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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Jenny,
I am approaching 12 weeks post surgery. I had labral debridement for torn cartilage with chondroplasty to the bone for a small worn section. I am still getting pain while sitting and the catching pain during abduction/adduction. I recently found a hip brace called a Bledsoe Philippon which limits abduction/adduction. You may want to ask your surgeon about having one these fitted.
Dan
I had surgery 7 weeks ago wednesday and its getting better some days are better than others. My surgery consisted of repairing a minor tear in the labrum and to remove some bone on the neck of my right femur to fix the impingement that caused the tear. I am 1 week out of crutches and still in pain mostly when I am on my feet and walking, has anyone else had something similar to this surgery and what can I expect from the rehab stand point? is it too early to tell the long term outcome?
Hi,
Can anyone that has gone through arthoscopy for a labral tear in their hip give me some feedback as to what to expect after surgery?
Thank you.
Keren,Quote:
Originally Posted by Keren
I used crutches for about a week after the surgery. Started physio on recommendation from surgeon about 2 weeks after op. I am now doing hydrotherapy and in hindsight I believe this should have been recommended first or in conjunction with physio. See my reply to Jenny for current pain. I am in the process of obtaining a Bledsoe Philippon brace in an attempt to assist with "catching" pain while sleeping. I have spoken to the OZ marketing manager about this brace and my current symptoms. This person is also a physiotherapist. If you reside in OZ, you may want to ask/ request the use of this device by your surgeon. See the links below for this product. For the Bledsoe website, click on Special braces then Philippon. Hope this helps.
www.orthomedico.com.au
www.bledsoebrace.com
Dan
I am glad you are doing well from FAI surgery. It seems as though you had the open (full dislocation) procedure. If you want to talk to others, who had this procedure, join yahoo's messageboard group "femoroacetabular impingement" (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group..._Impingement/). I am scheduled for FAI surgery in mid-august. Good luck with recovery.Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
-Patrick
Hi, just seen this site for first time! I have had loads of lower back, hip, groin, thigh and knee pain since Feb 2005. Numerous hospital admissions with no diagnosis. Normal MRI's, loads of physio etc. Even had a steroid injection in my hip, better for 2 months but told it was coincidence and not my hip - maybe psychological! I have done the rounds just like you. The trauma surgeon in March 2005 thought it could be a lbral lesion and referred me to a hip surgeon who did the injection, when you are told it's not your hip - you believe them. Paid for 2nd opinion to hip professor. He is convinced of have a labral tear. I am having MR arthrogram-contrast injection on 19th May to see if I really do have a tear!Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
I am interested to know how you get on - I thought I was alone on this!
Dan,
Thanks so much for the reply regarding your labral tear surgery. I hope that you are doing better with the pain and therapy. I finally got in to see the ortho specialist today and he said that arthoscopic surgery won't help my tear because they are now telling me that I have hip dysplasia and want me to undergo an Osteotomy-extensive surgery for hip dysplasia where they would re-locate my pelvic bone! I don't know. I am afraid and unsure. But thanks for your guidance.
Keren
Gday Keren, I'm a 35 old male police officer and received a nagging injury to my left groin buttocks area which was so debilitating some days I could barely walk. In August '05 I underwent a hip arthroscopy for a labrum tear which was somewhat successful, but the pain remains and today it is just as bad. So in two weeks, to cut a long story short, I will be having a Total Hip Replacement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keren
The major contributing factor in this injury causing the labrum tear and now hip replacement, was the 6-7kg police appointment belt I've worn for 16 years, and this has now been documented by several surgeons. I would be interested if there are any other cops out there with the same problems or would like some further information about this.
Mick
Mick,Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelF
Which country are you from, Australia or the U.S.A? Interesting to hear about the appointment belt. I asked a similar but non-specific question a number of posts ago about carrying weight around the hips. Will the Total Hip Replacement allow you to remain operational? My service is a lot less than yours. I suffered a HOD last year which after a number of months was eventually diagnosed as a labral tear. I have been on restricted duties since.
Dan
Hi everyone,
I live in Victoria. I have been reading through the thread with much interest. I am a cyclist and skier. My main interest here is whether or not anyone has had chronic lateral knee pain associated with a labrum tear. If interested, please read on.
I had hip and groin pain for about 12 months. Confirmed labrum tear (by MRI) with a small cyst. I had a cortisone injection which did very little. I had two surgical opinions - one surgeon wanted to do an arthroscope whilst the second recommended waiting/rest/reduced activity. Interestingly the doctor who came recommended to me as more 'aggressive' took the more conservative approach. I opted for conservative management - ie reduced cycling. Hip and groin pain reduced dramatically but started getting knee pain when I resumed training. I now have lateral knee pain on both knees (side with confirmed labrum tear is much worse). The forced rest with knee pain has further improved my hip - now little symptoms at all.
