posted Oct-26-2007 05:48 AM            

I think that Dr. McCarthy is useless from my experience. I went there in September 2006 and he had someone in the room timing him, he also didn't look at half of my tests and didn't listen to anything that I had to say. He then said to me that there was nothing he could find wrong with me and that if I had another problem to come back.

Needless to say that the pain never went away and I kept fighting for an answer and find a doctro's office that would listen to me. It was great to finally hear that it wasn't in my head.

I had my Surgery on May 11th with Dr. Busconi at UMASS Memorial. He and the staff are absolutely amazing and were there whenever I had questions. His secretary also worked closely with my STD so I could get paid because I was out of work longer than most.

The only reason I was out so long was I had so much pain from sitting and did before the surgery. It is getting better but I know that I need to get up as often as possible and have been told that it is normal.

Best of luck to you.

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posted Oct-26-2007 07:51 AM            

My experience seems pretty classic, in that I thought it was muscular for the longest time. The root cause appears to be the congenital shape of my femurs. I used to get hip pain when I ran in high school, too!
As I understand it, the top of my thigh bone is shaped funny, and it bonks up against the side of the socket. The cartilage that cushions the bone is shredded, and the top of the femur is battered.
I wrote up my experience at great lenth on my blog:
http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/off_track/2007/10/25/goodbye_to_all_that

Here's the technical version:
“MRI of the patient's right hip demonstrates thinning of the weightbearing cartilage superiorly with edema in the subchondral marrow of the right femoral head and small subchondral cyst formation. The femoral articular margin is remarkable for spurring, especially medially. The acetabular margin demonstrates marrow edema as well. There is evidence for abnormal appearance of the labral margin with a focal superior labral tear.
Impression: Superior labral tear with osteoarthritis of the hip and cartilaginous thinning superiorly. Associated subchondral cyst formation and subchondral edema is evident involving the weightbearing surface of the right femoral head.”

I have many other interests, but running was my favorite, and had become central to my identity, my self-image. It's hard to give that up.

I just interviewed and wrote up a story on a 78-year-old ultra runner... If he wasn't such a fantastically nice guy, I would be seething with jealousy!

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posted Oct-26-2007 05:13 PM            

Thanks for the advice on McCarthy. You've saved me and probably others much time and frustration by sharing your experience. The worst thing is a doctor that doesn't take the time to listen to the patient. I had several during my labral tear journey. In retrospect, this diagnosis should have come much earlier, if only some of the doctors I went to actually listened to the history and data I presented to them. The signs were all there!

As for Off Track, if your MRI reading is accurate, you've done quite a doozie on your hip. You might look into microfracture bonework, a technique that helps save some of the chondral degeneration, if it is not too advanced. To explore that, I agree that you'd want to go to one of the best doctors. Best of luck to you.

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posted Oct-26-2007 08:12 PM            

Probably nothing new to most on this thread, but here are some articles/recources I've found useful so far, or at least interesting:

http://www.stephenmurphy.org/hip/harthroscopy/the%20role%20of%20hip%20arthroscopy%20in%20the%20elite%20athlete.pdf

uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/faqs/hip/faq_hiparth.htm(this link won't work directly, because of the obnoxious frames on their website, but it's there if you look)

http://www.stephenmurphy.org/hip/harthroscopy/the%20role%20of%20hip%20arthroscopy%20in%20the%20elite%20athlete.pdf

http://www.advancedortho.net/pdf/hip_arthro_labrum.pdf

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posted Oct-28-2007 04:34 PM            

I was happy to fin this forum. I have been having pain in my hips for the last year and even with rest, it has been getting worse and worse. Now it's hard to walk more than a mile or so without being very uncomfortable. Sitting all day at my job and on teh commute is no good either.

