| Author |
Topic: Hip Arthroscopy & Labral Tear: Please help! |
jerseygirl002
Member |
 posted Jun-20-2007 09:55 PM
   
Thanks to everyone who has written back.Fancyshorts, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I'm sure it must be hard with the surgery coming up too... good luck :O) I, too, have been trying to keep off of it. Just walking around the city for the day equated to icing it all night in pain. I tried aqua jogging, too! But same result. Rollerblading is actually an interesting idea, I might try it depending on the MR arthrogram results. I HATE not being active. I really think I get anxiety, haha. Lots of optimistic thinking (e.g., "one day this will all be a memory-hopefully), reading, and movies have kept me occupied for now. I have a hard time sitting still, so my agenda consists of trying to sit still, going crazy not being outdoors/exercising, then deciding that I've "had enough" and going out until I can barely walk, and repeating the cycle. Jocko- thanks for your story!
Kristina- how are you feeling now? Please keep me updated as to how everything is going! -JerseyGirl
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aj2673
Member |
posted Jun-21-2007 01:25 PM
jersey girl,
i know how youre feeling!! ive been inactive for almost 4 months. before that i was running 55 miles a week. ive been doing swimming with a pullbuoy, so you just use your arms. the aquajoggings strains the hip muscles too much i think.
are you doing any abs? i find a lot of them still hurt
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kristina
Member |
posted Jun-24-2007 06:45 PM
It has been about 2 weeks since my surgery and I'm doing pretty good. I had my post-op the other day and had to travel to see my doctor from out of town. It was a long day and I'm in some discomfort right now. The doctor wants me to try to go down to one crutch this week and the get rid of them altogether the following week. I'm going to start some water therapy this week.
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jun-25-2007 08:45 AM
Hi
So glad to see their is discussion about the labral tears again! Thanks for all of the comments. I have also been frustrated as I await surgery. I have found that I can do the elyptical so I am doing that on a regular basis. It is a great workout--you really get a sweat going but there is not as much pounding on the joints. I bike occasional but that pulls at the hip. I also have been doing circuit training with weights for my upper body. I am continuing to see a physical therapist who is great and he has told me to really concentrate on my core--so Pilates is also good. In terms of abs--try doing some workouts on the ball because there doesn't seem to be as much strain on the hip when you do this. I do abd crunches on the ball and it doesn't pull at the hip. He also has me lying on the floor with my feet on the ball and raise up my midsection--again to strengthen the core. My surgery is August 16th and my goal going into it is to be in as good shape as I can! Since I will be laid up for awhile after!! I meet with the physical therapist every week while I'm waiting--I have been working with him since March--after I got the shot--I was doing great for a few months and he was trying to help with strength and stability.....I am interested in hearing more about post-surgery???? I was surprised that you are still on crutches two weeks post-op. Can you explain again exactly what was done in surgery because mine sounds similar. Repairing the tear but also shaving down the bone----Thanks for any information. Sue
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aj2673
Member |
posted Jun-25-2007 09:00 AM
elipical is ok? i was doing elipital a few months ago, but i thought it was still caused aggravation. also my pt told me when doing the abs try to engage the hamstrings, because that alleviates the work that the hip muscles have to do. my surgery is aug 17, but im trying to find another surgeon so i can get it sooner. my xc season starts at the end of aug!!
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jun-25-2007 03:23 PM
Hi
The eliptical doesn't seem to hurt me when I'm doing it--I'm a little sore after but I have to do something. It feels good to get the heart racing and sweat while I'm working out....I don't think you will be able to run x-country this fall--I was told by my PT to expect at least 4 months until I'm really running again--and up to 6 months. It is a depressing thing to hear but I'm trying to remain optimistic that I will be able to run some distance again! Good luck. Sue
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kristina
Member |
posted Jun-25-2007 06:04 PM
I had a debridement because my tear was too large to repair. I also had osteochondroplasty pincer which is on the capsule. He released the psoas and did a synovectomy. I had fair amount of inflamation but my cartilage looks good and I don't have any arthritis. I'm probably more conservative than most with my rehab. I just don't want anything to go wrong. I want to be able to race again. I'm not in a rush to get back. It will take at least 3 month (probably more) which means that I'll be out of shape. I'm using the CPM for 3 hours a day and I bike for 20min. Right now I'm doing 7 different exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip and to get some range of motion back. From what I've read on the Internet, it doesn't sound like an easy comeback and many people appear to have setbacks.
