Hi all, I was diagnosed in 2007 and in the last two years get a lot of hip pain if I have to walk far at all. Is it associated with the slightly odd gate we have or something else? Because the hip pain the I get limits me from walking much.
Thanks In advance for your responses.
Hi Martin
Have you been to your doctor to have this pain checked out with an x-ray? It's likely to be related to your ataxia but if it's not it could be something that needs to be treated.
I've just been through the whole hip pain thing and my GP led me to believe it most likely I was going to need a hip replacement before the age of 40, as the signs I had, in most people, indicated either an osteoarthritic or avascular necrotic hip. I have again turned out not to be 'most people' and don't need a hip replacement, the pain must be ataxia related. Thank goodness.
Best wishes
Poppy
Yes, need to be checked and physio should be able to advise you about walking aids. Posture is important and the wrong walking aids will cause hip/spine problems.
Take care, Patsy
x
Yes. I do too. I suggest some sort of physio, it’s probally from the way ataxia affects the walking gait
Hiya! Yes I get hip pain too, my GP says it is due to our gait, he has referred me for physio, I also get painful knees, both of these limit how far I can walk xx
Hi everybody,
My ataxia is fortunately not so far advanced yet, but I get hip pain while riding a horse. Feels like the joint is falling apart. Some fellow Dutch ataxians suggest this may have to do with overexertion of muscles because of coordination and balance issues, and I think they might be right.
All the best,
Cristel
I actually have to "snap" my coxyx and pelvic bones back together after a while on my feet. Doctors look at me like my head is on backwards but no one has done any x-ray or MRI. The pain is excruciating.
Martin,
Here is a article on what test to ask for. A deficiency in this nutrient can cause hip pain I had a knee pain before I got treated now I have no more pain. http://www.hormonesmatter.com/thiamine-deficiency-testing-understan..
If you are deficient in magnesium also the treatment of thiamine wont work. Thiamine enzymes reply on mafnesium enzymes to function in the boby.
That's really interesting Martin. I have had hip pain and sciatica for about 15 years (started when I was about 27). I would say I have "pre-ataxia" at the moment - subtle symptoms only noticeable if you're looking really hard, i.e. I notice them but others don't yet.
I've been seeing chiropractors over the years, but that only sort of manages the hip pain, doesn't fix it.
Last week I went to see a physiotherapist specialising in sports injuries. He says the hip pain is due to strain on the muscles from my knees leaning inward when I walk, sit or stand, which in turn is due to very weak stomach muscles. He's given me a set of exercises to strengthen the necessary muscles.
That's a short way of saying that yes, your hip pain could be caused by an odd gait. Or, as other posters have pointed out, it could be something else altogether. Either way, a good physiotherapist should be able to suggest some improvements.
Martin,
Here is a article on the importance of magnesium. http://drsircus.com/medicine/magnesium/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms-diagnosis
Poppy said:
Hi Martin
Have you been to your doctor to have this pain checked out with an x-ray? It's likely to be related to your ataxia but if it's not it could be something that needs to be treated.
I've just been through the whole hip pain thing and my GP led me to believe it most likely I was going to need a hip replacement before the age of 40, as the signs I had, in most people, indicated either an osteoarthritic or avascular necrotic hip. I have again turned out not to be 'most people' and don't need a hip replacement, the pain must be ataxia related. Thank goodness.
Best wishes
Poppy
Cristel, if you either use a dressage saddle with blocks in it or a GP with dressage blocks it will put your hips in a position that forces the ball into the joint in a way that's good for them. This might help with your hip pain. The dressage blocks should also make you sit deeper in your seat, which will help with your stability. (I ride in a Wintec GP with blocks)
Poppy
Cristel Aarts said:
Hi everybody,
My ataxia is fortunately not so far advanced yet, but I get hip pain while riding a horse. Feels like the joint is falling apart. Some fellow Dutch ataxians suggest this may have to do with overexertion of muscles because of coordination and balance issues, and I think they might be right.
All the best,
Cristel
Thanks, Poppy!
Tips like these are worth so much! There aren't that many people with ataxia around, and the majority of them wouldn't dream of getting up on a horse so it's very difficult to get the right information from somebody who knows what it's like to have to work hard to keep your balance!
Best regards,
Cristel
Poppy said:
Cristel, if you either use a dressage saddle with blocks in it or a GP with dressage blocks it will put your hips in a position that forces the ball into the joint in a way that's good for them. This might help with your hip pain. The dressage blocks should also make you sit deeper in your seat, which will help with your stability. (I ride in a Wintec GP with blocks)Poppy
Thanks, Poppy!
Tips like these are worth so much! There aren't that many people with ataxia around, and the majority of them wouldn't dream of getting up on a horse so it's very difficult to get the right information from somebody who knows what it's like to have to work hard to keep your balance!
Best regards,
Cristel
Poppy said:
Cristel, if you either use a dressage saddle with blocks in it or a GP with dressage blocks it will put your hips in a position that forces the ball into the joint in a way that's good for them. This might help with your hip pain. The dressage blocks should also make you sit deeper in your seat, which will help with your stability. (I ride in a Wintec GP with blocks)
Poppy
Cristel Aarts said:Thanks, Poppy!
Tips like these are worth so much! There aren't that many people with ataxia around, and the majority of them wouldn't dream of getting up on a horse so it's very difficult to get the right information from somebody who knows what it's like to have to work hard to keep your balance!
Best regards,
Cristel
Poppy said:
Cristel, if you either use a dressage saddle with blocks in it or a GP with dressage blocks it will put your hips in a position that forces the ball into the joint in a way that's good for them. This might help with your hip pain. The dressage blocks should also make you sit deeper in your seat, which will help with your stability. (I ride in a Wintec GP with blocks)
Poppy
Steve,
I too have hip pain, I had x-ray and nothing was found so I believe it has to do with my gait. My left side seems to be affected more and I think the way we walk with the gait is causing the pain. I too cannot walk long distance, so when I go somewhere and it means a lot of walking I use my wheelchair.
Martin,
Here is another avenue to pursue. http://drsircus.com/medicine/magnesium/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms-diagnosis
There a blood test to see if you are ok in magnesium it is called RBC magnesium.
Hi
An odd one to pass on but my osteopath reomended that when I clean my teaeth i should lean on the basin andd movemy hips side to side Feet flat and yes ive found it helps alot.
Martin
Due to our balance issues we put more pressure on our hips when we walk. The lower ribs may also get sore as the lower rib and the hip is pushed closer together when we make a disturbed step. I believe if this is prolonged it will leed to something worse that can be avoided.
My experience with hip pain was from using a cane instead of a walker for walking. A few weeks ago I switched from using a cane to using a walker and I’m really glad I did. The pain is completely gone, I can walk much faster now and feel generally better. I used my walker for the first time in public today and it took me about 5 mins to get over the thought of “everyone’s looking at this 30 year old using a walker”. Really though no one cares!
The walker simply allows us to walk with a better posture and it’s nice to always have somewhere we can sit down at anytime. Hope this helps!
This happened to me too Martin... [and everyone here :)] and I feel so much safer.. it's easier to look up and remember to smile as well as improving posture. In fact my walker [4-wheel rollator] has been such a boon, that I have bought another one. Now if I go out in the wet weather, I dont have to clean it immediately for use indoors.
Great for carry things and, as you say, sitting for a rest.
It's amazing how these little things help in such a big way. I bought mine from eBay which is so much cheaper than mobility shops [in UK].
I found same big advantage when I was provided with perching stool for using bathroom basin and grab rails at front entrance. Life neednt be such a big struggle even when your ataxia is relatively mild.