Events leading to my first arthroscopic hip surgery, in July 2011, and my early recovery. Additional reports can be found in blog posts. (Surgery No. 2 was in December 2011.) Comments are welcome.
Back to My Story
More about my recovery in the Blog.
2010
April: Secured spot (employer is a sponsor) in the ING New York City Marathon. (I’m beyond excited!)
May-June: Continued to build on solid running base, logging in at least 20 miles per week, with longer runs every Sunday. Twice a week lifting weights at the gym, too.
June-July: Begin to up mileage with longer runs each Sunday. I go from 7 to 10 to 12, effortlessly.
July-August: Feeling lean and mean, and invincible. But it’s a very hot summer in the Northeast, so I only get in one 15-miler, along with several 13-milers.
September: Concerned by the limited number of long runs, mileage is upped quickly. I run 15 miles, then 16 miles six days later, largely ignoring slight tinge of pain in left hip; a week later, 18 miles, with hip pain at the end of the run. Stretching and icing helps.
Early October: A week later, a 20-miler. (Must get it in – too much to do!) More severe hip and groin during the run; I feel pins and needles, and it hurts to walk afterward. Uh oh!
October: Visit sports-medicine specialist. X-ray shows no stress fracture. He thinks I could have a bad case of tendonitis. (I probably did, in addition to the hip injury!) He also tests leg strength in side-to-side motion and concludes (correctly) that my core midsection is too weak and suggests core-strengthening exercises. His advice: Run the marathon, and then come back for re-evaluation.
In a frantic effort to salvage this race, I stop the long runs altogether, keeping my maximum run to 10 miles. I regularly visit a massage therapist who thinks I have tendonitis of the iliopsoas muscle. Rest (sort of), icing, stretching, massages don’t seem to help significantly.
November: The New York marathon goes on without me. But I now think about a spring race – the Nashville Marathon, on April 30.
Late November: A long session at the track with an exercise physiologist who analyzes my gait and times my stride. I am given exercises to improve running form, strengthen core and stretch out muscles.
December: The sports-medicine specialist authorizes eight weeks of physical therapy. I stop running altogether, and cross-train only, with cycling, the elliptical machine and yoga.
2011
January-February: Twice weekly PT to strengthen my core, with an emphasis on glutes. I am also treated with ultrasound and an electrical stimulation “stim” machine. Running is slowly reintroduced on a treadmill. Plans cancelled for spring marathon.
April: PT extended, with new physical therapist; this one concludes I also have an alignment issue. With his twice-weekly manipulations and a new set of exercises, I see a significant improvement – until a groin pull occurs, a major setback, and now I can’t even walk up the stairs. Therapist urges me to see an orthopedist. (This was also suggested to me by an orthopedist during a holiday party, though I held out hope of getting better on my own.)
Late April: Orthopedist thinks I could have a severe case of tendonitis and bursitis but also orders a hip arthrogram (dye-contrast) M.R.I., in addition to X-rays. I receive a diagnosis of a hip labral tear, in need of arthroscopic surgery, but this doctor is not qualified for this procedure.
Extensive research (including scouring online chat rooms) leads me to the Hospital for Special Surgery.
May: I hand-deliver my MRI films and X-rays and have two surgeons look them over before one ultimately agrees to see me.
Mid-May: I see my surgeon, and he confirms I have a torn labrum caused by femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or hip-impingement syndrome, due to a pincer impingement, or boney lesions (spurs) in the hip socket. Surgery is scheduled for July 15.
Late May: I also have a regular MRI performed on my “good” right hip, because of growing discomfort there. I am told I have a two millimeter partial tear, but that surgery is not necessary at this point.
June-July: I resume running, with a three-miler once a week, in addition to continuing my cross-training, (at-home) PT, weight-lifting and stretching.
July 11: Preadmitted. Preoperative examination at H.S.S. It includes: EKG; blood tests; and chest X-ray.
July 14: Call from preop nurse with surgery time. Fitted for C.P.M. machine (short for continuous passive motion); Game Ready ice machine is also delivered.
July 15: Surgery is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
6 a.m. – Arrive at H.S.S.
