Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Left-sided Pain In The Hip?
Question: My mom is 92. She has developed severe pain - some in lumbar back but primarily in left hip, gluteous, and the side of leg to knee but not further. When she lifts left leg it hurts and also getting into bed , coughing hurts in the hip and glute area, and lifting her leg hurts in the glute and hip. I see her sleeping in her recliner and her leg will jerk up almost 3 feet. and She had a cortizone shot in left hip one week ago---- no help...
1. Is ice or heat good for pain i hercase?
2. Is a TENS unit and electrodes helpful for pain like she has... i have a TENS unit and now how to put it on . Would you recommend?
3. She has an MRI scheduled Tuesday. Is a CT scan of the lumbar just as good as an MRI of the lumbar- in her case?? ? Whats benefit of MRI over CT
4. She has one kidney.... creatinine is 1.8...very common. Doc says takes Trizix, a pain med. Im concerned there is issue with that drug and someone 92.
Please help me on these issues
1. Is ice or heat good for pain i hercase?
2. Is a TENS unit and electrodes helpful for pain like she has... i have a TENS unit and now how to put it on . Would you recommend?
3. She has an MRI scheduled Tuesday. Is a CT scan of the lumbar just as good as an MRI of the lumbar- in her case?? ? Whats benefit of MRI over CT
4. She has one kidney.... creatinine is 1.8...very common. Doc says takes Trizix, a pain med. Im concerned there is issue with that drug and someone 92.
Please help me on these issues
Brief Answer:
Your answers as follows.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I'll try to answer your questions one by one.
1. Heat is the appropriate measure. Ice is usually better for the first couple of days, afterwards heat is preferred.
2. TENS units may have some benefit. Not all patients benefit from them, but it is a safe method of treatment so since you already have it at your disposal I would recommend to try it.
3. MRI is generally considered better than CT. That is not to say that CT doesn't provide information, it does and may be enough in many cases, but MRI provides even more detail especially in viewing the nerves and soft tissue, so when it is accessible it is preferred to CT.
4. I suppose you mean Trezix, not Trizix. It is a product containing three drugs, acetaminophen, caffeine and dihydrocodeine. Regarding the kidney issue they do not represent any major threat, do not impair and are not metabolized by kidney. In general the first two are pretty safe, at least the safest analgesics at our disposal. The third dihydrocodeine does have some potential for dependence as it is an opioid, but for short periods of time it may be used since she is in too much pain.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Your answers as follows.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I'll try to answer your questions one by one.
1. Heat is the appropriate measure. Ice is usually better for the first couple of days, afterwards heat is preferred.
2. TENS units may have some benefit. Not all patients benefit from them, but it is a safe method of treatment so since you already have it at your disposal I would recommend to try it.
3. MRI is generally considered better than CT. That is not to say that CT doesn't provide information, it does and may be enough in many cases, but MRI provides even more detail especially in viewing the nerves and soft tissue, so when it is accessible it is preferred to CT.
4. I suppose you mean Trezix, not Trizix. It is a product containing three drugs, acetaminophen, caffeine and dihydrocodeine. Regarding the kidney issue they do not represent any major threat, do not impair and are not metabolized by kidney. In general the first two are pretty safe, at least the safest analgesics at our disposal. The third dihydrocodeine does have some potential for dependence as it is an opioid, but for short periods of time it may be used since she is in too much pain.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I think if medication does not work the next step to go would be epidural shots. They do not have any additional risks related to age. So I would be in favor of them.
Accupuncture not being a part of traditional medicine is not that well studied, not by medical circles I mean. There aren't many pubblications, no studies comparing its benefit with other medical alternatives or placebo, so any opinion is not evidence based. However it is safe and I have had some patients reporting improvement with it, so no harm in trying if nothing else works.
Regarding chiropractics there are some studies showing some benefit in back related problems. It can be applied in an elderly person as well, though of course techniques may need to be modified.
Fentanyl patch does work locally mainly. It would benefit pain due to local arthritis and muscle spasms. I would expect less benefit if due to nerve compression, do not expect it to penetrate it that much. But again it is safe and can be given a try as well.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I think if medication does not work the next step to go would be epidural shots. They do not have any additional risks related to age. So I would be in favor of them.
Accupuncture not being a part of traditional medicine is not that well studied, not by medical circles I mean. There aren't many pubblications, no studies comparing its benefit with other medical alternatives or placebo, so any opinion is not evidence based. However it is safe and I have had some patients reporting improvement with it, so no harm in trying if nothing else works.
Regarding chiropractics there are some studies showing some benefit in back related problems. It can be applied in an elderly person as well, though of course techniques may need to be modified.
Fentanyl patch does work locally mainly. It would benefit pain due to local arthritis and muscle spasms. I would expect less benefit if due to nerve compression, do not expect it to penetrate it that much. But again it is safe and can be given a try as well.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
