Question
Hi Sharon,
  For some time I have had trouble with my left hip subluxating but never any
real pain. Lately it has been just fine, no problems at all. Just the other day
(Saturday?) out of the blue my right hip subluxated, no pain, was able to work
and walk just fine. Then on Saturday night I went to bed with pain and it woke
me with the worst pain I've ever had in my life. I rubbed some cream on the
area to heat up the area for some relief and eventually fell asleep. Sunday
went by absolutley uneventful and then on Monday the right hip just popped
back together. It felt great until later, that was when it started getting stiff
and as the day progressed the pain began to set in. Monday night was
difficult I couldn't get comfortable, I put a pillow between my knees which
created more pain. Eventually I laid on my back and slept all night. Today,
Tuesday, I was stiff but not so much pain and then all of a sudden while
walking up the steps I felt the hip start coming apart, pain soared through my
body, and I immediately put the leg down on the same step as my left leg. I
was fine then but Wow the pain lingered and now I was sore all over again. I
had MRIs, Arthrograms and X-Rays done of the left leg and a few of the right.  
I don't know if I should go to work on Thursday, I'm waitressing part-time at
a local Inn. I am so skeptical of our local doctors I just don't know what to do,
not to mention I don't want any pharmaceuticals. What would you
recommend?

Answer
Hi Lisa

If I were you I would find an orthopedist and get examined as soon as possible.  It sounds to me like you are getting these subluxations more frequently of late and it's only a matter of time before you completely dislocate.  You don't mention if you have had a hip replacement or not, but I am assuming you have not had one done otherwise you would have mentioned that.

There is definitely something going on that has to be looked at.  Normally if a pillow is placed between the knees to sleep, that alleviates pain, and does not cause it and it concerns me that you have more pain when you use the pillow.  It almost sounds to me like you are dislocating and them popping the hip back into place and the residual pain you feel afterwards may be muscular due to the muscles trying to push and keep the bones together.  I am not a doctor, nor a diagnostician, so I can't be sure this is happening, but either way, you can't continue with that type of pain.  

Imagine what would happen if you have a tray of food in your hands and you fell, or your leg dislocated?  It would be awful.

Do you have a teaching hospital near your home?  If you do, call the hospital or any large hospital in your area and ask for a referral to a good othopedist.  It may be too that you need to take something for pain control as well.  I am not a big proponent of drugs, but the type of pain you have is really bad pain and even if you don't take the meds, (if they are prescribed), it might be a good idea to have them on hand.

If I were you, I'd also keep a cell phone handy at all times in case you fall or dislocate.  Just as a precaution, especially if you live alone.

But in the short run, call your local hospital and ask for the best orthopedist in the area, or call your primary physician, or ask neighbors or a sports center if they can recommend someone, but get this looked at by a professional as soon as you can.

Best of luck to you.

Sharon Davis