I’m having a debate with my rheumatologist, and I’d like some input from anyone similarly situated. Here’s my situation. I’m 51; I’ve been lifting since I was a teenager (although not consistently for that entire period); I’ve been pretty consistent for the last 12 years or so. I have had arthritis in my right hip joint for about 18 years; it was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Until recently, the pain was under control with medication, but in the last year or so, I find that I wake up with pain in my hip after sleeping for 3-4 hours. I have to get up and walk around for 5 or 10 minutes to get the joint warmed up and lubricated. Then I’m okay to sleep for another 3-4 hours.
I went to the rheumatologist last week, and he switched me from Vioxx to Celebrex (both maximal doses) to see if that helped. He made some general remarks about aging, the progress of the disease, and eventual hip replacement, and then said, “Let’s get an x-ray.” Well, the good news is that he was astounded when he put that x-ray beside one from 1988 – there was almost no change. I attribute that to two things, lots of exercise so as not to lose range of motion (I can still squat to rock bottom) and use of glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM – not that the Doc would approve of those supplements, though, so I don’t discuss those with him.
So we went back to his office, and he stated the obvious, “Your symptoms are inconsistent with both your range of motion and your x-ray. In fact, your range of motion is inconstent with your x-ray. Most people your age with your hip joint would be walking with a cane. Let’s try to figure this out, but in the meantime, stop squatting.” I finally convinced him that in fact, squats were not stressing my hip joint, and got his grudging approval to continue. In my opinion, this is a use-it-or-lose it situation – the reason that I can still squat is that I just kept doing it, and if I stop I will be one of those people walking with a cane.
So here’s my question, is there anyone else out there with arthritis in the hip who can tell me their own experience with this? Do you squat? How deep? How is it working – more pain, less pain, no difference? How about developing pain while remaining in one position (i.e., mostly while asleep, but also sometimes when driving long distances – there’s a limit on how I can shift my hip around while still keeping my foot on the accelerator), but being more or less pain-free as long as the joint remains in use? If you have experienced this, what therapies or medications have your tried? Did they work? Are you using any of the supplements that I use? Do you use other supplements? I am also a martial artist, so I am usually pretty well stretched out, but I’d also like to hear stretching suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Porkchop