My knee symptoms are very similar to ITB Friction Syndrome or Patellofemoral Syndrome (classic cycling overuse) but wondering if anyone with labrum tears has had accompanying knee pain?? My physio hasn't excluded that hip pathology could refer pain to the knee.
Thanks!!
Damian
I've treated a lot of cyclists over the years, and a high proportion have presented with primary knee pain but gone on to find that the problem is actually their hip. Mechanism can be somatic referred pain from the hip joint (usually presents as anterior knee pain) or biomechanical irritation causing overactivity of hip rotator muscles - tension on ITB and then ITB fricition or PFPS.
Treatment options vary depending on severity of the problem and whether it is and intrinisic or extrinsic hip pathology problem. Conservatively, high on the treatment list is bike set up modification to unload the hip. This must be coupled with a specific exercise programme designed to correct the lower limb and pelvic biomechanical issues which are occuring while on the bike. Pedalling techinique must also be addressed to increase efficiency. That's usually the first port of call before more invasive options are suggested.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the response Thihan. The problem I have at the moment is that the inflammation is so bad that I can't even ride short distances to experiment with bike position. I am looking at pedal float, saddle height and fore/aft position - have you had luck with any other adjustments?
If the knee pain is simply from overuse or bike position it seems fairly straightforward. The real nagging question in my mind however is that if the knee pain or say tight ITBs are as a result of the labrum tear, then will it recur as my training increases? For the moment I have to recover from the inflammation to do the required strengthening and then bike adjustments.
Still keen to hear from anyone who has had labrum tears with referred knee pain and in particular, lateral knee pain.
Thanks again!
check out these articles on bike specific problems by a SPORTS physio/commonwealth games mountain biker - Emma Colson.
www.topbike.com.au/physio.htm
As I mentioned i another post i had arthroscopy for FAI with Dr Sampson in San francisco late last year. I didn't have that much pain going in to surgery but had had a lot of pain in the two years previous to that. However now i am not so happy with the rate of my recovery. The doctor removed a subchondral cyst (in addition to reshaping eh femoral head) and he says this is the reason i still have pain (more than when i started). He says to give it until august to see if the cartiledge repairs, fill back in. Orginally he was going to do a graft where he took out the cyst but didn't ---now he say it might not grow back! I'm not sure if this is really what is causing the pain though. A bigger question is what leads to the femoral head getting a growth on it. Mine started with an injury where I fell and torked my other hip. I think if the pelvis/back or whatever is out of wack for an extended period it creates stress on the hip joint and the bone grows from the trauma so there is a need to correct the underlying alighment problems as well. Just my theory...the orthos don't really talk or care about this end of it.
Megan
QUOTE=Unregistered]Fred,
I am in a similar situation as you, except never had arthroscopic surgery and am about 20yrs younger. After about 2 years of hip pain, I realize my fate if nothing is done. It is quite clear that FAI surgery will correct the femoral head-neck offset, thus reducing bone and articular cartilage shearing. My main concern with this procudure is the risk of complications (ie, AVN, femoral fracture, nerve damage, hetertopic ossification etc.). Hopefully an experienced surgeon will minimize these risks. Have you looked into Dr. Millis (boston)? Also check out the Femoro acetabular impingement and Hip Scope groups on yahoo.
-patrick[/QUOTE]
Hi Keren - I am in my early 30s and had a labral tear arthroscopic repair June 2004. I live in Boston and had the surgery with the hip group at Childrens (Kocher & Millis). I was on toe-touch with crutches for 3 weeks, and then went to one crutch and a cane over the next 2-3 weeks. I found walking in chest-deep water in the pool very helpful after week 2. My main problem initially was that I lost proprioception (the sense required for position/balance) for a few weeks afterwards and my balance on that leg was terrible. It cam back to 100% with PT though. I tried to, but couldn't go back to playing hockey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Keren
I am now being re-assessed for ongoing groin pain that occurs with flexion (walking up hill, riding a bike, sitting forward). Another MRA was neg for a tear and they didn't see FAI on the plain Xrays. I'm going for a 2nd opinion in a couple of weeks. My symptoms seem like FAI from what I've read. Anyone else with a similar experience? I am really eager to know whether I need more surgery or not. I am not very excited about the thought of it, but am tired of feeling like I'm 65. I can barely walk on the treadmill fast enough to get my heartrate to 125 (I can't use any incline or I get severe pain). Any ideas more than welcome :-)
Thanks! jcannuck@hotmail.com