So, the first doctor I went to about 6 mos ago told me to just stop all activity, but did not give me any useful information about what was wrong. It was very frustrating. So, a few weeks ago I tried a new Dr and he recommended an MRI. I had it last week and should find out the results this week. I am feeling very nervous, but also excited to find out what is going on. The Dr. suspects a labral tear, but hopefully I will know next week. He seems genuinely interested in getting me running again.

Question to you all - I am having problems with both of my hips. One more than the other, but definitely both. Does anyone else experience this pain in both hips? It seems odd to me that I would get a tear in both hips. Anyway, I will wait to see, but I can't wait to hopefully run again some day - I am going crazy. I actually just went for a 3 miler becuase I could not stand it any more - I know I will pay for it in a few hours, but I had to do it (perhaps out of fear of what teh dr will say).

Thanks to all for their posts and helpful information. My advice to anyone would be to just keep trying new doctors until you find someone who really wants to help get you running again and understands. This alone already makes me feel better.

cnm

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posted Oct-29-2007 02:50 PM            

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posted Oct-29-2007 08:24 PM               

I am now almost 6 weeks post-op. I am unfortunately still quite sore all of the way around my upper thigh--groin area, around the back of my leg. My PT says that my ROM is much better but I am still quite achy and still get the occasional shooting pains deep in that groin. I am up to 25 minutes on an exercise bike-minimal resistance. He doesn't want me to do the eliptical until I am about 2 months post-op. The front of the leg is so tight. I have to really pay attention to stretching. I do go to the gym and ride the bike, do my stretches and strengthening exercises and do some upper body work--but it is not the same as the great outlet I had with running.

I will be going for my 6 week post-op visit with Dr. Asnis on Friday. I have been impressed with his care. He came to see me at PT 2 weeks ago-he also saw me at 2 weeks post-op, will see me at 6 weeks post-op and then 3 months and 6 months. He is never rushed at the appts. He takes the time to answer all of my questions which I appreciate. I am a nurse, and I must say--I have never seen a surgeon with such good 'bed-side manners'.

My biggest obstacle is the arthritis they found in my hip during surgery. He knew I had some but didn't realize the extent until he went in. He told my husband that I will need a replacement before I am 50--I'm 43-not too far away. Depressing stuff! Jane-great to hear you are doing better. Thank God you are young--that is on your side! And your drive to get better.

Offtrack--get that hip taken care of. I think the surgeon will probably discover the same things in your hip that they discovered in mine! Not being able to run has been very difficult. I am trying to stay positive and trust that miracles do happen! Sue

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posted Nov-01-2007 06:56 AM            

Valais said he doesn't think I will do any further damage by walking, bicycling etc (running seems to be the cause of the damage, in his view), and I have to wait till I can upgrade my insurance before I see any docs out of state.

He also opined that even with the surgery, I would wear out my hip completely if I keep running, and it would last longer if I don't. I'm hoping things look better by scope than by MRI, but that's not likely.

Extreme muscle tightness seems to go along with this injury; I gather the muscles try to compensate or something.
I did PT from May to September (tightest hip flexors they'd ever seen) and got all loosened up... it was the PT that referred me to orthopaedics, once we finally figured out that the problem wasn't just muscular. It was painful, but not that bad... if it was just a matter of pain I'd still be running. My hip didn't hurt while I ran, just a little discomfort. It tended to hurt later, not excruciating but enough to keep me awake.
My sciatic symptoms were extremely uncomfortable with running, but I could always get through it... it would get better after four or five miles. That feels WAY better since I've stopped running though.

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posted Nov-01-2007 11:48 AM            

--What clothes should I pack -- assuming loose-fitting exercise pants, sweat pants?
--Do I need to have gauze bandages and peroxide and surgical tape?
--Should I bring saltines to help curb nausea from the anesthesia or painkillers?
--Baby-wipes as a substitute for bathing the first day or so?
--Is there a lot of required exercise the first few days to prevent scar tissue?

These may sound bizarre, but I'm not sure what to expect and I'd rather be prepared rather than stuck in an unfamiliar town/hotel without the needed supplies.

