| Author |
Topic: Hip Arthroscopy & Labral Tear: Please help! |
Suzandy
Member |
 posted Aug-15-2007 02:07 PM
  
Hi Michelle,How are you feeling after your surgery? Is your nerve pain getting better? I have had a terrible 5 months or so. It started with my getting terrible pelvic floor spasms. I was sent to a physical therapist who said that the spasms were up inside near my obterator and hip socket and that my hip was very tight and started having me do hip opening stretches. I then threw my back out and went to an orthopedist who said that that everything was probably stemming from my back. I had an epidural steroid injection 2 days after which I developed deblitating nerve pain down my leg. The spasms in my hip also turned to pain and I had a 2nd epidural to try to calm down any nerve inflammation caused by the 1st needle. Nothing changed and I started to be able to walk less and less. I developed terrible spasms in my butt and hip and had to stop walking. The pain in my hip became worse and I had an MRI of my hip which showed a small labral tear. My ortho. also said that he probably bruised a nerve doing the epidural but seemed confused after alsmost 2 months as to why I wasn't getting better. He wanted to do another shot to try to diagnosed whether the pain was coming from my hip or my back but I was afraid of another needle after the first one left me inccapaciated. I also figured that since the leg pain started 2 days after the epidural it must have been from that. I started PT for the leg pain (one PT said it was piriformis syndrome caused by the epidural - the doc. nicked a nerve and the muscles went into spasm). My leg pain seemed to get better, but the hip did not. I still couldn't walk or stand for more than a few minutes but felt better that the leg pain was subsiding. I then wen tto an acupuncurist to help me with back spasms. He put a needle in my hip which immediately caused pain in my back where I had herniated a disc a few months ago. The pain then spread back down my leg and since then (3 weeks) I have been bedridden due to nerve pain down into my foot. Needless to say I am beyond furious. One doctor sends me to another and that doctor back to the first. No one seems to be able to figure out what's going on. I have an appt. with a pain doc. tomorrow and a doc. who does hip arthroscopy on Fri. I have done this all already, but feel that after 3 week s of doing nothing but lying in bed I need to try again. I have had to cancel several jobs offered to me and have no life at the moment. The only thing that help sthe pain is lying in bed, but even when the pain dyes down a little, when I move or do anything, it flares up again. I am also concerned because my range of motion in my hip/leg are severly restricted. Could the nerve pain be related to a labral tear or is the tear a red herring? Am I just injured from teh epidural and need to just lie in bed til the nerve heals? I have no idea and am wondering what is going on with you since your story is the only one I've read that vaguely sounds like mine. I hope you're recovering! suzanne
IP: Logged |
Suzandy
Member |
posted Aug-15-2007 02:10 PM
Hi Michelle,How are you feeling after your surgery? Is your nerve pain getting better? I have had a terrible 5 months or so. It started with my getting terrible pelvic floor spasms. I was sent to a physical therapist who said that the spasms were up inside near my obterator and hip socket and that my hip was very tight and started having me do hip opening stretches. I then threw my back out and went to an orthopedist who did an MRI, found I had a herniated disc and said that that everything was probably stemming from my back. I had an epidural steroid injection 2 days after which I developed deblitating nerve pain down my leg. The spasms in my hip also turned to pain and I had a 2nd epidural to try to calm down any nerve inflammation caused by the 1st needle. Nothing changed and I started to be able to walk less and less. I developed terrible spasms in my butt and hip and had to stop walking. The pain in my hip became worse and I had an MRI of my hip which showed a small labral tear. My ortho. also said that he probably bruised a nerve doing the epidural but seemed confused after alsmost 2 months as to why I wasn't getting better. He thought the labral tear was probably not the source of my pain but wanted to do another shot to try to diagnosed whether the pain was coming from my hip or my back but I was afraid of another needle after the first one left me inccapaciated. I also figured that since the leg pain started 2 days after the epidural it must have been from that. I started PT for the leg pain (one PT said it was piriformis syndrome caused by the epidural - the doc. nicked a nerve and the muscles went into spasm). My leg pain seemed to get