Hi, so glad to have found you all! Took a fall 4 1/2 years ago, (I was 40.) Night pain, pain when standing, sitting, became unbearable. Went to a sports medicine doc with back, hip and knee pain in 1/04. Initially diagnosed as SI problem with referred hip and knee pain. One year later, hip MRI showed labral tear. Cortisone injection gave 1 month of relief. I was sent to specialist in San Jose,Ca. who had experience in arthroscopic repair. After surgery, he said to wait and see because he noticed a problem with the bone and he was not able to deal with that arthroscopically. Gradually got better, then worse. I was then referred to Dr.Sampson in San Francisco. ( He is wonderful! ) He diagnosed me AFI. Had second hip scope in October 2004. Once again, got better over a period of months and then began to deteriorate. MRI in 9/05 showed bone growth and labral tears. I chose to have a total hip replacement since my experience with the scopes wasn't so great. After surgery Dr. Sampson said it was a good choice, arthroscopy would not have worked, too much deterioration, arthritis, bone growth.( He is able to do minimally invasive surgery with only a 3 1/2 inch scar.) I had my THR in 10/05. Recovery has been challenging. I can now walk without pain and it is definitely better than before. I am still having problems with the back and knee pain. Had back and knee MRI last week and will get results on Friday. I am sorry that others are having similar problems. It has been a long hard journey. I am glad to know that I am not the only one because I have really begun to wonder what the heck is wrong with me. Thank you for sharing your stories! Tracey
Rebecca in my experience a labral cyst is a result of a labral tear! althogh the tear is not detected on the MRI. Sometimes intra articular studies can cause false positive tears and cysts. Orthopaedic surgeons always state to us that we understate labral tears .Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebecca43
cheers Mark
Thanks Mark
I've subsequently been seen by an orthopeadic surgeon who has attributed my symptoms to articular cartilage damage. I'm not aware that articular damage gives similar symptoms to labral damage and am now seeking a second opinion!
Rebecca
Hi Hippies :)
I'm new to this forum but not new to the subject. This is my story and i hope it helps as trying to get information out of the medical profession is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
History prior to seeking medical help. Prior to May 2000 I was working as a manager, hadn't had a sick day in years, didn't play any physical sports but worked hard and averaged a minimum of 60hrs a week mostly debt driven. I was 31 years of age then and had no hip pain at all. In May 2000 at the end of a long day I went to fetch some product for a customer in a department where all the staff had knocked off for the day. In their cleaning up process they left a grid off a drain which I managed to step into as I was walking along. My Right leg stepped into a hole just big enough to put your foot in and about 18 inches deep. At the time of injury pain was negligible and i figured it was either bruised or slightly strained and continued with my duties. When I got home and relaxed a bit the pain intensified and was relieved with a hot tub. I was stiff in the right hip the next morning and after getting it moving and warmed it up I went to work. The pain nagged me for days after but wasn't bad enough to seek medical attention. 3 weeks after my other side was hurting for a few days then switched back to my right side. This settled down to an occasional niggle and on a number of occassions friends had asked me about a slight limp i was developing. Which foolishly I shrugged off as an old war wound :mad:
Over an 11 Month period I gradually got worse and had forgotten about the drain incident. I was easily becoming tired and worn out doing the same duties i'd been doing for years before hand , blaming it on my back, bending over a counter etc all day. I was going home from work and hitting the lounge or recliner and thats where i'd stay until it was time to get moving again.
Just after Easter 2001 I went off work with severe pain in my right side and went to see my GP. The pain covered my right side just below my ribs right down to my right leg and radiated across my back. I was not very well and at this stage had forgotten about the drain incident and didn't know what was wrong with me. ( Hadn't had an accident or injury apart from bumping my head on a door handle when I stood up since the drain which was 11 months prior and no apparent immediate injuries within last few weeks of going to see GP)
First Diagnosis: Shingles come back in 10 days if the pain persists
Second Diagnosis: Get some blood tests, Xrays ( Normal ) and referred to a gastroenterologist
Gastroenterologist:Booked in for a Colonoscopy, all clear no Cancers, tumours, growths etc their ( This took up 6 months during which I tried to return to work which only lasted 4 weeks and I was back to being in complete agony constantly).
Back to GP: Arranged full body bone scan, MRI of back and referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon at local public hospital. ( 9 Months wait list )
Went private: MRI done on hip and Xrays. Result normal but looks like you might have early arthritis but that shouldn't be causing you all the pain.
Back to GP: Referred to physiotherapist and Pain management clinic, here i was awoken to the idea that some injuries can develop further and to back track everything i'd done. Tens machine was causing extremely sharp pain in hip on certain spots and not giving any relief. He tried a stretch machine and this relieved the pain in my hip.
Pain Management Clinic: Agreed I had a problem, 6 weeks of Hydrotherapy to study my movements with their physio and their 3 day psychatric course with a shrink on pain management.
6 Weeks up and physio recommended their was a problem with the Right hip and would like to try a cortisone injection to confirm it. Was injected next day and had 2 days of heaven until it wore off with no pain.
Then referred to Their head Orthopaedic Surgeon and sent off for another MRI of the hip which came back normal however he said he was suspicious of a darkened area in the image and would like a second opinion and was going to send me to see another specialist in the field. 6 weeks later I was called back in and he had conferred with some other associates and wanted to perform an exploratory Arthroscopy to see what was going on.
