Hip Talk Forum About Hip Resurfacing

I read a lot on either this site  or a similar one 5-6 years ago as I prepared for my bilateral hip arthroscopy for FAI.  5 years after that surgery, I will be going in for a bilateral hip resurfacing in either Oct. or Nov. this year.


Quick review of my story.  I'm in Ottawa, Canada, a long time hockey player who had several groin issues over the years.  My groin pain though only showed up when I tried to open my legs, particularly playing hockey.  Eventually you learn to avoid this movement.  My real problems though were in my back.  I also am an avid weight lifter and kettle bell user.  I started with sciatica back when I was 21, now 44, and managed it through PT, and then chiro.  Personally I have had much better results with chiropractic and ART.  I did everything from Rolfing, massage, MAT, Bikram yoga, PT, acupuncture, naturopahts, chiropractic, and have been nuked so many times with MRI's, CAT scans and bone scans, I'm surprised I am not a bald glowing blob!


My activity level has gone down, and my activities have changed.  I still play hockey, but I am not the same player.  Every day starts with how much pain I am in.  I have constant leg or nerve pain, that sad to say I am used to.  I also have developed severe tightness in my thoracic back and neck.  This has led to pinched nerves in my neck causing almost constancy tingling in my hands.  Nightly I wake up with my hands completely numb.  My thoracic issues cause me the most daily problems as it affects my breathing.  Sometimes I am so tight I can't sneeze.  All that said, I had seen so many back surgeons and pain specialists who said I was tight, but they couldn't explain why.


Finally my wife, who also had hip issues, discovered Dr. Beaule, who had just come to Ottawa back in around 2007.  He worked a miracle on her and I booked my appointment.  I had severe FAI, and finally was told that the pain was not in my head, and that I did not have a low pain tolerance.  So angry for so long, and finally a diagnosis.  I cried when he told me I needed surgery.  Not because I was scared, I was relieved.


All that said, I had the bilateral hip scope, recovered fast, played a little volleyball 2 months out and working full duties as a police officer 3.5 months post surgery, and played hockey a month after that.  I felt somewhat better, but not cured.  I still had groin pain, and didn't get the relief in my back that I had expected.  My follow up appointments were somewhat frustrating as I had heard about a resurfacing, but Dr. Beaule said that I wasn't a candidate yet.  Well on my check up appointment with him 6 weeks ago, he spoke to me a lot longer about my pain, and further examined my x-rays.  He stated that I need a bilateral hip resurfacing.  Once again, I am relieved!!


Of course very similar to my first experience, my back went down hill quickly before surgery, causing me to be stuck at the desk for a few months pre op.  I have just had my back go again last weekend.  My right SI is locked up so bad!!  I have electricity going all through my lower abbs, across my pirformis, and down my sciatic nerve.  I can't stand straight or put socks on!  Damn frustrating.


As many people here have done I want to get into the best shape I can before surgery.  I should be going in in Oct. or Nov., and may ask for March if they can accommodate me.  My kids will be in the middle of a heavy hockey schedule and I (hopefully) will be playing to.  I haven't missed a season in 40 years!  But I won't argue if they can't accommodate me.


Does anyone have any recommended sites or workout programs that best get you in shape for this kind of surgery?  I use the DVD Magnificent Mobility daily, and am thinking about buying a newer version called Ruthless Mobility.  This DVD focuses on not just mobility issues, but strength imbalance issues.  Doing one without the other gives limited results.  I may also try to get back to some Bikram Yoga once a week if possible.  Far from where I live though.  I am a firm believer in the Joint by Joint approach to how our bodies work, and how our body is affected by lack of mobility.  This approach, developed by Mike Boyle and Gray Cook, helps explain how pain in one area, is caused by(usually) a lack of movement in another area.  As Dr. Beaule stated, a large percentage of back pain is caused by hips that are no longer mobile.  The back picks up the slack, and eventually breaks down.  Only looking at the back will not give you lasting results.  Fixing the hips will address the root cause of the problems.


In my wife and I's journey through hip surgeries and trying to maintain and improve our health, we have built a full gym in our home so I am well equipped for any workout program people may suggest.


I want to be proactive to speed up recovery.


Sorry for the long post, kind of got on a roll.


One more reason why I am looking for exercises or workouts is that I didn't get much advice in terms of PT from Dr. BEAULE  after my surgery.  I actually never went to a PT and stayed with my chiropractor.  Getting a different, more involved surgery though, may require additional assistance.  Any Ottawa people reading this may be able to point me in the right direction.  I live east of the city.


Cheers

I think just concentrating on overall health is the best thing before surgery. There are no secret exercises.
Basic strengthening and stretching is good.

Being physically prepared prior to the surgery is a big help. But once the surgery is done, the healing part is something you cannot control. You cannot "will" the tissues to heal faster. And so there is a large variation is recovery times. Hopefully you have one of the faster recoveries.

Be prepared and committed to taking it easy for months. One of the pitfalls for the extra aggressive patients is to constantly test the pain thresholds and gauge their activities by pain tolerance. The result is constant setbacks and injury. Calculated activities that keep you below the pain and injury threshold work the best.

Good luck,
Chuckm   

Thanks for the reply!!  I know, patience is the key and everyone's experience is a little different.  You are right, keeping activities well below a pain level is key to a lasting recovery.  Getting lighter will be an initial goal, as well as keeping the entire hip musculature  as loose as possible.


I go in for an information session on June 20th with a PT so I am sure they will provide me with lots of info at that time as well.


thanks again!

If the reason you are considering postponing the surgery from Oct/Nov to March is because you want to get in that much better shape so that your recovery will be quicker, my advice is don't bother, have the surgery as soon as it can be scheduled. There is plenty of time between now and then to get in shape. While there are some pre-surgery exercises, I don't know how much of a difference they really make in your recovery. In my case my consult was on 12/24 and my surgery 1/19, and because of the holidays I don't think I received the list of exercises until about two weeks before surgery, and I still couldn't do half of them because I was in so much pain. I'm recovering just fine. Besides, if you have the surgery in the fall you will be fully recovered by next summer and have the best summer you've had in years.

My reasons for perhaps asking for a postponement are merely logistical and somewhat selfish.  My 2 kids play hockey 4-5 times a week and we live outside the city so we don't have much help in getting them around to games and practices.  My wife would be running around solo when I am out of commission.  We would have to figure something out, and rely on my parents and the in-laws to help.  Despite my pain, I still play hockey myself and selfishly would not want to miss playing "if" I can avoid it. 


I do lots of rehabilitative exercise already, but I am curious if there were any best practices type of pre-op prep.

A fellow bilat to be!


I waited about three months to have surgery and spent that time getting into shape for surgery. That meant, as chuckm describes, getting in the best overall health I could---eating right and getting some exercise. I wasn't looking to lose weight (but if you need to, here is a good opportunity), but tried to improve my eating habits so I was eating more protein and more fresh fruits and vegetables. I tried to eat fruit, cheese, and yogurt instead of sweets, my weakness.


For exercise I lifted weights for my upper body, anticipating that I would have to rely on it more once both hips were done, and did a lot of swimming. My hips were in such bad shape it hurt to walk and I was advised to give up spin class; that left swimming. I did a lot of pulling in the pool, just using my arms. My weight lifting wasn't anything so exotic: dips, bench press, overhead press, rows. It did pay off, though, in that I was strong enough to do what I had to do, and was never sore.


