Hip Pain - Knee & Hip Problems Message Board

Roder · 07-09-2005, 02:41 PM

Hi there!

I have not had any hip replacements but I do have hip pain so I'm wondering if ya'll can help me?!

My recent hip xrays say this: There is appearance of flattening of the femoral head medially. No appreciable joint space or sclerotic change. The acetabular margins are otherwise normal in contour. No evidence of fracture or dislocation." This is for both hips but as far as pain, my left one hurts worse.

Can anyone please, please tell me what this means or why I have such bad pain from this? It does bother me to walk but the absolute worst is after laying down or sitting, I get up and then I have to take about 5-6 limping steps in pain before I can straighten out & start walking regular.

Orthopedic really had nothing to say except maybe there could be some inflammation and that the flattening is normal. But then I read somewhere else that the flattening is like bone touching bone.

I'm so confused & hurting....if anyone can help, I will really appreciate it so much!!!

Side note-----I have a bulging disc at L5-S1 and current xray says "transitional anatomy at L5-S1 involving the interarticularis" AND I also have my right leg about 1 inch shorter than my left! Do these have to do with my hip pain????

balleteach · 07-09-2005, 07:15 PM

Roder, Welcome to our board. It sounds like you have a lot going on that could be causing your pain. Did the Dr tell you that you have no cartilage to cushion your hip joint? If this is the case, THR would be your only option. Maybe you will have to find another Dr that will give you a more definitive diagnosis and what the treatment options are. Having such awful pain is so debilitating and really effects your quality of life. I hope you keep posting and update us on your condition. Good luck....balleteach

Ripanco · 07-10-2005, 08:58 AM

Just a quick thought here; my x-rays did not look all that bad. It showed some joint degeneration but not anything that would indicate needing THR. It took MRIs with contrast to show just how much damage there was and it took a very skilled surgeon, not just the radiologist, to tell just how bad they were.

As it turned out, my hips were even worse than my surgeon thought they would be and the pathology report came back 'severe osteoarthritis'. No wonder I hurt so much for so long!

I also have spondololythesis in L4-5. But since my BTHR, my back has not bothered me at all. Spine and hip docs think I may have some relief since I am walking better now. Sure hope they are right!!

I think if I were you I would get a second opinion and ask for an MRI with contrast. May show lots more!

Good luck!

Roder · 07-10-2005, 10:14 AM

Thank you both, for replying to my post! I've been sitting over here feeling like I do want a second opinion & I would like to have an MRI since I know they can show so much more but of course that one orthopedic said no. I'm going to call ins on Mon. to ask how I go about getting a 2nd opinion.

Are you both considered young for needing your hip replacements? I'm 42. What kind of reasons cause the hips to go bad this early? I was always active growing up and have only slacked off in the past 4 yrs.

Another question if you don't mind!......did you get leg pain after standing? I get leg pain a lot if I'm continually on my feet and the other day I stood talking to a friend for 2 hrs at a store and OMG, I had to go lay on the couch afterwards!!

Balleteach, no doctor has told me that I don't have any cartilage to cushion my hip joint, I had just read of some reasons why there could be pain & saw that it had said flattening was similar to bone touching bone....is that not correct? I guess I could have misunderstood otherwise wouldn't the ortho have told me I needed hip replacement? Does anyone know what flattening of the femoral heads is specifically? A lot of the info on the internet is for dogs!!!!

I'll check in later to see if ya'll have anymore advice to my current questions. Thanks so much for all your help!!

balleteach · 07-10-2005, 08:56 PM

Roder, I have no idea what flattening of the femoral head means. Ask your Dr about the difference between that and loss of cartilage. Maybe he can clarify the difference. It seems like the ortho would have mentioned a problem with cartilage if that was the main problem. It all sounds a bit unclear. But in the meantime, you are suffering a lot of pain. I hope you can get to the bottom of the problem, so you can get it fixed. If you go to the Bio thread, you will be able to read the histories of some of the hippie hipsters. You will get some good background about us. All I can tell you is I was in terrible pain, limping, and it was excruciating for me to get in and out of my car. After the THR and recuperation, I was in great shape and the hip was pain free. Check out the "six months after hip replacement" thread to get even more info. Good luck and keep us all updated...balleteach