Psoriatic Arthritis Woes: I Thought I Knew Hip Pain!

By Vickie Wilkerson

2 min read

I recently had a bad fall, and I mean bad. Two broken bones, my friends. The breaks are in and around my kneecap. I'm currently in a brace that does not allow me to move my knee in any direction. As for getting around? Crutches were a failed attempt, so I'm using a trusty wheelchair.

My home is not handicap accessible, and I'm limited to a couple of rooms within the house. Such a joy. One of those rooms isn't even my bedroom - my bed sits too high. I've been downgraded to the couch.

My psoriatic arthritis pain presents well everywhere, but my hips predominately suffer with it. Before getting our current mattress, my hip pain was next level. Our current mattress is one with a pillowtop. It keeps my hip pain subdued, but of course, nothing is 100% when it comes to living with psoriatic arthritis.

Where I find myself sleeping currently is our futon couch. To be honest, I had never tried to sleep on it before. It might not be so bad, but this brace may make things 10 times worse. Even with extra pillows, my hips are in turmoil. The extra pressure propping up my knee has left my hips in excruciating pain.

Chronic pain is a part of my life with psoriatic arthritis. The hip pain is only a small part of it. What originally started in my back moved to my knees and found its way to my hips. I've developed a high tolerance for pain but this new hip pain? Unbearable.

I mean, the brace is already uncomfortable, and my broken bones, while healing, hurt. Now, my hips want some painful attention. I really was not prepared for this kind of pain. I'll be here for about 6-8 weeks which is the amount of time my bones need to heal. After that, I may need surgery on my knee.

Two weeks in, my sleep has suffered. It doesn't take long for my hips to start really hurting. If I need surgery, it will take my current 6-8 week situation to a 4-6 month situation. I'm in dread. I guess I really have no choice in the matter.

I am constantly reminding myself that I have lived with chronic pain for years and that I can manage with this too. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."

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carolinagirl Member
Oh Vickie, I'm so sorry you're in this situation! I feel your pain! My special skill in life is being a klutz, and a few years ago I broke my ankle and tore 2 tendons. The whole fiasco plus the repairs took so very long to heal. I can't imagine if I hadn't been able to sleep in my comfy bed, so I see you as a real trooper sleeping on the futon! Hopefully, your injuries will not require surgery. It is already so difficult to sleep comfortably without adding a major injury into the mix! Can you take anything for the pain? Gentle hugs and moral support! Linda
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="carolinagirl" user-id="3296657"/> thank you for the support. It means so much. The dr does have me on something for pain. It's an every 6 hour dose but in true psoriatic arthritis fashion that is too long in between. I just keep powering through. It's all I can do. Thanks again. Vickie
Lori.Foster Community Admin
How awful, Vickie! I wish this had never happened. I hope the bones heal absolutely perfectly and that you don't end up needing surgery. You'd better believe I am sending every healing and positive bit of energy I have in your direction. Gentlest of hugs. - Lori (Team Member)
1. Vickie Wilkerson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Lori.Foster" user-id="3297576"/> thank you. It is much appreciated. Vickie
Mary Lynn Member
 Vickie, my heart goes out to you. Falls can re arrange our lives in an instant. I am in a similar situation. I smashed up my femur in a fall. Who knew going out for lunch could be so dangerous LOL! (Um...I use humor to get me by.) I had surgery in early February and just ended 6 weeks of no weight bearing. Now I begin 50% weight bearing and in 2 weeks on to full weight. I sleep on a reclining love seat because our bed is too low for me to get out of. My husband is able to work from home until I can move myself around. Crutches are a great big no for me too. Lord, I'd likely fall again using those. Thank you for sharing your story because I felt less alone in my current predicament. I hated to read that your knee fractures, the brace and the futon are revving up your hip pain. I hope your knee heals and you won't need surgery which would extend your difficult situation. Yes, "this too shall pass". That's such a true statement. But I sure wish it would all pass sooner rather than later and hurt less in the process. I agree too that our PsA journeys make us uniquely qualified to weather something like this. We bring resiliency to the table. We bring an ability to manage pain to the table. We bring an ability to adjust to changing circumstances to the table. Vickie, wishing you loads of good things as you heal! Thanks again for sharing your story.