19th of December 2002 I had this procedure and learnt I had a labral tear and that he had debrided it during the operation. ( Yay, at this stage whats a labral tear) I was put on a passive motion machine shortly after the op to prevent my hip stiffening up. Crutches for half a day and was walking on my own shortly after with minimal pain. All up 2 days in Hospital with key hole surgery from the Arthroscope. Progressed over next 2 weeks to have no pain at all. Beginning of February 2003 I started a new job pain free.
6 Months down the track I twisted around one day doing something and the pain was excruciating. Back to the specialist and 23rd of October went in for another Arthroscopy which didn't work this time and he said he had trouble with scar tissues. He then referred me to a hospital with better equipment to try again. The waiting list was quite long and in 2 weeks time I go for a contrasted MRI of the hip to shed some light on my problem and where we go to from here its now 6th of June 2006 and I just want a life back.
What a great forum! Wish I had found it years ago!
Well I thought I would share my story with you all and I will post updates on my recovery if it is useful to anyone.
As with many of you I have done the rounds of many doctors and surgeons over the years before good diagnosis and surgery recently. My pain actually manifested mainly in my right knee as long ago as 1990 when playing soccer used to cause deep throbbing and shooting pains in knee for several days after. X-rays and scans showed little and various suggestions of early arthritis, tight hamstrings, back problems were made with no progress on pain.
For many years I coped by just avoiding any strenuous exercise, thereby not aggravating what I thought was a knee problem. However two years ago several other lighter activities such as golf, and even long walks were causing flare ups. To cut a long story short, another knee specialist sent me to a physiotherapist who trumped all the doctors by identifying the underlying problem as coming from my right hip. A hip specialiast identified a tear and thought arthroscopy would help - I was referred on to an expert in this who immediately said my hip was a "timebomb waiting to go off" - not just a tear but much more requiring open surgery
OPERATION REPORT
I quote from report (this is technical - some may understand it all more than others!)...
Indications were - chronic anterior internal impingement and early degenerative changes
Approach - Lateral with Trochanteric flip and anterior exposure of the hip. Joint disarticulated
Surgical findings were - large Ganz lesion/anterior epiphyseal tongue and anterior acetabular osteophytes. peripheral damage of acetabular articualr cartilage from 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock.
Procedure carried out - Epipheseal tongue/Ganz lesion excised. Lateral retinacular vessels preserved. Anterior acetabular osteophyte removed. Excellent joint movement with no residual impingement
I had an epidural anaesthetic which was kept topped up for two days, left hospital after four days and am supposed to be on crutches for 6 weeks. I have a scar about 8 inches long and there are two surgical screws in the bone apparently
I have now been home for 1 week and am managing on crutches quite well. Can stand on both legs with no crutches OK and am relatively pain free unless I accidentally set off across the room without picking up my crutches first (more easily done than you might think ha ha!)
Sleeping is harder cos I keep rolling onto operated hip in my sleep! Also am having trouble with my right knee which feels as if I have strained it somehow. I suspect this is because my knee is trying to do to much work shifting my leg sideways off beds and sofas for example as my muscles down side of leg were obviously cut during surgery. Guessing at that though - hope it is not a new problem that surgery has caused!!
Anyway, surgeon (Mr Field, St Anthonys Hospital, Cheam, UK) thinks may have extended life of natural joint by at least 10 years - if op continues to show no ill effects I will have to repeat on left hip at some stage.
If anyone would like to know anything else about my experiences please feel free to post or contact me direct.
I will update on recovery
Hi fellow hip sufferers!
I am 29, female, surfer in the UK and also work in an NHS Cardiology dept - for my sins!
I also have a horrible story - occuring over the last 16 mths - I will try and keep it brief!
Sudden loss of use of left leg - following 2 mths lower back pain - Feb 2005.
A+E ->ambulance to royal orthopaedic hospital - T + L Spine MRI - Normal.
Brain MRI - normal.
In 5 days - under spinal surgeon whilst awaiting transfer to my own hospital where I worked, to rule out a neurological cause.
No neurological cause found - ? psychological - see psychiatrist - whilst an in patient.
I kept telling them my hip kept clicking, leg locked, knee hurt and knee gave way but it felt like it was my hip making knee unstable!! 2 neurologists and 1 psychiatrist - said no way could it be mechanical - it was stress!!!
I begged to be seen by a trauma surgeon who had seen me a few mths previously for back pain. With very bad grace they agreed.
MRI - Hips, thigh and knee - normal - March 2005. The trauma surgeon referred me back to orthopaedic hosp to an orthopaedic surgeon - to exclude a labral lesion in my hip with a view to arthroscopy! I was given a steroid injection - 2 mths relief, after initial agony for 10 days after!
