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What are the pain management options for hip pain?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had a fall nearly 20 years ago which caused a left fibular fracture, a left piriformis tear as it inserts into the greater trochanter on the left, and significant anterior and posterior labral tears in each hip with symphysis pubis pain and dysfunction. I was told my pelvis was unstable. Initially, I had an arthroscopic surgery on each hip to debride the large labral tears which then resulted in bilateral femoral acetabular impingement, ossification and greater trochanter bursitis with lots of muscle imbalance as well as my SI Joints would go out of position frequently. All are terribly painful.

I then had a second arthroscopic surgery on each hip to treat the FAI, ossification, and bursitis. All the while I was having problems walking normally, muscle imbalances, pain in my hips, and SI Joints and the greater trochanter bursas did grow back with time with recurrent GTB pain bilaterally. I then went on to have a total hip replacement on each hip which also unfortunately led to a leg length discrepancy. I reported I could feel my SI Joint was out of position immediately after each hip replacement and I could not have the PT manipulate my SI Joint back into position until six weeks after each hip replacement. With all that background in mind, my question is how would all of my hip problems and greater trochanter bursitis and SI joint instability and pain be helped by a SI joint fusion?

I have had numerous bursa injections and SI Joint Injections to quell the pain but at this point, my SI Joints are now so degenerated it is difficult for the pain management doctor to get into my SI Joints to administer the steroid injections so I was told my next step would be SI Joint Fusions bilaterally which would help the GTB. I am currently taking Gabapentin, Cyclobenzaprine, Naproxen as needed, Lidocaine patches and topical cream, and Tylenol as needed. I do not understand how this is all related. Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

You have undergone THR (total hip replacement) which has solved your hip pain. Now you have SI joint pain and greater trochanter (GTB) pain. As per my understanding and experience, the SI joint pain and GTB are not connected. both are different and have different etiologies. But, in a few patients, the SI joint pain can be referred to greater trochanter area. I am not sure in your case, but if you had relief in your pain at both places only with SI joint injection, then definitely you will have relief in both after SI joint fusion. If you do not have relief in GT pain after SI joint injection, then you will not get relief in GTB after SI joint fusion.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Anuj Gupta
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At July 4, 2024
Reviewed At July 4, 2024

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Anuj Gupta is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is specially trained in spine surgery. He completed his MBBS from The Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, and MS in Orthopedics at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur. He did his DNB at Chatrapathi Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Currently, he is working in Triveni Ortho and Spine Center, Delhi, with work experience of 13 years. He has also done short training in spine surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, and Mount Sinai hospital, New York. He has also completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics from a renowned hospital in the USA.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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