Osteo Arthritis

Hi

Got some bad news this week.I have been diagnosed with Osteo Arthritis in my left Hip.I have been having pain for a few weeks and thought it might just be the fact that I have retaken up Circuit training twice a week and that i might have strained something(Wishful thinking)

When I run and get to just under a mile I get severe pain and shooting pain down my leg.This is a real bummer for me as I have run the last two Edinburgh Marathons and was hoping to finish my marathon career and ambition by completing the London Marathon.Looks like that is gone now.

Anyone have similar problems,and will I even be able to continue running 10k's.

Maybe the pain will go away.

Yours on a downer

Ian

Comments

  • ((((((((((((((((((((((Ian)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

    I dont have OA but I just wanted to say chin up and hang in there.

    I have many aches in my left hip and left knee.  I may get OA in the future as my bones like to make spurs.  I have a corker on my knee.

    I hope you get the pain under control.  I am going to keep going as long as I can.

    Are you seeing a specialist who can advise you on the best way to deal with things?

  • Hi

    Thanks for replying ...It means a lot

     I am going to a sports Injury clinic to get some expert advice.

    My Doc gave me a brief outline of what to do,but I would like to go the the clinic to see whats what.

    Thanks

    Ian

  • Sounds like a good idea.  Do you ache all the time or just when you run?
  • Its worse when I run,but I do have dull pain most of the time just now.It seems to be more when Im seated rather than walking around!
  • I hope the specialist manages to sort you out. 
  • Hello,

    Oooh, OA, my favorite. I am just starting to write up my PhD thesis, which is on OA.

    Firstly, the bad news. There is no cure for OA, and if you've developed it in one joint, you are likley to develop it in another at some point. Also, once you have worn away the cartilage, you will not produce more on a significant scale, so that joint will always be "sub-optimal".
    Now the good news. You can manage the problem, and it is possible to slow or stop the progression, and also to mimimise the symptoms. This is an important distinction - you cant regrow the cartilage, but you can reduce your pain, and ultimatley thats probably what you care most about, right? Getting as much information as you can is a good start - presumably you've had radiographs (X-rays)?? How old are you? Is the damage across the whole of the ball of the joint? Worse in one area? How bad? Is there any new bone growth? See as many people as possible, to get several opinions.

    One thing I would recommend would be to start sitting cross-legged. If its very painful, you shouldnt do this, but if it doesnt cause pain in the OA joint, start to do it for a few minutes every day, and slowly build up so you can sit cross legged for prolonged periods. This helps to evenly wear the cartilage on the joint (interestingly, in India, where sitting cross legged is the cultural norm for adult men, the incidence of hip OA is significantly lower).

    As for various remedies, you might as wel try everything (except homeopathy!!!!) There have been controlled trials that showed benefit from rosehip - you can get it in tablet form, its not cheap, but the study showed those who took it were able to reduce their NSAID useage. Try and limit the amount of NSAIDs you take, as if you are still fairly young you are potentially looking at decades of use, which aint great for your colon, kidneys or stomach. If chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid works for you, great - some people swear by them, but there is not definitive evidence either way.

    Good luck. You dont neccessarily have to give up the idea of marathons, but you might need to postpone until you find the best way of managing the OA. Finally, try and think long term - one more marathon, or 10 more years of running?? I know which I'd pick!!

  • Wow, flyaway, interesting stuff. 
  • Flyaway

    Firstly thanks for taking the time to reply

    Very Interesting and some good points.

    I am 42 and have only been running for 4 years now.I agree with you about another 10 years of running.I would rather have that that one big effort and then that was the end.

    According to the Doctor it is only in one area at the moment,but I would like to get it checked by an expert in the field just to see where I stand(Excuse the pun).The pain comes and goes and gets worse as the day goes on.I would think this is normal as the more the joint is used during the day then the sorer it will become.I read in a medical book that some people see the pain disappear for years before it returns.I am hoping that is me!!!

    No New Bone growth yet,which I believe can be quite random and provide vartying degrees of pain.

    Will do the crossing of the legs today and see how sore it is and let you know.

    Good luck with your thesis

    Ian

  • Just an update.

    Doctor told me yesterday that I have the arthriis in both hips although I only have the pain in the left one.He says that I have a slight abnornal growth in my bone at the hip joint and that is what is giving me the pain.

    He also said that my running should be ok as long as I am ruunning in a straight line!!!!!! Anyone know of any races with no bends...Lol

  • Sounds like he means no track running.  Track runners suffer from some nasty niggles because they are always running on left hand bend.  Sounds like you should be fine for your bog standard race.

    Fingers crossed.  Good luckimage

  • Hi Ian

     Its been a while since yourquestion was posted. I found it really interesting as you have the exact same symptoms as I do!!!!

    Tracey

  • popsiderpopsider ✭✭✭

    Relatively recent onset of pain, just started circuit training again, x-rays show o/a.

    Chances are it's the circuit training and the o/a is just normal wear and tear and incidental to the pain.    My money is on you being pain free and running in 6-12 months and you wont be worrying about your hips for years yet. 

  • Hi

    My pain seems to have eased again and I have been running a few miles in the last 2 weeks.I ran a 5 Miler on Sunday and have had no ill effects so fingers crossed.

    I am desperate to run the London Marathon next year to complete my set.Dont know if this will be a brudge too far,but it will give me something to aim for.

    In the meantime I will run a couple of 10k's.

    "Keep the medically challenged on the medal hunt"....Lol

  • popsiderpopsider ✭✭✭

    here  is a link to a thread 5 years ago about a guy hanging up his trainers due to osteo arthritic knees

     here is a story about his plan to attempt the 5k over 55s world record this year.

     I don't mean to say that there is always a good outcome - just that when a doctor tells you you have o/a and have to give up sport there is still hope.  

    I got told a similar thing about my ankle a few years ago and I've done a marathon since - with no ill effect. 

  • Hi thanks for everyones support

    Maybe you can help me.

    I am running the Great Scottish run half marathon on Sunday 6th September.This will be my last run over 10k.I am rasing funds for Cancer Research and have a just giving page

    www.justgiving.com/sandoranker

    I would be extremely grateful, and will do any ironing u may have ,if anyone could donate even £2 for my cause.

    It will ease my pain...Literallyimage

     Many Thanks

    Ian

  • WombleWomble ✭✭✭
    Your other thread seems to have disappeared. Do you understand why?
  • Hi

    Just an update re my Osteo Athritis in my left hip and to give others encouragement

    I have been continuing my training for the East Kilbride Half on 21st June.I also have the Roukenglen park 10k in East Renfrewshire tommorrow.

     Training has been good.

    Ran 11 miles on Sunday past,and while my hip is stiff the next day,the pain is not as bad.I suppose keeping it active will help.If anyone else has similar problems,dont be despondent u can still run.

    I am still desperate to live my ambition and Run in the Virgin London Marathon next year(In the ballot)

    Good luck to all who have races coming up

    Ian

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