6:15 a.m. – Check-in
6:30 a.m. – Admitted
6:45 a.m. – Brief examination, I.V. started
7:15 a.m. – Hip area shaved
7:45 a.m. – Visit from surgeon
8:15 a.m. – Visit from anesthesiologist
8:40 a.m. – Walk to operating room
8:41 a.m. – Consoled by escorting nurse, introduced to surgical team, hopped on operating table, given conscious sedation, and …
Surgery lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. Surgeon puts in four anchors and shaves part of the femoral bone.
11:15 a.m. – Fully awake in the recovery area but legs numb; visited by smiling surgeon.
12 p.m. – Fed a turkey sandwich for lunch
1 p.m. – Can finally feel all of my lower extremities
2 p.m. – Dressed in street clothes (an easy-to-slip-on tennis dress and Keen sandals) and moved to the physical therapy area; instructed on use of crutches. (You can watch instructions here.)
2:30 p.m. – Discharged and sent home with pain killers.
July 16 – July 20: Complications. Headaches from the spinal anesthesia; told I might need a “blood patch” procedure to close hole in the spinal cord. Icing with Game Ready helps with the pain, and C.P.M. machine loosens up the area.
July 21: Finally feeling better.
July 27: First checkup post surgery. Stitches are removed, and I am told that I can stop using the crutches if I feel up to it. Also given prescription for 16 weeks of physical therapy – 16 weeks, two to three days a week.
July 29: First physical therapy session. Evaluation, isometric exercises.
Aug. 3: Back in the office.
And me today.
Hi Shireen,
Glad you’re doing well.
I still get that occasional achy feeling in my left hip area, especially when I overdo things a bit with working out — and this is more than 18 months post-op. You’re only five weeks out, and, therefore, bound to feel some aches and pains. (I know I did at that point.) That’s what my physical therapist told me as well.
To help me gauge my healing, my therapist suggested that I look at the scope scars. He said that would give me some indication of how I was healing internally. At five weeks, I recall, they were still a bit red, which told me I had lots more healing to do.
Good luck with your recovery, and stay in touch!
Vivian
Hi again!
I’m so glad you keep updating your blog! Your wit and humor is definitely uplifting to me!
So I’m now about 5 weeks post op on my right hip, and overall doing pretty well. I was off of crutches in three weeks and had PT starting day 1. I just wanted to know if you still experienced some of that deep ache (it’s kind of hard to isolate), just a general ache at this stage post op. I stopped the cursed Norco at day 2, as it made me loopy, nauseated, and just weird.
I’m still taking anti-inflammatories to keep the ache at bay; I’m wanting to get off of those asap. I can walk and do my exercises; it seems to strike every few days, then back off a bit. It’s not sore, but more deep, like one would describe “leg pain”. Does that make sense? My PT seems to think it’s normal, and it probably is, but I was just wondering if you experienced the same thing. 🙂 Thanks for all you do!
Hi Shireen,
Your story sounds very similar to mine. It’s amazing how this injury keeps getting misdiagnosed. I, too, spent several months in PT being treated for tendonitis before finally finding out what was really wrong.
I had my second scope just before the holidays last year.
This is a long process, especially if you’re having both sides done. But I’m here to tell you that there is life after arthroscopic hip surgery. For me, though, it took a year to come full circle and really start feeling myself again.
I am now running three times a week pain-free, and I’m up to five miles. My goal is to run a half marathon this year.
Good luck to you, and if you have any questions, please ask away.
Vivian
Billie has a good point about inflammation many plpoee with possible labral tears will just lay low for awhile and then as the inflammatory process subsides, it might never be an issue again. Most plpoee with tears in the labrum have them at the most anterior (front) portion of the labrum. If faulty mechanics are causing the head of the femur to ride along the portion that is torn, this can cause signficant pain. Therefore, most physical therapy aims to restore normal arthrokinematics of the joint as much as possible (the direction of rolling and gliding of the joint during the movement). Usually, this involves streching the posterior (back) portion of the capsule while avoiding streching the anterior portion. This might be done with a gentle progression of knee to chest stretch or internally rotating the hip (inward rotation) and bringing the knee across the body towards the opposite shoulder both of these movements should promote stretching the posterior capsule. Do so with caution however, because forcing the joint too aggressively can aggrevate the condition. Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend to follow up with a physical therapist so you can learn which exercises are the best for you and how to approrpiately apply them. They can also address this with manual techniques and modalities for pain.
