Help!!

[Unclereeky]

On July 5, 2012, I sustained and injury that has to be the most painful injury I've ever felt.  I was sitting on the floor changing my son's diaper.  When I was finished, all I did was try to get up, but was knocked to my ack when I felt this sharp stabbing and burning pain in my hip, inner and outer thigh.  Since then..the pain has centralized in the outer thigh area...feeling like its burning whie I'm at rest.  When I move at all, the ain in my right thigh..both inner and outer is unbearable.
     I've had x-rays, which found nothing, a cat scan where the diagnosis was meralgia paresthetica and lastly, a chiropractor gave his two cents and said he thought I had a Grade II or GradeIII tear in my right hip flexor. I had been given neurontinn/gabupentin, Vicodin and a list of things to don't hometown try and alleviate the pain...none of which worked. The only thing that seems to help, but only fort a short time is when I get in our hot tub for about 30 minutes..making sure the jets are on high on placed right on the areas that are in pain.  I usually do this prior to bedtime to help me get to sleep...which is something I dont get a lot of since the onset of this injury.  My wife even went a got me a two motor hospital bed due to te fact I wasn't able to climb steps to get to my bedroom.
      I finally could not stand the pain anymore. I went to the emergency room..again.  Finally saw an orthopedic specialist on 7/18. At first, I thought this guy just wanted to see and hear e scream in pain..but afterwards,I knew he was just trying to be thorough.  The orthopedic specialist diagnosis was that he agreed with the meralgia paresthetica.but felt that here were other complications in the lower back and with te femoral nerve. He ordered a MRI and said they would call me to schedule it. It's now 7/22...the pain hasn't subsided at all since 7/5...I have good insurance..SO WHAT IS THE HOLD UP?  X-rays...cat scans..chiropractors...orthopedic specialist...from 7/5 to te present date..neurontin doesn't work, Vicodin doesn't work..bed rest doesn't work..hot tub seems to do something..if only for a little while...so why can't anyone help me?  There is one more thing that's like Icing on the cake..after I get the MRI..whenever that may be..the hospital scheduled an appt for the results of the MRI on 8/1...it's like no one is listening..THIS PAIN IS UNBEARABLE...HELP!  Bone, muscle, nerve..whatever..I need advice..please!!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your hip pain/ discomfort. Possible causes that may need to be considered include infections/ inflammations, bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, capsulitis, ligament/ tendon tears, growths/ tumours, nerve impingement, avascular necrosis, injuries/ fractures etc. It would to wait for an opinion by your orthopedician after the results of the MRI are known. After the cause is identified, it can be managed accordingly. Meanwhile you could try rest, ice-packs/ warm compresses and some tylenol/ OTC NSAIDS and see if these are helpful for pain relief.
Hope this helps.

Take care!

[Unclereeky]

Update...I met a gentleman who is presently suffering the same problem as I...meralgia pareschetica ....he is on a regiment of stretching, hottub/whirlpool and painkillers.  The painkillers are doing nothing for me..but the stretching and hot tub + the use of the product called Bengay Zero Degrees are helping me a lot...but be careful to read the directions..putting on too much will make you uncomfortable for about 30 minutes.  After that, I've felt less and less pain in my outer and inner thigh along with a significant change in pain in my lower back.  I'm not saying this is the cure, but I've found that it lets me be more ambulatory and not stuck in that bed.  If you have no allergies to this type of Bengay..give it a shot and let me know what you think.
   If your waiting on the doctors to make up their minds what their going to do about your problem, this might, at least, give you some relief while your waiting.