Question
Experiencing hip joint pain for months.  Went to a ortho and was injected in both hips under xray, on two separate occasions as I'm diabetic and he didn't want to do both at once.  Very little relief.  He did an MRI which indicated no tears but "joint space narrowing identified".  He ran bloodwork for a bunch of stuff but the following was high:

WBC 12.9
Neutrophils (Absolute) was 8.9
Sedementation rate - westergren was 27
C Reactive Protein quant was 31.1

Went back, he wants to repeat the bloodwork since the levels were so high.  He did give me additional shots on the outside of my hips for what he said was bursitis but still experiencing pain in the inner joints.  Sometimes it's worse than others but it can be very uncomfortable.  The only meds prescibed have been tramadol.  Said we can inject again under xray if I want.  I'm still in pain and now I'm wondering about these high blood levels.  From the little research I've done these high levels can indicate more serious trouble.  Appreciate your thoughts.  Thank you!

Answer
I'm sorry you're in pain.  I know how frustrating it can be not to have a reason why and a way to relieve it!  Keep working with your doc or consider taking the blood test results to a rheumatologist to see if a new set of eyes with joint pain expertise can pull your symptoms together for a diagnosis.  In the meantime, for either doc, keep a journal of your symptoms and what relieves or moderates it - for instance, I can have joint pain that is relieved by stretching or applying warmth.  You may want to note the environment (Is it raining?  Are you in a cold room? etc.) and what you were doing prior to the symptom (standing for a long time or lifting something over your head, etc.)  And don't just note joint or pain symptoms.  Do you get heartburn often?  Headaches?  Notice any rashes that may come and go?  An uncomfortable bowel pattern (constipation, diarrhea, or both alternating, for instance?) Hopefully, with more information, your doctor can find you some relief.