About the delay...that is tough. I admit I waited until the kids were back in school (college aged kids). I couldn't drive for six weeks. I did sort of time it so someone could be with me during that time, husband or one of the boys. But the wait was the hardest part. Knowing that there was a solution out there made me impatient. I had been pretty good at managing the pain, but those last weeks it was difficult to compartmentalize the way I had before.


Best of luck to you. The surgery is life changing.

I feel like I am getting an evil case of deja vu!  When I had my bilateral hip arthroscopy almost 5 yeas ago, I had my worst case of low back pain with severe nerve irritation and muscle spasms approx. 5 months pre surgery.  Well now that I know I will be getting my bilateral hip resurfacing in 5-6 months, my just went again.  Same pain, all through my lower back, specific to my right SI joint being completely locked up.  Bad case of sciatica with bad muscle spasms from my calves, lower back, mid back, lats, etc.  Tons of bizarre radiating nerve pain through lower abbs and down legs.  Freakin great!!!


agh


Just woke up that way.  Was working out leading up to it and had no new pain.  I need this surgery, and pray it will lead to overall benefits!!!

My back is still a mess!!!  My sciatica is going crazy and I haven't been able to stand up even close to straight for going on 6 weeks now.  I started with a new chiropractor who did manage to get my right SI  unlocked, but the muscle spasms and sciatica down my right leg into my foot is unreal!!  My foot keeps going numb, and I can't walk far.  When I do I have to stop frequently and squat down as that seems to give me relief.  My wife is working over time like crazy on a big project, and I am running around 6 days a week with kids sports.  Life doesn't stop just because you are hurt!


To add salt to the wound I just got a call from the surgeon's office offering me a surgery date on Aug. 2 nd.   I had questions, wondered if I was healthy enough to book it, as I can't stand up, needed to talk to my wife, etc.  The secretary said she couldn't wait, and I lost this spot.  Probably to be booked in October.


This may be a blessing as I am currently eating in to my sick leave, and need to get back to work for 6 weeks to replenish the sick leave time.  I will need it.


Currently looking online to find a physio to work in conjunction with my chiro to get my back sorted out.  Also saw my family doc who has orderd x-rays and a CT scan.  I know they will find a bulging disc, seems like a waste.  Pain killer don't work either as it's nerve pain.


Sorry to vent, just very pissed I had to miss out on an Aug. 2nd surgery date.  This would have worked huge in terms of logistics for my kids sports.


Frustrated.

I had bilateral with Dr Beaule January 2015, it was one of the best things I've done for myself. It's a bit commitment to time off and rehab but I went to Bluesfest yesterday and spent about 4 hours on my feet with no problems. Before surgery I could spend about 15 minutes on my feet.

I had given up skiing, and hockey about a year before the surgery. To get in shape I did a lot of bike riding, went to the gym and did a gentle stretching yoga. At the gym I stayed away from things where I had to put weight on my legs, used a lot of the sitting machines.

I went back to hockey the fall of that year. My skating was slow and a bit unsteady to start but by the end of the season I was skating fairly well. I also started playing a weekly squash game early this year.

Hi Hockeyguy (& Snowbound), I too am a patient of Dr. Beaulé's.  I first met him in June 2006 & he performed a left hip scope Nov. 2007.  It's a shame that you didn't go for PT at the Riverside following your scopes, you would've met Angela, who I think was head pt.  She was also a certified osteopath (I think), she was amazing!  She worked her way back from the end result, the hip surgery, & found so many tight areas, internal scar tissue & many other issues.  She addressed them all (all the way up to a cranial/base of neck) & eventually was able to release everything.  It was amazing!  I'd never been so pain free since I was 14(I'm now 47), well, other than the hip that didn't progress like we had hoped,.  It actually started regressing & I needed pt longer.


I'm not sure of she's still there but I'll find out next week hopefully.  Angela also works privately out of her home in Ottawa.  Well at least she did 10 years ago. I wish I could find her card.  She could help you.


Anyhoo, Dr. Beaulé just performed a left hip THR on me 3 weeks ago on the 20th.  I found this time around, the steps & support from everyone involved far far better when compared to 10 years ago!  Maybe it's also different because it was a THR compared to  scope?  Regardless, you'll be very well taken care of once the ball starts rolling!  Any issues, just pick up the phone & call or send an email & someone is there to help out best they can.

Just wanted to add...


Being that you're a police officer doesn't help your sciatica.  My FIL was OPP & all those hours sitting in the cruizer (as comfortable as they are.  I have a decommissioned interceptor), with your belt, wallet etc, it puts pressure in that area.  And your being active, I too was very active & over time, I had to first adapt & then after the scope, eliminate everything.  So like others have said: don't wait! 


When I saw Dr. B in April, I was hoping I'd be put on a cancellation list but I thought maybe wait the 6-8 month wait & maybe I could somehow prepare physically for the surgery.  My health had gone down considerably overall, had no range of motion, was fighting against using a walker & I had gained a lot of weight.  So not the active healthy person I once was & that is such a blow to the confidence & ego.  When Victoria called 3 weeks later & offered  a spot in June, I took it!  My thought was, I could then go talk it over with my husband & cancel if I wanted.


Yes waiting until Oct. would have been better where everything else is concerned (our busiest time of year is May to Sept., my house is gutted top to bottom on renos, I have horses, wanted to enjoy the Rideau river...  Winter is quieter for us business & personal wise) but the pain & quality of life was abysmal, I was useless at my job which is physically demanding, useless in my private life & was eating prescription pain killers like it was candy & ruining my gut.  So I jumped on the opportunity, we are coping as best we can & have no regrets.  Look at the long term goal past the short term inconvenience.


Did you tell Victoria that you'd be interested if there was another cancellation?  If not, please do!

Thanks for replying LMS and Snowbound!  I have been off work because of my back(sciatica) since May 23rd.  I am supposed to be on holidays right now, but I can't go camping with my family.  They left today!  I was actually working our really hard leading up to my back going out, and played a full season of hockey with no issues.  It's funny, I can do anything in a straight line with no problems.  Run full tilt, broad jumps, skate, squat with weight all the way down until my calfs touch my hamstrings.  But get me to open up and turn, huge problems.  So what happens, you avoid things that cause you pain.  I still workout and play hockey, I just avoided the movements that hurt. 


I have had all this for over 20 years, and think it has been a slow build up.  I do have pain everyday, but it's located more in my back, including upper back and neck.  Chronically tight, to the point I have pinched nerves in my neck from tight neck muscles.  My hips are just starting to hurt deep inside this past year, but before that the hip pain was severe groin pain, but only if I opened my legs.  Where I see this the most is in hockey as I have lost the ability to have good balance.  When tested by a doctor or chiropractor they all are amazed at how poor my hip internal and especially external rotation is.  I have zero external rotation.  This is a big cause of back issues.  When  you lose mobility in your hip, your back picks up the slack until it to finally breaks down.


Regarding this latest bought of crazy sciatica, I didn't have a moment where it went out at all.  I just woke up one morning and it was there.  It just kept getting worse.  I can barely walk.  And life doesn't stop because you are injured.  My kids play soccer 5 days a week each, and I am out with them.  I am supposed to be doing back exercises every hour, but I miss a lot.  I have been having some good periods of time where the pain is reduced by about 3/4's and this is a good sign.  Hopefully the disc bulge is moving back!!!


