Who do I see to diagnose hip pain?

[Anonymous]

My hip started hurting after a track workout a week and a half ago. It starts to feel better, then something happens (i.e., slipped in kitchen) that sets it back. It's a little sore when walking, but really hurts when I try to run. I'm a little concerned it might be a stress fracture. Can my primary diagnose this and refer me to a PT if necessary? Should I try to find an orthopedist?

[Anonymous]

How / where does one find a sports injury specialist?

I also have hip pain. Started about a month ago, fades if I don't run, but comes back with a vengeance if I run again. I'm pretty sure it is not a fracture, but can't figure out how to stretch it out myself. In my case, the pain is between the top of the femur and lower spine. Might be related to slipping on ice and falling on my other hip back in February...

[Anonymous]

orthopedist.

P.S. after years of running, hiking and biking I started limping and having some pain. Went to an orthopedist who xrayed me and took some measurements. Diagnosed Osteoarthritis, my hip joint is no longer functioning.

After denial and seeing 3 more doctors, I am having my hip replaced in 2 weeks and the other one in the fall. And to think I hiked in Yellowstone this summer witha 50 LB pack for 4 days.

I'm ready to give up long distance running but really want to be pain free and regain range of motion.

orthoBethesda is the practice to call.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks! I made an appointment w an orthopedist that treated a colleague of mine. The reason I'm concerned about a stress fracture is that the pain is only present upon impact from running or hopping and hasn't had any impact on my flexibility. Whatever it is, I'm hoping it's not permanent and I can find a low impact exercise to do in the meantime. There is no pool by me and I can't seem to raise my heart rate much on a stationary bike (outside a spinning class). Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I had major hip pain a few years ago. Went to a sports medicine practice, they diagnosed it and gave me cortisone shots. IT continued to hurt, and I went to a different ortho, not necessarily a sports practice. He did a MUCH MORE THOROUGH exam (since he didn't have the prejudice of thinking it was due to my running, etc). Turned out that there was a disc in my back that was impinging on a nerve and causing pain that *presented* in my hip, but actually had nothing to do with my him.

The original diagnosis was wrong, and was made by a very well known Sports Orthopedsit, a Washington Top Doc facility. Point being, everyone can miss, but sometimes the specialists in those areas can be quick to jump to what they always do.

Happy to recommend if you're in NoVA, or willing to head this way.

[Anonymous]

Orthos aren't very useful except for getting an x-ray or mri to rule out fractures. I would look for a psychiatrist or physical medicine specialist.

[Anonymous]

Might be bursitis. That's what my (long-term hip pain) was diagnosed as, several months after having my baby. It's getting much better now on a strength training program. I saw an orthopedist and he didn't even need to take an x-ray.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thought I would post back in case it helps anyone. After an MRI, I learned I have a small stress fracture in the femoral neck. He said it should heal completely but no weight-bearing activities other than everyday walking for six weeks. He said if I had continued running (or if I don't follow his instructions) it could have worsened to the point I'd need surgery to fix it. Yikes! Lesson learned: at 37, no more running through the pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My hip started hurting after a track workout a week and a half ago. It starts to feel better, then something happens (i.e., slipped in kitchen) that sets it back. It's a little sore when walking, but really hurts when I try to run. I'm a little concerned it might be a stress fracture. Can my primary diagnose this and refer me to a PT if necessary? Should I try to find an orthopedist?

You sound like me!!

My hip started hurting after a vigorous 6 mile beach walk. At first it just felt sore, the kind of sore you feel after a good weight workout. but the pain continued for a week and worsened after a subsequent workout this weekend. On a scale of 1-10, I'd put it at 6 right after my workouts. Subsides to about a 3 - just enough to remind me its there. I saw my chiropractor yesterday. she noticed that hip was a bit out of alignment. she worked her magic and I am literally 75% better than I was going in. I have a follow up on Saturday. That should do the trick for me.

Oh, she also told me to ice it periodically throughout the day for 15-20 mins each time.

good luck and hope its not a fracture!

[Anonymous]

You see an orthopedist, who confirms it isn't anything serious and then sends you off to physio.

And ice your hips as per the last poster.