Hi everyone...

I am new to this forum, but have been dealing with what was finally diagnosed as a torn labrum for almost 2 years. As a very active 40 year old, I am having a hard time with this-have had several knee surgeries over the years, but a hip repair really scares me. My arthrogram results state "small tear superior anterior labrum with small focal chondral fissure of acetubulum". Of course, I have been researching this endlessly, and from what I have been reading, this type of injury in general does not seem to improve over time. Does this sound similar to anyone else's diagnosis? Does anyone know of any surgeons in the Phoenix, Arizona area qualified to repair an injury of this nature. (am scheduled to see a surgeon, but do not yet know how many hip scopes he has done) From what I have been reading, it is a very specilized area, and this is making me VERY nervous, as travelling out of state is not an option for me. Thanks!

Sammy,

My PT in Boulder is Lori Hayne at Alta Physical Therapy. I was seeing her for something else when I hurt my hip. She is the one who first suspected I had a labral tear and sent me to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I guess I am lucky that she was familiar with it, so I didn't have as much trouble getting going on this process as many people in this forum. I don't know if she has specific experience with post-op rehab for this injury, as I am still in a bit of denial about having to have the surgery. I can say she is a great PT in general.

Jen,

Thanks for the scoop on the Vidals. I am still waiting for an appointment with the surgeon my PT recommended in Golden (Dr Lammens) and to hear from Dr. Phillippon, but it is nice to hear of someone local. I live in Nederland and work in Boulder. Comforting that they were trained by Phillippon too.

BTW. While waiting for the surgeons to chime in (so far the PT and DO think I need the surgery), I tried the cortizone injection last week. It did help quite a bit with the pain of more routine activities (like getting out of a car), although I still can't walk very far or up hill at all without horrible hip pain. It is kind of weird. The pain in my groin is dramatically better. If I try to take advantage of that and walk, I am getting this weird kind of seizing up of the joint with most of the pain now right behind he greater trochanter. Has anyone had anything like that?

-Sue

8 days post-op for a 3 cm anterior inferior labral tear and I'm almost off crutches. I alternate between 1 crutch and no crutches. My pain is very minimal, more in the range of discomfort. There is some soreness to the touch, especially along my underwear line, in the area of the tear.
I've been to PT twice so far. My PT is awesome!!! Turns out my PT went to the same college and had the same major as me and was also a college athlete- so he understands where I'm coming from. He's been adding more and more exercises for me to do. The exercise/stretching routine is up to about 35 minutes followed by icing 3 times a day. Today I also rode the bike for 8 minutes, at a good pace, no "Sunday stroll". The PT has been very impressed by my lack of pain and range of motion- especially for a 3 cm tear! I'm far ahead of the bench marks that the OS had suggested. I'm reminding myself not to push it. I want to be good forever not just for the next college track season.
Next week my PT and I are both headed off on vacation. He gave me a few more exercises to try while I'm away including leg lifts and other strengthening exercises. I'm excited to be able to start biking and getting in shape without pain! Hope everyone else is doing well with their hips.

hi all,
i am 2 days post op and feeling great! the anesthesia they use now wears off very quickly, so i was pretty lucid hours a few hours after the surgery. the only intense pain i had was when i woke up. since then, ive been pretty lax with the meds bc the pain is minimal. im able to do all the pt the dr gave me. this includes leg lifts, toe raises, and circling my leg. i think i have a lot of strength bc of all the pt i did pre-op, so evryone out there who is preop make sure you do all of your pt!!

does 2 weeks seem too long to be on crutches? thats what my surgeon says to do, but do some people need less time?

-abby

I will be having the surgery next week and your posts have been helpful at setting my mind at ease. Can someone tell me more about the actual surgery--are you on your back or stomach? Where exactly are the incisions? What does the pain feel like afterward?

Thanks!

I had my 2 month ckeck-up this week. The surgeon thinks that I'm doing well. I can most likely not start running for another 2 months. It's a slow recovery but I hope that all will be well in the end.

2.5 weeks post op and I'm doing well. I'm walking now, but I try to limit it so I don't get too sore at night. I spend forever doing PT exercises- 3 times a day for about half an hour. I'm allowed to bike now "on flat surfaces" and I'm up to about 24 minutes. It feels good to be doing something again! The most pain I have is associated with my tight muscles (particularly my sartorious). Since I continued to do full work outs with my college track team for a year and a half after the injury, many of the muscles in the area tightened up to protect my joint. They still need to realize that I'm not hurt anymore- but I'm sure they'll loosen up. My PT and I were both on vacation last week, but I have 4 more sessions before I head back to college. As I think I mentioed my PT went to the same college as I do, and worked for the athletic training room. The same trainers are still there, so I will be finishing my PT with them. I'm hoping to start running again by the beginning of my season, which would be 3 months post op.

jerseygirl002:

I'm guessing you're from NJ, I'm from CT and had my surgery done by Carl Nissen. He's a family friend and very nice. He recently left his practice at Uconn and opened Elite Sports Medicine which is associated with Connecticut Childrens Medical Center. He still does surgery at UConn for patients over 18 (like us). I was amazed that after 17 months of being told I had tendonitis Dr. Nissen figured it out in 5 minutes! After it was confirmed by the MRI arthrogram I was jumping around my house thanking him. I'm sure there is someone good by you, but make sure to ask how many they have done in the past. Dr. Nissen told me there were only 4 in CT who had experience with this surgery. Also, make sure you have an MRI w/ dye- this will give the Dr. a good idea of where the tear is and if there is more than one. If you're going to have surgery, you want it done right. Let me know if you have any other questions!

First time user on cool running and looking for any advice concerning hip arthroscopic surgery. I already had an MRI with contrast. The doctors already told me that I have a labral tear, impingement and my hip ball joint is not perfectly round.

I went to see Dr. Bryan Kelly in NYC and Dr. DeStefano from NJ. Dr. Kelly wanted me to try Active Release Therapy for 2 to 3 months first and then come back in September. I'm feeling a little better from the ACT therapy and am now doing some strengh training and swimming. I still have pain and am limited in my activities.

I'm 41 years old and have 2 young children. I'm petrified to have the surgery and end up worse and less active than I already am.

My ACT therapist suggested getting a second opinion at Cleveland Clinic. Does anyone know a physician there who specializes in hip arthroscopy?

Also, has anyone had surgery done by Dr. Kelly in NY. He works from the Hospital of Special Surgeries?

I am from PA, so I'm looking for physicians in my area. Do you know any others?

I was also very concerned that so many have said that they had to fight with there insurance companies. Has anyone not had to fight with them? Also, does anyone have any suggestions on how to fight with the insurance company to get this surgery covered?

Any and all advice is VERY WELCOME!

Thanks for listening. Carrie