I am waiting for an MRI to determine how bad my disc herniation is.  Best case scenario is late august.  Victoria did call me for a cancellation a few weeks ago.  It was for Aug. 2.  It would have been the perfect timing, but I couldn't take it because of my back.  Now they are worried about scheduling the operation for October if my back is still out.  I have to meet Dr. B on August 10th to figure it out.


I would most definitely like to know who that physio was you saw at the Riverside hospital.  For my scope I didn't do any physio and stayed with my chiro.  Of course a bilateral resurfacing is much more invasive so I will take all the help I can get.


I'm really hoping I don't need a back surgery first, then do the back rehab, all before I get my hips taken care of. Right now though, my sciatica is insane!!!  I go from lying on the floor on my stomach, to the silly side bends against a wall, to the chair, then repeat every hour.  Oh, and the "z" line position on the floor.  I wouldn't mind as much if it was post surgery rehab, but it's not.


Still frustrated!  I need some improvement before I see Beaule in 3 weeks!

I've been playing telephone tag with the Riverside for the past 2 weeks.  I'm supposed to start  next week.  I see Dr. Beaulé next Friday (22).  But I will find out if I can get Angela's coordinates for you.


Having a scope takes min. a year to recover from, if you recover.  You're in the same boat I was but... when I went for rehab at the Riverside, they taught me how to walk (since I'd never walked properly before) & after the two PT's worked on me & releasing the SI joint & realign my tailbone each time, eventually, 24 years of debilitating chronic back pain went away!  Back pain that I was offered surgery for.


It kills me to say it, it really does, but you may need to back off a bit more on the physical activity.  It's a double edged sword unfortunately.


Ask to be referred to the Kingston MRI center (in Kingston), they have a very short wait time compared to Ottawa.  And it's covered by OHIP.  Mind you, my GP worked in Kingston before coming to Ottawa.


I can PM you the info if you wish.  I also have a past co-op student working there.  And they will give you the CD so you can bring it back with you. (just ask for one)

I actually recovered very quickly from my bilateral scope 5 years ago.  I played volleyball 2.5 months later.  I didn't dive for any balls or jump hard, but I got around pretty well.  I had my surgery that time July 12th and went back to full duties as a police officer 3 months later and played weekly hockey a month after that.  I was able to work out and prepare myself before surgery though.  This is what I'm scared about now.  I can't get prepared, and that will affect the recovery time.  Geez, I may need a back surgery first!!  Sure hope not!


I have tried every type of therapy out there for my back and hip pain over 20 years.   My wife was also operated on by Dr. Beaule, she had a PAO, and was riding a Harley 5 months later.  She was in great shape though, and national level athlete.  Before we knew what the real problem was we had tried Rolfing, MAT in Montreal, many many chiropractors and physics, massage, Prolotherapy, acupuncture, rest, medication, and nothing worked.  In the end the root cause for her was sever hip dysplasia and for me FAI.


I have always tried to be proactive and did change up my workouts to more functional workouts, and focusing a lot on corrective exercises.  Even doing all that, if you have a mechanical dysfunction, an operation is inevitable at  some point.


Two DVD's that really helped me keep my joints moving properly were Magnificent Mobility and a newer version Ruthless Mobility.  They are money well spent to keep you moving properly.  I am fortunate and have a complete gym in my home as well.  I always focus the beginning of each work out with mobility exercises from the DVD's, work on hip flexor(psoas) flexibility, performs flexibility, foam roll a ton, and work extra hard on getting my glutes to fire properly and increase their strength.


Despite all that, I need a healthy back, and then surgery on my hips.  People ask if I am nervous, but I am looking forward to it.  I want to see how its' going to turn out!  I am slowly but steadily loosing the battle with my hips and after telling Dr. Beaule my story, he told me it's time.  I know he isn't afraid to tell you it's not time yet as well.  I actually asked him 3 years ago if I could get a bilateral resurfacing and he said I wasn't bad enough yet. 


I may take you up on the info for the physio and about contacting Kingston for an MRI.  I called the Montfort and I should hear from them by next week.  If they give me a far off date, Kingston here I come!!

For what it's worth guys, I went through the whole back issue before my left hip was resurfaced.
I had debilitating back pain and stiffness for several years. Saw many surgeons and pain specialists.
X-rays and MRI's showed problems with my spine. Nothing major but bulging disc, compressed nerves, and slipped discs.

Finally, it was an orthopedic surgeon who teaches at Yale University, Dr. Dawe, who diagnosed me correctly. He focused on my hips and said he predicted that, although my spine had issues, it was my hips that were the main factor and they were keeping my spine constantly inflamed (my hips were not even hurting me at the time so I was confused). He also predicted correctly that my left hip would really start bothering me within the next two years. He was 100% correct. BUT, when I went back to him, this guy didn't do resurfacing and wanted me to wait six years until I was 50 to get a total hip replacement.

I did research and found the Hospital for Special Surgery and had my left hip resurfaced.

Within three months my back issues had completely disappeared. I have never had any problems with my back ever since. I have returned to playing competitive soccer and neither my hip nor my back are ever a problem.   

Just maybe your back problems with go away too if you resurface your hip(s) first.

Chuckm 

Quote from: chuckm on July 16, 2016, 11:32:58 AM

Just maybe your back problems with go away too if you resurface your hip(s) first.

Chuckm

I was thinking this too.  Go away or, drastically lessen like mine did.  When we had x-rays taken this past September, I was showing damage in two lumbar vertebras, so I was scared of getting the spinal anaesthetic, I'd always been refused a spinal because of my lower back, but the doc (his name escapes me now) did a good job.


Montfort has an MRI machine at the Portobello Plazza in Orleans.  I've been to that one wayyyyyy back when they just opened, & they were pretty prompt & accommodating.  Tell them you'll go at any time.  That goes for any MRI scan place.  I had my MRA at the General (for the hips back in '06) at 10 pm.  It was nice & quiet.  :)


I'll send you the Kingston info just so you have it in case. :)

Thanks for the replies LMS and Chuckm!  I have always had groin pain, but thought that it was just related to some groin strains/pulls I had playing hockey in my late teens.  In the mid to late 80's I didn't do physio or chiro, I just rested it a bit, put some ice on it, and got back at it.  Looking back those groin issues may have been a foreshadowing of bad hips, or perhaps they caused my FAI.  Dr. Beaule says that they aren't completely sure if you are born with these issues, are predisposed to hip problems, or participate in an activity that brings it on.  Either way my groins always hurt, but only if I open up.  So I don't!  I have much less balance on my skates, but I still look good and fast in a straight line-turning, well that's another story.


My hip rotation, especially external rotation, is pretty much zero.  Some research that I have done online(I know I can be my own worst enemy looking things up), has shown that reduced hip mobility, even a little, can lead to back pain issues.  Ironically I only get lower back pain, once in a blue moon.  My biggest complaint is my thoracic tightness, and nerve impingement in my neck.  I wake up at least a few times each night with sever pins and needles in my hands.  Talking on the phone is an issue, as I have to keep switching hands as my ulnar nerve is pinched and my pinky goes numb.  I manage it with doing different exercises, foam rolling a ton, constant chiro treatments, and listening to my body.  I am hoping that fixing my hips, will enable me to find a permanent solution to my other back issues.


There are a few other treatments and theories on body mechanics that take this approach as well.  Look up the Egoscue Method for treating back pain.  This method focuses a lot on tight hips, specifically the groin and hip flexor(psoas), in treating back pain.


