Hip pain. Should I see GP or physio first?

[fortyfifty]

I've self referred to the physio which you can do in my region but the appointment is not for several weeks and the pain is getting more frequent and debilitating and I've already had it since mid-April

If I book to see the GP will they just refer me to the physio first anyway? Or would they refer me somewhere else depending on what they think is causing the pain? I just want the fastest outcome and don't want to waste GP time if they will likely refer me to the physio and no faster than my referral.

I know this is a 'how long is a piece of string question' 😀

I guess I am looking for the experiences of others. Thank you.

My GP will not do anything for my joint pain, likely arthritis, but no tests, physio, nothing, just have to put up with it, i just take otc painkillers

What sort of pain? That will help to guide what tests and treatment you’ll need.

I get hip pain and getting imaging done was a first step. Possibly it was an x-ray and an ultrasound. I have bursitis so an ultrasound was needed to diagnose it.

I saw a physio with osteoarthritis in my hip. He watched me walk and move, got me to lay on my side and stuck his fingers in my hip bone. I nearly shot through the roof! Diagnosed with hip bursitis. Apparently arthritis isn't as painful when touched.

Just going through this myself.

short answer: it will depend on your local healthcare systems. Can you message/email your GP?

long version:

we use the Anima system, basically messaging your GP, reception can do the Anima for you if you need them to.

Our surgery (over 3 locations as it's become so busy) has basically got different departments, so my GP requested the admin staff booked me in with the team that deal with hips/knees etc.

'hips&knees' then requested the local hospital do a pelvic hip X-ray (and I was sent the 'drop in' times I could turn up to have it done.

much more convenient & quick!

xray result then sent to 'hip team' a brief note was sent to me (re findings) & a proper appointment booked with 'hip & knee' team

i had the apt last week. It sounds efficient & kind of it, but still took about 8 weeks.

best of luck!

My GP refers you to the muscular skeletal physiotherapist and they have to assess. I'm already under them for my back and have an appointment to assess the hip in three weeks.

If you have investigations that are inconclusive or treatments that are ineffective get them to xray you. My husband had several years of faffing about with steroid injections and physio which didn’t ever solve his hip pain. In the end he used his private health insurance to get another opinion, they xrayed and immediately knew he needed a new hip. When he asked why the NHS didn’t do that he was told that they probably didn’t think he was old enough for that as he was in his mid 40s.

It's the side where my groin is. Could be arthritis could be other things. I get numbness, burning sensation in my thigh. I'm fact that started first. The pain in hip started after a period of more activity and a holiday involving lots of walking and elevations. However, that hip has periodically clicked when I've done certain pilates exercises - perhaps for a decade. So I've no clue....

Interesting.