Follow-up answers

As I mentioned here, I several follow-up questions following my hip diagnosis/non-diagnosis.  I spoke with my doctor who was helpful in answering them all (I warned him I will probably have more).  I'm publishing my notes so I'll have something to look back on, but also to possibly help anyone else who goes through a similar issue.

Can you provide more information about the hip impingement I have?  It is cam impingement or pincer impingement? 

Cam vs. pincher impingement is mostly an x-ray finding.  My x-rays do not show definitive findings, but it would most likely be a cam impingement or a combination.  Both are treated the same way.  My x-ray doesn't show anything for sure.

What exactly causes the pain?

Pain is caused by movement and inflammation.  My anatomy has always been this way but something irritated it.

Could muscles in the area also be painful from compensating?

Muscles in the area will compensate for it so could be contributing to pain, and could perhaps be why it's so running-specific.

 

Is it a definitive diagnosis from my MRI, or the most likely issue? 

It is not definitive.  MRIs are the best tool to diagnosis this type of issue but can also miss subtle findings.

What is the prognosis for this issue?  Will this heal with rest and PT?  Will this always be an issue?  Will I be able to return to running high mileage when I'm pain-free?

This will get better with rest and PT.  The pain will go away.  It will not always be limiting/painful,.  We need to calm down the inflammatory process.  My anatomy will always be the same (and has always been this way).  I can definitely return to high mileage running when pain free; I have been running all of this time with this anatomy.

Would Aleve or a similar medication help?

Aleve may be helpful (or Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, etc.), taken with food twice daily.  I am going to try this before trying a steroid injection.