I'm a 52 yo adult female who had surgery when I was 13. One Harrington Rod used to "correct" two 79 degree curves forming an "s." I'm getting a lot of pain in my groin, down where the hip joint joins the sacroiliac (I think.) I've tried to exercise but when I ride a stationary bike, the pain is right where the seat hits. After I walk or do the elliptical or bike for 5 mins, I"m in terrible pain and have to go to bed. It seems I spend more and more of my life in bed. I'm not sure I"m describing this in a way you can understand, but over the years I've lost more and more abilities and the pain keeps increasing. I'm finding it hard to care for myself and I am alone; no one to help me but my dog. I go to doctors and they keep shipping me off for tests and specialists and all they say is "it may be degenerating hips or radiating pain from the disc degeneration in your spine." How did you guys who have had hip problems know it was your hips and not your spine? I'm so afraid I won't be able to take care of my dog or me anymore. Thank u for ur help.
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Groin Pain; Hip or Spine?
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Your dog understands more than most people think. lol No, its true, animals are amazing. I need to add this to my sig.
It would probably be a good idea to stay off the bike and walk your dog more often. It sounds like the area below your fusion is probably to blame as the nerves in this area will cause hip and leg pain.
Welcome
Ed49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
Pre surgery curves T70,L70
ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=
My x-rays
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258
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Groin pain is usually from the hip, but not always. There are some very specific tests to determine which area is problematic. Have you been to an orthopedic surgeon?Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostYour dog understands more than most people think. lol No, its true, animals are amazing. I need to add this to my sig.
It would probably be a good idea to stay off the bike and walk your dog more often. It sounds like the area below your fusion is probably to blame as the nerves in this area will cause hip and leg pain.
Welcome
Ed
My neurologist took an MRI of the area below the rod, but (no surprise) said the rod made it impossible to see the image clearly. He wanted to do nerve conduction studies for all regions of my body, but I said "not now." I didn't think he would gain any further info and I figured why put myself through more pain. He then recommended a pain management doctor, but again, I've been down that road before and found myself drugged to sleep every day.
I notice that you are my age....do have similar limitations? I hope that is not an invasive question. I"m trying to figure out if this is "normal" for the double major scoliosis w fusion to L3/4 or not. From what I'm reading, it does sound normal.
Also, what do you do about social isolation? Perhaps I should ask that as a separate question. I'm new, so thank you for your patience.
Karen
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Originally posted by LindaRacine View PostGroin pain is usually from the hip, but not always. There are some very specific tests to determine which area is problematic. Have you been to an orthopedic surgeon?
I read all of the current research studies, but nothing seems encouraging. Most of the doctors want to give me high doses of meds.
I think I'm too young to be sitting around without a life, so I'm looking for a way to manage my pain.
Thanks,
Karen
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Originally posted by WolfSoul View PostHi, Linda and thank you for responding. Yes, I've been to an ortho specialist. He showed me on my x-rays everything that was going on with my spine; arthritis, schmorl's nodes, levoscoliosis below the rod, ddd, .....etc. etc. etc. His words to me were, "when you're in so much pain you can't stand it, come back in and we will discuss fusing the bottom of your spine." He made no suggestions as to how I was to live with this condition, being as I'm single now nor how to control pain other than to lie down when it hurts.
I read all of the current research studies, but nothing seems encouraging. Most of the doctors want to give me high doses of meds.
I think I'm too young to be sitting around without a life, so I'm looking for a way to manage my pain.
Thanks,
Karen
Here are the tests to determine whether groin pain is coming from the hip or the spine:
http://thepainsource.com/2010/07/the...ion-maneuvers/
Look at the paragraph that starts "Four maneuvers" in the Discussion section.
--LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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hi Karen
i am so very sorry that you are in so much pain...
i have not had surgery....yet...but i am familiar with pain...especially the pain from
degenerative disc disease...
just wanted to mention that pain management doctors have other treatments to offer
besides oral meds....i do not know if your situation qualifies for such treatments,
but i am wondering if you have asked the pain management doctor if there are
any injections that might help relieve some of your current pain...?
hope you can find a revision surgeon or another way to address your situation....
i do not think anyone should have to live with so much pain, especially
after trying to help things with surgery!
oh...i agree with you about nerve conduction studies....i think they are pretty much worthless,
and i had a few, for both Lyme and scoli...
jess
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Originally posted by LindaRacine View PostHi Karen...
Here are the tests to determine whether groin pain is coming from the hip or the spine:
http://thepainsource.com/2010/07/the...ion-maneuvers/
Look at the paragraph that starts "Four maneuvers" in the Discussion section.
--Linda
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Originally posted by jrnyc View Posthi Karen
i am so very sorry that you are in so much pain...
i have not had surgery....yet...but i am familiar with pain...especially the pain from
degenerative disc disease...
just wanted to mention that pain management doctors have other treatments to offer
besides oral meds....i do not know if your situation qualifies for such treatments,
but i am wondering if you have asked the pain management doctor if there are
any injections that might help relieve some of your current pain...?
hope you can find a revision surgeon or another way to address your situation....
i do not think anyone should have to live with so much pain, especially
after trying to help things with surgery!
oh...i agree with you about nerve conduction studies....i think they are pretty much worthless,
and i had a few, for both Lyme and scoli...
jess
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostYour dog understands more than most people think. lol No, its true, animals are amazing. I need to add this to my sig.