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kristina
Member |
posted Jun-26-2007 09:40 AM
I had a debridement since my tear was too large to repair. I also had an osteochondroplasty pincer which is on the capsule. He released the psoas and did a synovectomy. I had a fair amount of inflammation but my cartilage looked well and I don’t have arthritis. I’m probably more conservative than most people. I’m taking it slow. I want to be able to race again but I’m not in a rush back. The recovery is long and no matter what, I will be out of shape when I start back running. I’m using the CPM for 3 hours a day and I bike for 20 min. I’m doing 7 exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip and to improve range of motion. I also started to walk in the pool. From what I’ve read on different messages board, the recovery isn’t easy and many people seem to have setbacks.
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jun-26-2007 04:31 PM
Hi Kristina
I was told I would have that continuous passive motion machine as well--and I was fitted with a brace that I will be wearing post surgery. Did you have a brace?! And how long before you were driving? It worries me a bit that he told you that he saw no evidence of arthritis-I have been warned that I will need a hip replacement eventual because you can't reverse the arthritic changes! Is there anyone else out there who was told they had a torn labrum as well as FAI(femoral acetabular impingement) brought on by the arthritic changes?! I have extra bone on the head of my femur that he will be shaving down. The extra bone growth is apparently how my body has tried to cope with the arthritic degeneration! My God, you would think I was an old lady-I'm only 42! Keep me posted, Kristina on your rehab. Sue
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kristina
Member |
posted Jun-26-2007 05:27 PM
I used a brace for the first 10 days. They told me I could drive on day 5 after surgery.Good Luck!
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jerseygirl002
Member |
posted Jun-27-2007 09:55 AM
Hi again everyone!I can't tell you how great it is to hear from people who are going through the same (or similar) experience as me. Background info on me again: age 19, dislocated/fractured my hip July 2006, still in pain after months of laying off it/physical therapy, x-rays and MRI say no avascular necrosis & bone is OK New update:
I got an MR arthrogram last Thursday (i.e. an MRI but then inject a radiopaque substance into the hip to expand the joint and create contrast to see everything better). WARNING to everyone who gets this: plan on being in a LOT of pain & plan on not doing ANYTHING other than laying in bed with ice and walking with a LOT of stiffness. Not to scare anyone :O). The procedure wasn't TOO bad, I just had no idea that when the numbing agents wore off it would be so painful- probably the most pain I've had since last year, joint-wise. Results from report: degeneration of the labrum (not a frank tear, but the specialist says there is probably a lot of abnormality) and a paralabral cyst (most likely from the tear, as I've read online). Arthroscopy will be necessary at some point in the future. I am a student and don't want to ruin my summer again by having to lay around on the couch, so I think I might wait till winter break in December to have surgery. Got my first corticosteriod shot yesterday to see if it helps-- still in a pretty good amount of pain today. Anyone have experience with these shots? How long do they take to work? How much pain relief does it bring and for how long? aj- abs hurt me a lot, too. I might take marathon's advice and use a ball more often. Gosh, I feel like my hip is always an excuse to not work out! Everyone is like, "Well, you can do arms and abs and other things, can't you?" And sometimes I can, but most of the time I'm just hurting so bad afterwards that I don't want to do it again. Or get super strong arms while my legs aren't doing much. Blahhhh marathon- thanks for the advice! I'll definitely going to try the elliptical. I think it's great that you're trying to get in as good a shape as possible before surgery. Good luck! Make sure you get a good orthopedic surgeon since there aren't many of specialize in the hip (since hip arthroscopies are considered relatively new within the last decade). I lucked out- the specialist I'm seeing has great credentials and even worked at the prestigious sports medicine facility, Steadman-Hawkins, in Colorado (I think it was mentioned several times in this forum). kristina- glad to hear you're recovering well. Are you taking painkillers/NSAIDs/etc? It is what you expected? Stay strong! Thank you so much for writing all! Keep well! Jerseygirl
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runnersk8ter
Cool Runner |
posted Jun-27-2007 11:37 AM
OK, just checking in with my experience and current whine.I was diagnosed with two labral tears about 2 years ago. I decided against arthroscopy at the time, because I am, quite frankly, afraid of surgery. The doctor showed me some strengthening exercises for my gluteus medius muscles, and that has kept things pretty much under control since then. Until recently. I started using orthotics in October for a nagging, longstanding (right) Achilles problem, and the orthotics totally cured my Achilles! But now I'm having trouble with the (left) hip again. To the point that I think I'm overcompensating for the hip, which is causing worrisome twinges in my left knee. I feel like everything is out of line. So now I'm not sure what to do. Is it the orthotics? Further damage to the labrum? Am I done with running unless I have the surgery? I took two weeks off, ran this morning, and things are no better.