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posted Nov-01-2007 04:38 PM            

julia child-
make sure the pants are really loose, i got this belt thing that circulated cold water around my hip, so my pants had to be really baggy. but they will give you scrubs if they dont fit

-they will supply all gauze and meds, you may need to have someone pick up the painkillers for you. i dont think they can give a prescription until you get there. the general anesthesia typically wont make you nauseous.

when you wake up you may be a little disoriented, i was a little scared and my muscles were kind of spasming, so they gave me some morphine and then i was able to relax. i stayed for about 40 mins, they offer water etc. when they think you are ready to leave, they help you change back into clothes and will bring you outside in a wheelchair and help you into your car. i slept on the way home from my surgery )about 30 mins) by the time i got back i felt very alert (i felt more drowsy after getting my wisdom teeth pulled) and was able to crutch inside by myself.

if you have any more questions, please ask!

-abby

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posted Nov-01-2007 06:58 PM               

Thanks,
Carrie

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posted Nov-01-2007 09:12 PM            

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posted Nov-02-2007 03:58 PM            

I was wondering how much it costs in the US to have hip arthroscopy? I am in Canada where the wait times are really long (I just found out surgery is 1.5 YEARS away for me). I am feeling very discouraged and am seriously considering coming to the US to have it done. (A doc in Tennessee has been recommended to me... I think it's Dr. Byrd). My concern is the cost. I appreciate any information you can give me.

Thanks
Siberifan

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posted Nov-04-2007 12:28 PM            

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posted Nov-05-2007 06:37 PM               

I did not feel in any way nauseous after surgery. I had my surgery in the morning, was home by about 4P and ate a little dinner that night. The next morning I had my coffee and really felt fine in that regard.

In terms of pain-we all have different pain thresholds but I only took the pain med for 2-3 days post-op. Then I was taking the advil.

Getting around was awkward. I was in a brace and on crutches so my mobility wasn't great. I have to admit-I had the surgery on Thursday and after I got upstairs, I didn't come back down until Sat afternoon. I didn't leave the house until Tuesday when I went to the physical therapist. I also had a CPM machine at home.

Traveling home after 3 days post-op seems reasonable to me.

Canada-you asked about the price of the surgery--I am grateful for insurance! I just got my bill from MGH-the surgical procedure alone was $14,000. I don't even know if that includes the surgeon's fees! I only have to pay $200 of that fee. It also includes 90 days of post-op visits--meaning my 2 week, 6 week and 12 week follow up are covered.

I went back to Dr.Asnis on Friday and I had been feeling somewhat discouraged because I really have a great deal of discomfort still-and it has been over 6 weeks. He thinks I am moving remarkably well and thinks my range of motion is excellent. He thinks a lot of my discomfort is related to the tendon and not the joint itself. He said that a lot of people experience a tendinitis in the Psoas tendon after this surgery. There is a lot of tightness. I just have to remain patient. I was told that recovery is 4-6 months! Of course, I want to be better now....And Dr.Asnis does more than 20-30 of these procedures a year. He is part of the surgical team that works with the Red Sox and Patriots. Dr. Asnis is the surgeon who does the hip arthroscopies. When I need a hip replacement someday--I will be going to a different doctor in that group.

Jane, I'm so glad you are improving. You are young--and you should be getting back to your 'old self'. I don't think I'll ever be back to my 'old self' but I'm hoping when I have recovered, that my new self will find some wonderful activities to take part in!!Remaining positive. Sue

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posted Nov-05-2007 10:09 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by runnersk8ter:
Me too!

See my recent reply in another post:

I was diagnosed with a labral tear (two tears, actually) in my left hip (groin) about a year ago. The doctor gave me three options:

1. do nothing
2. cortisone injections
3. arthroscopic surgery

I decided to "do nothing," with the very important exception of strengthening exercises for my hips. The ortho recommended leg lifts targeting the gluteus medius muscles (very slow, 3x30 on each side). It has worked (for me) wonderfully well! If I slack off on my exercises, the pain comes back.