Hi Vivian,
So glad to have found your blog! I was also training for a 1/2 marathon when I felt a deep groin pain on my right side after a 9-miler and a quick 5k tempo run. The pain was so deep I knew it was no regular muscle pull. I saw one Ortho who suggested it was a gyne problem, sought another opinion. Second Dr. was closer to the diagnosis, said it was a strained obturator and sent me to PT. He was correct that it was strained, and as soon as it was manually released, the pain went straight to the anterior hip joint. MRI showed a partial labral tear. I spent more time in PT, then got another opinion from two Chicago orthos who specialize in arthroscopy. I picked one, and believe it or not, am having my LEFT on scoped first. Surgery is scheduled for 12/21. The pain came on more severe in that side, and it’s now weaker than the right. I have bilateral labral tears with CAM and Pincer impingement. I’ll need both sides done, with about 3-4 months between surgeries. I’m hoping I can eventually get back to running, and my surgeon is confident I will as well. With the aching and pain I feel now, I can only hope.
What a frustrating injury. I’m fortunate that it was only a few months from injury to surgery, and I’m fortunate that my surgeon is close by, trained and travelled with Dr. Philippon, Dr. Kelly, and Dr. Byrd as well. I know I’m in excellent hands, I just hope my hips behave themselves! I’m a mom of six young daughters, so being immobile for a little while will be a huge challenge. I’m hoping my petite stature will help with recovery as well. I’m very nervous.
How is your running going now?
Be well.
Thanks for writing, Lisa! Core-building before the surgery will definitely help with your recovery — it did with mine. And I continue to do many of the great exercises that I’ve learned in all those months of PT. Good luck with your hip scope, and let us know how you’re doing.
I’m so happy I found your blog! I was training for the Vegas half marathonand started having knee pain. Turne out it was actually hip pain. My sports med doc was awesome and sent me for an MRA after PT didn’t work. Within two months of realizing there was a real problem I had my diagnois. Labral tears of the left hip. I had a one month wait to see the hip surgeon I wanted to use. He further diagnosed FAI. Surgery is scheduled for late January.
I’ve been trying to use my time before surgery to really work on building more core and glue stregnth. While I’m NOT looking forward to the recovery process, I’m eager to see what running feels like without hip pain! Thanks for writing about your journey. It helps me feel better about mine!
Hi, I flew home from Chicago on July 15th after having surgery on July 12,2012. I had to fly to Seattle and then had 4 hour layover and then flew to Idaho. By time I got home my foot was swollen up and hurt really bad!!! that is my experience flying after fai surgery with labral repair. I was by myself coming home and had luggage and my crutches and lovely hip brace.
am planning on traveling for my fai surgery and was wondering about how I might feel post surgery. Would I be able to fly on a plane for an hour and a half two days post-op? 5 days post op?
I do not think I would have been able to fly two days post-op for either of my two scopes. Five days? Probably.
I just didn’t feel so great those first couple of days, especially after Surgery No. 1, plus I spent most of the time hooked up to the Game Ready ice machine to ease the pain. (Didn’t have to take many pain killers as a result.)
By five days, however, I was feeling pretty good and would have probably been able to withstand a 90-minute flight.
Good luck with your surgery, and let us know how you are doing.
I have been searching the internet to see if anyone has been through this twice. I had left hip scope surgery over 16 months ago and since then I have been in pain after I stopped PT over 9 months ago. I finally went back to my doctor at NYU and after another MRI he called me to say that they see another tear and need to go back in. I knew I had something wrong. I was so upset I went to another doctor also with NYU but has a private practice too. After he looked at my charts he stated the same thing and I am now scheduled for my second surgery next week. I am so scared but I just want to be able to sleep on my left side after three years and want to be pain free. However, the doctor did say this time around will be more painful and harder for me since going in on the same place is alway tufter because of scare tissue and all. I just hope this doctor can do the job. My question to everyone was how did this happen was it something that the doctor missed or something maybe the PT trainer did. I just don’t know and I’m scared but at least I’m not alone in going through this twice. I am not a jogger or runner but I did tell my wife my goal for next year I want to run at least one mile. just one mile.. something in three years I could never do.
