questions for surgeon (labral tear)

[calang33]

hi all. I had an MRA earlier in the week and the dr called to tell me I had a tear in the labrum (left hip). Anyhow I got referred to an orthopedic surgeon and I have an appt scheduled for monday. Im wondering what questiosn do I ask?? I want to make sure this a good doc, etc. I run about 35 mpw (well, not now) and I have 2 young kids so I need to get through this and recover!! TIA

[Happygirl]

Hey there

Hope I'm not too late replying to your post. I have just been in a similar situation.

Make sure the orthopedic surgeon explains everything in much detail so you understand what they are saying.
One question I would ask though is why did it tear? becaused there is research suggesting that the labrum tears because of a bone structure abnormality so it would be worth finding out if they know about FAI (femoroacetabular impingement) and if you have it or not.

Good luck

[robmaine]

do you have an update of your Labral Tear?
you run 35 miles per week (or did). What is your mph pace?

[hotchickie]

I have an appointment with an OS to discuss hip arthroscopy for labral tear and FAI in two weeks and am trying to compile a list of suitable questions I should ask my surgeon. If, through your experiences, you have advise on what other questions I should ask during my appointment, please post. (I have never had a surgery before and am new to all of this).

- What caused the labral tear? (ie. FAI)
- Estimated time on crutches?
- Time needed off of work?
- How long before I can put on skates and just skate around the ice (I teach figure skating so I need to be on skates to do my job).
- Is it okay to be driven home after the surgery? (I live over two hours away from the hosptial).
- Anesthetic type
- Pre/post physiotherapy

Thanks so much!:)

[AJF]

You might also ask him if he will be giving you an Epidural into the spine.

My Surgeon prefers this as he believes that the recovery timeline post operation is quicker with than without it.

They still give you a standard anesthesia throughout the procedure.

AJF.

[focus_911]

hi all. I had an MRA earlier in the week and the dr called to tell me I had a tear in the labrum (left hip). Anyhow I got referred to an orthopedic surgeon and I have an appt scheduled for monday. Im wondering what questiosn do I ask?? I want to make sure this a good doc, etc. I run about 35 mpw (well, not now) and I have 2 young kids so I need to get through this and recover!! TIA


You shouldn't be asking us what to ask. What is the point of us telling you what to say?! Now that you have a diagnosis you should do your own research and read up on what it is. Your own questions will come up.
Us telling you what to ask doesn't make sense.

[hotchickie]

I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't overlooking anything obvious. I certainly have done my research and am sorry that it comes across as me asking you what I should say during my appointment.

[soccermom]

hotchickie: it's fine. i learn a lot from other people and their experiences. i just saw it as you doing some research on the subject and asking for opinions. i sure wish i would have asked more questions of people before i had my first scope. it may have changed my course a bit...but maybe then again not. who knows.
best of luck!
soccermom

[NikkiNZ]

Hotchickie I agree with soccermom, ask away as i know when I first started going to specialist appts I was not sure what to ask or how to start searching for the right information on the net & found the best info from everyone elses's experiences as many you often come accross great questions to ask that you may not have thought of!

Everytime I thought of or came accross another q I wanted to ask I wrote it down so that I did not forget anything and had it all with me for the specialist to answer. Take your time too as some specialists can be very quick and not go into great detail.

I would have a read of the FAI, labrum tear threads as they have a huge amount of information and give a good idea on what else to ask and also they go through peoples recovery from the surgery you are going to have so you can at least go to the appt with a good range of knowledge.

I would ask how long he has been performing this type of surgery
If from the MRA/MRI they can tell you if the labrum will most likely be repaired or debrided and get him to go over both options so you understand

I found this forum to be as usefull if not more for information than my first visit with my specialist & it is great to be able to talk firsthand with those who have been through the surgery. I have had keyhole surgery in Dec 07 for labral tears and 4 weeks ago full open surgery for FAI & bursa removal so if you would like any help more info just ask or email me on nicolaleggott@slingshot.co.nz :) I know all the info out there can be very daunting!

