Since STW seems to be the place for medical advice I thought I’d give it a try…

HISTORY:

About 6 years ago I broke my big toe (the joint ‘knuckle’ was mashed). Fracture clinic decide just to leave it – but consequently have no movement in that toe.

During ski boot fitting a few years back it emerged this was causing some foot problems and I got recommended a podiatrist who specialist in sports / boot fitting. £300 later I had some fancy insoles. She commented at the time she was really surprised I didn’t have hip pain.

I wear the insoles every day. If for some reason I fogey, my ankle/foot aches after a day. If I massage the soft tissue area below the “ankle bone” then it seems to be a bit ‘crunchy’ and the middle of my foot and three central toes goes numb – that can last 5 minutes or 5 hours.

SYMPTOMS NOW:

I am now experiencing some (relatively mild) pain around my hip joint. I am assuming this is related. Its not really sore enough to go and see a GP about – but its been there for a couple of months now every day.

So, do I go back to the podiatrist (it seems odd to go to a foot person for hip pain), do I go see a physio (but I have no idea if they can help), is some sort of osteopath maybe more relevant. Of course I could just MTFU and accept I am getting old, but I’m not even 35 yet!

If you’re anywhere near Edinburgh go to Fasics at the uni

Pain where most people think the hip joint is, is not where most people with hip problems get hip pain…

So I’d see a decent sports orientated physio first off

During ski boot fitting a few years back

Time for new insoles?

I am assuming this is related. Its not really sore enough to go and see a GP about

yes it is. I’d at least give the health service you’ve already paid for a shot before spending money on well meaning shamen and quacks. (who aren’t so well meaning as to have dedicated themselves to proper training or rigorous meaningful qualifications)

Sirley this is exactly what GPs are for?

They will be able to refer you to the relevant expert. You will then have the choice to pay to go private or go on the NHS if it is a service they provide.

Or the GP may tell you to MTFU but at least then you know.

If you’re anywhere near Edinburgh go to Fasics at the uni

I’m not far away, I’ll investigate that thanks. It looks like I might still need some idea of which ‘guy’ I need to see but at least they are all together…

Pain where most people think the hip joint is, is not where most people with hip problems get hip pain…

Interesting. When I described where the pain was to my wife she said, “but that’s not your hip”… …my pain is deep seated within my glute and radiates round to the side/top of my leg [very bad description]. It is not where you put your hands if someone said ‘put your hands on your hips’.

Time for new insoles?

I hope not I was told they would last at least 8 yrs and then only if they get old/tatty. I guess its possible something has “moved” but that’s why I haven’t simply gone back to the podiatrist – because I wonder if someone else might have a different fix other than making mouldings of my feet!

Sirley this is exactly what GPs are for?

really, excuse me doctor, there’s not really anything wrong with me I’ve just got a bit of an ache, I know you can’t do anything for me and there are genuinely sick people outside in your waiting room, some of who are probably dying of cancer – but can you tell me who can help?

yes it is. I’d at least give the health service you’ve already paid for a shot before spending money on well meaning shamen and quacks. (who aren’t so well meaning as to have dedicated themselves to proper training or rigorous meaningful qualifications)

are all the healthcare professionals I mentioned not ‘state registered’ and restricted names/occupations – meaning that in fact they have got some sort of specialist training and qualifications? More importantly to me I was hoping sweepy / stoatsbrother were hinting at I might see someone who was used to dealing with relatively healthy people with minor musculoskeletal issues rather than the chronically ill, and elderly who seem to be the major visitors to my local GP.

poly yep you can get hip joint pain where you describe – but also some sciatic nerve/ other nerve pain can be there… Top of the thigh/groin at the front is pretty typical too… Many people think they have hip joint pain if it is in the lateral aspect of the upper thigh, it usually isn’t.

As a GP – I’d be happy to see people with the pain you describe… but unlike knees and shoulders where there is a lot of stuff we can do/suggest, most of the stuff for adult non-traumatic hip pain which doesn’t need major hip surgery is generally better done by therapists