The hip surgeon said it was coincidence I got better - psychological - discharged - told toget on and surf and skydive again and if my hip fell apart he would do an arthroscopy!
After 2 mths - acute hip, groin and knee pain! Trauma surgeon phoned hip surgeon to ask him to see me - he declined - told him to send me to a musculoskeletal physician.
This new doctor - ? SI joint ligament laxity - 4 mths of prolotherapy injections - to not much effect. We then had a "breakdown in patient/doctor relationship" and he refused to treat me - said I was beyond help. Nothing medically to be done - sent home. I was so upset!
Mean while - ongoing physio - muscle imbalance and trigger points - given stretches and joined a gym - got worse!
My GP agreed to send me for a second oppinion to Coventry which I paid for. Told not my back - ? hip! My anger levels raised!
He referred me to Professor Damien Griffin at BMI Meriden Hospital, Walsgrave site, Coventry, UK. Classsic mechanical history, slinical exam - strong suspicion of labral tear.
I paid £968 on credit card for an MR arthrogram (MRI with contrast injection) and 3 plain x-rays - 1 was a lateral view never done on me before!
X-rays = slight bulge in the supero-lateral acetabular rim.
MRa = extensive degeneration of the antero-superior labrum with a degenerative tear.
Paying £3700 for arthroscopy on 22nd June. Plan = debride acetabular labrum and treat any adjacent damage to articular surface, and reshape the area of excess bone in order to relieve impingement! There is also a cyst on head of femur - visible on the plain x-ray.
I AM SO SO ANGRY - AS ARE THE REST OF YOU I GUESS?! I asked why the hip sugeon would not have detected the abnormal shaped head of femur - unless they are specialised in this field it will be reported as normal
I am dreading surgery - but hoping for my life back!!!
After reading most of the messages - I gather that these labral tears are difficult to diagnose and you must have a contrast MRI (arthrogram) - routine MRI likely normal!
I REALLY FEEL MOVED TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OTHER PATIENTS. My notes are a mess with reference that I may have a psychological problem, etc. I am going to complain and try and get my money back from both of these hospitals - including the one I work in - even if it takes years and I prepared for more debt for a solicitor if I have to - medical negligence I think!
I think there should be labral tear awarness education meeting in every hopital to the orthopaedic and trauma teams, physios, neurologists and psychiatrists! WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? I also wonder about a patient support group - FOR WHEN YOU DO GET THE DIAGNOSIS - TO TALK ABOUT THESE BAD EXPERIENCES - AGAIN - IS THAT POSSIBLE?
WHO WOULD DO THESE TALKS TO THE CLUELESS DOCTORS AND SURGEONS? WOULD IT BE US - PATIENT LEAD - WITH INPUT FROM THE EXPERIENCED AND RARE SURGEONS?
DOES ANYONE THINK THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE - MAYBE WITH HELP FROM THIS SITE? OR AM I LIVING IN FAIRY LAND?!
I am keen to here from anyone that feels like I do - email:
surfchick@totalise.co.uk
Take care
Amanda
xx:)
Paul,
I recommend the Philippon hip brace. See my previous posts for link. I have been wearing one at night for a couple of months and the catching pain has stopped while sleeping. Sleep can still be interrupted as it takes some time getting used to wearing the brace. Other symptoms now include numbness around the knee. Currently doing iliotibial stretches to assist.
dan
Hi - I'm am new to this, but finding a lot of interest in what you have going on. I'm starting to feel like a hypochondriac, but I know the pain is real. I have had knee pain for about 20 years - 3 ortho surgeries and IB problems for years. I have noticed over the past few years that I have been having a lot of hip & back pain. Thought was that it just radiated from the knee to the back and hip and if I could get my knee fixed, then everything else would start to feel better. Almost a year after the last knee surgery, I am not doing any better in fact everything (except the knee) are worse. I have gone back to my orthoped and he didn't want to do anything (the cartilage in my knee is 50% of the way cracked to the base of where it attaches in a few different places) I then tried to find a PT that could help with both the back & the knee & the hip. His conclusion was that I do have a possible tear in my knee, but that there were other things that are wrong, in my hip and back. He thought at one of the 1st visits that I may have a labral tear and a bulging disk in my back. Had an MRI done - negative on the hip, positive on the bulging disc& stenosis of the back and degenerative knee. Had an epidural for the back - some relief, but the hip/groin pain wasn't better. Went to another orthoped (tried the one that did surgery on my knee last July - and he didn't even look at my hip during the visit). This orthoped took an x-ray - believes there to be a possible labral tear and a growth on the femur bone- recommended I try a floral guided cortisone shot in the hip - didn't do much. He also gave me a cortisone shot in the IB area - that helped a lot with the knee pain I believe, but not with much else. I sent my pictures, MRI etc. to Dr. Philippon in Colorado - he believes that arthoscopy of the hip may help my condition. I know he is the best in the country, but he isn't in my health plan and is quite a long ways away. Has anyone heard of or Dr. John Clohisy in St. Louis or had any experiences with him. I would appreciate some feedback. Good Luck! I am a firm believer that the hip, knee go hand in hand.
