Hip pain in Hemiplegia CP — Scope | Disability forum
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Hip pain in Hemiplegia CP

amyjaj
amyjaj Community member Posts: 17 Courageous
For many years after walking for awhile my hip on my affected side starts to really hurt. I also find I struggle to walk all together with burning pains in both legs and struggling to move them.  I have to hold on to something to walk.  Hence  seeking help from the Wheelchair Service. Yesterday I had a visit from a physiotherapist.  She says I have a weak hip with muscles that are not doing much for me.  My hamstring is very tight. She also discovered a 2 cm discrepancy in leg length. She says usually all the muscles  in hemiplegic’s hips are tight.   Has given me some exercises and referred me to  orthotics for their opinion.   Possible shoe raise or back in leg splints!   I have noticed that my hemi foot has started turning outwards.   I did have an operation to get me out of leg splints when I was 12  and haven’t been in a leg splint since I was 14.

Comments

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    Unfortunately, hip pain and discomfort are very common for people living with hemiplegia Did your physiotherapist discuss the possibility of hydrotherapy? It's a very good way of strengthening the muscles whilst not putting unnecessary stresses on other parts of the body. The warm water is also very beneficial for tight muscles.
    Scope
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  • Imogen_Steele
    Imogen_Steele Community member Posts: 42 Courageous
    I’m sorry you’re hip is hurting at the moment. I have great difficulty with both my hips and my hamstrings and have learnt a few things to help stretch them out. I always lay on my tummy to stretch out my hips and find that a hot water bottle can help my pain. My surgeon taught me a great stretch for my hamstrings which involves laying on your tummy (again) with your legs hanging of the bed from just above your knee for a hour. I hope this helps.
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    Thanks, @Imogen_Steele I completely forgot about the hanging off the bed stretches!
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  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @amyjaj, I'm sorry you are having trouble with your hips, mine also cause a lot of pain when I have been stood up for a while. Both my feet also turn in.

    After coming out of splints when I was 15, I started wearing them again when I was 19. This actually was the best decision I ever made as it allows me to walk a lot further than I previous could :)

    I hope the advice above is helpful, I always found hydro to be beneficial, and I hope the referrals go okay!
    Scope

  • milliemollie
    milliemollie Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    My right  side is affected with CP,  I have started with hip pain. I also have burning sensations down the front  of my left leg after my leg gave way and I fell onto my knees. I've always walked with my right foot turning out.  I was called club at school because the bullies thought I looked like a golf club. 

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Sorry to hear you're in pain as well @milliemollie, do you have a physiotherapist? I'm sorry the bullies at school were cruel, some people are so ignorant. :(
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    Hi @milliemollie
    Have you contacted your GP about the pain that you are experiencing? Your GP will refer you to an orthopaedic consultant who will then assess your hip. In the meantime, I can suggest hot baths with Epsom salts to help ease the discomfort a little.
     I can empathise with what you experienced at school and as my colleague has said it is ignorance.
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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  • milliemollie
    milliemollie Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    I have been discharged from physio but I continue to the exercises. I would love to soak in the bath but I don't think I could get out of one easily at the moment. I have handrails to hoist me up normally but I don't think I've the strength at the moment. 
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    You can contact your local authority and ask for a needs/equipment assessment. I was able to get a bath chair which obviously makes my life so much easier.
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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  • amyjaj
    amyjaj Community member Posts: 17 Courageous
    edited December 2019
    Got a prescription for 3 shoe raises  a year and back into a leg splint as my foot has started walking toe heel again after surgery aged 12 to sort it out!
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    edited December 2019
    Hi @amyjaj
    Has the splint helped? 
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

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  • amyjaj
    amyjaj Community member Posts: 17 Courageous
    it it has, even the shoe raise on its own has helped with my walking they said in orthotics when they see me walking.  My HR manager at work has said it has made a difference in my walking!
  • Chloe_Scope
    Chloe_Scope Posts: 10,586 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @amyjaj, really glad the shoe raise and splint has helped! I know mine make a huge difference to my walking pattern. :)
    Scope

  • Alectia
    Alectia Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    That's great that someone mentioned hot baths with Epsom salts. I take care of my husband, and he also has hip pain periodically. His doctor suggested us to take these baths because they reduce pain and help to recover the joints. This article from Healthline.com says the same https://www.healthline.com/health/epsom-salt-bath#bath and my husband can prove that all true. We also do light massage for hip pain, he says he feels better after that. It's very easy, there are so many tutorials on YouTube today. Moreover, our doctor said that we have to change our old mattress on an orthopedic one because sleeping on a bad mattress causes joints pain...We were not sure if we have to buy a new one but the article from LinkedIn convinced us https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-effects-sleeping-bad-mattress-prateek-gupta. So we have chosen an orthopedic hybrid mattress from this resource https://www.talkaboutsleep.com/best-mattress-for-hip-pain/ (we find this article very informative because all pros and cons are presented and you can choose the right one). My husband says that after all these actions he feels much better. And I'm glad to hear that. 
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