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Chiropractic Help, Issue #14 - Hip-and-Groin-pain
April 10, 2010
Dear

HIP AND GROIN PAIN

HIP ARTHRITIS

There's been a lot of research lately about the different conditions that cause and contribute to hip arthritis. Ask any Chiropractor and s/he will tell you that a total hip replacement can be a wonder, but it can be an utter disaster too.

The actual mortality rate of hip surgery is relatively low: 1/ 2,500 patients, nevertheless it is major surgery, costly, painful and the rehabilitation can be long and arduous. Fatty thrombus (clot) to the heart, lungs and brain occur...

Of course, after a fall, a pin in the fractured hip can and does do wonders. Unless you're a smoker... then the chances are much higher that the bone won't heal.

Is there anything we can do to predict future hip arthritis, and is there anything that can be done to prevent it? Yes, certainly.




What is HIP ARTHRITIS ?
The ends of bones are covered with a very hard super-smooth lining called hyaline cartilage. Unlike most other living tissues, hyaline cartilage has no blood supply of its own, so it's utterly dependent on the normal flow of the fluid within the joint for its nutrition.
HYALINE CARTILAGE ...
Any deficiencies of the nutrients and oxygen within this synovial fluid, or the lack of movement of the fluid through the joint, or the build up of noxious waste products in the fluid will cause decay and deterioration of this cartilage lining the ends of the bones. The result? Hip arthritis.

See how super-smooth and shiny healthy cartilage is?


  1. GLUCOSAMINE- AND CHONDROTIN-RICH FOODS

    2. There are some simple foods that are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate that are at the heart of healthy hyaline cartilage; delic stuff that you can prepare at home. Inexpensive and easy to make, and what's more the research suggests it's far more effective than what you can buy out of a bottle.

    GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN ...

  2. LEG LENGTH INEQUALITY


    3. Very interesting research by a medical radiologist provides convincing evidence that a short leg causes significantly higher rate of arthritis in the hip, knee and ankle. I would add the spine.

    Having your Chiropractor check your leg length makes sense. Prevention... better than a cure for future arthritic joints.

  3. DEVELOPMENTAL HIP DYSPLASIA

    4. Hip dysplasia in its serious form will normally be discovered by the astute pediatrician soon after birth. Closely associated with a breech birth, the hip dislocates or subluxates with the result that the socket (acetabulum) never forms properly unless prompt measures are taken.

    With many chiropractors treating infants for Colic they would also be using the tests of Ortholani and Galeazzi, on the look out for this serious condition.

    However, in its more benign form, hip dysplasia does not subluxate, but the socket remains shallow and progresses to hip arthritis unless the appropriate treatment is applied. The key signs are a very mobile hip, so the child may become an excellent gymnast and contortionist, but a clicking with pain in the groin would cause one to suspect a possible hip dysplasia.


    DEVELOPMENTAL HIP DYSPLASIA ... What is it? >>

  4. FEMORO ACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME

    5. Exactly the opposite to hip dysplasia is a condition called FAIS - the coverage of the ball of the hip is too great. It too causes pain in the groin, but in this instance the range of motion of the hip is usually, but oddly not always, greatly reduced. It's ususally stiff and may be sore. In fact on examination, it has all of the characteristics of hip arthritis but, in the young person with no degenerative change. It too, untreated, has a prediliction for hip arthritis. It's very treatable with Chiropractic - don't accept that nothing can be done... use the site search function at Chiropractic Help to find the page.


    Are there exercises you could do? Chiropractic Tips ...
    Yes, indeed, though here a caution. There are no exercises pertinent to every condition, and if you do them incorrectly ... How do I know? I teach every single patient rehab exercises and whilst some people get them right the first time, for many I have to go through them again, and again, and... you get it. Do yourself a favour and ask your chiropractor's advice.


  5. FROM THE LOW BACK

    6. In our December 2009 newsletter you will find information about conditions like Meralgia Paresthetica and Maigne's syndrome and a Sacro-iliac syndrome that can cause referred pain into the hip and groin. Hunt through our back issues, found at the bottom of any page at Chiropractic-Help.com.



"There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt. And how do you know laughter if there is no pain to compare it with?"

Erma Bombeck


ACHING LEGS?


I have had a plethora of patients of late with aching muscles particularly in the legs. Either they call it a restless legs syndrome, or there's pain over the hip joints, or in the buttocks, or the calf muscles. Often it's of an obscure nature... one can't explain it.

Then the penny dropped. I started asking whether they were taking Statins - the medicines used for lowering raised blood cholesterol. Bingo!

The problem though, if one wants to come off Statins, is that the alternative may not be as palatable and does take effort - many people would rather swallow pills. But Statins have some very serious side-effects... muscle and kidney destruction.

But just think! A glass of red wine every night for the cholesterol alcohol link, an Olive garden salad recipe at least 3-5 times a week, a change to olive oil, more cold water Omega-3 rich fish, a good walk several times a week, an apple a day, Hummus several times a week. Is that all so terrible? Instead of aching legs and swallowing drugs every day? Did you know that a quarter of million people DIE every year in the USA from iatrogenic illness? Mostly from the side-effects of medicines.

Just take a good look at our Healthy Living Tips. It's all there. You can get your cholesterol down in double quick time. But do get it down. Otherwise it's a stroke... cheerful aren't I!


IATROGENIC ILLNESS ...

 FDA warns about Zocor, a statin, risk to muscles.

 CHOLESTEROL ALCOHOL AND STATINS

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS ...

 Spring is in the air in the northern hemisphere. That means it's time to get the bicycle out, planning some hikes and getting a good dose of the sunshine that drives away the winter blues. Literally. Wear a hat.

And in the south? Just keep enjoying that great outdoor living!


EXERCISE AND CHOLESTEROL ...

Until next month then. Promise not to fill your Inbox with information overload.

Should you have found this email helpful, feel free to forward to family and friends. Your doctor?! Our readership is rising in leaps and bounds, but for the considerable work put in, I would prefer it to go to 50 000 people!

Yours in Better Health. Plant a butternut squash this spring. After walnuts and flax seed it's the best non-fish source of Omega-3 "essential" fatty acids. Makes your babies more intelligent, delays that heart attack by two decades, significantly reduces senile dementia and old age forgetfulness. Dinkum.

Till next month then.

Bernard Preston, DC.

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