Steph
Quote:
Originally Posted by damo
I just found this forum and it is like someone turned on the light. 20 years ago, in my late 20s, I injured my right hip. At the time, I was an active recreational bicyclist, and ran a bit. After years of misdiagnosis, no diagnosis, physical therapy, I finally all but gave up bicycling and sports of all sorts. I eventually got pain-free after about 8 years, but did not regain function. The only strenuous activity left to me was hiking. Any other strenuous activity resulted in right hip pain. For 20 years, I thought it was due to ilio-psoas tendinosis.
Recently, 2 things happened: I was diagnosed with anterior femoroacetabular impingement and started reading about it. And, 2 months ago I injured my left hip. Initial exam by my orthopedic surgeon reveals a calcified labrum on right side. I am awaiting an MRI which should clarify nature of injury on left side and extent of hip damage and possible early arthritic changes.
I am so relieved to know what is wrong with my hips and immensely joyful to find other folks who have similar problems. And I am also terrified and saddened at my loss of function and prognosis (a lot more pain and hip replacement is probably in the cards for me sooner or later). The recent injury to my left hip is really disturbing.
Here are my questions for you:
Are there other forums dealing with femoroacetabular impingement and secondary injuries, like torn labrum?
What should I be doing, or not doing, over the next few weeks till my MRI is done?
If you haven't yet torn your labrum, I think it might be possible to live with FAI by adapting activities and gear. Here is my experience that might help others with FAI: limit activities that involve extreme hip flexion. You can buy bicycle cranks (bmx) with crank arms as short as 145mm and change bicycle geometry so hip angle in as open as possible (comfort bikes, and some recumbents have this feature). Carefully, use orthotics or insoles to cant your feet to the outside: it puts a slight external rotation on the hip.
Robert
Good Luck with your MRI. Just an FYI....The doctors that looked at my MRI did not see the labrum tear and didn't see the FAI on my X-Ray although they did see a calcification or growth of some kind on the hip (neither the labrum tear or FAI are very recognized in the midwest region of the country). I sent my x-ray & MRI to Dr. Philippon in Vail and he diagnosed me with both based on the same MRI and X-ray that the Drs. in Omaha looked at. My PT was the original one that thought I had a labrum tear - they are somewhat rare and he had only seen one other one in the last 7 years. I knew my pain was real and that it was getting worse. I guess just a word of advice, that even if your MRI is negative for a labrum tear is negative by the initial Dr. that looks at it, you can send it to Philippon and have him look at it. He knows what he is looking for - Save yourself some money and don't have the MRA (if your MRI is negative) done until after you have Philippon look at the MRI. I'm so excited that someone looked at the symptoms and pictures and realizes that I do have a problem. I am scheduled for surgery in August.
Steph
Hi Damian,
Have you had any useful relpies yet? I have had hip/groin/ knee pain for 16 months. Just paid for hip arthroscopy - labral tear debridement and partially torn ligament repaired (the 1 that holds ball into socket!). Small extra bone left insitu - hope to recover without having to go back for more surgery later! My knee pain is still present. Physio says all muscles are rubish, hence knee cap not in correct alignment - they call this a "tracking" problem. I had my knee taped for 2 days - 1 week post op and I could go on ex bike without feeling grinding in my knee and without knee pain. Got loads of new exerices to do now to rehab my muscles and told eventually with my hard work - the muscles will improve and hold knee cap in correct place. Without having the tear sorted out I think exercise will be painful! Let me know how you get on.
Manda
Sorry - my last post was in response to this message!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Hi Paul,
I was wondering what the name of your surgery was, do you know? I couldn't quite follow all of the technical terms and since I have been told by one group of ortho's that I need an osteotomy instead of just arthoscopy for my labral tear I am trying to sort through this and since you mention screws in your hip it sounds similar. I just think that I am too old (48) for that and would rather just move on to a new hip, than re-aligning my bones. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.
Keren
PS For those of you chronic hip pain, labral tear sufferers as myself-I have found that daily swimming, glucosamine chondroitin and naproxen helps quite a bit.
Whew! So I'm not crazy after all? My sympathies to all those sharing this painful ailment. I am thankful to all of you for sharing your stories. Having been in pain for the last two years, I am just starting down the road to a valid diagnosis. I am a 35yr old active female - doing normal stuff required of a single mom and Navy Sailor. After initial x-ray last year showed nothing, I was referred to PT with minimal relief. A year later and new set of doctors, my latest x-ray showed ossification at the lateral margin of the acetabulum. Follow up MRI indicated possible detachment of the anterior labrum and small exostosis of the superior lateral head and neck of the femur. So now I am waiting for my MR Arthrogram next week. My pain is only manageble with percocet so far - and I'm not sure I want to be on it for very long.
