Hi, over the last week I've been experiencing a bad pain in my upper left thigh (near my hip and groin area). The pain is almost constant but sometimes mild. However, at other times it is severe enough to make walking or lifting the leg very difficult. There are also times (about 5 times throughout the day) where it is extremely painful to sit down. When I force myself to do so anyway the pain shoots down from my upper thigh to my knee cap and is excruciating. However once I've been seated for a few minutes it goes back to mild. I sustained no injury or trauma to the area that I'm aware of. I'm a 24 year old female, a little overweight but otherwise healthy, although I did have a laparoscopic surgery at the end of March. What is causing this pain?

Hi there, I did a Google search for "24 year old, unexplained hip pain" as this is exactly me! I have had the feelings you describe for 4 months now and endless tests are struggling to diagnose my condition. I am a qualified nurse and have researched a lot online (encouraging my doctor to do most of the tests I must say). So far I have had (and may help you) A Pelvic Xray- months of physiotherapy, Pelvic MRI, orthopeadic referral, Local Anaesthetic and Steroid injection into my hip. Nothing has helped so far, I have times where the pain improves and then "flares up" for no apparent reason to an unbearable pain where I am on bedrest and crutches. Ive had lots of blood tests, repeated every 4 weeks, with a slightly raised CRP and ESR. Im currently waiting on my Rheumatoid Factor and ANF results (again repeated) to see if this will shed any light. I apologise that Im not helping you other than offer areas to explore but I hope anyone reading can help us both and if you need any advice or support please contact me- EMAIL REMOVED

I think both of you need a mri of your lower back to check out you sciatic nerve. And don't let the report from the doctor who read the x-rays mean a thing, take the mri to a neurologist to check it himself. He will know exactly what he is looking for. After many reports the neurologist looked at my mri and found it in less then probably 2 minutes. Had my spinal fusion in 96 and its just know starting back again, but just here and there. Look for Dr. Tester web site it may tell you some stuff. Good Luck to you both.

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Originally Posted by dscreet

Hi there, I did a google search for "24 year old, unexplained hip pain" as this is exactly me! I have had the feelings you describe for 4 months now and endless tests are struggling to diagnose my condition. I am a qualified nurse and have researched a lot online (encouraging my doctor to do most of the tests i must say). So far I have had (and may help you) A Pelvic Xray- months of physiotherapy, Pelvic MRI, orthopeadic referral, Local Anaesthetic and Steroid injection into my hip. Nothing has helped so far, I have times where the pain improves and then "flares up" for no apparent reason to an unbearable pain where i am on bedrest and crutches. Ive had lots of blood tests, repeated every 4 weeks, with a slightly raised CRP and ESR. Im currently waiting on my Rheumatoid Factor and ANF results (again repeated) to see if this will shed any light. I apologise that Im not helping you other than offer areas to explore but I hope anyone reading can help us both and if you need any advice or support please contact me-EMAIL REMOVED

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Wow 4 months? I can't imagine living with this pain for another 4 months. Sorry you're going through this. :( I currently don't have medical insurance so can't go to the doctor right now but once I get my insurance sorted out, which should be soon, I'll definitely be going. Have your doctors had any idea what it could be at all?
Thanks for your help and if you get any answers, please let me know (my email is EMAIL REMOVED). I'll check back in here once I get to the doctor and have some tests done and hopefully have some helpful info. I can share.
Take care.

Just to let you know, your back doesn't have to hurt for it to be your spine,it still could pinched nerve. Also I spell Dr. Trester wrong, its right now.

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Originally Posted by unluckynut

Just to let you know, your back doesn't have to hurt for it to be your spine,it still could pinched nerve. Also i spell Dr. Trester wrong, its right now.

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Thanks, I'll take a look at that site now.

Hi unluncky nut, I had my lumbar spine included in my MRI as well as X-ray and also had extensive physio assessment and the pain is definitely coming from the hip joint but with no clear reason. I also have similar symptoms in my left hip which is unclear as to whether it is a similar problem or because of overuse and dependence. I have heard from my orthopaedic consultant that he is referring me on to rhuematology as they feel it may be a rhuematology condition. Very worrying as I'm desperate for a diagnosis to begin treatment and get me back to work, but also apprehensive as these conditions are often life-long and with heavy medication. I have an appointment of Friday so can let you guys know if anything happens. Really sorry about your situation with insurance sadie.. I'm lucky I'm scottish and we have the NHS. X

