Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is when your body's natural response to injury, which is inflammation, happens in healthy blood vessels
About
Vasculitis refers to inflammation of your blood vessels. It occurs when your immune system attacks healthy blood vessels, causing them to swell. It is sometimes triggered by an infection or medication. It can be primary, where it occurs on its own, or secondary, where it occurs alongside another condition.
Need to know
Since there are many types of vasculitis, symptoms can vary, but may include:
- feeling unwell with fever
- sweating
- tiredness
- unexplained weight loss
Other symptoms depend on which part of your body is affected.
Your consultant will speak to you about your symptoms and may perform a physical examination of the affected part of your body. They may request some, or all, of the following tests to confirm diagnosis:
- blood tests
- X-ray, MRI or CT scans
- a biopsy, which involves obtaining a tissue sample for analysis in a laboratory
Treatment options may include:
- steroid tablets
- immunoglobulin injections
- immunosuppressive drugs
- new biologics treatment
- plasma exchange, a procedure involving the separation and removal of plasma from your blood in order to remove the disease
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.