My questions to those in the know...1) At any point has it been clear whether non-treatment or continued activity will make the problem worse over time? 2) For those that had the surgery 6+ months ago - do you consider the surgery (arthroscopic or otherwise) worth it? 3) can anyone translate that mouthful of medical jumbo in the above paragraph? My primary care PA doesn't speak English well and I don't think she really knew. I've yet to see an ortho - appointment is pending.
Hi Dr David Young is based in Melb, Aus and specialise in treating hips, and in particular does both arthroscopy and open to treat impingement. He was recommended as the only dr in Aus to do this type of work, he is recommended by hip specialists in Sydney and people travel to Melbourne from all over Australia to see him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Hi,Quote:
Originally Posted by djw
No - you're not crazy! I think most of us have been sent down that line too! It is a real mechanical problem! I am not sure which country you are from. I am in England, UK. I see Professor Damien Griffin at BMI Meriden Hospital, Coventry. I am now just 3 1/2 weeks post op (arthroscopy).
To try to translate the jargon;
detachment of the anterior labrum = labrum is a bit like cartilage in the knee, only in your hip, detachment - it's come away from the bone surface, anterior - front bit of your hip.
Small exostosis - not too sure what this means! Many people get cysts forming on the bone - head of femur - which can be removed. You can also have a slight irregular shape to the bone - head of femur - they can do bone shaving - called bone resection! I think you will have to ask your doctor or do a search on the web for exostosis!
I had my labral tear debrided - which means cut out and tidied up. Small tears can be repaired, extensive tears can't! I was told the labrum where my tear was had also completely detached, however, once the tear was removed, the labrum either side was intact and normal. Surgeon used radio frequency waves to stiffen up either side of the labrum to prevent this normal labrum tearing! My abnormal shaped head of femur turned out to be soft cartilage, not bone, so not bone shaving done!
Before I had my surgery I was told, nothing would help this problem, no amount of physio, steroid injections or anti inflammatory drugs would cure it - surgery would be the only thing to fix it!
All my back, buttock and leg muscles had become weak over 16 months prior to surgery, post op they are weaker! I have a really good physio package of exercises to follow. I am told it will take about 12 weeks to heal and then I should be able to go out on my surf board again! I was driving 2 weeks post op, only had crutches for 1 week!
I too would be keen to hear from someone 6 months post hip arthroscopy!
Let me know how you get on with you MR arthrogram - email =
surfchick@totalise.co.uk
Amanda
I was diagnosed via MRI of a 3-1/2 centimer cyst (possible tear) of the left hip. I had explained my groin and hip pain to my GP and he me do an MRI. I have yet to see an Orthopedic Surgeon as I want one that is familiar with this problem. Can anyone recommend a surgeon in the Houston, Woodlands, Conroe areas?
Thanks much...Charlotte
Wow. Great info here. My first time out. Been suffering for years with what I thought was simply bad knees. Whenever I ran, I could only do 10 minutes and then I would have to stop. I have also had many flare ups with what I thought was groin pain. Long story short, countless doctors and physiotherapists later, X-Rays on knee and hip normal, MRI on knees normal. Back to the gym, physio was great at strengthening glutes, inner quads, obliques, transverse abdominus to the point where I can now run 3k pain free, but all that work has really loosened up my hip and uncovered some further pains that I don't like.
Any golfers out there? My main activity now is golf, and as my internal rotation (on affected hip) is very limited, I get shooting pains with every swing. I also get dull pain and stiffness in the hip when I sit for long periods of time (unfortunate necessity of my profession). I also get sharp pains near the inner hip when I try and stretch. I have never had any lock-up or collapsing hips and I don't really have a "click" either, but I am really starting to wonder about this acetabular labrum tear...
Will be suggesting this to my doc on my next visit.
Thanks.
Hi,
Just read your plight! I am not sure if Labral tears are difficult to diagnose or there are just so many in-experienced orthopaedic surgeons etc?!
It wouldn't hurt to exclude a labral tear - I am told, and do believe, that the only way to confirm this is by an MR arthrogram. This is an MRI on your hip - but with a contrast (dye) injection into your hip first (they give you local anaesthetic, but I had diazepam and morphine too!). The contrast indicates if there is a labral tear.
Good luck - and try to pursuade your doctors to refer for this test!
Let me know how you get on!
Manda
Not intending to scare anyone, but in the hopes you can be more prepared than I was...
I started by making the appointment with the MRI clinic. I was instructed to first report to radiology for my IV then to proceed to the MRI clinic for the test. Simple enough.
