About me

I am a retired 72 year old woman with multiple health conditions including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. I am reasonably active but definitely not a sportsperson! My activity level is limited by the arthritis and at present I am awaiting a total ankle replacement for a very painful ankle joint.

The problem before treatment

Some time ago I developed a very painful right hip, which my GP diagnosed as Greater Trochanter Syndrome. She gave me an information sheet and a sheet of exercises but no other treatment. The hip was particularly painful at night and I was typically woken several times a night by the pain. I needed to stretch the joint out and manoeuvre the joint around to relieve the pain. The sleep disturbance and lack of sleep was affecting every part of my life. I was teaching at the time and this was made difficult. The hip also appeared to lock up and become intensely painful with certain movements, such as getting into a car, and I had to again manoeuvre it awkwardly to relieve the pain.

I tried some of the exercises I had been given, but they caused the symptoms to worsen, making it difficult even to walk, so I gave up on them. I had been told it would clear up in time, but this didn’t happen. Eventually I decided to see a physio at Croydon Physio (part of Surrey Physio), which we had used before to very good effect. I simply could not cope with the continued sleep deprivation and pain.

What made me seek help

The physio took time to examine me carefully and took details of my medical history and how this affected me. He agreed with the diagnosis and started a programme of very gentle exercises I could cope with, hands on manipulation and ultrasound therapy. He gave me a very clear exercise sheet which detailed exactly how to do the exercises and how often. I feel the ultrasound therapy was particularly effective.

My treatment and rehabilitation journey

Over time, my pain lessened and my sleep improved. The treatment was very effective and in due course the pain vanished entirely and I was able to sleep well and move freely once again. To this day I get no pain in that joint, and no sleep disturbance. I am very glad I came to Croydon Physio for help and very grateful that I can move and sleep freely and without pain. Thank you!

My message to others

My advice to anyone diagnosed with this condition is to seek help from a physio sooner than I did. I could have saved myself a lot of pain and sleep disturbance by doing so. Help is available! All the best,

Barbara Rudge