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jerseygirl002
Member |
posted Jun-27-2007 12:49 PM
Runnersk8ter,
Sorry to hear about your achilles/hip. I would definitely be concerned about the overcompensation for your hip affecting other areas of your body, and vice versa. I've been reading a lot online about labral tears, and I feel like the bottom like is that it never heals on it's own. Pain minimization is the most you can do. I'm in the position where I have to decide whether to get surgery or not, and the more I read, the more I think I just want to get it done and over with. We'll see. Hope that helps.Everyone: I have found that the following forum to be more active than this one.
http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/678106477/m/256107577/p/16
if you're interested! Other information resources:
http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/hip/index.html
http://www.csmc.edu/460.html Good luck!
JerseyGirl
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kristina
Member |
posted Jun-27-2007 02:18 PM
I only took pain-killers the first day. I'm now on anti-inflamatories. There wasn't much pain involved with this surgery. I only have pain if I lift my leg or knee too high which they want me to avoid for now.I probably had hip problems for 8 years. At times I could train really hard but at other times I could not run at all. I believe I finally overcompensated enough to develop problems elsewhere and that's when I was diagnosed with labrum tear. I felt like I didn't have another option than to have the surgery if I wanted to be active. I hope it will work out.
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coloradolora
Member |
posted Jun-27-2007 03:03 PM
Hello Everyone, I'm five months out of my surgery at Steadman, with Phillipon--I guess I'm posting because I'm in a lot of fear about where I'm at, or, where I'm not. If anyone is thinking about a similar surgery, or is out of a similar surgery, I would love to be in contact. Would love to be able to even hike a decent trail, much less imagine running. Stay informed, anyone out there post-op? Laura
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jun-27-2007 10:42 PM
Hi Jerseygirl
I had the same shot you described in March and it lasted for 2 months. They told me that when I first got it, I would feel good for about a day or 2 and then when the numbing agent wore off, and before the steroid kicked in, I would be in pain again for a day or 2. That is exactly what happened to me. I then ran pain-free for 2 months. I wasn't running everyday--but every other day about 5 or 6 miles with my longest run being an 8 miler. Unfortunately, when the shot wore off, the pain returned with a vengeance. Probably just because I had allowed myself to believe that I might actually be healed! My doctor told me that he never does more than 2 shots in the hip and even if he gave me another shot, the chances were great that that one would last even less time than the first. He was honest from the beginning and said that the only way to heal a torn labrum is through surgery but he did the shot for pain-relief as well as for diagnostic purposes. He explained that some people can actually 'live' with a torn labrum and if the medication lasted for a greater period of time than just a few months-that would indicate that the pain was not from the tear, but from inflammation around the site. When the medication wore off, I really had no other options besides surgery. I could live in pain and not be able to run--or I could have the surgery and hope to get back to some sort of running post-op.....My pain has subsided some since I haven't been running. The elyptical keeps me going and I'm trying to do some swimming this summer as well. Good luck. Sue
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jerseygirl002
Member |
posted Jun-29-2007 02:01 AM
Sue- it's great to hear that the shot worked for you. I am on day 5 and am still in a great deal of pain- worse than before I had anything done. I'm praying that it will get better, and better and better, by next week.Laura- all my best wishes to you! What kind of PT schedule are you on? And what exactly did you get done in surgery?
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mags16426
Member |
posted Jun-30-2007 08:52 PM
Hi all - I'm so interested in your stories because when I was going through this no one even knew what it was. Laura - Dr. Phillipon did my surgery as well. Now, if you're 5 months post op and not doing much, you need to talk to him again. I found that he was great as far as the surgery then kind of dropped the ball. You need a GREAT physical therapist. Are you doing lots of work in the water? I did a lot of my therapy in the water and it was really helpful. Also, I went to a sports medicine specialist in Buffalo, NY, and he did wonders for me. One thing he told me to do was walk different ways - forward, backwards, and sideways. I think that's what helped me the most. I would work up to running by doing things in 5 minute chunks. 4 minutes of walking forward, 1 minute of running. 4 minutes of walking backwards, 1 minute of running. 4 minutes of sideways walking, 1 minute of running. I would then ease into more running - 3 minutes walking/2 minutes running, etc. It really helped! If you'd like more info just let me know. Everyone else - good luck!!!!
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kristina
Member |
posted Jul-01-2007 10:00 AM
mags16426,
When you said that you would walk and run, was that in the water or on land? How deep was the water?Thanks
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mags16426
Member |
posted Jul-01-2007 04:01 PM
Hi - I did walking both in and out of the pool. I started out in the water and I did other exercises in the water as well. One thing I did was have two kick boards and put them under my forearms and pedal my legs. The kickboards helped my stay up. It's hard to picture, I know. Anyways, after about 6 weeks I was mostly on land. It did take a long time with the walking/running until I was back to full running though.
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jerseygirl002
Member |
posted Jul-01-2007 07:51 PM
Mags,What exactly did you have repaired? Was it just a debridement or other problems as well?
