posted Jul-02-2007 09:30 PM               

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posted Jul-03-2007 02:26 PM            

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posted Jul-03-2007 08:19 PM            

I am 7 weeks post op and I am experiencing alot of the same problems that you are. I just got off of the crutches a few days ago but am still struggling with the walking and even sitting.

I had a followup today and the doctor said that some of my pain might be from the tendonitis that I developed from going undiagnosised for almost 2 years.

Are you getting sharp stabbing pains every other day in the joint? I am getting them and the doctor said that it is the break up scar tissue.

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posted Jul-05-2007 10:22 AM            

I have continued my triathlon training, but have become less enthusiastic due to the fact that I know that standing up and those first few steps, as well as the constant aggravated feeling are going to make me pay. It's now uncomfortable to have my legs tucked up on a sofa, or curl up in bed - my hip starts feeling sort of cramped. Have others felt that?

Anyway, because my local doctor is only saying that the MRI and my symptoms "suggest" a tear, I'm still hesitant and unsure about it. I'm writing to ask you all - what are the questions that I need to ask the doctor?

And any personal experiences with Dr. Kelly to share? It was great seeing his name on one of the posts from awhile back, but otherwise I don't know a thing about him.

Thanks for sharing all of your experiences and suggestions.

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posted Jul-05-2007 11:53 AM            

i think this thread as well as the one on runner's world about arthroscopy have some testimonials from patients of dr kelley

good luck!
abby

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posted Jul-07-2007 10:59 AM               

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posted Jul-07-2007 12:43 PM               

Just discovering this thread. I wish I'd seen it sooner. I am four days post-surgery for a labral tear on my left hip. Like many of you, I had a frustrating period of bouncing from doctor to doctor, with most of them telling me it was "nothing" or that "I needed to rest more" or "just ice it". This went on a couple of years until I started to be convinced it was all in my head. After a disastrous 5-mile race in March I went to yet a new doctor, and told him I wouldn't leave the office without a real diagnosis or at least an action plan for finding one. This doctor was patient and listened to me, and it took him about a half-hour to decide it was probably a torn labrum. He sent me for an MR Arthrogram and that confirmed it.

From what that doctor said and the little I was able to research on my own, it seemed pretty clear that surgery was the only solution. I went in for surgery this past Tuesday at Northwestern Memorial (Chicago).

So far so good. The day of the surgery itself was rough. I couldn't hold down any food or water and any movemement (even a slight shift in the way I was sitting) was painful. But by the next morning I was much better. I ditched the crutches by day three, and there is no noticeable limp at all. I'm pretty amazed at how much better it feels already and how quickly the recovery is going. I'm going to try my first post-surgery workout today (something easy and non-weight bearing).

I'm glad I got it over with. I should say that even though right now I'm optimistic, I haven't really tested the hip yet to see how much better it is than before the surgery. I'm waiting for the post-op visit with the surgeon on Wednesday for the go-ahead to try any kind of stress-testing on my new and improved hip.

As far as impact on other parts of life, I only had to take one day off from work, the day of the surgery itself (Tuesday). The next day was a holiday (July 4), and Thursday and Friday I was able to work from home pretty comfortably. I fully expect to be back in the office on Monday and completely able to work a full day / week.

Good luck to all and thanks for your stories.

Best,
--Tim

(35 year old male)

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posted Jul-07-2007 04:56 PM            

questions,
did the surgeon fix the impingement or just the tear.

any details would be great. I live in chicago and schedule surgery with philippon in colarodo in november earliest he would take me, just wondering who you used in chicago?
and what they did to fix you.

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posted Jul-07-2007 06:02 PM               

November seems a long time to wait. I was disappointed at having to wait six weeks. Anyway, the physician who first diagnosed me properly was Dr. Joel Press at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He then sent me to Dr. Jason Koh at Northwestern. Dr. Koh was my surgeon. Not much (nothing) about him on this thread but if you do a web search you will see he's no lightweight. The surgery was to both repair the labrum as well as the impingement. I plan on asking more questions about exactly what he did when I go in for my post-op visit this week.

Good luck with everything. Feel free to ask for more details and I will be happy to provide if I can.

Best,
--Tim

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posted Jul-07-2007 09:32 PM            

regards and thanks for info lakeview60613, I live in ravenswood area.

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posted Jul-08-2007 05:08 PM               

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posted Jul-09-2007 11:15 AM            

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posted Jul-09-2007 10:20 PM               

I am allowed to swim w/arms only at this point in time and hopefully can get on a stationary bike soon. Dr. Vidal performed my surgery. Both her and her husband specialize in the hip scope, philipponis good but you have to stay in Vail until healed. Feel free to ask any other questions and good luck.

I have had a speedy recovery (or so they tell me) and so far so good.