better, but the hip did not. I still couldn't walk or stand for more than a few minutes but felt better that the leg pain was subsiding. I then wen tto an acupuncurist to help me with back spasms. He put a needle in my hip which immediately caused pain in my back where I had herniated a disc a few months ago. The pain then spread back down my leg and since then (3 weeks) I have been bedridden due to nerve pain down into my foot. Needless to say I am beyond furious. One doctor sends me to another and that doctor back to the first. No one seems to be able to figure out what's going on. I have an appt. with a pain doc. tomorrow and a doc. who does hip arthroscopy on Fri. I have done this all already, but feel that after 3 week s of doing nothing but lying in bed I need to try again. I have had to cancel several jobs offered to me and have no life at the moment. The only thing that help sthe pain is lying in bed, but even when the pain dyes down a little, when I move or do anything, it flares up again. I am also concerned because my range of motion in my hip/leg are severly restricted. Could the nerve pain be related to a labral tear or is the tear a red herring? Am I just injured from teh epidural and need to just lie in bed til the nerve heals? I have no idea and am wondering what is going on with you since your story is the only one I've read that vaguely sounds like mine. Insight from anyone else is welcome. I hope you're recovering! suzanne
IP: Logged |
kristina
Member |
posted Aug-15-2007 09:46 PM
Carrie
It took about 6 or 8 weeks to get the surgery scheduled. I never asked how many of these surgeries he has performed (I probably should have). From what I read about him, I assumed that he has done a great amount. I had the labral tear debride, a pincer shaved off and the psoas partially released. He feels like I should recover and be able to run again. I’m doing a lot of strengthening and mobility exercises. I’ve been biking since the day after surgery but very easy. I could probably bike a little harder now. I’ve walked in the pool since week 2. I started elliptical last week. I did 6 minutes the first time and I’m now at 13 minutes. I was told I could swim some but to stay with the breaststroke for now. I’ve not yet done it. It sounds like it’s most important to get the strength and joint mobility back so I’m focusing on that. The rehab is time consuming. I’ve already lost so much cardio so I’m not worried about it anymore. Once I’m strong enough, I will eventually get it back. I’ve a 4-year old so I stay pretty busy and I’m on the go a lot. I’m at a point where I almost forget that I had surgery but yet there is a lot to do before I can run again.
IP: Logged |
cutiepossum
Member |
posted Aug-15-2007 11:49 PM
Kristina,
Thank you so much again. I'm finally feeling like I can go through with this surgery! I'm happy to hear that you are up and about and can run again.
I used to run long distance a long time ago and was considering getting back into it when this injury occurred. I was never a hardcore runner, but I understand runner's very well, my mother-in-law is constantly training for marathons!
Wish you the best of luck and thank you again for the information. You have really helped ease my mind about going through with this!
Forever grateful, Carrie quote:
Originally posted by kristina:
Carrie
It took about 6 or 8 weeks to get the surgery scheduled. I never asked how many of these surgeries he has performed (I probably should have). From what I read about him, I assumed that he has done a great amount. I had the labral tear debride, a pincer shaved off and the psoas partially released. He feels like I should recover and be able to run again. I’m doing a lot of strengthening and mobility exercises. I’ve been biking since the day after surgery but very easy. I could probably bike a little harder now. I’ve walked in the pool since week 2. I started elliptical last week. I did 6 minutes the first time and I’m now at 13 minutes. I was told I could swim some but to stay with the breaststroke for now. I’ve not yet done it. It sounds like it’s most important to get the strength and joint mobility back so I’m focusing on that. The rehab is time consuming. I’ve already lost so much cardio so I’m not worried about it anymore. Once I’m strong enough, I will eventually get it back. I’ve a 4-year old so I stay pretty busy and I’m on the go a lot. I’m at a point where I almost forget that I had surgery but yet there is a lot to do before I can run again.
IP: Logged |
DP2632
Member |
posted Aug-16-2007 08:11 AM
ch8198 Hi I am new to this site and have noticed that you have been referred to Dr Boucher In Baltimore Md,so have I.My apt is Aug 27 have you gone yet to see him? I have a anterior labral tear with full thickness (chondral lesion) has anyone else had this?
