Constant hip and leg pain

[JAN]

Wonder if somebody has a solution to my constant hip and leg pains.

 

I am male, 77 years old and no other medical issues.

 

Have this pain in my right hip, right buttock, for about 6 months now, with pain radiation down my leg, upper and lower right-side of the leg. No pain in foot. Pain worst during the night, when laying in bed, sleeping almost impossible, sitting is bad, bending down bad, when laying on my stomach, impossible to raise that leg. Pfff!

 

Have seen 2 doctors, orthopedics, and x-rays do not show any problems. And both don’t know, in just giving muscle relaxants (norgesic) pain-killers (Celebrex) and Berlotin and Gabutin, for neuropathic pain.

 

Seen osteopath, physiotherapists, acupuncture, all to no avail and some make pain even worse.

 

Also have followed many YouTube videos on this subject, thinking about sciatica, piriformis muscle, bursitis, etc etc. Done all the exercises, stretching, cycling, swimming, all give no release.

 

Am coming at my wits end as what the problem might be and who can help me. If anybody has any answers or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

[Sheryl]

I don't know which ortho doctors you saw  but you need a spine specialist. The work up you describe would eliminate hip arthritis / degeneration as a cause but not eliminate a lumbar spine issue.

 

You need an  MRI and also Xray using special protocol to capture things like vertebral "slippage".

 

The best spine specialist in Thailand is,

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

 

You can save money by getting MRI here first (ask for lumbar spine without contrast) 

 

mrithailand.com

 

Since you have radiulopathy (pain radiating down leg), should not delay. 

 

 

[carlyai]

I feel for you. 🙂

You need to find the top neurological specialists.

Can be many things but you need the xrays, CAT scan and MRI scan.

All body scan lying and standing up.

In my case the L5 disc looked OK on the lying down scan but squashed out on the standing scan, so it had to be replace.

So I've had all my lumbar discs removed and fused.

You've really gotta do a complete assessment plus neuropathic nerve conduction tests. You may not have neuropathy.

Also get on stronger pain killers that are Slow Release so helps more. I have never worried about taking strong painkillers if you need them, because when the pain is gone, you don't take them anymore.

[Hummin]

If not any spine injury or any other visual causes, easy mobility exercises and stretching might ease your troubles and pain.

 

Everyone need or shoul start doing strethes mobility exercises when we grow older. 

 

Men especially do their exercises without thinking about tomorrow 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

Probably best to heed the advice that Sheryl has given, and more or less ignore anything else. You might find an MRI scan uncomfortable; lying motionless for an hour is not the doddle it sounds, if you are already in discomfort, but is probably a must do starting point for you.

 

 

[carlyai]

2 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Probably best to heed the advice that Sheryl has given, and more or less ignore anything else. You might find an MRI scan uncomfortable; lying motionless for an hour is not the doddle it sounds, if you are already in discomfort, but is probably a must do starting point for you.

 

 

Why would you ignore advice from someone who has been there, done that?

[bkk6060]

Sounds like a disc/nerve issue.  MRI.

[carlyai]

@JAN Gunja oil really helps with night time sleeping. Just need a few drops on your tongue.

Great, but still a bit groggy the next day.

I get mine from a registered farm near Kalasin, so if you'de like some to try, PM me and I'll send you their details.

 

[JAN]

Tanks for the input. Forgot to mention that I am located in Chiang Mai. 

[JAN]

Further to the above I am also feeling lots of pain the groin area and testicles as well. And, if in Chiang Mai, where would I go for an MRI test, that is not too expensive?

[Sheryl]

The place I linked to has branch in CM. Click on "contact us"and scroll down for the location.

 

Be sure to get the scan on DVD for spine specialist toi review personally. That and not the radiologist report they'll insist on giving you, is what matters. (Take the latter with a hefty grain of salt).

 

But, for spine specialist, you really should come to Bangkok.  No comparison to the expertise there vs CM when it comes to spine.

[dinsdale]

Sciatica? Symptoms match. 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Sciatica? Symptoms match. 

Sciatica is a symptom, not a disease. It just means pain along the sciatic nerve and its branches.

