Suggestions to deal with Osteoarthritis
January 5, 2018 10:00 PM Subscribe
I’ve been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my left hip. I need help with treatment suggestions including if others have used running to strengthen the hip. Details inside.
I’m a 42 year old male who has been fairly active the last five years, mostly playing basketball and running treadmill as exercise. About 8 months ago, I fell down my basement stairs and injured my fingers, feet, shoulder and hip. I had severe pain but no breaks. The pain eventually went away everywhere but my left hip. Over time, the pain worsened enough to where I can no longer sit or lay properly without at least soreness. If the area was hit directly, it would almost make me pass out it was so tender. Finally went to the Dr. and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. He directed me to lose weight and specifically recommended walking or jogging to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint. This sounds very counterintuitive to me. Has anyone had experience with this and can share ways to treat this hip pain? It’s starting to affect all areas in my life...
I’m a 42 year old male who has been fairly active the last five years, mostly playing basketball and running treadmill as exercise. About 8 months ago, I fell down my basement stairs and injured my fingers, feet, shoulder and hip. I had severe pain but no breaks. The pain eventually went away everywhere but my left hip. Over time, the pain worsened enough to where I can no longer sit or lay properly without at least soreness. If the area was hit directly, it would almost make me pass out it was so tender. Finally went to the Dr. and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. He directed me to lose weight and specifically recommended walking or jogging to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint. This sounds very counterintuitive to me. Has anyone had experience with this and can share ways to treat this hip pain? It’s starting to affect all areas in my life...
A high-impact activity like jogging with painful arthritis in the biggest joint in your body sounds like really dumb advice. But what do I know? I’m not a doctor. However, I have been dealing with hip issues for 3.5 years. Running is on the list of high-impact things I’ve been told I’m never allowed to do again.
You really need a second opinion. From someone who cares about alleviating the pain. I’d think at the very least some physical therapy exercises to strengthen your glutes and core and other nearby muscle groups would help provide stability and relieve the hip joint if its overtime work.
I’m sorry you’re in pain. I think you should see another doc. And if you need to lose some weight consider this: my ortho told me just yesterday that each five additional pounds you gain increases the strain and impact on your lower extremities by eight fold. So losing even five pounds makes a big difference.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 3:15 AM on January 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
You really need a second opinion. From someone who cares about alleviating the pain. I’d think at the very least some physical therapy exercises to strengthen your glutes and core and other nearby muscle groups would help provide stability and relieve the hip joint if its overtime work.
I’m sorry you’re in pain. I think you should see another doc. And if you need to lose some weight consider this: my ortho told me just yesterday that each five additional pounds you gain increases the strain and impact on your lower extremities by eight fold. So losing even five pounds makes a big difference.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 3:15 AM on January 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Avascular necrosis following injury is also a strong possibility, in which case weight-bearing exercise might exacerbate the problem. See an orthopedic specialist if the doctor you saw was not one. You need an MRI if the x-rays weren't clear. In either case this is out of a GPs pay grade when it comes to diagnosis. That kind of rapid onset pain that never goes away and worsens that quickly doesn't smell like osteoarthritis.
If it is arthritis, I'd strongly look at weight-lifting over running. YMMV, IANYD.
Fat loss will help. Even a few percentage points will make a difference, but that's going to be primarily achievable through diet. You don't need to be obese for this to be the case with bad joints.
posted by liminal_shadows at 4:58 AM on January 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
If it is arthritis, I'd strongly look at weight-lifting over running. YMMV, IANYD.
Fat loss will help. Even a few percentage points will make a difference, but that's going to be primarily achievable through diet. You don't need to be obese for this to be the case with bad joints.
posted by liminal_shadows at 4:58 AM on January 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
I'm a runner and cyclist with weak hips, and I'm no doctor but I don't think running strengthens hips. Especially on a treadmill where there is little need for the kind of stability movement you get running outside on uneven ground.
You probably need physical therapy to strengthen the correct muscles, and proper stretching/foam rolling to loosen tight muscles. In your case I wouldn't recommend DIYing this without seeing a physical therapist first - then you can continue the exercises on your own. The exercises will likely be bodyweight only with resistance bands and maybe an exercise ball, at least at first. Then you could consider moving on to strength training with weights.
This is all assuming the diagnosis of "weak" hips with arthritis is correct; I agree with others that it sounds like you need a second opinion on the diagnosis before anything else.
posted by misskaz at 6:41 AM on January 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
You probably need physical therapy to strengthen the correct muscles, and proper stretching/foam rolling to loosen tight muscles. In your case I wouldn't recommend DIYing this without seeing a physical therapist first - then you can continue the exercises on your own. The exercises will likely be bodyweight only with resistance bands and maybe an exercise ball, at least at first. Then you could consider moving on to strength training with weights.
This is all assuming the diagnosis of "weak" hips with arthritis is correct; I agree with others that it sounds like you need a second opinion on the diagnosis before anything else.
posted by misskaz at 6:41 AM on January 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
I am a 43 year-old woman. I have osteoarthritis (knee - has been degenerating a long, long time), inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic arthritis), and a torn labrum in my hip (we've elected not to repair it, just PT). I am still/again a 30 MPW runner).
My rheumatologist has always approved running as long as I could tolerate it, but no orthopedist has ever prescribed running for the other stuff. In fact, every time some new injury or radiology study reveals some new problem (stress fracture! fibrous dysplasia!), even the sports medicine folks I see tell me I should never run again (I ran 10 miles on Wednesday, I run 2-3 days a week, elliptical 3-4 days, do yoga 4-5 days, and do races from 10K - 10 miles; and I feel good, I'm not just being stupid).
Over many years of PT, I have found that my hip was particularly responsive to it (knees less so), particularly the resistance band side-step exercise. Get a second opinion.
I'd also second that I notice the effect of 5 pounds in the stress on my joints, even though I've ranged from average/athletic to thin over the years.
posted by Pax at 1:37 PM on January 6, 2018
My rheumatologist has always approved running as long as I could tolerate it, but no orthopedist has ever prescribed running for the other stuff. In fact, every time some new injury or radiology study reveals some new problem (stress fracture! fibrous dysplasia!), even the sports medicine folks I see tell me I should never run again (I ran 10 miles on Wednesday, I run 2-3 days a week, elliptical 3-4 days, do yoga 4-5 days, and do races from 10K - 10 miles; and I feel good, I'm not just being stupid).
Over many years of PT, I have found that my hip was particularly responsive to it (knees less so), particularly the resistance band side-step exercise. Get a second opinion.
I'd also second that I notice the effect of 5 pounds in the stress on my joints, even though I've ranged from average/athletic to thin over the years.
posted by Pax at 1:37 PM on January 6, 2018
I have osteonecrosis (knees and shoulder), and if you haven't had imaging done yet you really should. If I had had an xray sooner, I would have had many more treatment options. Until you get imaging and a second opinion, I would be extremely wary of running or any other weight bearing activity. Until you rule out the possibility of osteonecrosis, do not take any steroid medication. Steroids are often used for joint pain, but can cause osteonecrosis to start or progress. But I wish I didn't speak from personal experience.
If you're having regular pain that is making daily activities difficult, definitely talk to your doc about pain management. I take naproxen regularly, and add in other medications for bad pain days.
Good luck!
posted by Orrorin at 1:22 PM on January 10, 2018
If you're having regular pain that is making daily activities difficult, definitely talk to your doc about pain management. I take naproxen regularly, and add in other medications for bad pain days.
Good luck!
posted by Orrorin at 1:22 PM on January 10, 2018
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posted by Kwine at 10:53 PM on January 5, 2018 [2 favorites]