Hip Hip Hooray!

I have been having back and hip pain for over two months. Truth be told, I've been experiencing problems with my back for many years. But this more recent episode began with sciatica, and it morphed. That's one thing I've noticed over the years, the unpleasant sensations I experience as a result of stenosis and other arthritis issues with my back change. Sometimes the back of my legs tingle, all the way down. Other times the front of my thighs ache. Sometimes my calves feel like they have hot electrodes sunk in them. It's never the same old, same old....but it does get old! 

As the most recent flare up started I sought out a Chiropractor. I hadn't had much relief from a gal I used a year ago, so I looked at recommendations online, further delved into at a few that bubbled up frequently, and chose Dr. O. I was impressed! The office runs efficiently and is managed by pleasant, efficient folks. As I had recent enough x-rays, I didn't need a new set. Dr. O performed a thorough exam and took a detailed history. Over the next few weeks I visited for adjustments, and accompanying massage torture sessions. The massage guy is also no-nonsense and gets right to the point....always finding 'those' spots and pressing, pushing and making me know the spots were there in his attempts to get the muscles to release. A few weeks ago Dr. O voiced his puzzlement about my issues and referred me to an orthopedic practice . I was impressed. IMHO Chiropractors generally feel physical health and well being is achieved through manipulation of the spine, not through other means. How refreshing when a doctor recognizes he has gone as far as he can with his practice, and suggests an alternative. 

Today I visited the orthopedic office. Again, another amazingly smooth running practice. I barely had a chance to sit down and complete their new patient forms on a tablet before I was called in for an x-ray. I was returned to waiting area, and again, promptly called into an exam room. I saw the PA, and the doc, and was out of there.

And the outcome? Nothing definitive. It was kinda like going to the doctor 'cause you feel terrible, only to be told you have a virus and there is nothing to be done. The great news is that my hip sockets still have cartilage so a replacement is not part of the equation. Although it doesn't look like I have full-blown bursitis, it is possible that my bursa is somewhat inflamed, as is the area around the SI joint that is irritating the sciatic nerve.  The doctor feels that the root of my problem are the existing issues in my lower back. The PA gave me a packet of exercises and stretches, I could probably have written the packet myself! However, to my credit, I had been doing them before everything blew up....but me being who I am...I may have been a little too aggressive in stretching and exercising. I was given a prescription for steroids to combat the inflammation, and a follow-up appointment in a month. If I am still having problems the orthopedists will look a bit further north in my body for answers.