Hip flare up.

Diagnosis first - treatment second.

Such a blindingly obvious rule.

Whatever the treatment might be (physio, drugs etc.) you cannot treat something when you do not know what it is.

I know why GPs refer to their practice physio for anything musculo-skeletal - they know what is needed (e.g. an MRI or consultant referral) but they do not have this at their disposal. The rules make them wait to refer for an MRI for example, when they know it is needed now.

It is all a bit of a mess.

An NHS physio told me I needed to get an exercise bike and cycle to help my lower back pain. I was expecting him to suggest swimming, and had never heard of cycling for backs. I pointed out that I have ME and extremely limited stamina, so he advised me to cycle for just 2 minutes.

To cut a long story short, the very brief cycling sessions made both my back and my ME much worse and it cost me nearly £200 for an osteopath to sort out my back as I was in such pain.

So..... be cautious Kircubbin

I hope that you get some support and help soon, Kircubbin, it also sounds as if you could do with some pain relief.
Good luck

Yes, as everyone says, you need an X-ray.
The last time that I saw a physio (who was lovely and extremely professional) she said that she was refusing to give me any exercises as it would cause more problems.
She thoroughly examined me first.
She said I needed to get an X-ray and we’d proceed from there.

Get an xray ... my son had a car accident years ago went to the hospital ... off work ... went to see a physio in the end my son told him he couldn't do the exercises ... suggested going for a ct scan he had actually broken his back ! Just go to A & E hopefully you will get it xrayed or even a ct scan ... all the best

I am able to walk without crutches
That sounds positive Luckygirl
It's a pity you'll miss the festivities but will be worth it we hope.

Not being able to sit must be frustrating.

Will you be having physiotherapy?

Callistemon21 - that is kind of you to ask. I am able to walk without crutches and the pain has eased a bit - back feels stiff and sore but I guess that is inevitable. I tried out of interest to get into the driver's seat of the car today and it was still too painful, so I will try again in a week. It is frustrating as so much is going on in the village over the next few days and I cannot be a part of it all; and not being allowed to sit for more than 20 minutes makes it hard to settle to anything.

kircubbin2000 - I do hope that you can get referred for some proper investigations.

Definitely speak to the GP although it might be better to phone 111 as it's Bank Holiday.
Certainly don't start any exercises until you've had an X-ray.

Luckygirl how are you?

I have no wish to frighten you but you could easily have a small fracture and/or the cement may have broken or moved slightly. Do not be fobbed off.

I totally agree with Luckygirl. Your hip needs to be xrayed and a diagnosis found before you do a minute's physio.

You need to see your GP asap. Good luck.

How long since the hip was first replaced?

I am very much against physio being started before a proper diagnosis has been made. If you are suffering all these symptoms, then someone needs to be sure what is actually wrong with your hip before getting you to engage in abnormal repetitive movements that might make things worse or spark off other problems.

It makes me very cross. I know GPs are a bit desperate at the moment as they have little to offer because referrals are so slow, but this can be actively detrimental. I am sure that my slipped disc was made worse (and potentially triggered - it certainly felt that way) by the physio at the surgery for my hip.