POST RADIATION PROBLEMS HIP AND PELVIC BONE DAMAGE

angielewis1959

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon/Rectal cancer in April 2014. I had 28 treatments of radiation with a 5fu pump, ileostomy, 8 treatments with Oxaliplatin, and ileostomy reversal. I am now "cured" and now longer need to see my Oncologist. I have noticed that my hips seem to be weaker with knee buckling, foot drop and hammertoe on the right side. I am having surgery for the hammertoes in April but was wondering if I should see an Orthopedic Doctor for the hip problem. The Peripheral Neuropathy does seem to be worsening in the last few years.

Angie

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nbycina

For what it’s worth…I have foot problems after treatment. I see a podiatrist (surgical) and am undergoing surgery for plantar fasciitis. I also have cervical arthritis from the thoracic to the top of my head bringing headaches. I am being followed by pain management with regular appointments.

Jet1204

I started yoga reformer right away and got a trainer for weights. The yoga reformer is amazing. My balance is way better and my hips do not hurt anymore. Lots of stretching really does help and the weights help coordination and balance.

Kassieray

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/257754/post-radiation-problems-hip-and-pelvic-bone-damage

yes I have had a few insufficient fractures in the hip area. I went PT, which really helped. Continue to do those exercises it helps.

MaryAnnH

I too suffered destruction to my hip joints. My left hip became useless within 3 years after my radiation treatments (uterine cancer). I could no longer walk, stand, get up out of a chair. It just wouldn't bear weight. I'm and American living in Canada and we have free medical care (absolutely free; socialized medical care is da' bomb!). The solution was hip replacement (2 years ago). It's like being 20 again! I wish I had ALL new joints :) The pathology report confirmed my suspicions: the bones were necrotic, dying. This is not a complaint. I'm grateful for the good medical care I received and more life ahead of me, but the damage that can occur should not be ignored…swept aside. For me, the hip pain was the clue, but the reality became that it couldn't bear any weight and my gait was becoming affected. In the end, I couldn't walk to my last appointment with my orthopedic surgeons. Hip replacement was the answer for me. I can't help but wonder if having necrotic bones in my body made me feel ill , because I found it impossible to regain my energy, even a year after R therapy was finished. Perhaps this necrotizing bone tissue affected my immune system, causing the fatigue and the feeling of "coming down with something."

KathrynOneal

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719799#Comment_1719799

Jet1204: Would you educate me please? What is a yoga reformer? Thank you. KathrynOneal

Jet1204

You can look up yoga reformer on YouTube or on amazon. Its basically a machine that helps do yoga moves easier than being on the ground. You might find your hips are tight after radiation and it really helps stretch the hips and lower back. There are people certified to train people using the reformmer. I have a trainer.

lopenjr

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/257754/post-radiation-problems-hip-and-pelvic-bone-damage

I just finished my treatment in May of 2025, so fairly recent, but I am experiencing the hip, muscle, and bone soreness and fatigue. I go later this month to get my CT scan to see if the tumor is gone. No cancer cells in my bloodwork, just need to get "cleared" from the CT scan to be in "soft remission." Yet, I am still feeling sore, tired, and tight from my legs, muscles, and bones. I see that your treatment has been a while ago, but how long did this feeling of soreness, tiredness, and feeling of weakness in your muscles last for you?

I am still feeling a small level of pain when I go to the restroom. It's still hard to control my flatulence. Did you have this issue too? If so how long did it take for you to regain control?

Thanks

CharlotteW

HI all, I had anal cancer 2007 treated with surgery, radiation, and chemo. I am very thankful to be alive at 76. I did end up having both hips replaced. I was told it was arthritis, but I blame radiation on a lot of it.

M_S

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1723932#Comment_1723932

Hello, congratulations on finishing your treatment in May. I finished treatment for Stage 3 anal cancer in May of 2022, so three years before you did. I came to this forum today for the first time because I am still experiencing weakness and pain in my hips—most pointedly in my hip flexors. It was actually reassuring to find that others have experienced lingering after-effects in their hips from radiation. (No one on my medical team mentioned this could be an issue.)

For me, the overall fatigue of recovering from chemo and radiation took a couple of years, but my energy is now improved (though still not back to what it was). I've found that walking and gentle yoga are nonnegotiable daily practices in managing the soreness and improving strength and flexibility. Ditto wearing supportive athletic shoes (for me, Hokas) for my daily walks. (When my old Hokas started to wear out, the pain in my hip flexors immediately got worse.) Sitting too long can also affect things. I've seen a physical therapist for some exercises that also seem to be helpful.

I had significant pain when going to the bathroom for two years post-radiation, but by the third year that has almost completely resolved.

Looking back, I've found it's easy to underestimate how long the body might take to heal. It's hard to know in advance what this will look like, but I think if you are patient with the process and keep gently moving the tired, sore, and weak areas, you will definitely see progress.

Sending good thoughts your way.

lopenjr

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724788#Comment_1724788

Thank you so much for the information. I was actually thinking about getting into yoga, I was pretty consistent before cancer and treatment, but the soreness and low energy has stopped me from trying. I do have a lot more energy now so I will start yoga Thursday. I would start tomorrow, but I go to see my oncologist to get my final numbers, and hopefully schedule an appointment to get my port removed. I am looking for a tattoo of a Phoenix to put around my port scar with date of Sept. 16, 2025 (remission date) in Roman Numerals.

Now it's time to start the weaning off of Oxy and Fentanyl.