Another resource for learning how your body works, perhaps managing pain before surgery, or adopting a smarter way to workout and/or maintain your health post surgery is the Joint by Joint approach to the body.  It was developed by Gray Cook and Mike Boyle.  In a nutshell, your joints have two functions, mobility or stability.  They also alternate in their function.  Example, ankle-mobile, knee-stable, hip-mobile, lower back-stable, thoracic back(rotation part of back movement)-mobile, shoulder blades(the forgotten joint)-stable, shoulder-mobile.  Keeping it simple, if you have pain in one joint, look at the joint below it and see if it has changed part of it's function.  Has a joint meant to be stable, become to mobile, or vice versa.  To bring this back to this topic, if you have back pain, look at the hips.  If you have reduced hip mobility, your lower back, which is meant to be stable, probably has become more mobile(not it's function) to compensate for the lost hip mobility. 


This same approach holds true to many shoulder issues.  Look at shoulder pain.  Most of spend far to much time at desks working on computers.  Your shoulder blades are in a constant position of being pulled up and forwards. They should be-as our grandmothers taught us, shoulders back and down.  The shoulder joint now finds itself out of position and having to be more stable to work properly.  When the joint starts doing the job of another, it usually ends up breaking down and causing pain.


Sorry for the long reply.  All this being said, most everyone on this site is beyond non invasive methods of treatment and has either been operated on or is waiting for an operation.  Hopefully some of this information may help when you return to being active, and try your best NOT to injure yourself again.


Cheers.

It's been two months and 3 days and I am still off of work.  I had to cancel my month long holidays in July, and my wife toughed it out and took the kids camping on a smaller trip.  They are going to do some white water rafting and another smaller camping trip to.  Being laid up sucks!!!!


I have been waiting for an MRI, and it has been real frustrating.  For those in Ottawa, this is how it went.  My family doc ordered an MRI for my back, suspecting a bad bulging disc.  He ordered it at the Ottawa hospital(General and Civic), and told me to follow up with them as they are slow.  This was done in early July, and I followed up a week later.  They said they were still booking people from February requests!!  I was put on the cancellation list and told I would most likely get a call soon.


My wife had to see a local sports med doc. Dr. Taryn Taylor, for some bad shoulders.  She saw me walk in crooked and asked what my problem was.  I told her my story and said the Ottawa hospital is real slow, so she gave me a requisition for the Monfort saying they are much faster.  I followed up two weeks later with them, and they said they had tried to call me, but had the wrong number.  This went back and forth for the better part of two weeks, and i found out they had three different phone numbers for me, and never updated them even though I told them my only current number!!!  Beyond frustrated!   On top of that my wife got a call this morning, and got a cancellation appointment for her MRI today!!  What the!!  I called the Monfort hospital back, and asked to make sure I was on their cancellation list-I wasn't currently on it!  All that said, they called me back 3 hours later and I have an MRI tomorrow!!  Up and down, and uP and down.  Holy crap!


On top of that, this past Sunday I had my kids at the new private rink and specialty training centre, Amped Sports Lab.  It is also a physiotherapy clinic, and the therapist/owner, was in and saw me walking.  I spoke to him and he convinced me to try him out saying he would treat me different than my current physio who does the Mackenzie method.  Well, one treatment in and I can see some results.  I don't want to jump the gun as I have had the odd good day before, but I'm being positive.  It's amazing how two different physics do completely different assessments, and have completely different approaches to treatment!


My goal is to be much much better by Aug. 10 when I see Dr. Beaule about all this.  I am worried that if my back isn't improving quick, my hip surgery may be delayed.  Plus I need to get back to work and living again.  I have also packed on some weight and need to get moving and in better shape before surgery.


Some positive news anyways, and a heads up to any Ottawa people looking for MRI's.

Finally!  I was thinking of you & your situation.  I'm relieved for you that you're finally getting your MRI.


TOH has majorly dropped the ball with booking 2 MRIs for me.  One from my GP, after a year, Dr. Beaulé ordered one, on the spot & when I called about it 6 months later, I got 3 different phone calls the following two days, from three different people & they kept going through the same spiel, then go "oh, some papers are missing or, oh there's an issue with your iud... I'll call back"  and of course, no calls back.  When I confronted them about both requisitions, they tried to convince me they never received the one from my GP (now 2 years later) & I know for a fact it was sent to them, I saw the papers, confirmation, as it was done in front of me.  As for the one from Dr. B., I told them to forget about it, I was going elsewhere.


When you're in so much pain & have parts of your body that's displaying nerve damage, patience runs thin after feeling you have to do their job.  Do you have time for a beer & a good rant evening?  I'm sure our stories would be similar.  ;)


I'm so sorry to hear you had to cancel your vacation, that sucks.


So only two more weeks before seeing Dr. B?  Are you going to ask him about your back & being able to go through hip surgery?


BTW, did you mention that you hoped you could have nerve pain meds?  After my surgery, they were giving me some until I left the next day.  I wonder if they'd consider prescribing you some?  (Dr. B or your GP)  Just a thought.


I really hope the new PT can help you.  My appointment at Riverside is tomorrow morning, I'll ask about Angela for you.

Thanks LMS for your PM, I did receive it from you.  I'm not sure how to send one back!!


EEsh your story for an MRI is bad to.  The Monfort has it's issues, but hands down much much faster than the OGH.  I have still left my name on the OGH cancellation list just to see how long it will take to get a call!!


My new physio tried a different treatment with last time I was there this week.  It's called IMS needling.  I thought I had tried everything under the sun, but this was new.  The Mackenize method stuff the other physio was doing only goes so far.  It's pretty much exercises that I do at home anyways, no real treatment from the phyiso.  Well the IMS needling is something I hadn't tried.  I should have read more about it before getting it done, oh well. 


It was painful!!  In short, it uses needles similar to acupuncture, but there are not use according to Chinese medicine theory, but according to Western medicine, specifically neurology.  They have a new term called neuropathy.    The needle is used to release stubbornly tight muscles.  The needle is inserted into the muscle, and if it's tight, the muscle grabs the needle and the physio twists and turns it.  This "grabbing" of the muscle causes the pain.   It's an intense cramp, but goes away.  The problem is he does this about 30 times!!


He joked that many patients say they would never do it again, as it hurts, and it's sore afterwards for a few hours.  But most come back, as the results are extraordinary.  I will go back for more for sure.  There is lots of information on line about it as well.


Is this the right treatment for others, maybe, find a practitioner near you to find out.  I see it working to help realign your body that has most likely been out of alignment for years on end.  Your muscles will have adopted different movement patterns and some may have become chronically tight, essentially changing their function.  This type of treatment may help your body get back to it's proper function.


Just my thoughts and experiences so far.


I am still crooked, but better.  I find the exercises I have been given, easier to do now, with more "good points" during the day.  I need to avoid back surgery before hip surgery!!


Now to call work and tell them I'm still not ready to return.  Worst summer ever!  Family has gone whiter water rafting today, at least I will occupy my day cooking ribs!!

Well I haven't gotten any better regarding my back pain.  I now walk with a cane, and practically bent over to a 45 degree angle, to my left.  Nothing has worked!  Two different physios and my chiropractor couldn't turn my back pain around.  All my previous back pain and hip pain is also magnified now.  I could go on and on.  Actually during the night, nerve impingement in my neck causes both my hands to go completely numb.  I have been battling this for years as well, and was really hoping getting my hips fixed up, would allow me to deal with this issue to.


