A Strange Diagnosis.....My Hip Issue

I am dealing with a strange diagnosis that I just received from my doctor.

I'm writing about this because since I have had some crazy pain in my hip I have been told by SO many people that they have the same pain.

This is something that isn't easily diagnosed.  Nor does it show up on an x-ray.
So, I hope my diagnosis may help others in finding the source of their hip pain.

It is called Osteonecrosis
or Avascular Necrosis.

Sounds awful huh?
That's what I thought.

Well, about 2 months ago, I played a really, really tough 3 set tennis match.
That afternoon I literally could not walk up or down the stairs.

This pain continued and still continues.
It is a collapsing pain, one that I literally have no control over.
As in being able to stand or walk.
Sometimes its worse than others.
I can still walk, it's just painful.
It's just very strange.

So, what causes this disease?
I am (I think) in the 10% of cases of healthy folks to whom this happens.
Most of the time this happens because of some trauma to the hip bone.  Underlying health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or cancer can also be a cause.
Also, alcohol abuse seems to be one of the causes.
I DO NOT ABUSE ALCOHOL (before you start thinking that)
But, it is important to know that 1 - 2 alcoholic drinks per night can cause this (yikes)

After having an episode of literally not being able to walk I made an appt with my orthopedist.
He did an x-ray and nothing showed up.
He then maneuvered my leg and everything was fine.
Then he press on my right knee and made me lift up.
This move literally made me collapse.

So. He ordered an MRI.
Had that done.  Even purchased my own CD.
Because I knew I could diagnose myself.....

So, Tues, the dr. called me with the diagnosis.
Y'all, I thought, pulled thigh muscle? maybe a little arthritis?  um stress fracture?

but never in my wildest dreams did I think this would be the diagnosis.
I mean I literally have the bone density of a 25 year old.
I am healthy as a horse.

So, while in Birmingham, I decided to contact a friend, orthopedist, and hip specialist.
I went to see my friend C.J. Talbert and he looked at my purchased CD.
He feels like it is Stage 2 (of Stages 1 - 5).

He sat me down and explained exactly what is going on.
Ostenonecrosis is a condition where the cells around the hip ball become enlarged.  They create a dam so to speak which results in cutting off the blood supply to the bone.  Essentially that bone will die.

He also said they call this "a heart attack of the hip"
that was comforting :)

So, what do we do?

This is not a reversible condition.  I was like, okay, I can do PT or take medication or change my diet?
um, that would be a no.
There are a couple of things I can do.  One is a procedure called Core Decompression.
This is where the doctors insert a needle into the hip and then drill a hole in the hip releasing the blood flow.

This works in 20% of cases.
Recovery is 6 - 8 weeks on crutches.
Or total hip replacement.
Actually Ostenonecrosis is the number one reason young people have total hip replacements.
It typically strikes 20, 30, 40 and 50 year olds.  It also is advised to have other joints checked for this disease.  Many times this disease will be unilateral and affect both hips.

ugh!, big ugh!!!

I will be seeing my doctor here in Atlanta next week to see what steps he wants to take.
I am also going to seek the advise of an alternative non surgical orthopedist with Emory to see if there are options he can recommend.

In the meantime, I am trying to stay positive and off Dr. Internet!
Please say a little prayer for me!

have a wonderful day y'all!
oh, Scotts starts today and I have moved to South Building K-8!!!!
if you want to see me walk weird, come see me!!!

kb