Wellness

[chrystaltree]

Run!  Do not walk!  Run to an an orthopedic specialist and/or a rheumatologist now!  You are seeing a quack who doesn't know the foggiest idea of how to treat your athritis.

[texassunflower]

Thank you for all your kind replies. I have been down the physical therapy path before. I have a herniated disc at L-5 and S1 and a bulging disc at L4 - L5. Physical therapy did help with my back. I was caring for an ill parent for 4 and half years and neglected my health. I also am carrying extra weight. I have lost 17 pounds so far and need to lose about 25 more. The pain is the worst in the morning and only take Advil once a day. Heat helps alot and moving is painful at first. The pain disspates as the day goes on. I found some exercises on YouTube for ostoarthitis of the hip. While I am waiting to hear from the physical therapist, I am gradually adding these exercises to my morning routine. If it hurts, I stop the exercise. I will talk with the physical therapist and see what he says. Primary care physician wants to try physical therapy first, then if I am not better see an orthopedist. Hip replacement has not been mentioned because my pain tends to be morning only or when I sit for too long.

[Nonametoday]

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@CinNC wrote:

I have bone-on-bone knees and suggested to my internist that I see a physical therapist. It was the best decision I ever made. 

They offered me a choice of an exercise plan to do at the gym or at home and I chose one I could do at home. That's the key - you have to keep doing them. Most of them were to strengthen my hips, core, and thighs to help support my knees.

They also asked me what activities of daily living I had issues with....I learned how to get up from a sitting position correctly, a better way of vacuuming that didn't strain my back, climbing steps, geting in & out of the car, clothes folding....etc....

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@CinNC  I have not had the knee surgery but is in my future since, like you, I am bone-on-bone.  I did PT for 2-3 months after a giveway incident.  Of course, they teach how to do this at home.  I also have a stationery bike.  I was never able to do some squatting exercises without excruciating pain, so they suggested I not, since I have (as most with bone-on-bone have), osteoarthritis but also have osteoporosis all over my body but worse in the hips, plus the disk issues.  It makes maneuvering difficult. 

I am blessed beyond belief because, even doctors, do not think I have that much degenerative disease of my body until they look at my MRI's, CATs and DEXAs.  I try to watch my posture and resist leaning in.  I try to walk enough but not too much because of the high impact but I do ride the bike which is low impact and that all keeps me doing well and eating tuna 3-4 times a week as well as leafy green veggies including "turnips" which I am learning to like.

[FrostyBabe1]

@texassunflower

I have back, hip and knee pain/problems from years of playing tennis, volleyball and hockey. The best thing I ever did to relieve that pain was get in the pool. The water provides the opportunity for both cardio and resistance work while not putting pressure on your joints. 

Check with your doctor to see if it might be beneficial and if so, check with your local YMCA to see if they offer a water excercise class specifically for those with arthitis. Mine offers several. 

[cantdrive55]

@texassunflower, 

the first thing to do is to make sure you have the correct diagnosis, so that you can get the right treatment. You didn't say how your doctor determined you have osteoarthritis, and that is the cause of your pain. If you have not had imaging done, I would highly recommend you have your back imaged in addition to your hips.

In my situation, while I have osteoarthritis in my hips, the pain is mostly referred pain from back issues, which had gone undiagnosed by a top rated orthopedic surgeon for four years. Sigh.

You may find non steroid anti inflammatory products helpful, particularly astaxanthin (6mg), turmeric or glucosamine chondroitin (1500 & 1200 mg) helpful.

@FrostyBabe1 is right on target in recommending aqua therapy. Yoga will also benefit you, and I like Miranda Esmonde White, who has a 23 minute program on PBS (and DVD's) that gently works all joints, muscles & connective tissues.

Lastly, placing a pillow under your knees when sitting or laying on your back will help relieve your hip pain, as will a pillow between your knees if you are a side sleeper.

Hope this helps, have a great day!

[Justice4all]

@texassunflower

An excellent orthopedic surgeon is the one who can xray your hips and see exactly what is wrong.  That is the person to evaluate and recommend.  My mother had two hip replacements after trying to improve her arthritic pain through exercise.  The surgeon said they had been counterproductive exercises which only sped up the erosion process.   A wonderful site for joint problems is bonesmart..there are many useful articles and invaluable forums.  Following successful hip replacement there is no need for pain killers or physical therapy.

[ALRATIBA]

I was diagnosed about 5 years ago.  Arthritis in lower spine and right hip.  My doctor sent me to therapist.  

I had therapy twice a week for about two months.  Therapist gave me an exercise routine ... I do exercises at night before bed and when I get up in morning.   Takes 5-10 minutes.

Doc gave me rx for NSAID - but don't take it because I don't like side effects.  Just Tylenol or Excedrin when necessary (rarely).   I'd rather have the pain than the side effects of NSAID.

Recommended that I walk for at least 15 minute a day.  

Morning are the worst - but I find a long hot soak in the tub works wonders.  Arthritis Foundation has info on their website about living with arthritis.   

If you follow the recommendations / suggestions ... living with arthritis is easily doable.