I officially have gone on to Long Term Disability as well, and sorting this out is a challenge to.  I was faced with very bad news at first for my back on top of everything else.  Dr. Beaule told me I had to deal with my back before he would consider moving forward with my hip surgery-fair enough as I am so crooked and couldn't do the physiotherapy to recover post op.    I was referred to a back surgeon, but initially was told I would have to wait 10 months before even seeing him.  I was devastated!  I had also been forced to go to the Emerg dept. as well one night, as my pain was out of control.  All they did was give me so much morphine I puked.  Meds weren't working, all the treatments weren't working, my hip surgery is on hold, and I am told I have to wait 10 months before seeing a back specialist!  What the!!


I finally caught a break and got a call from the back surgeon on Friday giving me an appointment yesterday.  I saw him, and he immediately recommended that I get back surgery for bulging discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1.  Surgery will be scheduled sometime this November.  It can't come quick enough as I'm getting a lot of weakness in my right leg, and limping a lot, even with a cane.


I am beyond bored and pissed off as I have put on about 25 lbs!  First time I have registered for hockey in 41 years.  I go watch my wife play and my kids!  Keeps me going, and raises my spirits.  It's hard though.


I will be contacting Dr. Beaule's office to plan out how to go about planning for my bilateral hip surgery.  I am hoping to get everything done before returning to work.


It's going to be a very tough year looking ahead.


I really love hearing positive stories here, and spend lots of my "free" time reading here.


Cheers to all those who have overcome their surgeries, and are either completely healed up or working their aces off during recovery!!

Hey Hockeyguy - I'm going to chime in with the same story I told you before. You sort of dismissed it last time saying that your low back only hurts in a blue moon and it was your neck that bothered you.

But now you are considering surgery on the L4/L5 and L5/S1. That is low back.

Here is a summery of how my MRI report read three years before I had my left hip resurfaced.
I was 42 years old at the time.

L5-S1 Slipped disc and compressed nerves.
L4-5  Bulging disc.
L3-4 Thickening of the ligaments and narrowing of the nerve canal
L2-3  Bulging disc.

I had debilitating back pain. I stopped sports like soccer, running, etc.
After two years of this suffering, my back began to get a little better on its own, but not a whole lot, just manageable.
What was happening was that the ligaments of my spine were adapting to all the motion they had to take up from the lack of motion in my hip. But the back did not take all the motion up from my hip and so my back was always a problem to some degree no matter what I did.

Then I saw Dr. Dawe, an orthopedic back surgeon who was also a professor at Yale University. He is the one who told me that despite these bulging discs and other problems with my spine, it was my bad hips that were causing my back to be in constant pain. It was a constant flare.

Three years after my back pain began, I had my left hip resurfaced. Within a few months the back pain got less and less and within about two to three months there was no back issue any longer. I never experienced any back pain ever again. I have returned to running and competitive soccer. I can jump out of the back of my pickup truck without a thought, carry heavy trash bags, etc and my back is fine.

I think the medical advice you are getting could be all wrong. Just a thought from someone who went through what you are going through.

Chuckm

Hey chuckm, sorry you thought I dismissed your post about your experiences related to your back pain and how fixing your hips was ultimately the real solution you needed.  I 100%, whole heartedly agree that bad hips often causes back pain!  I firmly believe that my poorly functioning hips, combined with a lifetime of playing hockey, has caused by back to break down.  I honestly was truly hoping my back would last out until I had by bilateral resurfacing, so that I could strengthen my back and get it back to it's proper function.  Unfortunately my back didn't make it.


The advice I am getting is most definitely NOT wrong.  I tried my best o avoid a back surgery at  ALL costs.  I was doing physiotherapy twice a week, doing all kinds of Mackenzie exercises.  This didn't work, so I went to a different therapist who tried many other techniques including IMS needling(hurts like hell), but they didn't work.  During all this time I was going twice weekly to my chiropractor who also did 20 min of A.R.T. during each visit.  Nothing was working.  I has pain meds, and anti-inflammatory meds, as well as Lyrica for nerve pain.  Nothing worked.


During this time I walk, bent over to the left at more than a 45 degree angle.  I need a cane, but the moment I am up for a few minutes I'm done.  I even ended up at the emergency department in excruciating pain.  Just gave me more pain medication.


Trust me, my back pain started when I was 21, and I have had every sort of MRI, CAT scan, bone scan, tested for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and various other disorders.  I saw many neurologists along the way, and over 20 respective physiotherapists, and chiropractors.  I did Rolfing for 2 20 plus sessions, prolotherapy, acupuncture, MAT in another city and joined yoga.  I have a gym in my home and an obsession with trying to return my body to as close to healthy as I can get it.


I have also seen the top back surgeon here in Ottawa 5 times over the course of my 20 + year back pain journey.  He has never said I needed back surgery, but also never thought I had a hip problem either.  Thankfully I found Dr. Beaule on my own, albeit several years later than could have been.


I have seen Dr. Beaule since my back has gone out, and he knows exactly how I am doing, and seen the MRI.  I am so bad that I would not be remotely close enough to be able to do the needed physiotherapy post op.  I am not kidding, I can't stand up more than being bent over 45 degrees.


I do have other back issues all along my spine.  Tight subscaps and scaleens which are the most likely culprit for my numb hands, as well as a horribly tight thoracic section.  I do believe that once my back is fixed and healed, and I get my hips fixed, that I can work on a permanent solution for my back and entire body.


The information I had posted earlier along with DVD's are very useful for maintaining joint function and overall health.

Aww Hockey Guy, I'm so sorry about what you're going through.  I kept checking every day to see if you had posted an update.


Did you call Angela?


I work from home, so my computer is always on if you need to chat, need to vent or are bored out of your skull.  My husband is from a cop family (his father was OPP, he himself was invited to join & my son started the steps into this profession in Police Foundations at Algonquin & so on, I could list friends, clients etc)

Hey LMS, thanks for the reply.  No I didn't call Angela, just kept up with what I was doing.  I had some real good people working on me, and had lots of suggestions for other options as well.  Unfortunately I didn't respond to any treatments, and have gotten significantly worse.  I am at peace knowing that surgery is the option I need at this point for my back, and just want to get it done, and work on the recovery.  Because I have the bilateral scope to look forward to!!


To be honest, at least I know what is going to happen, and have a better time line for everything.  My goal now is to work with Dr. Beaule's office and get my hip surgery scheduled once I have a firm date for my back.  I hope we make them as close as possible, and get it all done!!


Currently it's pain management that is my biggest hurdle.  I was very reluctant to take the dilaudid I was prescribed, as the night I ended up at the General emerg., they pumped me up with so much of it I puked a ton when I got home.  I took it a few times since, and feel very light headed after.  The past 3-4 days have been so bad though, that I have been forced to take the maximum amount, and think that I have gotten a little used to as I don't feel light headed as I did before.


Boredom and pain are my enemies now!!!

Hockeyguy I'll give it one more try. I'm just trying to help here.

I did all that stuff too:

Four back surgeons
pain specialist
ART
physical therapy
MRI's and X-rays
prescription pain meds and muscle relaxers

My back was a mess and so was I.
Nothing worked - not in the least. 

I spent a year trying to find a solution to my back problems. When I finally came across a back surgeon who said it was my hips, I was in just as much disbelief as you that my hips could be causing such horrible pain in my back. 

When that surgeon, Dr. Dawe, pointed out that my hips were the cause, my hips weren't even bothering me at the time! I would not even had considered getting my hip resurfaced to solve my back pain.

