What are my chances of getting an X-ray and MRI on the NHS

[XCChamps]

with regard to a sports injury?

I've had various different treatments (privately) which haven't really helped and osteopath is now saying that an X-ray and MRI would rule a few things in or out.

The injury is affecting my performance in the sport and means I'm getting far less exercise/training than I think I should, but in general life, it's uncomfortable rather than painful. I can't claim to be in agony and I can still work and go about my business IYSWIM (which is why I didn't go to GP initially)

However, it is getting me down. Is there any point asking GP for help now?

Depends on the GP I think. You may just get referred for physio and then would get an x ray or scan if they thought it was required.
Is it causing you trouble doing normal day to day activities, eg lifting things, going from sitting to standing, keeping you awake? Also, IME the younger you are the more likely GPs are to refer you.

If your injury only affects amateur-level sport then I'd say your chances are quite remote. Your GP would need to refer you to a consultant for assessment- most probably- and they would request the MRI etc.
if your injury affects your overall quality of life and you are in pain then that is different.
An X-ray via a physio at a local private hospital won't necessarily break the bank ( you can self-refer for sports physio) .
I think you need to decide if whatever injury you have is liable to become worse, affect all your actions (not just sport) and see your GP.
On a purely judgemental note one of my parents ( very elderly) had to wait for several months for an MRI scan for suspected dementia and I'd be hacked off if someone with a sports issue made the queue longer.

Definitely consult your GP and consider physio. I've seen some really excellent physios who have helped sports type injuries. If a scan was required I don't see why you shouldn't get one but unlikely to be offered first line.

The nhs should be encouraging sports and healthy lifestyles, there are plenty of more undeserving cases clogging up the system.

marking place. i am thinking of asking for physio/exercise referral. i have started running but its buggered my hips. i am running to combat anxiety but im constantly in pain in my hips. im also overweight.

I've had loads of physio matilda, which hasn't really helped and is why other checks have been suggested.

I kind of get where you're coming from Pinkfrocks, but otoh being involved in sport protects against a lot of the chronic mental and physical illnesses that cost the NHS an awful lot of money

What is the joint? To say you won't get it on the NHS is wrong. For instance if you have a meniscal tear this can be treated at arthroscopy. If you have back pain without neurology the chances are less as there aren't really treatment options apart from time, rest and physio.

It's my hip

I did wonder if there's any point, if it can't be fixed anyway, or if it can only be fixed by am op that I can't /won't have.

I'm 45

If you need one you should get one.

DS2 dislocated and broke his shoulder in 3 places playing rugby. He wasn't making the progress he should have been so he had a repeat MRI, repeat Xrays and a CT scan.

I have a long term condition that I frequently have MRIs and X-rays for. I can't see any reason why you wouldn't get one because it's a sports injury.

Oh hip pain is nasty. I'm waiting for an MRI on my hip because my left one is causing me a lot of pain. They already know I have a labral tear in it, but they want to see if anything else is going on.

I had a steroid injection on Tuesday, it's helped so much.

I'd push for a referral for an MRI if I were you.

I understand where you are coming from but in your first post you seemed to minimise the impact on your life generally and focused on the sports aspect. I agree that being injury-free is important to maintain health.

I've got a new suggestion for you! This book Becoming a supple leopard is brilliant.

I know a few people with exercise-induced injury- to the hips- who have found they can reverse the damage by using the programmes in the book. It's not 'new age' it's actually very medical and includes self-diagnosis. Someone I know had terrible hip pain brought on by intense workouts, lunges and weight lifting, all down to slightly incorrect positioning. They had physio, to no avail, and were thinking they'd need surgery for hip impingement- which tends not be be very successful. I really suggest you avoid traditional surgery / orthopedic route if you can as the outcomes are not great, and additionally, MRIs are not that good at picking up certain types of injury.

That's why I haven't bothered the NHS as yet Pinkfrocks. Atm it's not affecting daily life (although my sport is a v important part of my life) but if I'm forced to give up, it's likely that in time that might affect all other areas of my health. Treating this injury could be seen as a preventative treatment for diabetes, heart disease and MH issues, among other things. I know that's not how the NHS works, but maybe it should be?

The book looks interesting, thank you, although I already do yoga and am pretty flexible. Seems like this is a bone problem

I think if it's affecting you thee is no reason you couldn't get it on the NHS, if it's really bothering you a private MRI or x-Ray wouldn't be that expensive and worth it for piece of mind if nothing else.

you should just go to the GP and see what they say - if you have a choice, is there one that would be more sympathetic (eg takes part in sport themselves)

I'm not medical OP but someone in my family thought theirs was a bone problem and it wasn't. It was hip impingement which surgeons attack with surgery but in fact can be treated by realignment using the exercise programme in the book. Basically, hip impingement is when the hip socket bones grind against each other due to tendon/ muscle issues and surgery is not really the answer.
Hip impingement

It's taken my family member 6 months of exercises , 30 mins a day, so a lot of dedication was needed, but they are now vastly improved - from being unable to jog/ run and waking with the pain.

It has to be worth a visit to the GP doesn't it, your condition certainly isn't going to be diagnosed on here. My GP did me an exercise referral and stated the reasons as (anxiety and obesity ). I didn't take it up as i wasn't in the right place at the time but that would have afforded me free exercise consultations with a personal trainer and free or greatly reduced gym membership subsidised by the nhs. I also don't enjoy gym exercise.

So, the NHS were quite happy to spend money on me as an overweight person who probably wouldn't have continued with the exercise plans anyway as i suspect many wouldn't. I imagine this initiative is being pushed out quite a lot.

I am 45 too OP. I don't consider my running as a "sport" as im literally just running (well jogging pretty slowly) around the woods, but my God its making a difference to my mental health. I am stunned by the difference its making. I am still on expensive (the cheap stuff didn't work) medication for anxiety and this costs the NHS alot of money - that along with the untold counselling sessions i have had.

So now ive discovered that running really helps me (i used to run before but not this much) im buggered if i am going to stop. Yes i am worried about the affects on my hips, one is really bad just now and im worried about hairline fractures but i wont go to the Drs about it because im terrified they will tell me to stop running. So right now my decision is that my mental health is more important and hope like hell i don't cripple myself in the process.

So yes, if i did need medical intervention to sort my hips out then i'll have no qualms about using the NHS, i can't afford private physio or anything like that so it would be NHS from the first instance.

Then there are the potential things im preventing - heart disease, high blood pressure etc that actually would cost the NHS more than treating my poor hips.

There are plenty of people who i would resent clogging up a NHS queue, those doing sport are not one of them.

I don't know what your actual sport is OP and im sure your physio and osteopath have investigated bursitis and ligament injury?

I now sit with an icepack on my hips after a run, it helps a bit but sometimes im hobbling about like an old lady for a few days after a run.

It's great PP that you are finding benefits from exercise. But take it easy! Running, if you are overweight will put a lot of strain on all your joints, which have probably taken a bit of a pounding anyway over the years from your extra weight. (It's known that people who are overweight develop mobility problems due to knee and hip joints just saying 'enough!')

So... why not do brisk power walking, swimming or cycling to take the load of your joints? Just an idea.