Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 11/27/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dr.Durnin
My name is Drew I am 22 years old, 6'2 & 185lbs.I have always had this problem in my hips where I would bring my legs or leg half bent up towards my chest an get this bad throbbing cramp feeling deep in my hip and once I straighten it it goes away but is still sore and will start cramping once I pull it up again. I can aways remember climbing trees or fences as a kid and getting this feeling so I just tried to avoid situations that I knew would cause the pain. Up until 8 years ago this was my only problem know I have this sharp pain in my hips when I walk It feels like my joints are pinching nerves when in motion. I usually have this pain in the mornings an evenings. It feels worse in the morning and sorta fades away into the afternoon. At night when I relax my joints start feeling sore. But it's not the muscle kind of sore that everyone gets after a long day at work. Early this spring my right knee swelled up at work for no reason. I wasn't running or lifting anything and the pain and swelling lasted for three days until one day I was twisting it side to side when my knee cracked and within minutes the swelling went down. Now I am having problems with my ankles hurting much like the feeling in my hips but the pain last all day.  I have only recently been to a doctor about this problem an they couldn't really diagnose anything other than my hamstrings are tight, they did Xrays an didn't find anything so sent me to physical therapy to teach me ways to stretch that area of my hips. I did this routine for a week an a half until one day at work I bent down on my knees to pick some trash up and both hips started cramping, I had lay there a few minutes till the pain went away. I want to know if all these symptoms are all linked. My biggest problem is the cramping cause it's limiting me from riding my motorcycle. The only health history concerning my hips that I know of is when I was a baby the doctors told my parents to put me in cloth diapers cause the regular one would give me bowed legs. I only just found that out a week ago. If you can give me any advice what so ever  I'd be truly greatfull. THANK YOU, Drew.

ANSWER: Hi Drew,

It sounds to me like a polyostotic arthropathy. This is a condition of arthritis effecting more than one joint, a full blood screen needs to be performed to rule out ant auto-immune diseases or rheumatoid type diseases. Also, it may be wise to see a DC or Rheumatologist for advanced imaging. At first I was thinking Legg-calf perthes disease but that should have been caught with hip x-rays. I would check for that again. Many things cause multiple joint pain including food allergies, old traumas, auto-immune diseases, congenital defects, muscle imbalances, nutritional deficits and nerve interference. A good thorough work-up by a competent physician schooled in these matters is essential. My first stop would be a highly recommended DC in the area and a Rheumatologist.
If you have anymore questions and additional information I will be happy to further assist you. Please keep in touch and the best of luck!


Dr. Timothy Durnin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks all try an see Rheumatologist. Another story to add is early this year when I had to take a motorcycle training an we had to push our bikes up an down this course, I pushed my self through the pain in my hips just to pass and my muscles right over my hips were 2x their size for three days. And know one believed me about my hips until I showed them. It was like there were burritos under my skin. Another question, is polyostotic arthropathy treatable if so how? Thank You, Drew

Answer
Yes it is Drew, if it was only that simple. There could easily be an underlying condition called TFL syndrome since it flared up over the hips with pushing. I don't believe it is just one problem but two or more going on at the same time. I can't stress enough a thorough work-up with a Rheumatologist and/or a DC to get to the bottom of this. This should include, but not limited to, comprehensive blood analysis, food allergy panels, MRI's and a comprehensive Orthopedic and Neurological exam.

Keep in touch and Good Luck!


Dr. Timothy Durnin