IP: Logged |
DP2632
Member |
posted Aug-16-2007 08:18 AM
ch8198 i am new to this site and have noticed you are referred to Dr Boucher In Baltimore md So am i my apt is on Aug 27.was wondering if you have already gone? I have a anterior labral tear with full thickness(chondral lesion) has anyone else had this?
IP: Logged |
DP2632
Member |
posted Aug-16-2007 08:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ch8198:
Hi all, Unfortunately while training for my first marathon, I began to develop left groin pain. It started as a stiffness that would ease up during a run and progressed to so much pain that I couldn't run without limping. My orthopedic surgeon ordered a MRI and arthrogram which was positive for an anterior labral tear. I've now had about 4 weeks of rest and I feel much better (like I want to go out and run), my doc says no running and marathon training is out for now. I'm referred to Dr. Boucher in Baltimore (anyone heard of him?) for hip arthroscopy. I only hope at this point that I can run again and train for a marathon after surgery. Any words of wisdom?
IP: Logged |
DP2632
Member |
posted Aug-16-2007 09:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ch8198:
Hi all, Unfortunately while training for my first marathon, I began to develop left groin pain. It started as a stiffness that would ease up during a run and progressed to so much pain that I couldn't run without limping. My orthopedic surgeon ordered a MRI and arthrogram which was positive for an anterior labral tear. I've now had about 4 weeks of rest and I feel much better (like I want to go out and run), my doc says no running and marathon training is out for now. I'm referred to Dr. Boucher in Baltimore (anyone heard of him?) for hip arthroscopy. I only hope at this point that I can run again and train for a marathon after surgery. Any words of wisdom?
ch8198 I am new to this but have been reading this for a couple of weeks.I also have been referred to Dr Boucher in Baltimore md.Have you had your apt already? I go on Aug 27th.I have a anterior labral tear with full thickness (chondral lesion) has anyone else had this?
IP: Logged |
gburgdiscus
Member |
posted Aug-16-2007 07:30 PM
Sue- I'm so sorry to hear about the delay in your surgery, you've had a rough time with this. Some of the distance runners on my track team do pool running workouts on their light days to stay off their feet. They'll go to the deep end and aqua jog- 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off (8-12 sets). You can do it with a belt if you want, or you can try it without a belt to make it a little harder. As for me I'm 3 weeks and one day post-op. I'm walking fine and almost pain free. I still try to limit my walking a little bit so that I don't get sore at night. I'll have to get used to walking more when I head back to college next week. I'm doing extremely well in PT, with almost full range of motion. I've started doing strengthening exercises and I was really sweaty today when I left PT, it felt great. I still spend hours everyday doing PT exercises, I'm lucky that my summer job is over and I don't have much else to do but pack for school. I'll be so happy to be able to run again. (I'm not even a runner, I'm throw discus!) It's still a few months away, but I feel so much more hopeful now. I had been so miserable with my large tear and I can't thank my Dr. enough for finally finding out what was wrong. Hope everyone else is doing well too!
Jane
IP: Logged |
gymptatc
Member |
posted Aug-17-2007 12:27 AM
Hi Gabi -
I am also new to this forum . . . I am a physical therapist and runner who just had hip arthroscopy a couple weeks ago. I would recommend either Dr. Waslewski or Dr. Clark as far as MDs in the Phoenix area. Dr. Clark did recently do a fellowship with Dr Philippon in Colorado who has done a lot of research and is one the leaders in hip arthroscopy. Dr. Waslewski is also an excellent MD and skilled at hip arthroscopy. I trusted him and stayed in state as it sounds like you will. I agree hip surgery was a scarier decision than knee surgery as it is "newer" and there are not a lot of long-term outcomes. However research so far shows good outcomes. I think it was definitely less painful than knee surgery! The rehab depends on exactly what they find and do during the surgery. Definitely get a second opinion if you feel more comfortable with your decision. Good luck! quote:
Originally posted by gabi6:
Celey123,Thanks again for the info. I see Dr. Martin next Monday, and he comes highly recommended, so I am eager to see what he has to say.
How has your rehab been so far?? How many times per week PT, etc..?