Good luck to you, Steve! Please let us know how everything turns out. (I’m betting that you will be running at least a mile next year.)
Vivian
Hi Vivian,
Can we get an update on your injury? Is it healed? Has anything worked particularly well for recovery?
Hi Dale,
I really do need to update this chronology!
My left hip is healing very well. It still feels a little sore at times, but the burning pain that I had endured for several months prior to the arthroscopic hip surgery last summer is all gone. My range of motion is 100 percent, and I have returned to most activities (even running a little bit).
PT has been a very important component in my recovery: I’ve been going two to three times a week since the end of July. My therapist has really helped to strengthen my left leg with core and balancing exercises, plus I’ve done a lot on my own. When I’m not at PT, I’m at the gym doing upper-body and ab strengthening, and gradually building up my time on the elliptical machine and stationary bike.
It’s been slow and steady progress — each day I can do a little bit more than the previous day.
And now I get to do it all over again — with my second surgery scheduled for early December.
Vivian
Hi Ruth, Thank you for reading my blog. Your story sounds very similar to mine. I, too, was operating under the assumption that I had tendonitis and all I needed was some rest and PT. Thank goodness for M.R.I.’s! Good luck in your journey, and please keep me posted on how you are doing. Warm regards, Vivian
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for sharing your story. I too have been diagnosed with a hip labral tear on my left side. I was training for my 5th marathon, which would have been the Long Beach Marathon, when my pain started. Dr diagnosed me with hip flexor tendonitis, said to not run for two weeks and it would be better. When a month of no running went by and no improvement, I begged for an MRI, then he suggested the arthiscopic with the dye. My place in this journey right now is waiting. I have a consult with a surgeon on Tuesday, have to drive all the way to Scottsdale, but he is the only dr in this state that is qualified to do this.
I enjoyed reading about your journey, as it’s hard to find anyone that has been through this. Thanks again for sharing.
God bless,
Ruth
hello,
just had to write, after experiencing an arthroscopy myself for a left hip labral tear. Had the arthroscopy last october and recovered slowly and steadily with excellent rehab physio and gentle gym work for 3+ months then felt so good, I decided to go hiking again and yep, you guessed it! am now facing more hip surgery for a possible further labral tear (either that or they didn’t get it all cleared out the first time).
so I guess the moral here is, I know it’s awful not to be able to do as much as you used to do, but take it easy, slowly and steadily!
ps really enjoyed your blog. Best of luck for the future!!
Hi Sara, Thanks so much for reading my blog! A friend of mine had arthroscopic surgery on his right hip, also in October 2010, and just a couple of weeks ago had the same surgery on his left side. So apparently it’s somewhat common to have both sides done. (This is something I worry about, too.) I agree with your advice to take it easy — boy have I learned that the hard way! I appreciate your kind words. Please keep me posted on how you’re doing. Warmly, Vivian
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reading my blog.
I’m sorry about your injury.
Not knowing for several month what was wrong with me (and what I could or couldn’t do) was probably the most difficult part of my own journey. But if there’s one thing I can say about marathoners (and would-be marathoners): we are a persistent bunch. Just keep asking the questions, and the answers will come.
Good luck, and please check in again,
Hi – I absolutely LOVE your blog. I love the banner graphic, the whole idea of the ‘third wind,’ and your spirit. Your story sounds all too familiar. I was training for the Columbus and New York Marathons when my hip pain first began. So far, a labral tear isn’t definitive for me. My arthrogram/MRI showed ‘degenerative changes’ in the labrum but the doctor says even with dye a tear doesn’t always show. My journey is in the early stages – trying to figure out what I can/can’t do and what I should/shouldn’t do. I appreciate you sharing your story. Linda
The doctor didn’t seem too concerned by this revelation. He also felt that the discomfort on the good side was the result of overcompensation. But, we’ll see …
Hi Vivian,
Interesting! What are you supposed to do about that partial tear on your right hip? Will that resolve on its own?
K-