Question
They took the bone graft from my right hip to use for the spinal fusion. I do have arthritis. The hole that is about inches long shaped like a half moon has begun to really bother me over the past year. I always have to push in the hole to get some relief. I am trying to find out what happens to these holes over time and can it fill up with arthritis and cause so much hip pain. I sleep sitting up in a recliner most nights. When I do that it seems to take the pressure off of my hip. I cant lay on that hip at all anymore and if I do lay in bed, I bend my knee and bring it out to my side and place a pillow under my knee area, but it does not always work. I cant sleep with my leg straight and on my back. I guess I just am trying to figure out if this has caused my hip to go bad and start to disintegrate like my back did. My doctor sails he has no answer unless I have a cyst growing inside the hole. Can you give me some advice Please!

Answer
Hi Kathy

If your doctor is not an orthopedic specialist, I think you should find one.  If he is an orthopedic specialist I think you should get a second opinion.  It sounds to me that you have more than just the hip issue going on. It might be good for you to get a complete workup, including a bone density test which will give you answers as to the condition of your bones.

If I were you I would also request a full blood panel as well.

Best of luck to you.

Sharon Davis