What would you say your timeline was...
e.g., 1 week of laying in bed, weeks 2-3 crutches, week 4 walking with pain + PT, week 5 walking with no pain plus PT, etc. Thank you! Hope the recovery is going well... great advice. Jerseygirl
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runnersk8ter
Cool Runner |
posted Jul-01-2007 09:28 PM
Wow, reading these stories -- and especially that lengthy thread over at the other forum -- I must say I am very discouraged about my injury. (Labral tear diagnosed by MRArthrogram)My hip has definitely taken a turn for the worse: when I was first diagnosed, I was still able to keep running, and things were great for two years. Now the pain is back, worse than before, and I think this is the end of my running. I cannot justify the cost of surgery, let alone the disruption to my work and family, for an operation that may not allow me to run again. Perhaps in a few years the procedure will be more common and the outcomes more predictable. I don't know what I am going to do: running, for me, was the only exercise that I have been able to stick with. I never thought I would say this, but I grew to love it. In a couple of days, when I am not so sad, I will get out my skates (you see, I was a skater before I was a runner) and see how that affects my hip. Sorry for the vent, and I do wish all the best to those of you who choose surgical treatment.
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mags16426
Member |
posted Jul-02-2007 09:43 AM
Jersey Girl - I had a tear that was sewn and stuff cleaned up. As far as my recovery, they had me ride a bike the DAY of my surgery. It wasn't for long - only to get things moving. My PT started two days later, and that was wimpy exercises. However, I needed them. I was on the CPM machine for 4 weeks, I think. A few hours a day, if I remember correctly. I rode a stationary bike every day/every other day for quite a while - I don't remember how long, though. (It's been 4 years since my surgery.) I was on two crutches for 2-3 weeks and one crutch for 2 weeks. I was in the water a week after surgery - some people do it sooner. Not swimming, but side stepping and bicycling my legs. As for when I started walking and running, it wasn't soon after surgery because I ended up starting back to running about 3 months after surgery then hit some snags. That's when I went to a sports medicine specialist and did the walking/running thing. If I knew then what I did now, that's how I would have started going back. My surgery doc told me to start running a half mile and then build from that. It would have been MUCH smarter to start with the walking/running combos right off the bat. I think I did that for 3 or 4 months, but after 3 months of that I also did some short runs and would then end with the walking/running stuff. It's been 4 years and I have done lots of races - some 10Ks and 4 half marathons. I'm training for my first marathon now and haven't encountered any problems. I know when to back off and still do my exercises sometimes and that helps. I think if you can find a good sports medicine specialist or great PT, then you'll have more success. At the time it seemed like FOREVER, so I understand. Just be patient and you'll notice the gains.
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jul-02-2007 05:08 PM
Mags
Thank you so much for your recent submission. You have given me hope. I am scheduled for surgery on August 16th and I have worried that my running days are behind me. I would love to be able to run a marathon again and although my surgeon has said he doesn't think I will be doing that(I have arthritic changes--and FAI as well as the tears-so he is going to shave down the bone as well as clean up the tear!)if I could run a 1/2 I would be thrilled. I have vacilated between being scared to death about this surgery and being optimistic. I had a friend who had this surgery--twice-the last time in Oct 2006 and she is still not running! That has scared me. I'm wondering if she has the impingement like I do. If she does, then from what I've read-unless you have that fixed, the labrum will be torn over and over. And Skatergirl--I know what you mean about loving running. Running has been a part of my life for over 25 years. It has been my outlet as I have raised 4 children-especially with 3 of them being teenagers. It is killing me not to be able to run. I can't even look at My Runner's World right now!!It depresses me! I have run with friends for years--and right now I miss our early morning chats. My advice to you is to find a way to have this surgery. I'm not sure where you live but there is a hospital in NY called Hospital for Special Surgery that is supposed to work 'miracles' on people with hip issues. If you don't have insurance-find out what options you may have. I am having it done at MGH in Boston by Dr. Asnis who trained at that NY Hospital. I have a great physical therapist who has encouraged me and understands that I plan to get back to running after the surgery. In the meantime, I am able to do the eliptical and I do upper body work at the gym. Also, Pilates can be done as well. Don't give up. Sue
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marathon15
Member |
posted Jul-02-2007 05:48 PM
Skatergirl
Remember too that there will never be a perfect time to do something. I am having this surgery in August--right before I take 2 children back to college--one for the first time. And I am a school nurse so I am planning to be back at work on August 28th! I am having the surgery on August 16th. And I do think if you have the surgery with a good surgeon and follow up with a good PT-you will be running again. I wouldn't be having this surgery if I didn't believe that. I hope you make the right decision. Sue
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