Please talk to me about hip pain?

[BrianOfBritain]

This is getting me down now. I'm 43, and have had hip pain that wakes me at night and stops me exercising as much as I'd like for at least 3 years. I think it's getting gradually worse. I went to the GP, who ordered X rays. These were normal, so GP seems to think it's fine to leave it and just take Ibuprofen (I know they're overstretched).

If I walk more than an hour in the day, I'm woken up at night in pain. I used to love jogging, but am learning that even a 15 min jog has consequences too painful to bother with. I keep fit with yoga, and I do still walk quite a lot (to get the dog out) but I'm wondering now if these things will get affected too, eventually?

Some more potentially relevant details:

Not menopausal yet as far as I know (have mirena coil so no periods though).
I get plenty of sunshine and have taken a good dose of vitamin D for over a decade, so very unlikely to be deficient.

Does anyone have the same? Any ideas?

TIA

Oh, I'm a normal weight (BMI 19) so it's not joint strain due to weight

A friend ( older than you ) was advised to get a private hip X-ray taken from the side. Apparently this is better than the usual front facing X-ray. It proved she needed a hip replacement.

Trochanteric Bursitis - have a read up on it.

That sounds really unpleasant. Do you have a family history of anything 'jointy'? Could it be bursitis, perhaps? Could you afford some private physiotherapy? That's probably what I would try next. Is there anyone who could walk the dog for you for a couple of weeks, just so you could see whether reducing the amount of walking helps the symptoms?

Not sure if this helps/is relevant but... when my hips start hurting I know it's time for a new mattress. I need a very firm one otherwise I ache. Also, my hip pain is caused by pelvic instability (thanks kids) and I find gentle exercise like brisk walking is possible using a stretchy hip support (sacroiliac support) which wraps over my hips like a big belt and holds everything in place. That won't help if the problem is in the joint though.

Sometimes it can be posture. If you tend to lean into your hips do they thrust slightly forwards (can be imperceptible) and you have your weight more on the balls if your feet. Over years this can cause lots of pain when the ball joints start to impinge on the sockets. Before surgery have it assessed by a physio. If you're in London PM me and I can recommend a really good one. Otherwise look for a practice that includes Pilates and preferably Aussie trained!

Im a physio, sounds very much like greater trochanteric pain, particularly considering the normal x-rays. It used to be called trochanteric bursitis or sometimes gluteal tendinopathy.

You will need to temporarily reduce not stop your activity levels and see a physio to get a gluteal strengthening program. Most people get better with that but it can take 8-12 weeks of the right exercises.

I’m peri and concerned about my health so I was taking a calcium supplement.

Had hip pain when lying down. Stopped taking it. Pain went away.

So I guess it was that.

I have the same, and saw a physio and was told the same as havecourages advice. I have bursitis and something else I don’t recall. I was power walking, ending up in loads of pain so then stopping. Then power walking again after a rest. He explained that the power walking was straining it, then the rest was weakening it and then the power walking on a weakened hip was straining it again so it was a vicious circle. He has told me to stop high pressure activities like power walking/running, as given me a program of strength except idea instead. He said it will take about 3 months to improve. I would recommend a physio.

Strength exercises...

I've (mostly) got rid of persistent, demoralising hip pain with glute strengthening exercises, so I second the suggestions to go see a physio. I'm not that good at sticking with the homework, but being able to incorporate those exercises into yoga has made it easier.

I have pain in my right hip. Saw a fantastic physio (I was amazed at what she was able to diagnose before x-ray and mri - it's an art when don't correctly).

I have a hip impingement (bit of bone sticking out) and was born with a shallow hip socket on that side.

I was offered injections or a small op to sort the impingement out but I never got round to either.

Instead I found a mattress my hip likes, took up swimming and - this is honestly my best piece of advice sleep with a heated pad under that hip.

I get into bed sore and wake up good to go!

Also, I even used the heated pad through the heatwave this summer. It wasn't easy but it's so worth it for pain free days.

Wow - thank you all SO much for all these helpful comments!

Feeling much more optimistic now.

It sounds like physio is definitely the next thing to try, then. I'm encouraged that it could be bursitis as opposed to arthritis.

Thank you all again - every one of these comments has been really useful to read. Mumsnet can be amazing!!

Honestly all this exercise that has become such an obsession is really not good for you. Any unnatural repetitive movements will put excess strain on joints and you will pay for it when you are older.

I found a pillow between my knees used to help when I got pain in my hips when I was sleeping.

I had pain that I thought was bursitis, it felt like it was actually the ball/joint like it was crumbling away, but it was hip flexor tendonitis. I saw a private physio (cost £60 for a consultation), she gave me a set of exercises to strengthen the glute and hamstring, and stretch the hip, rested from running and it has now gone. I really recommend a physio appointment, they will tell you so much about your ‘mechanics’

@Minimalme

What kind of heated pad do you use?

I have the same problem and posted on the exercise board about it. I've been told it's arthritis and not to run but I'm hoping that a physio can help.

Random one, but how old is your mattress? I had awful hip pain until we replaced our mattress and now it’s vanished

@WorriedMillie - actually, this is a very good point. Thank you - and @Absolutechaos and @Minimalme for raising it. I have a terrible, old foam mattress. This is the first thing I should change, even before physio. I hadn't really thought about it (which is stupid...).