27 year old female

quote:

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Originally posted by hutch:
sounds good for you that you are off the crutches so quick, I am going to meet with Koh, I had heard of him, the more I think about it waiting to nov is long, philippon is the best at the hip scopes from what I have read and I have been on all the boards but I know koh would do a good job. I will try to meet with him.

regards and thanks for info lakeview60613, I live in ravenswood area.

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posted Jul-10-2007 08:42 AM            

I would have to agree with Jen also. I had the surgery on May 11th and am still not where I want to be yet. They did go ahead and remover the tear on my hip.

I have all my strength back, flexibility, and range of motion back. However, I get pain when sitting, standing, and sitting. I also have tendonitis in the hip flexors which make recovery even harder. I will say that the pain now is not as bad as before the surgery.

Definately listen to your body after this surgery more than anything else. I think I was trying to do too much to get off my crutches and it back fired because I was on at least one until 7 weeks post opp.

Best of luck to you.

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posted Jul-11-2007 08:16 PM            

I called the NW scheduling first appointment is september, do you have a contact in his office you could post. that would help. If I could contact his assistant or something to see if I can get in sooner.

To the other posts, thanks for the reality check, I am planning on taking it real easy after surgery no pushing it for me. I am 45 so it's not going to be fun but I will do what it takes to get back. I just want to get surgery done and chicago is slow to get appointment with local surgeons. So I wait to get it done, I'd rather be rehabbing then waiting.

thanks,
hutch

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posted Jul-11-2007 08:35 PM            

I know how you feel about wanting to get it done and over with. I am only 24 and have been dealing with this problem for over 2 years and it is horrible. I thought this surgery would make me feel great at 8 weeks but no such luck.

I am still having a hard time wearing regular pants. I live in gym pants and athletic shorts. I can get pants on for a hour or two and then my hip starts to swell and I can't stand the buttons and zippers. If anyone else has had this probelm, can you please share your advice.

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posted Jul-11-2007 08:53 PM            

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posted Jul-11-2007 09:06 PM               

As for everyone else...it is a long process...it's nice to know there ARE other people going through the same thing...nobody has every heard of this injury and it's not a fun one. I think I feel like the crutches have become a part of me. THe pain is better, I am healing and I wish the best of luck to anyone who is going through this or getting ready for surgery! Take your time healing Hutch and to everyone else...hang in there!

quote:

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Originally posted by blkaykay8:
Hutch,

I know how you feel about wanting to get it done and over with. I am only 24 and have been dealing with this problem for over 2 years and it is horrible. I thought this surgery would make me feel great at 8 weeks but no such luck.

I am still having a hard time wearing regular pants. I live in gym pants and athletic shorts. I can get pants on for a hour or two and then my hip starts to swell and I can't stand the buttons and zippers. If anyone else has had this probelm, can you please share your advice.

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posted Jul-11-2007 10:01 PM            

Dr Busconi in Worecestor MA did the surgery. Definately an awesome doctor and the people at his practice are so nice and and helpful.

Jen,

How far post op are you? I was on crutches for 7 weeks and I couldn't wait to get off of them. I should start taking the alleve twice a day but I hate taking pills and can never seem to remember to take it in the morning. I think that alot of it has to deal with an irratic sleeping schedule that I have now.

Are you back to work yet? They are keeping me out of work the whole time because I have a desk job and sitting is so painful.

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posted Jul-11-2007 11:39 PM               

I am NOT a pill popper myself but the Aleeve really seems to help. I sit it right by the toothbrush so I don't forget...I figure until I get over the hump I will take it.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you have the surgery performed? Are you in PT right now? I am headed to PT tomorrow...if there is any specific questions you have I can ask my PT...he's great and I have been working with him for numerous issues over the past two years.

jentheroadrunner@msn.com

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posted Jul-11-2007 11:49 PM            

I am 8 1/2 weeks post op. I am also having a hard time with my hip flexors. I was told that I had tendonitis in it before the surgery and it is getting even worse. PT is now able to get in there and work on it because they had to wait for the doctor to say it was ok.

I had stitches in mine so I didn't get the irritation. They actually told me that they healed up quite nicely. I am just a little upset because they are in the middle of my thigh so you can see them in shorts.

I also do the pool about every day and it is the best comfort that I can get. At first I was struggling getting in and out but have been able to find an easy way to get in and out. I walk in the pool alot or just float around in the pool. It really does feel great and it helps with the pain for a while.

I am still icing the hip almost every day. As of right now I am doing strengthening excercises, massage on the hip flexors, and the bike. I am able to do 8 minutes with full rotation but still can't walk, sit or stand with out pain. I actually got lucky with physical therapy because my physical therapist had the surgery about 4 years ago and she suffered through it for 4 years before they diagnosised her. She also had the same surgeon as me so it makes it easier because she knows what I am going through.

