[salukigirl]

I can't stand it anymore! I am 23. I have always had joint pain. I played softball for about 7 years, did gymnastics, played basketball, did cheerleading and color guard and played rugby in college. So I have always been really active. My right hip has always acted up but usually goes away after a day or so. Well this time it hurts worse and will not go away. It hurts when I stand up straight, lift my leg up, hurts worse when I try to lift my leg with it straight. It hurts to sit, stand. It hurts to even bend over when sitting. I like to stretch my back by kneeling on the ground with my bottom on my heels and stretch forward....can't do that anymore. The only time it doesn't hurt is if I am standing just barely bending at the waist. If I try to walk straight up I have to limp. I look like an 80 year old. I feel like maybe I popped my bursa a while ago and now the pain just wont stop. Any advice? It's close to being excruciating. Just an achy, constant pain.

[Cherrios]

Hi Salukigirl,

I am sorry you are in so much pain. Have you tried a heating pad? Or a hot cloth - wet it and put it in the microwave for a few seconds? Be careful though, it gets hot quick and it will burn. Have you done anything new that could be aggravating your hip?

I hope your PAIN does not stay for long!!!!

Cherrios!

[salukigirl]

No, actually I have done less. My field season is over so I'm not out doing field work anymore. It definitely is getting worse with the cold but I'm typically gone from about 7-5 everyday so I don't really have anything I could keep on it while I'm at school and work. I'll try that later tonight though. Thanks.

[lynn P.]

You said your hip has acted up before - I think you need a thorough investigation of this, like an MRI. You're very young to be having hip pain. Another thing to look at is - a problem in another area, like your back or knee can make your body move differently which can overload your hip. Look in a full length mirror and see if your shoulders and hands are level - is one shoulder ligher than the other? There's also some good hip stretches you could do, but I would be afraid it might make it worse, since we don't know the exacxt cause of the pain. Have you had your vitamin D levels measured? Insist for an MRI and I hope you feel better.

[AAAAA]

Definately go see a doctor to make sure that there isn't something seriously damaged. In the mean time those disposable sticky pads from Ben Gay, Icy Hot, and a couple other companies out there that work pretty well.

[Skully]

I understand what you are going through...I am having the same pain. I had an xray and it was normal so no osteoarthritis thank goodness. I started playing sports when I was 4 years old and I am still active every day....so that's 30 years worth of joint pounding and falls, twists, etc. It really takes a toll on your body as you get older. Go to you doc and see what they can do for you. It sounds like you need an xray and MRI to rule out major problems. I hope you start to feel better. I am so sorry you are going through it, I know it hurts!

[salukigirl]

Thanks everyone. If I had a nickel for every time I have pounded my joints I would be a millionaire. Softball was probably the worst because it's basically just sprinting everywhere. Basketball probably wasn't good either. Gymnastics definitely hurt too I'm sure. Basically I am a 23 yr old in an 80 yr old's body lol.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a conference in San Diego and wont be back until next Wednesday. I will try and get an appt but it seems like I can never get in anywhere for at least 3-4 weeks. Maybe if I cry they will bump me up haha

Thanks again guys

[salukigirl]

I just called the doc and got an appt for the 20th. Now I just have to hope it keeps happening cause I'll feel like a jackass if I get in and nothing is going on anymore lol

[salukigirl]

So I went to a physical therapist yesterday. She did all the things like putting my leg in painful positions and make me do weird tasks just to see how much she could hurt me lol

After all the tests she came back and told me that my hip flexor muscles and quad were so tight that they are being irritated by any hip movement. I have never heard of this before and didn't even realize it was possible.

Has anyone else ever had this? I don't know if it's from years of sports and injuries or what. I have to do PT 3 times a week for 6 weeks now. But it's worth it to be able to walk pain free.