As a bonus, keeping my gluteus medius muscles strong seems to have prevented recurrence of my ITB issues.

Since my diagnosis, I have continued to run 20-25 MPW (same as before the injury) and race every couple of months, distances from 5K to 10 miles.

I've since added swimming to my routine and this does not seem to aggravate my hip in any way.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Susan
=====

I should add that my ortho doc said there was no reason I could not continue to run as much as I wanted. (No doubt he's waiting for me to have more pain so I can come back for the surgery!!)

---

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posted Nov-05-2007 10:17 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by off track:
Sue, thank you v. much for the input. I'm in southern NH, not too far from Boston. I need to upgrade my health insurance (expensive but fortunately possible for me) before I can see any doctors there, though. Meanwhile, I want to try to find the very best one.

My experience seems pretty classic, in that I thought it was muscular for the longest time. The root cause appears to be the congenital shape of my femurs. I used to get hip pain when I ran in high school, too!
As I understand it, the top of my thigh bone is shaped funny, and it bonks up against the side of the socket. The cartilage that cushions the bone is shredded, and the top of the femur is battered.
I wrote up my experience at great lenth on my blog:
http://blogs.nashuatelegraph.com/off_track/2007/10/25/goodbye_to_all_that

Here's the technical version:
“MRI of the patient's right hip demonstrates thinning of the weightbearing cartilage superiorly with edema in the subchondral marrow of the right femoral head and small subchondral cyst formation. The femoral articular margin is remarkable for spurring, especially medially. The acetabular margin demonstrates marrow edema as well. There is evidence for abnormal appearance of the labral margin with a focal superior labral tear.
Impression: Superior labral tear with osteoarthritis of the hip and cartilaginous thinning superiorly. Associated subchondral cyst formation and subchondral edema is evident involving the weightbearing surface of the right femoral head.”

I have many other interests, but running was my favorite, and had become central to my identity, my self-image. It's hard to give that up.

I just interviewed and wrote up a story on a 78-year-old ultra runner... If he wasn't such a fantastically nice guy, I would be seething with jealousy!

---

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posted Nov-09-2007 04:33 PM               

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posted Nov-09-2007 08:29 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by jenclay78:
Hello all,
I'm new to this forum, so if this question has been addressed before, my apologies. I suspect that I might have a labral tear after struggling with hip pain for the last month. At first it was just a nagging sort of pain that I could run through. But about two weeks ago, I was out doing an 18 miler, and was stopped dead in my tracks at mile 14. The pain was so intense, it was nearly blinding. I hobbled back to my car, and I wasn't able to walk at all for the next two days. I'm much better now, but still have the sensation that my hip/leg will give way under me at any moment! I saw an orthopedist yesterday who said he doubted a pelvic stress fracture, but wanted to do an MRI to rule it out. The pain is localized to right where the front top of the thigh meets the hip ("panty line"). The most painful movements are those that require me to lift the bad leg at all: like getting into the car, into the shower, or lifting that leg to work the clutch in my car. Has anyone else had these same symptoms? Thanks so much in advance!

---

[This message has been edited by jentheroadrunner (edited Nov-16-2007).]

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posted Nov-09-2007 08:32 PM               

I regret to inform you but I would say your suspicions are correct - sounds exactly like my symptoms. Before you go in for the MRI, request an arthogram - they need to inject the hip joint so they can see if there is a tear or not. I am almost 5 months post - op and it's been a pretty quick recovery in terms of what other people have been through. I also had a quick diagnosis. Hang in there - get the surgery ASAP...it won't heal or go away on its own.

Jen

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posted Nov-09-2007 11:29 PM            

Siberifan

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posted Nov-10-2007 03:24 PM            

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posted Nov-11-2007 09:14 AM            

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posted Nov-12-2007 12:20 PM               

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posted Nov-16-2007 09:00 AM            

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