Are you allowed to swim? At least with our lovely weather lately, I know I can still get pool time in for awhile!
IP: Logged |
gabi6
Member |
posted Aug-17-2007 01:45 AM
gymptatc...Thank you for the information. I think I will probably go ahead with Dr. Clark if the decision is made for surgery. What type of injury/tear did you have repaired? Mine is small in the anterior superior labrum with a small chondral acetabular (sp?) fissure. I am just going on the assumption that surgery will
be recommended. My symptoms are getting worse, and I guess this should
be taken care of before I potentially develop arthritis?
Good luck with your rehab. I appreciate the opinion of a physical therapist as far as surgeons are concerned. I feel better now knowing that both Clark
and Waslewski are consistently mentioned.
IP: Logged |
gymptatc
Member |
posted Aug-17-2007 11:54 PM
gabi6 -
It sounds like you've been having pain for a while now, so assuming the labrum is torn and your doctor recommends surgery, I would consider it if I were you. Do you know how you injured your hip or did just happen over time? Obviously being a physical therapist I was wanting to try conservative measures, but they are usually not effective without activity modification (tough for a runner!). I had a labral repair, microfracture (for an acetabular chondral defect), and femoral osteochondroplasty (shaving off bone on my femur - for cam type impingement). From what I've read about developing arthritis, the surgery does not guarantee you will not get early arthritis. However, if you have impingement which leads to labral tears, then removing the bone causing the impingement should help. Definitely ask Dr. Clark when you see him. Good luck!
[
IP: Logged |
CT
Member |
posted Aug-18-2007 11:11 AM
Whew! How great to read that others are dealing with this injury, and as runners are experiencing similar feelings/ eagerness to get back to moving. Dows anyone out there have experience with the surgeons in the Seattle area? I've been seeing Phil Downer and have scheduled an arthroscopy early Sept, but I am not feeling confident with him. Jim Bruckner, I'm told, is the only other surgeon doing these arthroscopies in Seattle, and I've finally gotten an appointment with him also for early September, but his surgery scheduling, I'm told, is out to end of January. I've been in constant pain since March, and can't walk without crutches for more than a few blocks, so am feeling rather desperate. Any suggestions?
IP: Logged |
gabi6
Member |
posted Aug-18-2007 11:59 AM
gymptatc, I really don't know exactly how I injured my hip. Unlike most of you, I am not a runner due to issues with my knees, but am/have been very active-hiking, aerobics, kickboxing and sports conditioning classes in the past, trained for and walked 60 miles for breast cancer last fall, etc. I guess maybe just "wear and tear"? Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing Dr. Clark and getting his recommendation. Again, the thought of surgery on my hip scares me, especially since I have 2 young children, and that may make recovery a bit tough! You mentioned possibly modification of physical activity, and that is not an option for me. I want/have to be as active as I can, and there is nothing in my work out routine that I am willing to modify or discontinue, so I guess better to fix this now rather than wait, right? I am NOT a "sit on the couch" kind of person... 
IP: Logged |
gabi6
Member |
posted Aug-21-2007 02:11 PM
Hello all...Saw Dr. Clark in Phoenix on Monday, and am scheduled in October for a labral repair (not debridement). Nervous, but glad that I can finally fix this and put it behind me.
IP: Logged |
amc9002
Member |
posted Aug-21-2007 09:07 PM
I was reading the entry from gabi6 about hip arthroscopy in phoenix, arizona. just fyi, i did a hip arthroscopy fellowship with marc philippon at the steadman hawkins clinic in colorado and now practice in sun city west, arizona. hip arthroscopy and labral repairs are a large part of my pracitice. my office contact info is 623-537-5600. sincerely, dr. clark.
IP: Logged |
gabi6
Member |
posted Aug-21-2007 10:56 PM
Hi Dr. Clark...Yes, this is what patients do when they have too much time on their hands! We read all of these forums..... I enjoyed meeting you on Monday, and look forward to having a healthier hip soon!
Thanks again!
