Hip Preservation Surgery?

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stlbuckeye15's picture

I was diagnosed with a cam lesion and a partially torn labrum too, back in 2018 (no mention of calcification, at least at that time). Thankfully, after a steroid shot and lots of rehab and being careful, my symptoms are mostly under control now. I don't do heavy lifting, but I do run a couple of times a week and can do bodyweight or very light weight leg exercises, mostly pain free (right knee is a different story haha).

Maybe you've already exhausted all of your other options, but if you haven't and before you do surgery, please check out Upright Health on youtube. They have an FAI fix program and lots of other great stuff. Many videos are free on Youtube but you have to pay for the programs. You may be a perfect candidate for surgery but if there's any way you can restore your function pain-free without it, that would be best. Surgery yields mixed results to put it nicely. 

To be clear, I'm not trying to argue or suggest you don't need surgery. Maybe for you that's the only long-term solution. And if that's the case, I'm of no help. But just thought I'd offer up some info in case it proves beneficial. 

“If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.”
-Jack Handey

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GINNandjuice's picture

Go as long as you can until your quality of life deteriorates, if you need an actual replacement. If you believe it can prevent that, listen to my story. 

I had a pan labral tear of my shoulder after being in a training pipeline, once I made it operational, the doctor said, “you have a joint the age of a 60 year old, it would do more harm to fix it than surgery would improve your life.” I was able to bench four plates, but couldn’t overhead for shit. I was a candidate for replacement at 26, 11 years later my joint is frozen, I have no external rotation, and have degeneration and arthritis in multiple areas. 

Push for what YOU want. What YOU think is best for your body. If that doesn’t work, fuck it and drink lol.

best of luck to you

Over it

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Goby's picture

I had hip arthroscopy and debridement (no calcification) in April due to a torn labrum/cam impingement. The injury happened while training for a race 9 years ago.  It got progressively worse until I had to shut it down and have surgery.  The surgery and postop. were straightforward and relatively painless. The PT was grueling. 9 months later, I’m back running, skiing, working out, but not without discomfort which seems to be getting better as I get this 53-year old body back in shape. The atrophy and compensatory weakness/dis function is no joke at any age. Like you, I sought multiple opinions as well until I found a surgeon who is an endurance athlete. His first question was, “can you run 5 miles” and essentially told me to forego surgery until I couldn’t.  He also told me I’m waisting my time and his if I didn’t commit to PT.  I’m not sure if this helped, but figured a near real-time impression might provide some insight into the process.

You never lose to those pricks. Ever. Ever.

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Rockfordbuckeye's picture

For your surgery did you repair the labrum or replace it? My "hobby" is mountaineering. I can run 5 miles with my current injury but 1st surgeon said if I keep going on it I will risk needing hip replacement and I'm only 45 so that would likely need re-replaced by 65 etc.  My return to fitness goal is pretty high - I need to be able to hike 15 mi carrying 50lbs and over 9000ft elevation gain in a day. I'm just concerned I never get back to this level of fitness.

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Goby's picture

It was a repair where the surgeon removed the dead tissue and stapled the healthy back into place. He reshaped the femoral head to remove the cam which caused the impingement and tear.  I have to continually reassess my fitness and reset expectations to sync with reality which is not easy.  In my head I should be able to bang out 8 - 9 minute miles. My body says, not today and I have to accept that. 
 

Doc. did say I have no restrictions and that I avoided a hip replacement by acting on it now because arthritis hadn’t set in.

You never lose to those pricks. Ever. Ever.

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gobucks1966's picture

I got issues too after a fall down the stairs. Had a MRI and they told me today the good news is your BP is great but your back isn't. Poor balance and numbness and the left leg is not stable all the time. I stuggled at the Iowa game in the Shoe and St.Johns.

Denny

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allinosu's picture

I've had both my hips replaced. Once a little older than you with the resurfacing with a metal cap. Downside was no weight bearing for 6 weeks. My mistake was in trying not to put any strain on the trimmed down head that I didn't stretch and it caused me a lot of work to stretch it later so I could stand straight up. I still can't bend it back as far as the other but it's a much more reliable hip than the one I got a few years back even though it's 15 years old.

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milhouse4588's picture

My wife had a labral tear in her hip and had surgery. Afterwards we were told that hip replacement surgery was almost an easier choice because the recovery is so easy in comparison.

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

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the arse whisperer's picture

What part of the country are you in?  There are a few places in CO where you can find excellent surgeons who deal with endurance athletes.  Make sure your surgeon is familiar with that.  

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