Wellness

[Lindsays Grandma]

Back in 2015 I fell and broke my right hip, had surgery, one month in rehab and six months of home physical therapy.  In 2000 and 2001 I had three failed back surgeries and was left with sciatica pain down my right leg.  All of this has left me in chronic pain for which I am prescribed pain medication.

In August of 2015 one of my physical therapists said she believed I had bursitis at the hip surgery location.  She would poke that area with her finger and I would almost jump out of my skin from the pain.  Nothing came of it so I ignored it.

July of this year I suddenly started having additional excruciating pain added to my right leg which prevents me from having a decent nights sleep.  I have been to several urgent care facilities and an ER at a local hospital.  After ex-rays and an ultra sound no one can find the problem.  One doctor prescribed pills for bursitis and another gave me a steroid shot which did give me a few days of some relief.

Monday of this week I went back to the surgeon who operated on my hip hoping he might be able to help me.  I reminded him that after the surgery he told me he put in two pins to which he said, "No, actually it was two screws" and something else I didn't catch which took me because I know what I heard the first time.

Now we get to the story about bursitis.  The surgeon said the pain might be coming from my back and asked if I had seen a doctor who specializes in back problems.  That comment stunned me since he is an orthopedic doctor.  No, I had not recently seen a "back" specialist.  I did mention to him that I had bursitis many years ago in my left shoulder, got a shot of cortisone and physical therapy because the shoulder was frozen and would have stayed that way if ignored, all went well, never had a problem again.  

He said he could give me a shot of cortisone or a steroid shot whatever I would like, injected into the hip area where the surgery was performed.  I agreed to whichever one he wanted to inject and I will give him credit for numbing the area so that I never felt the injection.  Here is the part that leaves me confused...I asked him if he can cure bursitis and he said no.  His suggestion after I see him in six weeks is to remove the hardware from the hip area and cut away the bursitis.  I asked him if it is a big deal surgery like the first time and if I would have to go to rehab again and he said yes. 

There are many articles about bursitis and how to treat it and I haven't seen one that suggests, cutting it out.  If any of you have had bursitis I would appreciate hearing about your experience and how it was treated.  I do understand that each situation is different, however, my main interest is if anyone had to have surgery to cure it.  I apologize for this lengthy dialogue.

[colleena]

Lindsay's Grandma:  I just googled bursitis surgery and here is one result.   There are others.  I'm sorry you are in such pain & hope there is something that can be done to help.

Surgery for bursitis or impingement surgery called a “subacromial decompression” involves removal of the inflamed bursal tissue over the rotator cuff and shaving of the acromion bone which can narrow the space above the rotator cuff. ... Mostsurgical procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis.

[millieshops]

@Lindsays GrandmaI have had bursitis in a hip, but I've never had surgery in the area either before the bursitis showed up or after. 

I was treated with heat therapy, strengthening exercises, and stretching exercises, too.  For more immediate pain relief, the orthopedist prescribed a heavy dose of an anti-inflammatory.  My experience was at least 15 years ago, but as I remember it, I got relief from the worst pain within a few weeks, but the therapy sessions to strenthen the joints and hopefully forestall another bout went on for many more weeks.

I'd been walking 4+ miles every morning that summer which is what we assumed had brought on the pain, so I don't know whether my experience is at all meaningful for you.

[on the bay]

@Lindsays Grandma-

I'm so sorry you are in so much pain.That can be miserable.

I have had bursitis in my shoulder and got cortisone injections like you (helped!) but never surgery.

However, and I'm not sure if its the same thing, but the reason sounds the same.

When I injured my knee, I had months of physical therapy which didn't help.

Finally the orthopaedic surgeon said sometimes there is so much inflammation from arthrits (or  bursitis too?) that surgery is the best option to get rid of it.

So I did have arthroscopic surgery and all the pain was gone. So that was a success for me.

[Lindsays Grandma]

onthebay

millieshops

colleena

Thanks to all of you for your quick responses.  You have given me hope that perhaps I won't have to go through another surgery and spend weeks in rehab afterward.  I think I can take out patient surgery a lot quicker than having to go back to rehab for weeks.  I am going to another doctor who has been recommended and perhaps one of the Mayo Clinic's close to home.  I'm keeping my finger crossed.

[Lilysmom]

@Lindsays Grandma, I had bursitis in my hip.  I was a big walker.  My doctor gave me cortisone shots which became less and less effective which he predicted.  Then I broke my foot.  A year later, I broke the same foot again almost to the day.  My foot aches if I walk a lot so I took up swimming.

The broken foot caused me to alter my gait and I was having foot, knee and hip issues.  To give my foot a rest. I took up swimming last year and gave up walking. All my foot, knee and hip issues are gone.  

I miss walking and may try to start again in the Fall.

  I totally get what you mean about it affecting your sleep.  It did for me too.  Good luck in seeking relief for the pain.  LM