I have osteoarthritis; do I need a joint replacement?
Most people will never need a joint replacement and can manage their symptoms conservatively.
Most people will never need a joint replacement and can manage their symptoms conservatively.
Physiotherapists are able to perform steroid injections for greater trochanteric pain syndrome, but not for hip osteoarthritis pain. Whilst injections can be very effective in the short term, research shows medium to long term relief is not often achieved, and physiotherapy is the best long-term option for pain relief. Your physiotherapist will be able to discuss if an injection is appropriate if you are being seen within the Physiotherapy Outpatient Service.
If it is too painful to walk and you are limping then a walking aid will probably help. You could try a walking stick or a pair of crutches.
You should go to A&E if you have had a serious fall or accident, if you are unable to bear any weight or unable to move your leg, or if you have hip pain alongside a fever/ generally unwell.
It is important not to overdo exercise if you feel you may have a tendinopathy. Equally it is important not to completely rest. Find a suitable amount of daily activity that you can manage and try to gradually increase this as the pain subsides.
A clicking noise or ‘popping out’ sensation is common at the hip. This is often where the tendon flicks over the pelvis – it does not mean something is breaking and is nothing to be concerned by. Often strengthening the hip muscles can help.
Tears of the rotator cuff are very common and are a normal part of the ageing process. Most rotator cuff tears do not cause any pain or problem.
The rotator cuff tendons are all connected to create a large broad flat structure around the top of your arm bone, rather like a blanket. So when one tendon is torn, you can picture it like a hole in this blanket. A hole in a blanket doesn’t mean a blanket becomes useless, and this is the same for a tear in your rotator cuff.
Exercises strengthen the rest of the blanket to compensate for this ‘hole’ and are very safe to do. Exercise will reduce your pain and fear as well as improve your function.
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Physiotherapy Self-referral Information
The following criteria must apply for you to be eligible to self-refer to Provide Physiotherapy Service:
• 18 years old or over
• Registered with a Mid Essex GP practice
• Experiencing a musculoskeletal problem not improving following a period of digital self-management support
• Symptoms started or significantly worsened within the last 6 months
• Not already received physiotherapy within the service for the same problem in the last 6 months
Click Here if you wish to proceed
Provide Physiotherapy
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