living with femoro-acetabular impingement

[Alison2805]

Hi, Im new to the forum, so sorry if this is something covered previously and Im not patient enough to find it!!

I am a 28 yr old geologist, and quite often my job involves a lot of scrambling up mountains, hiking up hills, often with a backpack full of rocks, and often lifting heavy loads off floors and tables.
I also compete in kendo - a barefoot "sword" matial art that involves a lot of twisting, leaping and, in particular, stomping with the right leg. Ive always been very conscious of correct stretching, lifting and so on to try and keep myself injury-free.

I noticed last year when I was hiking up very very steep hills that after 3 days my right hip joint would hurt like hell for the next few days. From then on whenever I do hiking/climbing hills I will be limping like an old woman afterwards. It has gotten to the point now where I cant sit for a long time without being stiff and in pain for a while after.

So I finally saw a physio (I know.... I was busy, yadda yadda) and after spending a lot of time checking it out says I probably have femoro-acetabular impingement. Unfortunately I have to head overseas next week for the next 3-6 months and I doubt I can find a physio in the Amazon Jungle, or have the time to get an MRI...

My physio is going to give me stretches and stuff I can do to manage this condition while I am working, but I would like to hear from people what they have done to try to live with the condition before surgery. Surgery for me is not an option for a LOOOOOONG time as I am booked out with overseas work for the next few years.

Is taking glucosmine a good idea? Any stretches people found helpful? Any muscles that specifically should be strengthened to help? Anything I should be keeping in mind for the long term prevention of arthritis etc? Particularly if youve tried these things yourself and found that they work.

Thanks!
Ali

[Vixen]

Um.........if you have FAI and pain you are very likely to also have a tear I would think. I would consider changing some of your plans if it was me, continued wear especially like you have described very likely to speed you towards arthritis.

Swimming ( not breaststroke BTW ! ) is the only thing that helps me.

Good luck

[tallblack]

Um.........if you have FAI and pain you are very likely to also have a tear I would think. I would consider changing some of your plans if it was me, continued wear especially like you have described very likely to speed you towards arthritis.

Swimming ( not breaststroke BTW ! ) is the only thing that helps me.

Good luck

Very Well put Vixen...i concur...i would change my plans....but it seems like you lead an awesume lifestyle!!

[AJF]

If you continue with your current occupation and sporting lifestyle; FAI left untreated, you will be looking at a total hip replacement before you get to 40.

The choice is up to you. However it is worth pointing out that those individuals under 55 years of age who stay active following a full hip replacement, the current failure rate of that new joint within 10 years is around 35%.

My advise would be to see a hip specialist and have the FAI revision surgery ASAP.

AJF.

[Alison2805]

auugh, bugger. Unfortunately work insurance doesnt cover any of this since it is classed as a "pre-existing condition".

The physio seems to be helping (streching out the joint and stretches) I can sit now without any problems unless Im sitting leaning too far forward. If it gets worse over the next year Ill see if I can get the time off work to get it sorted.

I have a great job and life is always an adventure - the problem with that is I never know where Ill be during the year, for how long, or when I can take time off. I fly by the seat of my pants at the most of the time!!

Thanks for the advice! Ill see how it goes.