I was dealing with hip pain for 7 years and had an MRI of my hip and back more than once. I went to 3 different doctors and had no problems they could identify. One doctor suggested that removing the hip bursa might correct the hip pain. I had this done, but it did not help with the pain. I could only walk for a city block before the pain would set in. I could sit and rest for 2 minutes and walk another block. Standing for any length of time was also difficult, and the pain would set right in again. I had steroid shots in the hip every 4 months, sometimes epidural shots in my back also relieved the pain for a short period of time, then right back to the same old pain.
As time went on, numbness began in my right foot and pain in my leg at night. Dr. Carlson was recommended to me by two of my friends, so I made an appointment with him. Prior to going, I said to myself “no way am I having a back operation.” I had an MRI done and an appointment with Dr. Carlson in Feb. 2011. He informed me that I had a cyst pressing on my sciatic nerve and also spinal stenosis and that I needed surgery. I agreed, since it was only getting worse and I couldn’t bear the pain anymore.
Surgery was April 6, 2011, and Dr. Carlson fused L-3, L-4, L-5 and S-1. Recovery from the back surgery went well and I only needed a limited number of pain pills when I got home. I was quite surprised! I followed Dr. Carlson’s directions after I got home, with exercising, walking and physical therapy. I continue to do my exercises at home to keep my back strong.
Bottom line – my hip and leg pain was coming from my back. I have no restrictions on what I can do and at age 69, I continue to do yard work, cut trees, go fishing, walk and stand as long as I like.
Thank you Dr. Carlson.