Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[Isabellatiger]

Thanks for the info, there is a wealth of info on here, I'm 16 days out from surgery and its getting better every day , just have to make sure i dont over do it.

Isabellatiger, If you go back through the posts on this forum you will find the most detailed pre-op and post-op information you could ever imagine. People have listed verbatim every item to make recovery more comfortable. It will take some time to read but you will come away from it fully informed from patients who've been there and done that And, truthfully, you're laid up anyway right!? I hope your injury isn't a full tear but if it is you're in good company on here. Jason and Lenny both just had theirs done so they're right there with you too. Good Luck!

[Isabellatiger]

Hi Jason,
Im 16 days out from surgery no staples as here , (australia ) they use polished plastic studs and then disolving stitches for the wound. Thanks for all the info I was fairly well prepared thanks to you guys. My family wer away but i had friends come in every evening and cook / have dinner with me until my husband returned from o/s. I'm starting physio on monday but am allowed to walk without crutches and swim gently. All the best for recovery!

[Linden]

Thank you all for your generosity in posting such detailed and useful information. May I ask for help in finding a good surgeon for hamstring avulsions? My son has been told he needs the surgery on both legs, but is having great difficulty in finding a surgeon to do the repairs that is in-network with his insurance (BC/BC Keystone HMO). He's in Eastern PA and has tried the Rothman Institute and the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Would be most grateful if you could suggest some recommended doctors in the eastern PA/NJ/NY area; he will make the necessary calls to check with them about coverage. Thank you so much.

[Rob w]

I am the new member. Had surgery on left hamstring 3/24/2011. Glad it's in the rearview mirror. Looking forward to resuming activity

[LadyM]

Hi Lisa ~ I am a new member on this site and 5 days ago had surgery on my right leg to repair a 3 cm retraction from none other than a ..... TRAPEZE INURY!!!! I am a 35 year old female and was traveling in the Dominican Republic with friends and chose this one hotel because of all the fun activities they offered. It was no one's fault but my own as I stretched my right leg into a split when I should have just let go of the bar and fallen into the safety harness and net. Oh well...I just thought it very unusual to have an injury from trapeze and then to read you had one too. Amazing.

I think I'm doing well. I feel fairly mobile and am off pain killers. The challenge is keeping off the right leg and tolerating the hip brace.

I hope your recovery has gone well.

Best,
Mikal

[Rob w]

Rob w post op day 4. I avulsed my left hamstring on March 14 skiing in Jackson Hole. Been skiing for over 30 years, just had a freak fall. Had surgery on the 24th . Outpatient. No significant pain. Off medication. Have a hip brace for 2-3 weeks non weight bearing for 2 weeks. Proud owner of an elevated toilet seat thanks to the forum. Took a shower and-drum roll please-----went number two today. I am a vascular surgeon myself and am frustrated because I can't operate for 4-6 weeks. First sick days of my entire 28 year career since graduating med school. I am a life-long runner and my goal is just to be able to run again. 9-10 minute pace will be fine Not greedy. I wish to thank all the forum contributors the info here is great. My first time on the wrong end of the knife. I value the opportunity to gain a patients perspective

[sunluver12]

Rob, You will run again! I just now at a year can run pain free. I pushed the whole thing way too early just weeks after the surgery and set myself back most likely. If you're able to hold yourself back from doing that, you may get to your pace and mileage quicker than I did. It will come though and that old runners high we miss so much will be right there again for you. Don't be discouraged.
J
Also to the "trapeze artists" I wish I had a good story like that! At least you did it with Gusto.

[LadyM]

I wanted to share some tips I've learned so far. I am 7 days past surgery and have been lucky to be relatively pain free and digestion issue have also gone smoothly. I was put in touch with a woman in the area who had this surgery last year and she gave me some great tips, advise and support and also directed me to this forum. I wanted to share some of this advise and helpful tips I've used so far.

- raised toilet seat is very helpful

- long shorts with velco on outside of brace leg. A friend has been helping with these we have been taking pajama style/exercise pants and cutting them to knee past where brace ends and cutting them all along the right side (my injury side) and them putting velco along that side so that I can wear "pants" that give some protection from brace to allow me freedom to go the bathroom and take them on and off.

- Vitamins and Diet - I put myself on a regime of glucosamine/ chondroitin (for muscle/tendon repaid and strength), acidophilus (digestions), Omega 3 complex plus flax seed oil (again great for muscle, joint, tendon repair) and B complex to help the body respond to the stress of surgery. I started this combination (which was not too different than vitamins I was taking before) before surgery and after and I really do think they have helped with digestion and hopefully helping the body repair in other ways. I also think the B helps with energy and mood to help the shift off of the pain pills. I am also being extra thoughtful about the foods I eat keeping a high protein, high fiber diet with enough carbs. What I have read is that the metabolism shifts and increased post surgery so the body needs healthy carbs to burn through. I have not had much appetite but I am trying to make sure that I get enough of the right stuff in. Also I believe the fiber helped keep my digestion working well since I was back to normal bowel movements within a few days.

- Asking for help to keep myself off my leg. Since I haven't been in much pain and feel more mobile than I need to be it's been really important to ask friends, family to help. I am hoping that this patience pays off later and I am very lucky to have the support I do. It's not always easy to ask for help when you're used to being independent.

- Finding some joy in the peace and quiet that I'm getting to experience. More time with dear people, good movies, music and books and I'm trying to appreciate all this time because it's rare to have and I'm realizing how much I have missed it and it was needed in my life. Sometimes we get what we need and not what we want. I have been "wanting" to power through career, a change in location, "eye of the prize" and this has reminded me to enjoy the moment, slow down and things happen in their own way and time.

I showered yesterday for first time! Wow what a joy

[Rob w]

Lady M, you and I are neck and neck here. I am post op day 6. Visited with my surgeon today. Everything is fine.
I have a hip brace for two weeks with minimal to no weight bearing. After 2 weeks brace comes off and I begin therapy and gradual weaning off crutches. I had my repair 10 days after the injury, so I'm hoping to get back to normal eventually. I agree it's kind of odd having all this time to catch up on reading, movies, etc. Good luck on a fast and complete recovery.

[tricializ]

Hi all:
Welcome to all the newer members. I hope you are all healing well. I realized this weekend that I was 1 year out from surgery. (March 26) I have to say that I have complete mobility and flexibility pre-injury. I do still have some sciatica issues (reason for getting the surgery in the first place) but it's not nearly as bad. My only complaint is a little numbness at the incision site and pain on sitting on hard surfaces like bleachers for any period of time. Other than that, I am good and glad I had the surgery. I was one of the "lucky" ones with the brace for a long 6 weeks. I also received no physical therapy at all. I was really upset by this initially, but have no complaints now. Being 100% at 45 (almost 46) is good to me and I think my doctor did the right thing for me (he was more concerned about me doing too much at PT and not letting it heal). I guess he was right in my case and all is good. So, for those healing, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Listen to your docs as they seem to know what they speak of.
Tricia