chisue, you & I must be twins, I am having the same problem but also in my knee same side as you. I had a MRI on my hip which showed bursitis. I got a shot in my hip & was told that this helps 85-90% of all people, just not me.

Next was a MRI on the lower back. I have lots of arthritis in my back which I knew about but that has gotten worse.

The Dr was honest he can not tell me what is causing this problem which I have had since Jan.

Next Fri I am going to a spine specialist for a 2nd opinion.

The thing is I have had a TKR 3 years ago but the pain is almost as bad as before the surgery. My range of motion & everything else on that knee is above what it should be.

I have had 2 bone density tests & have osteoporosis which I take meds for.

A MRI will show a lot more then a x-ray.

You have to use your own judgement if you want to go for the MRI. Have you been to this Dr before, maybe another opinion? You should be able to call any place that does x-rays, MRI & find out their price & go from there.

Good luck

Yes, it will show more. My shoulder MRI was $1500.00 which was covered by insurance. I chose not to have surgery, thankfully, and it healed on it's own. I hope you find an answer for your pain.

This sounds extremely simplistic, but have you tried wearing different shoes? I have had mysterious pains disappear when I did this and have to wear "comfort" shoes. Apologies if I've mentioned this before. I hope you both find and answers.

What a coincidence. I just posted a list of my physical problems. No doctor has

ever mentioned MRI to me. Good thing, too because I would refuse. I am somewhat claustrophobic and would freak out! If there is an open MRI, I would consider it as a last resort.

First: contact your insurance folks and ask someone what your total cost would be for the MRI. They have to give approval before any insurance claim can be submitted. I had several in the past few years (arthritis of the jaw - ouch!) and I had a manageable co-pay. Ultimately that is one of my medical expenses that I claim on my taxes.

I have a condition called Meralgia Paresthetica that is a result of my hip being replaced 11 years and 13 days ago (but who is counting). I have had 4 pain MDs work on it with injections with no change. I also had acupuncture from an American licensed MD who had her training in China. No change. So, I went to a spinal surgeon to see if there might be something that could be done because of the nerve's location. Nope, he wouldn't event take me seriously. Jerk!

There was a wonderful Nurse Practitioner who have me an injection for my bursitis on the other hip. The pain was gone the next day and it has never returned.

Rotator cuff problems in both shoulders. They really didn't want to operate. I did PT (and still do my exercises), but went back to the ortho guy and he gave me shots. Not perfect, but it is a lot better.

Wow, my sister has about the same exact symptoms. She's had chiropractic, physical therapy, and two epidurals. No improvement. She had an MRI at a free standing (not affiliated with a hospital) at her insurance's insistence. The surgeon who she just saw would "only be guessing" because the quality is so poor. You might spend more, but I'd recommend having it done at a hospital. Good luck!

btw - could it be your floors? We put in a new kitchen several years ago and even though we used the best underlay padding available, my legs HURT if I stand in the kitchen and cook for extended periods.

As the previously ill-informed recipient of many MANY medical tests, I am now extremely avoidant unless absolutely necessary. I would suggest asking your MD what he's looking for-- MRI/CT/X-ray/Bone Density tests are used to rule out specific conditions. And it's always my choice to go with the least toxic screening (CT only for life/death situations). I have osteoporosis and my Rheumatologist uses blood tests to measure changes in density.

I got a little upset the last time I had a bone density test. It was basically useless because I had to use a different machine and my doctor told me that they couldn't compare it to the last one because it was a totally different machine. Now she has moved to Florida and if I have another, it will be yet another machine. So I have osteopenia and have no idea if it has progressed.

We need to start our own 'clinic'!

Mary506 -- Please let me know what you hear from the Spine Specialist. The man I saw 'does hips' -- since I believed that was my problem. My internist recommended him. He's in a huge orthopedic and sports medicine octopus: Illinois Bone & Joint.

sleeperblues -- Guess I have to do the MRI, then hope that knowing 'why' isn't a dead end for getting pain relief. This would have to get worse before I had spinal surgery, but I'm less likely to 'grow out of it' than you.

sjerin -- Shoes! I wear only BOC or Merrills. I even wear these instead of slippers.

Sue_va -- I can use an 'open bore' MRI. (I think I AM a bore with my complaints!

Jim -- You and pkramer60 give me hope that a 'shot' can help! (I had a course of prednisone this spring for a nasty sinus infection -- didn't help my back.)

Julie -- Fair point about having tests where your MD tells you to go! Also, it's not our floor; hardwood throughout. I have to wear shoes constantly at our Maui condo, wit the tile throughout.

Thanks for helping me organize my plan of action. I'll get the MRI.

After seeing the x-rays of the (good) prosthesis in each hip, I'm thinking this is more likely spinal. Although it predates my shrinking an inch, the pain has gotten worse. I can 'traction' temporary pain relief by bracing my hands and arms on a counter top and letting my torso hang unsupported, feet off the ground. I have some pain standing, sitting, and prone.

My bones are weak after 35 years of steroids for asthma -- reason my hips failed. I can feel -- and hear -- my neck bones crack, and my shoulders 'grind' when I use my arms in lateral motions (wiping a kitchen counter). However, I've had kidney stones,including surgery in 2000 for a massive staghorn. Knowing my bone density number seems pointless if I can't take calcium.

Off to make the MRI appointment. At least I don't have to go far, and it's an open MRI.