So I dealt with the back pain for two more years. And that is how long it took for the pain in my left hip to develop and become so unbearable that I gladly schedule the resurfacing.

Post hip resurfacing - back pain gone forever! It was a two-for-one.

I am so happy I didn't go for any back surgery.

There are others on this site who have talked about hip resurfacing solving back problems too. I'm not the only one. If there weren't such similarities to our stories I would just keep my mouth shut.

Good luck with whatever you do Hockeyguy.

Chuckm

Chuck is 100% correct. I too suffered from big time back pain (and knee pain) before having my hips fixed. I'm now nearly 6 months post op and I currently have ZERO back or knee pain.


Before my hip surgeries I spoke with Dr. Gross about my back and knee. Without any doubt or hesitation he explained that it happens all the time and that those problems were very, very likely related to my hips and would probably not be an issue after surgery. He was right.

Thanks chuckm and Quig, I really appreciate you guys telling me your stories and experiences.  I totally agree with both of you, and believe that my hips are the root cause of my 20 plus years of back pain.  It's funny, the day I was at Dr. Beaule's office where he eventually told me I would be getting a bilateral resurfacing, I started talking with another guy in the waiting room.  He was going in for his 2 year follow up with the doc, and was 55 years old.  He is a hockey player like me, and feels that he has gotten back 30 years of his life.  He said he started getting back and groin pain around 25 years old, but at the time, there wasn't much help.  He did everything like most of us have done, but gradually deteriorated.  Now, post surgery, he feels like he was 25 again, and said that his back pain is all gone!!  I then got called in to see Dr. Beaule, and got the news for my surgery. 


I was so excited, and felt that this was going to be what I needed to get to where I wanted to be health wise.  Of course about three weeks later my back goes out.


Of course I have tried absolutely everything to avoid a back surgery, and nothing is working.  I am quickly getting worse, and now limping substantially.  Pain meds including dilaudid do next to nothing.  Even when the back surgeon saw me, he wasn't sure why I am so bent over to the left.  I'm not kidding, without a cane I have to put my hand on my knee to get around.  The pain is getting worse and worse, there are two substantial bulges, I'm losing strength in my right leg, having bizarre abdominal muscle pain, and lots of mid back pain and extreme tightness.  My physiotherapist, actually the second one I have tried, has recommended I get to a surgeon asap, as nothing he is doing is providing any positive results.  My chiropractor, who only wanted me to see a surgeon as a last resort, has also conceded that I need to see a surgeon asap.  I am not only not progressing, I am getting worse!!


Dr. Beaule told me at my appointment that the bilateral resurfacing is impossible due to my extreme posture being bent over so far to the left.  He stated that it would be impossible for me to do the required physiotherapy to recover from the surgery and therefore can't proceed until my back is fixed.  Non surgical methods have all proven ineffective, and the recommendations of two physios, one chiropractor, my GP, and sports med doctor, my hip surgeon and finally the back surgeon, is that surgery is needed.


I desperately didn't want this, but see that it is the only option available to me at this time. 


Another interesting point is that during my 20 year pain journey, and eventual bilateral hip scope, my biggest complaints were in my back, and specifically in my mid back and neck.  I have constant tingling and numbness in my hands, and it's this that wakes me up at night, not my back pain.  When all the rest is settled and dealt with, I SO HOPE that this specific issue will have cleared up, it drives me nuts, affects my breathing and ability to get a good nights sleep.  I am confident that the surgeons will all do their jobs, and I will have to do mine during recovery.


I am planning my approach pre surgery, which is including how to drop some weight without being able to move much!!!  Maybe if I stare at my gym, or watch my wife and kids workout, I will get some results through osmosis!!  Actually considering writing up a Ketogenic diet, as it is most likely my best bet, and will have the quickest results.  The hard part will be the pain is already dropped my patience level, and this may prove to be to hard.  Worth a try.


Also going to see if I can do non weight bearing exercises such as chin ups, dips etc.  Anything will help.  Turning into mush here!!

Ohhhh by osmosis, I wish!  (Your comment made me laugh)


I so understand your back pain issue & being bent over.  I was like that too but I did have days of reprieve which sounds like you never seem to get now.  Have been dealing with lower back pain since I was 14.


Your situation just plainly sucks!   :(

Hockeyguy, I said in my last post it was my last try. Well, it seems so obvious I feel I have to keep on.

Your back won't get better so long as your hips are the way they are - at least not right away. You will probably go through what I did. The ligaments in your spine cannot deal with the stresses your hips are putting on them. Over time, however, they will gradually remodel themselves and you will get some relief only because your spine will have retooled itself to deal with the situation.

But as long as your hips continue to worsen, the stresses on your spine will increase.

It doesn't matter whether you are standing, sitting, walking or even sleeping, the muscle contracture surrounding your arthritic hips is stressing your pelvis and spine every minute of every day. 

In the end, you may get enough relief that you can get your hips resurfaced so you can find out what we are talking about.

It doesn't matter what all your surgeons say. I had half a dozen surgeons talk to me the same way they are talking to you. And they were all wrong except one.

So, at least bring this up with one of your surgeons and see what they say about real life stories. If they dismiss it then you need to keep looking for another surgeon besides all the ones who can't figure out what the problem is.

Chuckm

Chuckm, you are right, poor hip movement is most often the cause of slow onset, long term back pain.  If I never get my hips fixed, my back pain will either never go away, or return quickly.  I fully intend on getting my hip surgery as soon as possible after my back surgery.  In fact as soon as I get my official back surgery date, I will be contacting Dr. Beaule's office to plan out when I can get my bilateral resurfacing.  I am being told a 3 month recovery will be needed for my back, perhaps 4.  In a perfect world I hope I can get my hip surgery at the 5-6 month mark.  This will be the most complete solution to my problems.


Not sure if you are familiar with the work of Gray Cook and Mike Boyle with their Joint by Joint approach to how the body works.  They focus on proper movement patterns of the body and how your joints alternate between two main functions, stability and mobility. 


For example,


-ankles-mobile
-knees-stable
-hips-mobile
-lower back(about the height of two fists)-stable
-thoracic back-mobile
-shoulder blades(the most often forgotten joint)-stable
-shoulders-mobile


Most often joints who's primary function is stability, such as the lower back, are forced to change(adapt) their function to compensate for the dysfunction of another joint.  This dysfunction usually comes in the form of a mobile joint, losing it's mobility and becoming tight.  This is primarily due to some form of arthritis.  Using back problems again as an example, tight hips are caused by dysfunctional hips who cause pain.  The muscles surrounding the hip tighten up to reduce the pain.  The lost movement here, is picked up by the back, which isn't supposed to be so mobile.  The body can adapt and function this way for years, however since it's parts, in this case the lower back, are not doing the job they are designed to do, it breaks down.  Far to often the patient looks at the last incident where their back went out, thinking that this is what caused their problem.  They are wrong, and their poor functioning hips, are the root cause, and their lower back was just waiting to finally break down.


Other factors that arise out of poor functioning hips, are extremely tight psoas and pirformis muscles, and dormant glutes.  I have designed my workout programs specifically around releasing these tight muscles and strengthening my posterior chain, specifically my glutes.  As I said I have a gym in my home, and have the luxury of training daily, and use main training techniques to correct my imbalances.  Combined with doing Bikram yoga whenever I can, specific exercises to stretch my psoas and performs, I also have an Atlantis Glute Ham Developer in my home to further strengthen my glutes.  This is all part of balancing out what is most commonly the issues in our society today.  From sitting to much, our hip flexors, specifically the psoas, shorten and tighten.  Our posterior chain, specifically the glutes, fail to fire correctly and become dormant.  Brent Contreras did his PHD on this issue, specifically glute function and how it affects overall health.