 

And is indeed what he seems to describe.

 

The question is the cause. Nerve compression in the lumbar spine needs to be ruled out.

 

 

[dinsdale]

36 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Sciatica is a symptom, not a disease. It just means pain along the sciatic nerve and its branches.

 

And is indeed what he seems to describe.

 

The question is the cause. Nerve compression in the lumbar spine needs to be ruled out.

 

 

I would start with the easy choice and that's a simple anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen 400 just to see if it works. 5 - 10 days max but if it is simply an inflamed sciatic nerve improvement should happen in a few days. The OP doesn't say anything about using anti-inflammatory drugs.  Worth a go IMHO and not expensive. I've had sciatica and anti-inflammatory meds did the trick. Bloody painful condition. 

[JAN]

Thanks everybody. Have made an appointment at Sripat OPD clinic, to do an MRI this morning. Have taken the anti inflammatory meds, celebrex, and meds for neuropathic pains, for 2 weeks, all without results. Anyway, hope they can see something on the MRI. 

[bobonzo]

I have the same issues.  X-ray showed nothing. MRI showed a bulging disc that appears to be pressing against a nerve. Meds and lots of stretching are helping.  Good luck. 

[donmuang37]

On 5/19/2025 at 11:16 AM, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Probably best to heed the advice that Sheryl has given, and more or less ignore anything else. You might find an MRI scan uncomfortable; lying motionless for an hour is not the doddle it sounds, if you are already in discomfort, but is probably a must do starting point for you.

 

 

 

On 5/19/2025 at 11:16 AM, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Probably best to heed the advice that Sheryl has given, and more or less ignore anything else. You might find an MRI scan uncomfortable; lying motionless for an hour is not the doddle it sounds, if you are already in discomfort, but is probably a must do starting point for you.

 

 

I have problems not moving for an MRI, so I take two Tylenol 8 hr. time release tablets about 30 minutes prior.  That helps a lot.  Good luck.

[hakancnx]

On 5/19/2025 at 12:59 PM, JAN said:

Tanks for the input. Forgot to mention that I am located in Chiang Mai. 

 

If you are here in Chiang Mai I can sincerely recommend the best orthopedic; Md Chanakarn. Go to his clinic here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MMo6bCaKeXzqsyvR6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

No appointment needed. 

 

He will probably send you for a MRI here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6noCgfwPhMB1KBQZ6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

I have gone through this and even a surgery. 

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, hakancnx said:

 

If you are here in Chiang Mai I can sincerely recommend the best orthopedic; Md Chanakarn. Go to his clinic here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MMo6bCaKeXzqsyvR6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

No appointment needed. 

 

He will probably send you for a MRI here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6noCgfwPhMB1KBQZ6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

 

I have gone through this and even a surgery. 

 

His specialty is sports medecine, hip/knee etc  (and very good for that) not spine. 

[Freddy42OZ]

Piriformis pain? 
 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

On 5/19/2025 at 10:55 AM, Sheryl said:

mrithailand.com

 

@Sheryl does MRIThailand also provide an evaluation/interpretation of the MRI results or do you just get a CD with the raw scam from them?

I am considering getting a hand MRI scan after a wrist injury that is still painful after 6 weeks, to make sure no ligament or tendon are broken.

[mudcat]

As a veteran of two spinal fusion surgeries (same surgeon, fifteen years apart) I can attest that a successful operation will give you your life back.  The procedure is long (but you are asleep) but I was walking the next day and on a plane back here in a few weeks.

 

Go for the most experienced surgeon you can find and avoid any miracle cures if the MRI indicates surgery.

[GreasyFingers]

On 5/19/2025 at 4:16 PM, dinsdale said:

Sciatica? Symptoms match. 

If it is only sciatica I have found these simple exercises work really well. My problem stems from L4-L5 vertebrae.

Look for "McKenzie self-treatments for sciatica" on the internet.

[dinsdale]

10 minutes ago, GreasyFingers said:

If it is only sciatica I have found these simple exercises work really well. My problem stems from L4-L5 vertebrae.