MRI vs XR of c-spine/neck

Well, in some ways I guess I am the voice of desent but if your physician is suggesting an MRI, I would say you should get an MRI (or at least a 2nd opinion). You don't have to have it done at the hospital, there are stand alone MRI clinics with open MRI machines and reputable staff to provide the report to the doctors. They are far less expensive then a hospital and equal or even better when it comes to reading them.

The reason I suggest you listen to your doctor is because pain is a symptom of a lot of things but you really don't know what. MRI's and CT scans are an important part of the diagnosing process. Yes it may just be something less dangerous like athritus but it could be more than that. My husband has had severe athritus in his lower back for many years and when the pain kept getting worse, his primary care doctor ignored his complaints saying he just needed more exercise. When he could no longer sit down, I asked him to see my doctor who ordered an MRI and found there were lesions in his vertibrae, it was Multiple Myeloma. He was healthy, never sick, even in remission and on chemo maintenance he's never sick, but when the doctor wants bloodwork or to double check on something it doesn't matter what he wants, a CT Scan, MRI, Bone Biopsy, or just additional bloodwork, we find the most affordable way to comply and do it.

ETA: Maybe I'm over reacting, but why bother to see the doctor at all if you're not going to follow his directive? It can happen to anyone, my husband had no other symptoms and no history of cancer in his family.

ETA again, I often post before reading the responses so I missed where you said you're going to get the MRI, I was really glad to read that and I hope it turns out well.

It is worth checking with your insurance to find out where best to have it done.

For my insurance, the coverage is far better if I have it done at an in-network hospital (90% vs 50%). This is because they are able to contract better rates with the hospitals.

That's interesting (and good to know) mdln. I haven't experienced that as of yet, but our insurance is due to change (again) in January so I'm going to keep that in mind.

One of the things the doctor may look for is places of nerve pinches or encroachment on a nerve bundle. These untoward "pinches" can cause pain impulses. Nerve pinches can be caused by dislocations, growths, calcium deposits, slipped discs, spine vertebra poorly aligned, cracked bones, an old bullet, shrapnel, hernia, damage to the nerve sheath, infections, etc.

An MRI provides the Doc as good, if not better view of your insides than an Xray and without radiation exposure. Less dense items can be seen.

My neighbor had a hip replacement 10 or 15 years ago, and has experienced pain in the area for the last 5. The doctor insists the joint is fine and all is working as planned, but she does not get an explanation for her pain. (She is 90 and otherwise in pretty good health.) I hope you find an answer, Chisue. Btw, is your mattress top soft enough for you? I added a latex topper on my side of our king and my morning ache went away--I was amazed.

Thanks, all! I'm doing three tests: a hip, a pelvic, a spine. Scheduled 9/21, 9/22, 9/24. Each is 45 minutes. The facility is only about 10 minutes away. I've emailed my primary MD, asking for anti-anxiety meds. I don't do 'confinement' well.

Since scheduling, I've had two new 'events'. Saturday night my right kidney sent me a 'kidney stone' alert -- quelled with gallons of water. Sunday night something 'gave' in my right lower back; ice helped, but this morning I dug out my cane left over from hip replacement -- and DH is doing the vacuuming! (He says it's my anniversary present -- 52 years today.)

Lurkiirish -- Only a few minutes ago I looked up Multiple Myeloma. I've had slightly elevated IgG levels: 2190 in 2015; 2070 this April. (Normal range is 700 - 1600.) When I looked into that, there was a link to MM. It's encouraging to hear that your DH is doing so well. I have an 'allergic' reaction to hearing 'Myeloma' because my late mother died of leukemia.

chisue

Good luck on your 3 MRI's. Hope they will be able to find out why you have the pain. Please let us know how you make out. Happy Anniversary to the both of you. We will be married 51 years on the 26th.

Chisue, Happy Happy Anniversary. That's a long time! Congrats!

I also have an allergic reaction to cancer, just lost my mom a month ago to lung and salivary gland cancer. :c(

Thankfully, my husband is doing exceptional (knock on wood). He eats a healthy immune building diet, takes his medications religiously, follows all the doctors instructions and keeps a positive out look, all of which helps. Our experience though does make me a bit more sensitive when it comes to one's health. Your elevated numbers are all the more reason to follow your doctor's directives. Hope it goes well and that you keep us posted. -- Lukki

Thanks for the good wishes. Sorry to be boring you all with my endless 'medical reports'. At least on the KT you can always SOB!

Mary506 -- Fifty-plus is an achievement, isn't it? LOL (Lucky us!)

Lukki -- I'm so sorry for your loss. I was 37 when my mother died after three years of desperate decline. You won't 'get over it', but it will become more bearable. Thanks for the encouragement.

Don't be worried about the MRI's. I don't do well in tight spaces either, so I just closed my eyes the whole time and imagined that I was on the beach, just relaxing. They should give you ear plugs for the "banging" noises you hear but they are rhythmic and can act as a white noise. They may even play music for you. Mine had hard rock going, but they switched it to classic station for me.

I am not a doctor, but based on what you wrote, I would be you have some arthritis in your spine or pelvis.

I get my epidural shots tomorrow at 8 am and I can't wait. Keep us posted. And good luck!

Hey! I am retired. I have time. Ya wanna have me hold your hand while you go through all this!

You can do it. I know you can!