IP: Logged |
adkrunner
Member |
posted Aug-22-2007 02:21 PM
Hi everybody, I'm a first time poster, hope I'm doing this right. First off, this forum was a great find - I learned more in the last 10 minutes reading the postings than I have in the last two years elsewhere. I likewise have a torn anterosuperior labrum (and hamstring tendinosis to boot) and if surgery is the only option to get me back full speed, I need to consider it. Also, I live in CT so hopefully member gburgdiscus can assist me with the names of the 4 doctors mentioned in the posting and Dr. Nissen's #. Thank you. quote:
Originally posted by gburgdiscus:
2.5 weeks post op and I'm doing well. I'm walking now, but I try to limit it so I don't get too sore at night. I spend forever doing PT exercises- 3 times a day for about half an hour. I'm allowed to bike now "on flat surfaces" and I'm up to about 24 minutes. It feels good to be doing something again! The most pain I have is associated with my tight muscles (particularly my sartorious). Since I continued to do full work outs with my college track team for a year and a half after the injury, many of the muscles in the area tightened up to protect my joint. They still need to realize that I'm not hurt anymore- but I'm sure they'll loosen up. My PT and I were both on vacation last week, but I have 4 more sessions before I head back to college. As I think I mentioed my PT went to the same college as I do, and worked for the athletic training room. The same trainers are still there, so I will be finishing my PT with them. I'm hoping to start running again by the beginning of my season, which would be 3 months post op. jerseygirl002: I'm guessing you're from NJ, I'm from CT and had my surgery done by Carl Nissen. He's a family friend and very nice. He recently left his practice at Uconn and opened Elite Sports Medicine which is associated with Connecticut Childrens Medical Center. He still does surgery at UConn for patients over 18 (like us). I was amazed that after 17 months of being told I had tendonitis Dr. Nissen figured it out in 5 minutes! After it was confirmed by the MRI arthrogram I was jumping around my house thanking him. I'm sure there is someone good by you, but make sure to ask how many they have done in the past. Dr. Nissen told me there were only 4 in CT who had experience with this surgery. Also, make sure you have an MRI w/ dye- this will give the Dr. a good idea of where the tear is and if there is more than one. If you're going to have surgery, you want it done right. Let me know if you have any other questions!
IP: Logged |
marathon15
Member |
posted Aug-22-2007 03:13 PM
Hi
I went back and reread some of the previous postings and I am anxious to hear how Michelle is doing?! Today I had the epidural in my spine for a tear in my disc at L5S1. Because of this tear-they postponed my hip surgery which I was supposed to have last week. I had gotten cold feet yesterday about even doing the procedure but when I spoke to them, they assured me that the procedure was not just for pain relief but for inflammation as well. I am tentatively scheduled for the hip arthroscopy on Sept 20th. What is so frustrating for me is that I have had sciatica problems for years and have been treated by a chiropractor for the numbness and tingling. I have managed to run many marathons even with the sciatica problems. I would have an exacerbation of pain every time I started adding the long runs into my schedule-would see my chiropractor a few times a week during the last month preparing for the marathon--and would run pain free. I can live with that discomfort--I am having a hard time living with the hip discomfort. I walked in this morning and the receptionist noticed I was limping and said I had come to the right place---yet I was not limping because of my back. When the nurse took my intake information, she asked what level my pain was on a scale of 1-10. I said-my back or my hip? My back is only a 3 or so but my hip is an 8-9. And when the procedure was over, everyone said hopefully this will give you some pain relief--and I said not until my hip is operated on. I have no doubt that my back exacerbation is a result of the pain from my hip and the fact that I am limping when I walk. I feel like I am caught in this vicious cycle. The pain in my hip is a constant dull ache, with episodes of sharp searing pain. I have a tear but I also have bone on bone. The hip surgeon doesn't want to operate until I am asymptomatic in my back--how can I be when my gait is so off? I had the procedure done so I can let everyone see that I am doing what they want me to do. But I am truly starting to lose it. I don't sleep well-it hurts to sit for long, it hurts to stand on it--and I have not done any exercise in over a month. I'm hoping that Michele is healing--your issues sound so eerily similar to mine. I was also running 40 miles a week prior to problems. And I am in my early 40's. I hope your surgery went well. Why did your hip surgeon allow you to have the surgery if you were having disc issues? Any information will be helpful. Sue
