Chronic hip pain, really struggling

[moodymagaret]

Hi everyone,

First time posting, dealing with absolutely debilitating pain in my right hip. I’m 36 female.

Had an x-ray & MRI last year, the results were “Minimal dysplasia of the femoral heads may be causing early impingement.” There was also signs of fluid build up where it was inflamed.
I was referred for physio which hasn’t helped at all. Every month that has passed since the diagnosis the pain has increased more and more.
I have an appointment with a consultant from the muscular skeletal group in a couple of weeks. I’m hoping he will refer me for a steroid injection. This is all through the NHS as I can’t afford to go private.
I’m trying not to let my thoughts spiral out of control. I used to be a fairly active person and now I cannot leave the house at the weekends as I can’t walk more than a minute without being in agonising pain. Driving is painful. My mental health has completely tanked. I cannot live the rest of my life like this.
I guess what I’m looking for is any stories where someone has gone through something similar. Did the steroid shot work for you? How long did it last? Were you offered surgery? How long was the waiting time??

Of course, you are right @DollyTrolly that you need ideally to be as fit as possible before a replacement operation, but my experience was a bit different to yours; I went into hospital comforting myself with the thought that I was probably younger than typical hip replacement patients, normal weight, very fit and active, non smoker …. I’ll be fine, I thought. Well, I was fine in the end but my recovery was not easy and I stayed in for five days ( unheard of) and had a lot of pain. However the results were little short of miraculous. You really do have to trust the process.
All the best for your continued recovery 💐

I’m sorry to hear that your recovery was not straightforward but pleased to hear that it was still worth it.
I went in expecting lots of pain and a prolonged recovery so I think I’ve been surprised by how quickly things improved. I start physio today so might not be saying that later!!

Thanks everyone for all your comments. It really helps reading everyone else’s experience. I saw the specialist yesterday and he has referred me to get a steroid injection which I’ll get in august. He said if the injection didn’t help he would refer me to the orthopaedics team which I guess I will inevitably get to as I know a steroid shot doesn’t last indefinitely.

I also have mild dysplasia in my right hip with degenerative changes, oedema and likely a labral tear. Most of the time is is painless, but it clunks and catches very painfully as I stride through that leg which the consultant says isn't in keeping with the scans 🤔. Weirdly the worst thing is actually the trochanteric bursitis on my right hip which is very painful and keeps me awake at night!

I'm 46, huge familial history of hip replacements on both sides including both parents.... I've lost 7 stone in weight on the last 18 months with another 3 to go to hit a healthy weight by BMI but it's getting bloody worse not better.

A steroid jab into the bursa sort of helped but hasn't fixed it - I'm expecting another in 4-5 months. I'm really really not sure about having the deep hip injections and have asked to delay that while I consider it - I gather they are very painful?