I had mine done at UMASS Memorial Center in MA by Dr. Brian Busconi. How about yourself?

I am trying to remember to take the alleve every day and have put it right by the side of my bed where my alarm clock sits so I hope that will be a great reminder.

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posted Jul-12-2007 12:01 AM               

Good luck with everything...it is very frustrating and I often feel I take two-steps forward, one and a half steps back. Some days are much better than others and I am sick of the crutches. I hope your PT can figure something out with your hip flexors...it is very painful.

As far as the scar which shows...I have hear from my sister (she's a Doc) that the neosporin scar solution sheets work...you have to wear them for a long time but they're supposed to help fade the scars...it's worth a shot!

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posted Jul-12-2007 12:57 AM            

I think I have typical symptoms of a labral tear. Sharp pain deep in my hip joint when my hip is flexed and rotated in or if I pivot when the leg is weighted. Walking much at all, especially up and down hills and stairs aggravates it. There is some popping and sometimes it feels like the joint catches up on something. Doing much of anything with my leg makes it much worse. If I am careful how I move and don't do much, it doesn't bother me much but not a great way to live. I think I injured it jumping off some rocks when I was hiking a couple months ago.

Anyway, my doctor thinks I have a labral tear and that arthroscopic surgery is probably my best option. The MRI with contrast seems pretty benign to me. The MRI report says "Moderately prominent superior acetabular labrum with minimal degenerative free edge fraying, without tear identified." Minimal degenerative fraying sounds like something that would come from wear and tear over time and have more gradual onset of symptoms. Doesn’t seem like it would cause this much pain that developed within a couple weeks of a fall. My doctor says they can smooth down the fray (he described it like melting the edge back together) and physically check for a tear while they are in there. He says the tear just might not have shown up on the MRI. I am hesitant to go to surgery without more of a smoking gun.

I am considering a cortisone injection to see if treating the inflammation will fix it rather than going to the surgery that seems exploratory to me. Since I have to wait a month anyway to even see the guy in my doctor's office who would do the surgery and about the same to get the opinion from Dr Phillippon up in Vail, Colorado, seems like the thing to try.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

-Sue

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posted Jul-12-2007 11:55 PM               

The thing is, if it is fraying it is causing inflamation in the hip joint and could be causing an arthritic hip. If I had not acted on my surgery the bone spur would have eventually caused damage to the head of my femur AND the hip joint.

Another thought...have the done an X-ray? I did not have one prior to the scope, only the MRI and when they got in there they found the huge impingement that probably caused the tear. If they can re-attatch the labral they will, otherwise they just remove it and clean out the area. I guess I am thinking there is a possibility you could have a bone spur causing the fraying as well as the horrible pain...but I am not a doc!

As far as the surgery goes...I was told by my doc that they would NOT know the exact condition of the tear/hip until they actually got in there with the scope. Anything is better then the chronic pain so I think the surgery is worth a shot...just know it isn't an easy road.

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posted Jul-14-2007 12:17 PM               

I returned to the surgeon (Dr. Koh) earlier this week and he looked over the area and performed some motion tests. He said everything looked good and the tests went well. By no means do I have full range of motion, but movements that used to be quite painful now just feel "tight" instead. He removed the steri strips over the surgical incisions and all looked well. There are three small scars, all about the size of a paper cut. They don't itch or hurt in any way.

As for the procedure, he said he performed debridement and a bone shave. Due to the relatively small size of the tear, he did not suture back the cartilage, which perhaps is why my recovery has been quick.

In this phase, he is sending me for 8 weeks of twice a week p.t. He is keeping on Celebrex (2x per day, 200mg each) to prevent bone formation in the area of the shave.

I have the greenlight to workout, but no running or anything that would require me to raise me knee. Biking (on a high seat), swimming, and weights are fine. The elliptical is ok at a flat or very low level incline. No StairMaster. I'm seeing Dr. Koh again in a couple of months and hopefully he will say it's ok to begin some light running.

Hutch, sorry I don't have any special number for his office. I've always used the main number and been patched through. He does have an assistant that you can ask for if the schedulers are not being helpful, although I'm not sure if you'll do much better than September at this point. I called in late March and got an early May appointment, which is only a little faster than what they're offering you. Certainly if you do schedule an appointment, you should be sure that you have the x-rays and MR Arthrogram results sent to his office in advance so you can move into serious discussion right away.

Maybe this just went smoother for me as compensation for the horrible recovery I had from a fasciotomy several years ago. In any event, I won't really know the results of the surgery until I've completed p.t. and am out there running pain-free. I'm certainly happy to answer any more questions if you have them.

Best of luck to all of you.

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