Look for "McKenzie self-treatments for sciatica" on the internet.

I did my L4-L5 more than 20 years ago. Felt like someone full on smashed me in the spine with a hammer. Every now and again it still gives me problems. I was lucky as the disc ruptured in toward my spinal cord (rather than popping out) but not far enough to cause major problems. Recovery took a long time.

[Magictoad]

I have heard that Cerbex is very toxic. For severe pain I take 5- 10 grammes of morphine.

It sounds a bit like Sciatica to me. The problem with Sciatica is that it comes and goes.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

@Sheryl does MRIThailand also provide an evaluation/interpretation of the MRI results or do you just get a CD with the raw scam from them?

I am considering getting a hand MRI scan after a wrist injury that is still painful after 6 weeks, to make sure no ligament or tendon are broken.

They do  provide a report. For spine, not worth much and specialistt will disregard in favor of reading the scan themselves.  I'm not sure re hand scans. 

 

Before self referring for an MRI I'd see a hand specialist and get a simple Xray. Even if you had one before,  hairline fractures sometimes are not visible at first.

 

Quite likely a physical exam and xray will suffice. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, mudcat said:

As a veteran of two spinal fusion surgeries (same surgeon, fifteen years apart) I can attest that a successful operation will give you your life back.  The procedure is long (but you are asleep) but I was walking the next day and on a plane back here in a few weeks.

 

Go for the most experienced surgeon you can find and avoid any miracle cures if the MRI indicates surgery.

Nowadays there are minimally invasive approaches and, in the right hands, it can be done much more quickly. My lumbar fusion took 60 minutes (1 level).  

 

Choice of surgeon is vital and one really needs to come to Bangkok for this. 

[jchfriis]

10 hours ago, JAN said:

Thanks everybody. Have made an appointment at Sripat OPD clinic, to do an MRI this morning. Have taken the anti inflammatory meds, celebrex, and meds for neuropathic pains, for 2 weeks, all without results. Anyway, hope they can see something on the MRI. 

Good choice. I’m a big fan of Sripat. (Had and operation there). Most of their doctors teach at CM University so you should be in good hands.

 

To your present problem, I’ve had the same symptoms as you describe. My solution was to do the Glute Bridge excercise. That really makes your glutes work and strengthen. In less than a week the pain was gone. Since I don’t know what caused my pain and you still don’t know what causes yours, this exercise may work or not. Worth a try?

[leonard beaven]

On 5/19/2025 at 10:38 AM, JAN said:

Wonder if somebody has a solution to my constant hip and leg pains.

 

I am male, 77 years old and no other medical issues.

 

Have this pain in my right hip, right buttock, for about 6 months now, with pain radiation down my leg, upper and lower right-side of the leg. No pain in foot. Pain worst during the night, when laying in bed, sleeping almost impossible, sitting is bad, bending down bad, when laying on my stomach, impossible to raise that leg. Pfff!

 

Have seen 2 doctors, orthopedics, and x-rays do not show any problems. And both don’t know, in just giving muscle relaxants (norgesic) pain-killers (Celebrex) and Berlotin and Gabutin, for neuropathic pain.

 

Seen osteopath, physiotherapists, acupuncture, all to no avail and some make pain even worse.

 

Also have followed many YouTube videos on this subject, thinking about sciatica, piriformis muscle, bursitis, etc etc. Done all the exercises, stretching, cycling, swimming, all give no release.

 

Am coming at my wits end as what the problem might be and who can help me. If anybody has any answers or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

Had hip job myself several years ago,replacement past sell by date.Last year my hip started same pains as op. Got myself a Zimmer used as support for maybe twelve weeks ,plenty exercise,walking and pain killers.when I was able to walk ,slowly,got shot of Zimmer,pain killers kept me going and have been mobile for last five months.just turned 78.

Advice exercise and don't push it.

[Celsius]

sciatica

 

I got it in thailand after 10 years of cheap thai furniture. I couldnt even lift my leg to put underwear on. The butt cheek nerve pain seems to be a clue.

 

got me $300 foam matress from Amazon and a proper sofa at home and the pain is almost gone.