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[Rowan]

On Friday I have an appointment at my hospital at the Assessment and Treatment Centre, with a Consultant or one of his team who specialise in spinal conditions.

I have been advised to allow half a day to enable all the relevant tests to be completed.

Does anyone know what sort of tests I can expect.

Really glad that at last I might at last get a diagnosis, my lower left back problems and referred pain has really been playing up this week, not made any better by the hot humid weather, even the exercises did not do the trick.

Started a new thread so that I can report and hopefully help other members with similar problems.

[Joyce]

Hope they get to the bottom of your problems silverlady.

I would imagine bloods and xrays. Possibly MRI/CT scans too.

Let us know how it goes.

[CLKD]

Take a list of your symptoms etc. so that you don't forget any salient points.

When my Consultant examined someone they would strip to knickers and bra; stand with their back to him and he would look at stance; how they walked as poor gait can be a factor; they would be asked to bend forwards to touch their toes - to see if the spine remained straight or if there was a lean: then the patient would lay on the bed, the legs would be measured (I had to carry a tape measure, pin, pens, book); legs would then be lifted to see how the hamstrings work, hips would be examined by turning the legs inwards and outwards; blood tests and X-rays would be arranged - no MRIs etc. in those days 

[Rowan]

Have had the bloods and X-ray and will take copies with me, also had the physical tests (CLKD described) not had my legs measured though,  with Physio and Osteopath and neither asked me to strip down to bra and pants! Their verdict, stiffness and curved lower spine which makes bottom stick out and is genetic.

I am hoping they do suggest a CT scan or MRI, that really gets to the bottom of things, if you know what I mean

Will have to defuzz and I have bought a nice pair of white lace pants ( I don't usually wear knickers) 

[honeybun]

Just wanted to wish you luck SL and hope you get an answer to your back problems.


Honeyb
X

[CLKD]

Your Physio should be able to suggest 'management techniques' once yo uhave had these examinations.  Make sure that your leg lengths ARE measured  and your gait checked.  What footwear do you favour?

[kerrieann]

Good luck silverlady, do hope you get to the bottom of your problems, its half the battle knowing what we're up against.
Not sure if you saw my post but i think i may be onto something as well now trochanteric bursitis, but we will see   

[Rowan]

Just seen your post Kerrie and I really hope that it is trochanteric bursitis because it seems to have a good outcome and as you say a diagnosis is half the battle.

I did look at the symptoms and I don't think that trochanteric bursitis is what is going on with me as I can have a left leg ache to that goes down to my outer shin and the strange stinging and numbness on the lower outer thigh on my right leg too! which comes and goes, seems to suggest something to do with the nerves along with the clicking and ache going on in my lower left side of back 

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you Kerrie.

[kerrieann]

I do hope you have some good news today 

[Greyhoundgal]

Just seen your post Kerrie and I really hope that it is trochanteric bursitis because it seems to have a good outcome and as you say a diagnosis is half the battle.

I did look at the symptoms and I don't think that trochanteric bursitis is what is going on with me as I can have a left leg ache to that goes down to my outer shin and the strange stinging and numbness on the lower outer thigh on my right leg too! which comes and goes, seems to suggest something to do with the nerves along with the clicking and ache going on in my lower left side of back 

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you Kerrie.

I had this a few years ago and no, it doesn't sound the same as you.  I only had the pain around the actual hip joint (was tested for all sorts of things and even had the idea of hip replacement mooted by GP).  Finally saw a specialist who diagnosed it and I had steroid injections - the first one lasted almost two years, the 2nd lot not so long.  I finally had acupuncture for it and it seems to have done the trick - still get an odd twinge now and again but nothing like the original pain.  Hope you get on ok tomorrow and get some answers - finding out what's wrong seems to be half the battle.

[kerrieann]

greyhoundgal, please can i ask, did you have a trochanteric bursitis ? if so am i doing the right thing at the min i am doing ice packs for 15 mins every hour and keeping off my feet as much as possible, i can't use anti inflammatory's, so just ice, the osteopath said to do this for a week and then i go back and then consider injection.
Well,  i am going for a weeks holiday 31st aug and last year our holiday was ruined because of this hip problem, i just could not walk, do you think i should go and see my gp and see if i can get the injection asap or carry on with rest and ice?
Sorry for all the questions but it is a relief to find someone who has actually gone through this and got it sorted. 

[Rowan]

Hospital appointment tomorrow and if I am offered a steroid injection, will take it with open arms

[kerrieann]

my words exactly    other half looked at me in disbelief when i said that,  give it me now 

[Greyhoundgal]

greyhoundgal, please can i ask, did you have a trochanteric bursitis ? if so am i doing the right thing at the min i am doing ice packs for 15 mins every hour and keeping off my feet as much as possible, i can't use anti inflammatory's, so just ice, the osteopath said to do this for a week and then i go back and then consider injection.
Well,  i am going for a weeks holiday 31st aug and last year our holiday was ruined because of this hip problem, i just could not walk, do you think i should go and see my gp and see if i can get the injection asap or carry on with rest and ice?
Sorry for all the questions but it is a relief to find someone who has actually gone through this and got it sorted. 

Yes I did Kerrieann and most painful it was too.  Mine started soon after we got our first dog - if you look it up you will see that often joggers get it so I put mine down to the extra exercise I had been doing.  A bursur is an inflamed sac that surrounds joints like hips, elbows etc but if you can't take anti inflamatories maybe try Turmeric capsules - they're a natural form of it and can work very well.  I think if you're going on holiday soon I would push for the injection though - not too painful although you are supposed to stay off your feet for 48 hours afterwards - I did that with the first one and it lasted ages but circumstances didn't allow me to rest enough after the 2nd.  But the best thing I did was see an acupuncturist - I was quite sceptical before I went but it was some of the best money I ever spent.  Hope this helps?

[kerrieann]

thanks greyhoundgal, thinking about it mine started on holiday where we walked for miles and not so at home, but we have had a pup, last February and i kept on trying to walk him because i thought i was suffering from sciatica and they said walking was good, in hindsight i see i was making things worse  i have an appointment tomorrow with my gp so i will ask for the injection.  thanks for the help.  kerrie