Where to start with an elevated hip?
June 30, 2013 7:48 PM Subscribe
My right hip joints hurt. I think it's elevated. Where do I start?
I have an elevated hip. I think. About a year ago, I had a chiropractic appointment that also involved an X-Ray, and the X-Ray showed that my entire right side was slightly elevated. I've had this for a while now, and along with regular shoulder pain, my right hip joints hurt whenever I walk/jog/do anything.
The thing is, I'm not sure where to start. What kind of doctor should I go see? Can I get this fixed? What kind of questions should I be asking? What can I expect if I see a specialist on this?
I am not a big fan of chiropractors because I had quite a scary experience with one where I felt dizzy for days afterwards (not the same as the one where I got the X-Ray), and I'd like to avoid that.
I'm in San Francisco, early 30s. Added plus if you can recommend someone in the SF Area to see who takes Anthem Blue Cross.
I have an elevated hip. I think. About a year ago, I had a chiropractic appointment that also involved an X-Ray, and the X-Ray showed that my entire right side was slightly elevated. I've had this for a while now, and along with regular shoulder pain, my right hip joints hurt whenever I walk/jog/do anything.
The thing is, I'm not sure where to start. What kind of doctor should I go see? Can I get this fixed? What kind of questions should I be asking? What can I expect if I see a specialist on this?
I am not a big fan of chiropractors because I had quite a scary experience with one where I felt dizzy for days afterwards (not the same as the one where I got the X-Ray), and I'd like to avoid that.
I'm in San Francisco, early 30s. Added plus if you can recommend someone in the SF Area to see who takes Anthem Blue Cross.
I would go to a physical therapist. You might need to get a referral to one from your regular doctor, depending on your insurance. I've gone to one for hip pain before and got a bunch of exercises that cured it (so long as I do the exercises from time to time).
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:48 PM on June 30, 2013
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:48 PM on June 30, 2013
Try an osteopath. I have the same problem and my osteopath (Australian version) has been a godsend! And now that I know how she corrects it I can get my husband to adjust it for me when I know it is elevated (from a long drive or plane flight or something).
posted by Kerasia at 8:58 PM on June 30, 2013
posted by Kerasia at 8:58 PM on June 30, 2013
first step should be a good orthopedist. S/he will examine you, figure out what's wrong with your hips and the rest of you, and prescribe physical therapy if that is part of the solution.
(I actually posted about hip pain here last year and my orthopedist has solved it, together with the physical therapist he had me see.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:59 PM on June 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
(I actually posted about hip pain here last year and my orthopedist has solved it, together with the physical therapist he had me see.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:59 PM on June 30, 2013 [1 favorite]
Are you doing anything that might be causing the pain, such as carrying a heavy bag on your right side?
posted by Dansaman at 9:25 PM on June 30, 2013
posted by Dansaman at 9:25 PM on June 30, 2013
Response by poster: Great answers so far, will start researching for Bay Area specialists.
Yes, perhaps these factors would be relevant:
- Don't own a backpack, so would sling my laptop over both shoulders. My purse is also usually quite heavy and until I went to see the chiro last year, exclusively carried on the right side.
- Up until very recently, I would sleep with my right shoulder up and my head angled towards it. No wonder my entire right side is elevated.
- I have trouble finding shoes because one foot is a half-size bigger than the other, so sometimes I'll buy a pair where one shoe fits perfectly, but the other is too small and pinches. This isn't something that is readily apparent in the store though.
I'm trying to actively not do these sort of things any more, and more yoga, but so far, it isn't doing much good.
posted by so much modern time at 10:14 PM on June 30, 2013
Yes, perhaps these factors would be relevant:
- Don't own a backpack, so would sling my laptop over both shoulders. My purse is also usually quite heavy and until I went to see the chiro last year, exclusively carried on the right side.
- Up until very recently, I would sleep with my right shoulder up and my head angled towards it. No wonder my entire right side is elevated.
- I have trouble finding shoes because one foot is a half-size bigger than the other, so sometimes I'll buy a pair where one shoe fits perfectly, but the other is too small and pinches. This isn't something that is readily apparent in the store though.
I'm trying to actively not do these sort of things any more, and more yoga, but so far, it isn't doing much good.
posted by so much modern time at 10:14 PM on June 30, 2013
- Up until very recently, I would sleep with my right shoulder up and my head angled towards it. No wonder my entire right side is elevated.
This could be a symptom, not a cause.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:09 PM on June 30, 2013
This could be a symptom, not a cause.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 11:09 PM on June 30, 2013
Best answer: I have this too. The first thing I would recommend is seeing a sports doctors or a GP who knows a lot about how bodies move and how to make them move better. You can ask them to refer you to a podiatrist, ideally one that does gait analysis. They'll be able to recommend what you can do to fix any leg length discrepancy (some but not all elevated hips are a result of one leg being longer than the other) and correct your walk. This might include orthotics or heel raisers.
Then you need to ask your sports doctor for a long-term care plan. S/he can tell you how to go about resuming exercise, what to avoid, and warning signs to look out for. They may also send you to a physiotherapist, because your muscles will need help to adjust to your new gait. Some yoga would probably help too. I also had an MRI to work out which joints were inflamed, and I had a cortisone injection in the worst one.
In the mean time, wear the most cushioned sneakers you have, all the time, to keep as much stress as possible off your joints.
posted by girlgenius at 12:20 AM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Then you need to ask your sports doctor for a long-term care plan. S/he can tell you how to go about resuming exercise, what to avoid, and warning signs to look out for. They may also send you to a physiotherapist, because your muscles will need help to adjust to your new gait. Some yoga would probably help too. I also had an MRI to work out which joints were inflamed, and I had a cortisone injection in the worst one.
In the mean time, wear the most cushioned sneakers you have, all the time, to keep as much stress as possible off your joints.
posted by girlgenius at 12:20 AM on July 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
I developed something very similar a while ago, but was told by my wonderful physio just today that I'm 'good to go'. I had terrible pain, but with some very minor adjustments, massage and appropiate exercises have completely recovered. Took about 5 visits all up. You just need to find a physio that specializes in musculoskeletal and pelvis stuff.
posted by bingoes at 3:31 AM on July 1, 2013
posted by bingoes at 3:31 AM on July 1, 2013
Orthopedist who can recommend a course of action, which may include physical therapy.
posted by radioamy at 12:30 PM on July 1, 2013
posted by radioamy at 12:30 PM on July 1, 2013
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If you don't want to go down the chiro path, a sports physiotherapist should be able to help you address this without all the back cracking.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 8:06 PM on June 30, 2013