Another person who addresses many imbalance issues, specifically mobility issues is Dean Sommerset.  He has a DVD called Ruthless mobility, which focuses on these various issues.  He actually shows how people with mobility issues may have different problems.  Are you tight because you have an inflexible muscle, due to it physically shortening, or is it tight because it's tired and overworked, as it's doing the function of another muscle that has become weak?


The doctors aren't completely certain as to why our hips have deteriorated.  Are we born with deformed hips, and this was all inevitable?  Do we participate in certain repetitive movements either through work or sport, that put our hips in a vulnerable position, leading to dysfunction?  Did an earlier injury cause us to change our movement patterns and therefore negatively affect hip function and lead to a mechanical problem?  One thing that is certain though, we all sit far to much, which is working against proper hip function.  Tight hip flexors, and dormant glutes, will cause back and hip problems.  So even post surgery, if you don't change how you spend most of your day, do muscle work to restore proper muscle function, you will still have some sort of pain, or other issues.


Bikram yoga is a fantastic way of working your hips, and strengthening your back and hips.  It's tough!!  And I'm a weightlifting hockey guy.  For other non yoga workout people out there, read up on the work of Mike Boyle, Gray Cook, Dan John, Eric Cressey, Mike Robertson, Stuart McGill, to figure out proper ways to get our body to work.  I'm a firm believer in exercise for long term results, and can't wait to get back at it.  I will have to educate myself on having new expectations post surgery, and see how I can work my new hips into an effective program.


To make this longer, I do completely agree with how poor hip function causes back pain.  I also agree that restoring hip function will be ultimately what I need to do.  I can't though discount what my back surgeon is telling me, in that I physically can't do the required physiotherapy protocol to recuperate properly.


Last note, our surgeons have told us we need hip surgery.  Some have the scope, as I had a bilateral scope 5 years ago. Some get the resurfacing, which many here have done, and I will be getting, and some get full THRs.  We still need to figure out why our hips became so bad in the first place.  This can't be ignored.  Without knowing anyone here personally, the safest bet is to blame what most of us to to much of, sitting!  Just getting a surgery, and not addressing the root cause of why the hips deteriorate, and we won't get all the benefits.

Hockeyguy, you are in a tough predicament for sure.

I just wish you could get the hips done before any back surgery. But if there is no way then I guess it is what it is. I feel for you.

A few years ago I posted about the sensations you start getting in the first month or two after resurfacing.
For me, it was like I had been cramped in the back seat of a car for years and then, when I got the hip resurfaced, it was like I got to step out of the car and stand tall while I stretched for the fist time in a long, long time. It is at that time I could actually see how much affect my arthritic hip was having on my entire body.

I hope it all works out for you.

Chuckm

Thanks chuckm, oh ya, I worked my butt off to avoid having to do this!


I tell anyone who will listen, that most back pain is a result of poor functioning hips, and that the real solution is to loosen the hips up and strengthen your ass.  Hopefully some people take that information to heart so that they may avoid deteriorating body parts as they get older.


Sitting, sitting, sitting!  It's slowly getting us all!


Honestly, check out anything from Gray Cook, Mike Boyle, Eric Cressey or Dean Sommerset, if you are into using exercise to keep ahead of the pain game.  Lots of great information on how to ensure all your parts move properly, do the job they were intended to do, and achieve balance in your body.  This approach is even being used by elite athletes as they have found that and efficiently working body, is not in pain, works efficiently, and can achieve peak performance.  If your goals are more moderate, and just want pain free efficiency,  you will gain some valuable knowledge from their works.


I intend on putting together my own rehab routine as I had done pre and post surgery for my first bilateral scope.


I may post what I put together and update how it goes.


Another thing to consider is the FMS-Functional Movement Screen.  It's a test to figure out your imbalances and what exercises you should use to correct them.

Hockeyguy, all is good you really know your stuff but you are a little off when it comes to range of motion.

I agree when you are in early stages of hip OA that you can work your tail off too keep in shape and flexible, etc.
Your body may still be cooperating at that point. Much like my right natural hip is right now. It's getting arthritic but hasn't reached the point where my brain takes over without my control.

But once the arthritis advances, especially to stage four bone-on-bone, there isn't anything you can do. I don't care if you are able to do squats, lunges, whatever. The body is fighting a huge battle to avoid those lesions from getting worse. By the time you are stage four, your brain has ordered hip contractures and you are not in control of them and you can't stop them. You might not even be aware of them. Stretches don't affect them. It's too powerful.

Until you correct the hips and give the brain months to realize that it can begin to release the powerful contractions, you are just doing activities that work around the contractures. And your motions during exercise might look totally normal, but they aren't.

And, if you are stage four and are still trying to make your hips go to the range where the legions are, you might be making things worse.

Chuckm

Of course, there always comes a point where you are at such a mechanical dysfunction, that no amount of treatment or exercise will be able to change things.  Much like the position I am in regarding my lower back at this point.  My back has gone beyond any changes that may occur due to fixing my hips first.  In fact my back is so mechanically broken that it has made fixing my hips an impossibility until it is fixed first.


The best form of recovery for the body is to avoid injury in the first place.  When dealing with early stages of OA you would be best served my maintaining as much ROM as possible to avoid going straight to surgery or having a resurfacing done.  Your original parts are still the best parts.  As I had said earlier, we need to solve the root cause of the problem, not just address the symptoms.  As you had pointed out, much back pain is merely as "symptom" of poorly functioning hips, and only addressing the back issues will not ultimately solve the problem.  Addressing the hips is required.  But the question is still there, "why did your hips deteriorate in the first place?"  Anything that ends in "itis", be it arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, in layman's terms means inflammation.  Why did this inflammation occur needs to be asked and addressed.  If you were doing everything right, and only had a genetic defect, then the surgery alone will give amazing results.  If you had suffered an injury years earlier, you are a little better off, but still need to address your muscle imbalances that have occurred and have become "your normal."  If you have engaged in an activity, such as hockey, that overworks certain muscles, and causes other muscles to be shortened, you need to perform workouts to counter balance these actions.  If you are to sedentary, and sit to much, you also need to revive your dormant muscles and strengthen your weakened ones.  Surgery alone fixes the structural issues, but you still have muscles that need to learn, or relearn what their proper function is.


This is the often overlooked and forgotten aspect that patients encounter pre and post surgery.  Ask yourself, better yet your surgeon, how you ended up at this stage in the first place.  Evaluate your life style, activity level, etc.  From my experience most doctors don't address much the why you ended up at this point, but are very good at fixing what is wrong now.


I believe in the total body approach to maintaining and improving health.  I play hockey, but also come from a hardcore workout background that, when I was young was mainly a bodybuilding style workout.  I had my first groin injuries in my late teens in hockey, that I suspect may have contributed to my bad hips.  In the late 80's there wasn't much treatment going on for the average family.  I suspect that my gait, and range of motion changed ever so slightly that I didn't notice.  Diving into hardcore workouts then took it's toll as my body could only handle working inefficiently for so long.  My first sciatica happened when I was 21, and the chronic pain started then.  I reached my peak performance at 24, yet I was shying away from much lower body workouts due to pain, and didn't much in terms of stretching or mobility work then.  Typical two minute warm-up and jump right into lifting weights.  I pretty much stopped regular weightlifting at 27, and started my journey into finding alternative exercise options that caused less pain.  I have been working out and teaching others kettle bell workouts for over 13 years now, did a lot of Bikram yoga when I lived near the yoga studio, do cross fit style workouts-essentially my own circuit training, and discovered the importance of mobility training.  If I only do one thing, it's mobility training and corrective exercise.  I follow a risk reward philosophy regarding my workouts, and do not want to make myself worse.  I really like the DVD's I posted as I can do them at home, on my time, and gives a similar benefit to yoga, but more specific to my needs.