Ed
Karen, I used to walk my dogs until a while back our girl dog actually pulled me down to my knees when she spotted something and tried to take off running (fortunately, I was still able to keep hold of the leash). That has never happened before. I used to walk our neighborhood with my daughter but I started to notice a pain in my groin area. We live in a very hilly neighborhood so maybe the way I have to bend forward while walking combined with my twisted spine causes the pain? I don't know.
Warmly,
Doreen44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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pain changes us
Originally posted by WolfSoul View PostHi, Linda and thank you for responding. Yes, I've been to an ortho specialist. He showed me on my x-rays everything that was going on with my spine; arthritis, schmorl's nodes, levoscoliosis below the rod, ddd, .....etc. etc. etc. His words to me were, "when you're in so much pain you can't stand it, come back in and we will discuss fusing the bottom of your spine." He made no suggestions as to how I was to live with this condition, being as I'm single now nor how to control pain other than to lie down when it hurts.
I read all of the current research studies, but nothing seems encouraging. Most of the doctors want to give me high doses of meds.
I think I'm too young to be sitting around without a life, so I'm looking for a way to manage my pain.
Thanks,
Karen
How true are your words. I have been so utterly disabled and changed from pain. At the beginning of this spring I stood at the bottom of my stairs and cried like a little child because I could not get myself up them. I am 67 years old. Had to quit my profession because of it. Not one single doctor diagnosed me. They looked at me like I was a dumb plank on the wall and would provide a drug. But this summer something has happened that I would hope you might look into. I went on a "quest" to take over this story and find out for myself what I could find out. I found out at the chiropractor's office about trigger points and he gave me an author's name. "Travell and Simmons, MD's." I found on Amazon their two volumes but along with that there was another book the information in which I wish I could shout from the rooftops. If you could take a look at the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies and his daughter Amber you might find out that this terrible domination of pain in you live could be conquered in some measure by your very self. I did, and am so happy that I can now drive somewhere without pain and get out of my van and start walking without pain and terrible weakness, and it is every bit worth reading that book which shows you every muscle that you have and tells you how to release the trigger points in the muscle easily. It is also so amazing to find out that you are not alone. I had thought I was a freak in a manner of speaking because I was in so much pain. But Davies says that at least 75 % of the disabling pain that people all around us live with and suffer from is caused by these trigger points. Pretty good odds. I know I will always have to work on these, and I don't mind. At least it is not a hopeless mystery anymore.
I sure hope you can find an answer so that you do not have to rotate like a planet around your pain! G
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Karen, I felt like I was reading one of my posts, our situation is so similiar. I have a beautiful dog who I just love so very much and if I cannot get up in the morning he comes over and stands by my bed, stiffens himself and I put my hands on him and he helps me up. I agree with all you say, I feel isolated at times. I have family who love me but they have their own lives and I do not like being a burden to them, so the majority of times I say I am feeling fine. I am alone and have been for quite a while ,mainly because I find it really hard to go out due to my back problems. But then I think well people are a lot worse off than you are, so just get on with things and I do, or try to lol.
Bless you and you have actually helped as it is a bit of a lift to read posts from you wonderful people as it makes one realise she(me) is not going nuts.
LorraineOperated on in 1966, harrington rods inserted from T4 to L3, here in Australia. Fusion of the said vertebrae as well. Problems for the last 14 years with pain.
Something I feel deeply,"Life is like money,you can spend it anyway you wish, but can only spend it once.
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Originally posted by Lorraine 1966 View PostKaren, I felt like I was reading one of my posts, our situation is so similiar. I have a beautiful dog who I just love so very much and if I cannot get up in the morning he comes over and stands by my bed, stiffens himself and I put my hands on him and he helps me up. I agree with all you say, I feel isolated at times. I have family who love me but they have their own lives and I do not like being a burden to them, so the majority of times I say I am feeling fine. I am alone and have been for quite a while ,mainly because I find it really hard to go out due to my back problems. But then I think well people are a lot worse off than you are, so just get on with things and I do, or try to lol.
Bless you and you have actually helped as it is a bit of a lift to read posts from you wonderful people as it makes one realise she(me) is not going nuts.
Lorraine
I always love your posts, and it's nice to have you check in occasionally. You have a great attitude. I think it's often hard to get such clarity and perspective about our pain. I'm lucky, in that way. I see dozens of people at least 3 times a week, who are far worse off than I ever was. When I had those moments of feeling sorry for myself, I had only to remind myself how much worse I could be.
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Hi, I had revision surgery in May, and I also had pain in grion, and It must have come from my back, because it is gone now, years ago I had surgery by Dr. Bolderston in Pa. and then I also had pain in groin area. I am 68, but a good ortho should know if it is your hip. good luck, Lu
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Thank you, Lorraine
Originally posted by Lorraine 1966 View PostKaren, I felt like I was reading one of my posts, our situation is so similiar. I have a beautiful dog who I just love so very much and if I cannot get up in the morning he comes over and stands by my bed, stiffens himself and I put my hands on him and he helps me up. I agree with all you say, I feel isolated at times. I have family who love me but they have their own lives and I do not like being a burden to them, so the majority of times I say I am feeling fine. I am alone and have been for quite a while ,mainly because I find it really hard to go out due to my back problems. But then I think well people are a lot worse off than you are, so just get on with things and I do, or try to lol.
Bless you and you have actually helped as it is a bit of a lift to read posts from you wonderful people as it makes one realise she(me) is not going nuts.
Lorraine
Hugs,
Karen
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