Last year, an xray showed I had degenerative osteoarthritis in both hips. This had come on gradually since pelvic radiotherapy but rapidly getting worse. Last July, my GP referred me to a 'Triage Assessment clinic' where I would be examined and a decision would be made on the next step of appropriate treatment. The letter told me several options would be considered including pain relief and physiotherapy (the orthopaedic surgeon was the last option).
I was seen last week in a clinic by a specialist physiotherapist. I have to admit I went along ready to do battle; I already take codeine (and consequently stool softeners) to be able to walk and I religiously followed a physiotherapy course for months which didn't make a mite of difference. I needn't have worried. The physiotherapist was really empathetic, examined me really thoroughly and didn't seek to change my painkillers or advise more physiotherapy. She thinks that in addition to the arthritis, I have lesions and tendonitis. She pointed out that it is premature to refer me to an orthapaedic surgeon when there are treatments that could make a considerable difference in the meantime. So I am going for a full MRI of my hips to show muscular damage and IF that is present I will be referred for extracorporeal shock wave therapy - a non-invasive treatment which apparently has a better outcome than steroid injections and promotes permanent healing in damaged muscles. I have never heard of this. I half-expected steroid injections but (apparently) this is non-invasive and better.
So I am now waiting for my MRI but it was a heads up for a treatment that I have never heard of! I will keep you updated.
Irene xx
UPDATE
I am reeling. I saw the specialist physiotherapist on 6th February, today an appointment for the MRI came through for 18th February. I will see the clinic a couple of weeks after that. The NHS at its best, I think. I will keep you all updated!
Irene75359 I've just had a conversation with the radiotherapy department where I was treated to ask if there was a late side effect clinic in our trust & unfortunately there is not, one of the radiotherapy seniors said they really wish there was but no! They’ve suggested if I don’t get anywhere soon between the GP & physio to ask my GP to refer me back to my oncologist! I don’t want to do that as I’m sure as lovely as he is he’d sit & wonder what I was doing back there! Also I don’t want to be taking valuable appointments from people who are waiting for oncology appointments following a cancer diagnosis etc. 
Back to the drawing board! Thinking of contacting the Maggie's Centre attached to my treating hospital but I’ll see how this physio appointment goes first.
Gateshead is literally on my doorstep!! How on earth did my treating hospital not know about this? I’m off to start doing some research, thank you so much Irene although I feel a bit daft that I’ve not come across this when I’ve been searching for avenues I can explore to get some real help & understanding 
Hi again PEB24 & Irene75359 just thought I’d send you a little update. I made contact with the clinic at Gateshead yesterday, unfortunately the lady that runs the clinic wasn’t there when I rang but a lovely nurse who works with her is going to pass on my details, she said she will be so pleased I’ve rang & will be in contact, I did say that I worked Sundays through until late Tuesdays so I’m hoping I might hear something later next week!
The service is run out of the gynaecological department at the QE hospital in Gateshead & you can self refer which is amazing! It sounds as though it’s part research run but they can also signpost you to other services that may help, I’m hoping that includes referrals too, they generally run a couple of clinics per month so fingers crossed it’s something that will help me get to the bottom of what’s going on & how I can manage it! I also mentioned about me contacting the NCCC where I had my treatment thinking that they may have a late effects clinic & she said they’ve been really pushing for one in recent years so hopefully this will come to fruition in the not too distant future, she emphasised how important these clinics are. I think they run a peer lead support group also which as we well know here the sharing of information is so important & often leads to accessing services or help we didn’t know was out there.
So the quest for finding out exactly what’s going on & a less painful future continues! Thanks again Irene75359 ,for finding that link 
Nicola
I did say to the gynaecology nurse I spoke to yesterday that I suspect it’s all down to funding why the NCCC hasn’t got a late effects clinic yet especially if like she said they’ve been really pushing for one for some time which is a real shame because they’re obviously acutely aware there’s a need for these clinics!
I will definitely keep you posted PEB24 , how are you doing? I hope you’re ok. xx
