Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[MacDaddy]

New to Thread: I just completed a complete proximal hamstring repair via allograft. Injury occurred 5 years ago, seperation from the bone was approx. 3 inches. My surgery was 12 weeks ago. I'm hearing alot of you mention the brace, which I never used. My physician was one of the top surgeons (Shalley)in the country for hamstring injuries and repairs and only required me to use the strap while up and moving. He wrote several medical journals on hamstring injuries. I can't imagine the difficulties many of your are going through with the brace. There were some concerns with the weight of the brace applying to much pressure in the bone attachment area. Anyway, would like to coorespond with someone recovering and get an idea on progress expectations. I understand my surgery was more invasive due to the allograft tendent being used to bridge the gap, but recovery is somewhat similar to a normal "acute" surgery -where the existing tendent can be stretched back to the bone and fastened -Thanks

[squashpain]

Hi again. Yes DaveE, that is me, the squash player from NF. OK, now tell me how you heard about it! Dr Misseuna was my surgeon, he was fantastic, but this was my first surgery, so not much to compare to. He seemed to have a lot of knowledge on the surgery, I did my research before going, and he answered my questions without delay. I had a half cast for 1 week, then nothing, just a set of crutches, which I use about half the time now, as I can get around slowly, but I can make it. The incision leaves the weirdest feeling on my right cheek, makes it so awkward to sit. I have managed to do weights (upper body of course) for 4 days in a row now, minimal pain, so that's something at least.
Stay positive!

[tricializ]

Tricia, that's the brace that I had also. It IS very annoying, but very necessary. I agree with Ned in that it's good you have it or you would probably do too much. You've been through so much...this is YOUR time to heal. You don't want a big set back or it will really send you into a tizzy. I'm sorry that you're not getting more support at this time. Is there any way you can explain to everyone how difficult this is? It sounds like you are a person that has taken care of everyone....you should be able to expect a little in return now.

I had the same experience as Hannah. I was always readjusting the brace. Often before and after I walked with the crutches. It tended to move a lot because one hip worked differently than the others. Start your count down....the brace will be off by six weeks. Toward the end, there were plenty of days when I layed on the bed without it, but don't take risks. Like I said, you don't want to set yourself back!

Get lots of rest.....Have any good books? Actually, I used the early time to read some of the bible and read about both Judaism and Christianity. It really helped me accept my dependency...

Hope this helps. I know what you're going through....
Michelle

THank you. I might do some reading. As soon as I can get my brain to settle. I am going off the pain meds today as the constipation issues along with the nausea is more than the pain. I'm going back to my friend Advil. So far so good. Maybe at night take a pain pill if necessary. I know I am a necessary candidate for the brace because I would do too much. Just yesterday I was getting out of bed and my good foot slipped (stupid ted hose). I caught myself but not without a little stretching of that bad leg. Thankfully I had the brace on. I also forget that I need crutches etc. So I KNOW me and I would do too much for sure. Thanks for the advice and support.
Tricia

[sunluver]

Mac Daddy,
Welcome to the site, may I ask what an allograft tendent is?
Jamie

[DaveE]

Squashpain:

your chiropractor friend spoke to a chiropractor in Toronto who knew that I had the operation done by Dr. M in January---hence the referral to Dr. M. I heard that you drove to McMaster and saw him via the emergency room and were admitted. I had the same experience---although a doctor referred me to him and he was waiting for me. I was his second hamstring avulsion operation. The first was on a doctor who is a prof and neurologist at McMaster and a world class athlete. I'm surprised about the cast---I had none---just a brace which I received a week after the operation and which he expected that I wouldn't wear much.

one of my law partners is a friend of your chiropractor. I passed on to her some material---including this web site. I hope that is how you got here and that you received the other material. BTW the doctor who had been the patient came to see me at the hospital and advised me to take a number of supplements which including creatine to help speed the healing---and he's an expert in muscles. That was included in the material which I passed on.

keep healing. you sound like you're doing great.

take care.

[mlfoster1]

You're certainly welcome Tricia. Hang in there. For now, the brace is your friend! Although we have now seen that there are several differnt doctors and techniques that have been used, you should continue to have confidence in the technique your docctor used and stay with the program I needed the brace also, or on a "feeling good" day I know I would have done too much, simply because for a moment I would have forgotten I was n repair!
Michellle

Welcome MacDaddy- Where is Dr. Shalley located. This is a tough surgery to get when you have to go out of state. As active people, or athletes we tend to stay close to home. Glad yours is going well Actually, the brace doesn not apply ANY pressure on the attachment site. It prevents hip flexion which allows the reattachment to heal without disruption. There is actually an open space in the brace where the surgery has been done. The frame of the brace is attached by heavy velcro straps. Yes, it's heavy, and if you ambulate without your crutches it will probably cause back spasms and over use of the other parts of your legs.........that's why is wise to use the crutches, or just lay flat

[I Fell]

Tricia,

Things could be worse. You could have the brace that some had where the leg was bent 90 degrees at the knee with the ankle attached by a cord to the waist. With that set up you couldn't even sit down for two weeks. The bathroom must have been a real mess. No PT either until week 6 and then there was atrophy in the whole leg not just the upper part. So when the brace is bugging you just think how much worse things could have been. The first week is almost done. When do you start rehab???

Heal well, Ned

[tricializ]

Hi Ned:
No rehab until 6 weeks. Today is beautiful outside and I just walked on crutches back and forth on my porch. I then realized that I looked like a caged tiger. I am only on advil today and the pain is ok. The stomach issues are much more uncomfortable and my mother keeps bringing me food not understanding that i am bloated and not hungry. LOL I have read about that bent knee thing and that would make me more crazy than I am. So I know I'm lucky. Today is getting better. Just ups and downs I guess. Being a person who NEVER has had a sports injury or other kind, for that matter, I don't stay down well. It's a mind shift and hard to deal with.
Tricia

[Katied]

Hi all. It sound like there is a variety of ways to deal with post surgery. Hopefully (can't believe I said that) my brace will be ready to try on this Friday. Since surgery is scheduled for Mon I really want to feel it out first. I just got home from pre-operative bloodwork, ekg, etc. It was determined that I have a high BUN and Creatinine level. I was on blood pressure meds that included a diurectic. (Benicar HCT) Anyway it has something to do with Kidneys not filtering the creatine and urea out of the blood. He didn't say I couldn't have the surgery, just changed my blood pressure medicine, and told me to recheck in 6 weeks. Anyone heard of that before?
Tricia, I will have the same brace. Ned is right. I am sooo glad the knee will not be locked. But then again I haven't struggled with it yet. I'll be glad when the surgery is over and I can start my countdown.

[tricializ]

Hi Katie: I take Benecar HCT. My blood levels were fine on it but I know they didn't have me take it the morning of surgery due to the diuretic in it. Hope all goes well for you. We can recover together.
Tricia