On the day of the exam, I went to Radiology as instructed where they showed me to a dressing room where I could change into a paper gown. Hmmm....for an IV? Upon asking the clerk why I was disrobing, he said it was much easier to insert the needle into my groin if I wasn't clothed. WHAT?? After much explanation, distress, and an overwhelming urge to just want answers to my pain, I changed into the paper gown.
Lidocaine was used to anesthesize the area on the front of my right hip/groin area, then the resident (under Doc's supervision) proceeded to insert the needle (similar to one used for Spinal Taps) that would deliver the contrast material. They used the x-ray equipment to insure the needle was going the right way. Unfortunately, the x-ray doesn't show nerves - which the resident managed to hit on four occassions. OUCH! Each time he'd hit one, he'd administer more lidocaine! Before he was done I couldn't feel anything from my belly button to my knee! They wheeled me to the MRI clinic where everything was as expected from there. I only wish I had been more informed of the process and that they had suggested for me to have someone to drive me home. It was a difficult drive not being able to lift my right leg!
Results indicate nothing out of the ordinary, however I expect to meet with an OD next month to review all my symptoms and exams.
I'm a 57 yo female with mild arthritis, labral tear and femoral bone spur causing impingement. I had surgery on May 25th. Initially it felt good like my problem was solved but now I have pain when I walk without the crutches and I'm feeling discouraged. i'm packing myself in ice and resting a lot. Exercise seems to hurt it so I'm not doing any. The doctor said to rest and take anti inflammatory meds. I don't know when to assume it's a failure and go on to hip replacement or resurfacing. I will ask for another MRI soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DiverDan
arbrador,Quote:
Originally Posted by arbrador
I'm a little younger, fast approaching 6 months post op, with hope fading fast. While using a cross-training machine at physio the other day I had a major "catch", which almost caused me to pass out. PT programmed machine on lowest setting for 5min's. Catch occurred 2-2.5mins into exercise while on upwards back stroke. I had been doing OK with strengthening/ load bearing exercises up until then. The majority of my pain has been on the outside of my hip. My PT & OS kept telling me they were not worried about this pain. Experts ( X marks the spot and spert is just a drip of water ). Finding "professionals" who are not just interested in the money has been the hardest thing to come to terms with. Iliotibial stretching is helping manage this pain. If you can, seek as many opinions as possible. I have only found one specialist who was at least honest about this injury and he diagnosed it!! I don't want to consider THR at this stage.:(
Dan
Hi,
I'm curious to hear from people who have had multiple hip labral tears. I'm 35, am in very good health, and would like to find out why the heck I'm getting these darn tears (I'll admit, I have been a runner for years). I had surgery six months ago on my right hip to repair a tear (I was told the cause was degenerative), and just learned two weeks ago that I have a tear in my left hip. And, unfortunately, I think that my right hip (the one I just had surgery on) has another tear, given my current symptoms. Needless to say, I'm really frustrated, but still count my blessings b/c I know that things could be a whole lot worse.
When they did the surgery six months ago, they said that they found arthritis when they went in. It took 3 1/2 years to diagnose the tear so who knows whether the tear was a result of the arthritis or the arthritis was a result of the tear being left untreated. My doctor claims that many studies have been done on this topic and it's very difficult to determine if arthritis can cause a tear or vice-versa.
I have resorted to trying to find my own answers on the Web, and read that hip dysplasia can be the underlying problem. I saw my surgeon a couple weeks ago and asked him if I have hip dysplasia. He said that I have mild dysplasia and that it could be contributing to the tears, but he said that the dysplasia isn't so bad that it requires hip osteotomy. So, why the tears??? If anyone has any insight, I would greatly appreciate it.
Dear Beej
I would love to say that I know the answers to your questions about why you're hips are damaged. Sadly this is impossible because know one really knows. The lumbo-pelvic-hip complex is exactly that... it's complex. In any complex system, causes and effects are intermingled to such an extent that it makes the chicken and egg discussion seem a walk in the park. I know you're frustrated and obviously the pain doesn't help but the most important thing is to keep searching for answers. There is no cure for this problem becuse there isn't actually anything to cure. All we can do is manage the symptoms and treat what we can see. This is where the surgery comes in, to remove the intra-artcular irritation from the labral pathology.
Right now, probably the most important thing for you to do, is to look at your activites and behaviours which may be exacerbating your condition (ie posture, running etc.). Then devise a program with a physio who is well versed in motor control and biomechanics to modify your technique so as to maximise your strengths and minimise your weaknesses when loading your hips. Pilates can be really good.
Good luck with it. Keep on keeping on.
The Hipster
Thanks very much to the Hipster for your reply.
I am interested in learning more about people's experiences sending their films to Dr. Philippon in Vail, Colorado. Is this something that he normally does? Could you tell me more about the process? How long did it take to get a response? Sorry for all the ?s.
Has anyone tried getting an appt with him? I imagine it's not easy. I will be vacationing in Vail in Aug and would love to try to get in to see him.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!