore. Plus it feels better than trying to keep the foot pointed in front of me.
I also have a blood clot in the right leg (the one with most of the problems) and I have to wonder if the two are connected.
Oh, yeah - and make sure you don't have another blood clot. I thought my pain was spasticity when it turned out to be a clot.
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