Let’s Talk The Prior

[EricEng]

Howdy folks!

First off, like most of you on here I’ve had hip issues for a while. I’m 30 years old and I’ve had both my hips scoped (right hip in the summer of 2022 and my left hip scoped in the summer of 2023).

My right hip I had CAM impingement with the femur shaved down as well as a microfracture. No labral issues.

My left hip I had CAM impingement with the femur shaved down, microfracture as well as a partial labrum reconstruction.

Interestingly enough my left hip was the initial side that I started having issues with and then later my right side but my right I had the first surgery on and then my left.

So I had my 1 year post op with the surgeon the other day for my left hip. I had a pretty bad flare up about a month prior that lingered for about a week, with very similar symptoms prior to surgery. I told him about it and he said they can do a MRI to see. He said likely it’s because of the microfracture. He said it’s up to me to go through with it. He said keep up with the PT exercises.

I declined the MRI because I don’t really want to have a revision surgery done because I feel going back in again the outcome just won’t be as favorable. They did xrays and said the joint space looked fine and structurally there was no impingement present.

For anyone who has been in similar circumstances with their hip(s) with FAI, hip arthroscopy and maybe didn’t get the most desired of results, where did it lead you to? Did if stop you from doing desired activities? Still dealing with symptoms? Got a revision hip scope? Got a BHR?

I want to hear your stories and where you ended up after having a hip scope. Honestly, I’m kind of to the point that there’s potentially arthritis going on and things aren’t necessarily going to get better at this point, although I am still very functional with both hips although I am being cautious of what I’m doing in the gym when working out.

Thank you for your time.

[BilateralRecerf]

Had also cam and athroscopic surgery, maybe helped maybe not, six years later got Recerf. Now pain free and doing gym and running.

I did not stop doing anything until i had to. Then knew it was time for surgery.

[EricEng]

Had also cam and athroscopic surgery, maybe helped maybe not, six years later got Recerf. Now pain free and doing gym and running.

I did not stop doing anything until i had to. Then knew it was time for surgery.

Thank you for your response. How long after your arthroscopy did you start getting symptoms that ultimately lead to the resurfacing? Just out of curiosity.

[BilateralRecerf]

Arthritis gets worse step by step, everyone has their certain limit how much of your activities or hobbies you can live without. Or how much daily or nightly pain is still manageable. But 5 years would say, but was as active as possible all the time and in really good shape still, just the limitations and symptons were too much then that it was the right choice. Now 4 months after the double surgery i can run 7km easy jogs. Before surgery could not run.

[MarvinB]

I had cam and pincer on my right.  Thought it was bone spurs or something that had developed, but was told it was probably a problem from birth.  Fooled myself for almost 4 years that the pain would just go away.  Gave up waterskiing, climbing up on a high-wing airplane to check fuel (gave up flying), golf (was not very good anyway, but enjoyed playing), distance hiking and eventually long walks.  Felt like I was becoming an invalid.  I was not offered the option of scoping out the crud, just three orthopedic surgeons saying total hip replacement was my only option.  I wasn’t convinced, because my bones were still good; the joint was bad and no cushioning cartilage was left.  Then I found Dr. Gross, a hour up the road from me.  On year 3 of my super-successful right hip resurfacing and prepping for my left hip in 2 weeks (same problem as my right hip).  6 months from June 10, I will be cleaning my golf clubs and heading to the range!

[HippyDogwood]

I had scope, impingements shaved, microfracture and stem cell treatment on both hips. Gave me 10 years feeling 80% which I'd take again. The only negative is the surgeon I had lined up for BHR turned me down as he doesn't like to perform BHR on a patient that has had previous work done which could weaken the neck, so ended up having a THR.

It can buy you time, but the ending is inevitable, cams typically grow back too.

[HippyDogwood]

Hi Hippydogwood.

So your THR surgeon said you could not have a BHR because of previous keyhole surgery? Did you ask any other surgeons?

No - BHR has really shrunk as an option here in the UK and the surgeon is one of the few highly regarded and local, so I just decided to accept his advice.

[EricEng]

Sooooo I scheduled a MRI tomorrow (June 23). My pain has been up and down. Some days my hip feels pretty good and others not so much. This is my left side.

I started swinging the golf clubs again and I think golf is flaring it up. Sometimes working out feels great, other times not so much. It is a dull ache very similar to what I dealt with before having it scoped.

:-\