Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[willow11]

Hi, I live in Vanc NC. I have a proximal avulsion of my hamstring complex tendon. This happened a month ago in Mexico.I was walking and hit a puddle on a polished floor and did a forward split with my right leg. I knew it was bad. Was not diagnosed properly by a sports trauma specialist at Cancun hospital! An ultrasound was done but only looking at behind my knee mostly. I was purple over 90% of the back of my leg tho.' It looked so bad that I had a parade of people coming to look at my leg! Anyway, an MRI here got me the diagnosis. My gp said they won't do surgery here even tho I have an 11cm retraction into a huge heamatoma. I am waiting to see an ortho. doctor. Has anyone had this surgery in Richmond or Vancouver? Recommend a Doctor? Thanks, Joani

[Dave T]

Congrats Carol! that has to feel great! Physically and emotionally!
Hi Joani. Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your injury. As you probably already know, there is a ton of info here. Keep searching for an experienced surgeon. Out of everything I've read, having the surgery is the best option.

[carolg]

Welcome Joani. I'm sorry that you have this injury. We all understand how intense it is. My advice is to find a surgeon who has repaired a few of these, and get the surgery as soon as possible. The first surgeon I had said I didn't need surgery, which was incorrect. He just didn't have experience with it, beacuse it is a rare injury. My diagnosis was the same as yours. Proximal avulsion of the hamstring complex tendon. We tore the whole thing off, along with a piece of bone.
I would start by searching the internet for the top rated orthopaedic surgery centers in your area. Ask who has done a few of these surgeries and get your appt. I was told they like to do the surgery within the first month of the accident. There are fewer complications, such as scar tissue on the sciatic nerve, and the tendon retracting farther down the leg. This is a rare injury, so a surgeon who does 5 of these in a year is considered doing a lot.

Tania and Mobley, I know what you mean about washing the hair. Showering is still quite a feat for me. My husband has to help me jump over the tub wall (shower/tub combo). I use a walker in the shower and hold on with one hand, while I use the shower sprayer to wash my hair and body. It is a challenge, but it feels wonderful. I will no longer take being able to shower for granted anymore!

[carolg]

I've been so emotional, that getting even a small amount of good news makes me feel so much better. I have had one day w/ o my brace, and it feels so strange to be able to touch my foot to the floor. My leg muscles are all svhrunken and weak, and very stiff. What I noticed the first day was my knee starting to loosen up(being in that brace did a number on my knee). The muscles are stretching and relaxing and sore but not bad.
I know this needs to be a slow and gradual recovery, so I won't go too fast. I did that the first time before i had surgery. One day of doing too much can be a set back of a month. I do have more confidence that I am going to hwal now, though. I think when we get a little further along it is easier to see that the leg will heal. I think about all of the case studies i have read, and people who have this surgery do very well. Hang in there everyone!

[kgmccann]

pardon the test post

[kgmccann]

Hi everyone
I've been reading this forum since January 31 when my wife Judy completely avulsed all the hamstring tendons on her left leg. I've had trouble registering and posting until now, but this forum has been an invaluable source of information and i just wanted to thank everyone. Thanks to some early posters, like I Fell, we found out about Dr. Steven Cohen and the Rothman institute.

Judy had Dr. Cohen repair her leg February 23. The surgery, hospital experience and post-op experience have been superb. Judy stayed in hospital overnight, and since her return home only took two of the narcotic pills. She took tylenol for a few days and has been pain free since, so long as she doesn't put pressure on the incision, which is about three inches long, in the crease between her butt and thigh.
Dr. Cohen has done quite of few of these surgeries and we were very impressed with his surgical procedure, as it seems much less traumatic than many described here. There are no staples, the stitches are invisible, and the incision has just 4 little butterfly strips. She is in a brace that stops above the knee, so the lower leg has full range of motion.
We would highly recommend Dr. Cohen and the Rothman Institute. They are in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.
I hope everyone is healing well. And thanks again. This forum has made all the difference.

[carolg]

Thanks for posting kgmccann. Sounds like your wife had an excellent surgeon! I have a 5 - 6 inch incision that is vertical starting up in the buttocks, and extending down my thigh. I'm glad that you posted the surgeon's name. I think the hardest part is finding the right surgeon.

I had to post again tonight, because I hit a milestone. I actually showered by myself!!! No more having to put up with bad hair. Since I have a tub/shower combo, I have had to jump over the tub side, because i could not sit, to slide over. Now that my brace is off, I can put a chair next to the tub and stand up in the tub. I was surprized that the injured leg was strong enough after one day, but it is. I drove the car today for the first time in over a month, so when i start PT monday, i can drive myself there. It feels good to get some indepenence back!

[Mobley]

Question for all...
See the doc tomorrow for my my first post op, 9 days after surgery. I know I have to get onto a stool to hop up to the table. When I asked them how I will do this, they just said "everyone else does". Okay fellow hammies, just how do I do this??

Welcome Willow...like you I did mine on vacation in Mexico. Was not getting home on a plane fun!? We will help answer any questins and lend suppot. Let us know when your surgery is. There are lots of suggestions from members to get your environment ready for the post op experience at home.

Glad Mccan all as gone well with your wife and medical care. I too have a 4 inch incision in the same place. I guess the arthroscopic part ia done getting the muscles pulled up to that incision. Keep up the good work Carol...your joy gives us hope.

[Maddogmusher]

Mobley-

You just put your good leg on the little stool and kind of roll onto the table onto your side. It wasn't too difficult. You probably already have seen the doctor today. Let us know what he says.

I took my brace off for the first time a couple days ago while sitting on a big cooler in the bathtub. We have a hand held shower head, and I am able to get into the tub with good leg first and since my bad leg is bent at a 90 degree angle it works pretty well. My leg after two weeks is half the size of my other leg. Scary. The most pain now is behind my knee from being locked in this position.

The days are actually started to go by faster now sitting on this couch, I enjoy watching all the birds at the feeders in the windows and today it is snowing! Temps in the 60's next week. Which is weird because we still have lots of snow here in WI.

[willow11]

Thanks to everyone that replied to my 1st posting. The trouble I am running into here is that the Canadian medical system moves slowly. I am now waiting for an orthosurgeon appt. It is could take weeks just for that. Then the wait for surgery, IF they will do it. There is no way of getting around the system to speed things up. Now I just sit(sort-of!!) and wait. I will keep in touch, if anyone from Canada reads this, please let me know how it worked for you. Thanks!