pain in hips after radiation

ritakays

five year cancer surviver!!!! But i believe radiation in my hip area has caused me to have pain in my hips ,i cant hardly put on my socks or sit indian style i get charlie horses in that area when in my exersize class.doctors say they dont think it was radiation that caused that but i disagree has anyone else had this experiance if so what can be done to help the pain

AnneCan

Hi Rita,
I haven't had this
Hi Rita,

I haven't had this issue, but welcome to this board; I am sure someone can help you. Congrats on being a 5 year+ survivor!

dianetavegia

HI Rita, Think chemo and not
HI Rita,

Think chemo and not rads. My hips and knees hurt much of the time. Several really young members are in loads of pain. I did a websearch asking 'Can chemo cause joint pain?' and got thousands of hits that say YEP.

One answer is that chemo throws women into menopause and hormonal changes cause arthritic pains/ joint pains. Another talks about residual pains after chemo, even in very young people.

Lisa42 saw a rheumatologist but he was no help.

Oh well! At least we're healthy.

BTW, Welcome!

Diane

JDuke

dianetavegia said:

HI Rita, Think chemo and not
HI Rita,

Think chemo and not rads. My hips and knees hurt much of the time. Several really young members are in loads of pain. I did a websearch asking 'Can chemo cause joint pain?' and got thousands of hits that say YEP.

One answer is that chemo throws women into menopause and hormonal changes cause arthritic pains/ joint pains. Another talks about residual pains after chemo, even in very young people.

Lisa42 saw a rheumatologist but he was no help.

Oh well! At least we're healthy.

BTW, Welcome!

Diane

Hi Rita
I had radiation to my pelvis in '08. More concentrated on the left side to zap a lymph-node. I experience intermittent pain in that hip. As you said, seems that it is aggravated by my sitting position and activity, or lack of activity. Sometimes just being sedentary for long periods of time, like being on this board and FBing or riding in the car for long periods of time, cause it to "freeze up". Thank goodness it is not severe enough to require medication. It is annoying but... "it is what it is".
Take care,
Joanne

Sundanceh

Think No More
Hi Rita

Nice to meet you. This is a good question and there are differing opinions about this condition.

I will tell you 100% that it is RADIATION that did this to you. Unequivocally, without a doubt, I'll belive this.

It happened to me as well. I was in good shape, flexible and mobile enough prior to radiation treatments. They did 25x in both the Left & Right hips and straight up the backside. Since then, I've had pains in both hips and bending over and being flexible is difficult at best. It's very hard to get up off the floor from a down or sitting position. Getting in and out of a small car is difficult too as you bend too far to get down and you can aggravate the pain.

Early on in my treatment I did a week of 5-fu in Week #1 and Week #5 of the radiation treatments, and that was all the chemo at that time. However, the radiation was constant from weeks 1-5 and as I said I was OK before the radiation began and ended.

I'm not discounting that chemo could cause this condition, but I know the effects from the radiation definitely did damage in the hip area on both sides. Radiation cause a whole lot of internal damage as well, but that's another story.

For those folks who have not had radiation to their hip area, it's difficult for them to understand what one endures having these treatments done and the collateral damage that comes from it - it's a heavy price to pay for sure.

I'm letting you know from DIRECT EXPERIENCE that this is the cause of your problem, so now you know another person feeling what you do.

I don't do anything for it, except walk and climb stairs to keep things as flexible as I can get. Just everday bending and real life work is what I use to combat this, but it gets a little harder each year - I often wonder what the long term prognosis will be for me.

I'm sorry you went through that...we'll walk the path together...we may need each other to help the other one get up one day, LOL

-Craig

lemonade

I have/had - whatever - anal
I have/had - whatever - anal cancer. I was checking the CRC area because the anal area (ha ha) is a new group. I was diagnosed 7-09 and finished surgery, chemo/rad 10-09.

I have the same stiffness in my pelvic area. It started getting really uncomfortable Jan. 2010. I don't think it was caused by the chemo either, because it only hurts in the area where I had the radiation. Say for instance, my ankle joint doesn't hurt.

On my own valition, I started doing physical therapy exercises for people who have had hip replacements. I found some on the internet. They are basic stretching exercises. I see my doctors in 3 weeks for follow-ups. I thought I would try these before my dr. appts. It is too early to tell if they are working yet or not. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

donnajeanc

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/784017#Comment_784017

I am 3 years after 29 radiation treatments and 2 rounds of 5-FU chemo and I have noticed increased hip pain also. It is reassuring I'm not alone and thanks for sharing the idea of trying stretches for post hip replacement, I hadn't thought of that. I want to keep as flexible and able to walk as much as I can. I'm thankful for the treatment, it did get rid of the cancer but just wish they'd be honest with me when I ask about physical pain and changes that have occurred with treatment. I just want advice on how to treat it not place blame on anyone.

iron9nadin

Another thought could be checking for bone density. My gyno suggested I stay on top of that as I had radiation to pelvis and with early onset menopause from treatment, I could have early bone density loss.

30 jumping jacks a day, or simular activity, helps your body to recognize bone challenge/impact and will continue to tell you body to lay down more bone, thus stopping degeneration. I use my rebounder as well, for aiding lymphatic drainage and feel they both are extremely helpful.

-Nadine

ChrisThomas

I can confirm Craig's comments are true. I had pelvic radiation in 2013, and both of my hips were replaced in 2019 and 2020. The second surgeon virtually guaranteed that the radiation treatments caused accelerated arthritis and was also the cause of a rare Acetabular fracture in my left hip socket.

Chris