Good luck! We'll be waiting to here how you do! I have D.I.S.H disease, my spine is fussing itself together. So I'm in it for the long haul too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Just thought I'd check back in here... Made a trip to the ER today because I couldn't take the pain any longer... after blood tests, x rays and an ultra sound I was told I have arthritis and my X-rays show some damage to the area. I still need to follow up with orthopedics though. Arthritis at 24, who would have though :-/

Hey that's briilliant you've got some answers! Sorry its not something simpler though. Its arthritis that they are thinking mine may be too.. I'm waiting on blood results and a referral to rhuematology. So glad you finally got some help with it. Let me know how things go and ill keep in touch with mine. Xx

I want to ask you another question. When you had the mri done did your doctor look at the x-rays or did he read the report. Make sure whoever you go see looks at them and does not read the report. When my neurologist seen the x-rays himself he found it right away. Don't give up you'll find help!

Im not actually sure the same people have seen the MRI and the X-ray I'm going to orthopaedics tomorrow afternoon (my consultant is on holiday so unsure as to who Ill see) but I'm hoping I can ask for someone to look over everything as my GP just called and my blood results are negative. Extremely frustrating and getting annoyed now. If the docs could get the pain to a manageable level without intense flare ups I could return to work. Hopefully get some answers soon. Thanks x

Wish you the best of luck!

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Originally Posted by dscreet

Hey thats briilliant youve got some answers! Sorry its not something simpler tho. Its arthritis that they are thinking mine may be too.. im waiting on blood results and a referral to rhuematology. So glad you finally got some help with it. Let me know how things go and ill keep in touch with mine. xx

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Thanks. I'm glad I got an answer but I was hoping it'd be a temporary injury and not some life-long condition. I can't imagine living with this pain forever. Unfortunately, part of the treatment for arthritis is NSAIDs and due to another medical condition I can't take them. Not sure how I'm going to manage pain that's supposedly cause by inflammation when I can't take anti-inflammatory meds. I never would have expected arthritis to be such a sharp excruciating pain... I'm hoping the orthopedic doctor I see will have some treatment and pain management options because right now all I can do is rest.
Hope you get some answers soon as well.

My pain management Doctor gave me radio frequency nerve blocks, which help greatly. Each time you get them they last longer and longer. Maybe something like that can work for you. The D.I.S.H I told you about,which us what I have is a form of arthritis. Ask the Doctor about that nerve block. This last one has lasted me over a year,the first one only lasted about 2 months. The block just blocks the pain signal to your brain and you don't feel it.

You are on the money! dscreet's symptoms were very similar to mine due to a very intense sciatic nerve pull / inflammation - it was even discovered that a disk in the lower left hip/pelvic region was slightly out of joint. After a month of agonizing paralytic pain, I had to take matters into my own for relief-only so many aspirins one can take! After an informal consult with a Sports therapist [disclaimer in order] I focused upon, changing my mental state and diet; applied cold compresses upon inflammation followed by warm thereafter, for muscle/ligament relief, 15mins 3x/day [there are mixed reviews on this] Saw a Acupuncturist for 3 sessions; I assessed the best Pilate stretches to support the core- gently applied, ate plenty of vegetables, massaged thighs [both daily]; traded the aspirins for Arnica gel rubs, hypernicum/homeopathic & valerian root tea- I begin to receive relief & walked after 7 days & I kept the regimen up for another week-still working out the kinks- getting MRI!

I wish someone had a more definitive answer. My mother has been struggling with this since May. Most of June and July she was unable to get out of bed except to visit doctors. She has seen her family doctor numerous times, a lymphedema specialist, neurologist, pain management doctor, rhuematologist and several ER visits. MRIs, x-rays, steroid shots and a plethora of medications (neurontin, percocet, arthritis meds, vicodin, naproxen, ativan, flexeril, ibuprofen, morphine, dilaudid, fentynal.. ) nothing has helped and she has had no diagnosis.

This is years later, but wanted to post this for anyone suffering with this as I am. I think it is due to arthritis too. I'm much older so it would make sense for me. I tend to get flare ups when I sit in a chair with my legs up.

Anyway, turmeric, yes the spice, is great for inflammation, and is very safe, although it too thins the blood. You can eat it in a rice dish, etc, or buy in capsule form. I make my own capsules with organic turmeric, and put it in veggie capsules.

Gook luck folks.

P.S. The Arnica gel that someone mentioned is good too, and safe.