Expert: Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 5/3/2007

Question
I am 21 years old and pretty healthy, but my right hip has been always been a
problem for me. Some days it is so sore its hard to walk on it for long periods
of time. It feels like my hip is out of the socket and have to pop it. The
popping alleviates the pain temporarily. Other days I feel a tingling that runs
down my right leg. I am not sure if this is athritis, a nerve problem, or simply
from some past injury. I did fall off a motor bike when I was about 9 years
old, landing on my hip. But there was never any immediate effects (I didn't
see a doctor). Any ideas?  

Answer
Hi Angela,

I suspect you may have some post-traumatic osteoarthritis setting up in your hip. The first thing I would do is get it x-rayed. It also could be a sacroiliac dysfunction or something in your low back that is referring pain down your leg. Only a qualified physician such as a D.C., D.O. or orthopedic M.D. can make that distinction, in person, with the information you provided me.

If it is OA, (osteoarthritis), the sooner you get it treated, the less of a problem you'll have with it down the road. Make sure you take Glucosamine sulfate with MSM 500mg/day 3 in the A.M. and 3 in the P.M. The therapeutic dose is 2 grams/day. Many people make the mistake of taking a bad brand and not enough of it to ensure results. Also, have it ultrasounded, (Therapeutic not Diagnostic), with joint manipulation. If it turns out to be something else, I can advise you accordingly.

Your body never forgets an injury, if you did injure it when you were 9, you can bet it will respond by turning arthritic.

The sooner you get it checked, the better!

Thanks for your question,

Dr. Timothy Durnin