What Causes Dull Aching Pain From Hip To Ankles?

Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have always been a walker, but the last 6 months my legs ache to the point of not being able to walk comfortably. It started with my right hip and I can not lay on my side at night, only my back. I wake up at night with aching dull pain from hip to ankle. I have been to a DO and she gave me a cortisone shot in my right hip thinking it was bursitis but it did nothing. I have to take pain meds constantly to be able to function. What do I do? I am 63 and don't feel this is normal. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sassen S Kwasa (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need a steroid shot done under ultrasound/CT guidance

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. Sorry about your hip, what you probably have is tronchanteric bursitis and this is indeed treated with steroid intra-articular shots, what happens many times is that the capsule is missed and this may need to be given to you again under CT guidance to get symptomatic relief. I hope this helps, good luck.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T