[Jean M]

Hi Hotchickie:
Most important question I asked was: how many of these procedures have you done? Answer: a handful (and that was between a father & son OS team!!). Second most important question: do you know anyone who's done a lot more? Answer given was the name of the oOS who performed my arthroscopic labral repair & shaving of bony growths on femoral head.
I'd hate to think what state I'd be in today (1+ years post-op) had I gone with first OS. The father/son team only repaired labral tears, they didn't address the FAI which in my case was the reason for the tear.
Good luck

[hotchickie]

Thanks for the advise. During my appt I did not even have to ask this question (although it was on my list)...my OS started out with "I've done slightly over 200 of these procedures"...After that I breathed a sigh of relief as the first OS I saw admitted that he had only done a few and referred me to my current surgeon. Now just waiting to book surgery...

[Jean M]

Well done hotchickie!! You're wise to go with the more experienced surgeon. Will the surgery be via arthroscope?

[tallblack]

You shouldn't be asking us what to ask. What is the point of us telling you what to say?! Now that you have a diagnosis you should do your own research and read up on what it is. Your own questions will come up.
Us telling you what to ask doesn't make sense.


Focus _911 you are a complete idiot a person who is worried about surgery asks a relevant question trying to get as much info and be as informed as possible as to what questions to ask the surgeon and you abuse them like this, get a life loser.

[oscarsmum]

Focus _911 you are a complete idiot a person who is worried about surgery asks a relevant question trying to get as much info and be as informed as possible as to what questions to ask the surgeon and you abuse them like this, get a life loser.

Wow!
Don't want to join in a fight here- I think everyone should be encouraged to ask anything,however small or insignificant it might seem. We have all gained lots of knowledge and support from each other.Just wanted to say that sometimes things can come across in a different way than intended when it is typed rather than spoken-if you get what I mean.
Anyway, that post was a month ago, the thread has moved on now and it seems pointless to me dragging up old comments.
Just my two cents
Take cae all
Kate

[tallblack]

Wow!
Don't want to join in a fight here- I think everyone should be encouraged to ask anything,however small or insignificant it might seem. We have all gained lots of knowledge and support from each other.Just wanted to say that sometimes things can come across in a different way than intended when it is typed rather than spoken-if you get what I mean.
Anyway, that post was a month ago, the thread has moved on now and it seems pointless to me dragging up old comments.
Just my two cents
Take cae all
Kate

I havent been on for about a month and this person needs to be informed its not nice to treat people like this especially someone that wanted help, no one else seemed to have the balls to inform this person so i did.

[fuschinoi]

Hello!
I went to see a local OS in July in Toronto, Canada (where I live). He told me that hip arthroscopy are very contraversial and he doesn't recommend that I get my muscle tear repaired (MRI shows a complete muscle tear in my right groin area. I have severe constant pain when I walk, sit or sleep for long periods of time. He recommended that I get a cortisone shot in my right hip to get rid of the pain.
He said that almost everyone has a tear of somesort and usually it goes undetected because there is no pain.
Any feedback? I'm going for my cortisone shot in 2 weeks!

Thanks.
Izzy

[Vixen]

Any feedback?



Find a better informed surgeon.

[hotchickie]

fuschinoi,
I agree with Vixen, you should search for a second opinion. I know that my surgeon (Dr. Naudie in London, ON) is a hip specialist and has done a couple hundred hip arthroscopic surgeries. If your problem could be fixed using the arthroscopic method, it might be a worthwhile investment driving down the 401 to have a consult. I know that his practice focuses on hip problems...he might be the guy to see in the area. Maybe your GP could refer you? Just a suggestion. Good luck!

[missiongirl]

Can I get in on this lol?!! I live in BC. I'm having surgery friday. My surgeon mentioned that there are a lot of folks that have tears & don't know it. But I think the magic question is how bad is it and can u carry on with it if you do have the pain without surgery (as a last resort). Well, for me, I'm doing it and hoping for the best as my quality of life is definately affected and I can't do much anymore (boo hoo lol, well it feels pretty sad compared to how I was before lol!!)

There are no stupid questions, that's how one finds things out that lead to being informed. I too would get a second opinion for peace of mind if anything, easier said than done, but we aren't OS's so wouldn't it be interesting to hear another OS opinon with the findings? You could always do both! Good luck