IP: Logged |
pcc
Member |
posted Aug-23-2007 06:44 AM
I have for the past year been challenged with chronic adductor pain and searching for a solution. In the course of searching, I commented to a doc that my only odd symptoms is a historical "klunk" in my left hip when I lie on my back and try to do a scissors move with my legs or situps unless I turn/prefer my left knee in towards my body (to the right). I told him it had been like that as long as I can remember- no pain when running etc. like most of the posts here. He did and MRI and tells me I have a small labrum tear and is referring me to surgeons. My question is"Has anyone experieced a 'klunk" on movement rather than pain?" Given the challenges of recovery summarized on these excellent posts, I am concerned. Btw.. its not clear that this has anything to do with my adductor symptoms
regards
IP: Logged |
celey123
Member |
posted Aug-24-2007 06:27 PM
pcc:Yes -- I used to have the "klunk" issue. After all the initial pain that I experienced, I started having problems with my hip actually locking up. This usually happened during sleep (I'm a side sleeper) but sometimes it would lock up during the day. It felt terrible moving out of it and it would "klunk" out of the locked position into freedom. Kind of like a loud pop. The doc explained to me -- although every case is indeed different -- that this was not unusual.
IP: Logged |
Windie
Member |
posted Aug-25-2007 12:55 PM
Hi Everyone,I'm 50 and tired of hurting... I've had pain and that sudden 'dropping' in my hip for several years. You know, where you go to put weight on your leg and the hip won't support you? Anyway, my x-rays indicate some arthritis but my MRI shows a full-thickness labral tear. My doctor said that he hasn't done very many arthroscopies and that he's not convinced that with the arthritis, I would get much relief anyway. I'm outta there. I'm going for a second opinion next week. My concern is the surgery. I want the arthroscopic surgery but am also afraid of it! I basically live alone and wonder, would I need to have someone come stay with me for the post-op or could I manage it by myself? How long would I probably need help if I ask someone to stay with me? How long was it before most of you could drive? Obviously, this is assuming the doctor next week suggests surgery. By the way, I live in Austin, TX. Any of you heard of Dr. Shelby Carter? He's who I'm going to see next week.
IP: Logged |
fancyshorts
Cool Runner |
posted Aug-26-2007 05:56 PM
Hi Windy,I have the same questions you do... my surgery is scheduled for sometime next week in NYC. I work in the city and am concerned about getting around on my own (subway steps, walking to my office, etc) after the surgery. I am just getting the tear shaved down- the doc says there is no major damage in my hip. can anyone out there speak to the mobility one has first/second week after the surgery? (I also have a super-high old fashion bathtub and am nervous about getting into it on my own.) thanks!
IP: Logged |
Windie
Member |
posted Aug-26-2007 08:43 PM
Hi Fancyshorts - Best of luck with your surgery next week! The thought of having to use the subway and walking to work doesn't sound too cool - especially on crutches! As for bathing, I live in a 2-story house with only a 1/2 bath downstairs. I guess it's going to be sponge baths for the first week? Windie
IP: Logged |
aj2673
Member |
posted Aug-27-2007 05:22 PM
hi im 3.5 weeks post-op and doing really well. i was off crutches after 10 days. i have had some soreness in the joint and similar to the original pain. the dr said that is completely normal bc they operated on that spot so it should be sore. ive been able to bike and do a little aqua-jogging plus all the pt. also the dr said he could clear me to run at the 8 week post-op if im still doing well, so im soooo psyched! i think im doing so well bc of all the pt i did before the surgery (basically everyday for 3 months). my legs lost a lot of muscle from not running, but the pt built a lot of it back up. mentally i think it also helped me, bc it was really hard for me to be so inactive. so i really urge people to take the pt seriously! Fancyshorts- i think you need atleast 1 week on the coach. after that maybe you could get a ride to work? or maybe you could try to commute to work at off times when the subway isnt busy. i could do stairs on the crutches, but its just a little slow. the next few weeks you might be a bit uncomfortable sitting for long periods. hope that helps!
IP: Logged |
 |