Despite all of this, I could not overcome the "mechanical" changes that had developed in my body, and here I am today.  I am accepting my surgeries, but realize that to regain my health to the level I expect, I will need to be proactive with proper exercise and ongoing treatment for a lifetime.  I am a big believer in muscle treatments and chiropractic as well.  As a matter of fact I never went to a physiotherapist after my first bilateral scope an stayed with my chiropractor.  The ART he did worked wonders for me.


I am motivated by reading the other positive recovery stories here, but realize that everyone's journey is slightly different.  My obstacle, as I have seen is the same for many others, will be not doing to much to soon.  I have a gym in my home, so I have lots of close resources, but need to be wise in their use.


As I haven't seen a story exactly like mine yet, meaning a back surgery for two bulging discs, that will be followed as close as possible by a bilateral resurfacing, I think I may start posting some updates as to how things are progressing.  If can get my butt in gear quick enough I will post my pre surgery prep and give some insight into where I'm starting out, what I'm doing along the way, and what the progress looks like.


For example, before my back went south, I was 212 lbs, at 5'10, fairly muscular, but could have used 10 lbs of weight loss at that time.  Currently, after 4 months of sitting around doing nothing, I'm tipping the scales at 234 lbs, and it's not good weight!!  Ahhh  So, challenge #1, weight loss with no exercise.  As I said before, I am exploring a Ketogenic diet, but, having done it before, know it's difficult to follow. 


I actually feeling motivated knowing that things are finally moving along.  When the official surgery date comes, it will get real very quick.  Have to start doing something now!

Hockey Guy,

  You make a couple of great points. Here is my take on hip issues after going through two failed scopes and a recent successful resurfacing with Dr. Gross.

I injured my right hip first in 09 doing crossfit and the left one went soon after. I went to my local scope surgeon, good guy, trained under Philipon. Had x-rays and MRIs
Etc. Showed a labral tear and FAI, no arthritis. He suggested cortisone shots and I was sent to PT.

My hips went from mild pain to 24/7 pain in a matter of months. Looking back PT was having stretch and do exercises basically pinning my hip in extreme flexion. I did not know better, so I just went with it. Now knowing what I know, we should have been working on strength and joint mobility.

So after 6 months of PT I decided to have the right hip scoped, it was a mess. I had a micro fracture done, the labrum was macerated. I was six weeks on crutches. I was never able to recovered completely I always had psoas issues. I had the left done a year after that was a little less messy inside. But in 2014 I tried to return to running and both hips went south.

After both hips went south I started reading a lot about core/glute/gait and how all muscles need to be firing and in what order. First I noticed my glutes were both basically not working. I started to activate them and my stability got better but the damage was done already in the joint. So that led me to Dr.Gross. He was very hesitant to perform resurfacing as my joint space was normal. He was relieved when he did the surgery and found 4 square centimeters of arthritis on both the anterior portion of the joint and acetablum.

I am at month 6 and recovering nicely.

So basically as you mentioned there is a big disconnect in surgery and PT after. IMO I don’t think these scopes can be successful if the proper PT not administered after surgery. If your glutes do not work properly they cannot hold the hip joint back so its consistently pushing forward in the anterior spot where the repair was, in my case.

Also sitting is probably the worst thing for anyone hip injuries or not. I see it in my office as I have been with the same company for 17 years, started when I was 28 now 45. You basically see everyone developing anterior pelvic tilts and unhealthy postures.

Good luck in your surgeries!!!

Larry

Well things just got very real this morning!  I am scheduled for my back surgery on October 13th, with Dr. Kingwell at the Civic hospital for those in Ottawa.  I heard from a doctor friend there that he is excellent.


Trying now to scramble a plan together with my wife as to her work schedule, and a plan of action.  I am also fortunate that my in-laws live with us, so they will be very helpful in all this.  My own parents will also move in for a bit to help out.  Any bets on how long it takes for the first fight to happen!!!  LOL, no they are all great.


Other than my actual recovery my biggest concern is getting my kids to their hockey!  They both play competitive, and we live outside the city approx. 35 min. from the rinks!! 


Larry, thanks for your post!  From speaking to the surgeons it appears that they all want to do the least invasive approach first, being the scope that we have both had.  I was hoping for a better outcome from that, but here we are today.  It's great seeing other people out there who take the initiative to look into how they can achieve better health themselves.  Essentially we can only control our daily posture, which usually means how much we sit.  How many of us drive to our jobs, approx. 30-45 min one way, sit for 8 hours, then drive 30-45 min. home.  And let's be honest, we then sit for most of the evening at home.  Even if you exercised hard for an hour 4 times a week, then played your sport of choice once a week, most people would consider that active.  The reality is it's not, and you still sit for about 80% of your waking hours.  People who have jobs where they stand, usually have much less back problems.

My wife and I built a home on her family farm, and specifically used wood as our primary energy source, forcing us to be physically more active at home.  Just taking care of 2 acres of our property, also adds to our activity level, and I take it the next level by building an outdoor rink each winter.  I can't wait to get back doing all this again by next summer or fall!   I hope!!!


We can also control our exercise!  I gave a bunch of names of people that really know their stuff and can give a few more.  Larry, you spoke about glute activation, and this is a huge issue with sitting so much.  Read up on the work of Bret Contreras, who did his PHD on glute function, and you will learn a ton on how when the muscle doesn't work properly, it negatively affects so much else in your body-including your hips!!!


For those motivated to do glute exercises read up on hip thrusts and all it's variations, trap bar deadlifts(a much safer way to do the mighty deadlift), step ups, etc.  Stretch your psoas as often as possible!  Stretch your quads as you are most likely quad dominant from having dormant glutes.  Stretch your calves because as Larry said, you are probably in anterior pelivc tilt due to tight psoas, leaning forward ever so slightly, causing your hamstrings to be elongated and weak, and your calves to be over active.  This is one big chain reaction


Another source that really explains how chain reaction concept is from Peter Egoscue.  He invented the Egoscue Method of treating pain and is based out of San Diego.  Unfortunately I only read his book, but don't have any practitioners near me.  It's a good source of information for yourself, and if you are lucky you may have a practitioner near you.


I find that a lot workouts are getting back by good science these days, and have been pleasantly surprise by some quality workouts from unexpected sources.  An example of this is T25 from Shawn T.  His first workout was called Insanity and it lived up to it's name.  My wife also had hip issues and required a PAO also from Dr. Beaule, which is arguably the hardest surgery to recover from.  She loves T25, and finds that it addresses cores issues, flexibility issues, strengthens her posterior chain(everything that is behind you), kills her cardio, she can do it at home, and most importantly she feels great!


Larry, I think you would really like the work done by Dean Sommerset, another Canadian guy from Edmonton.  He has a website with tons of information, and his video called Ruthless Mobility is my next purchase.


I keep these posts going to long, sorry to anyone reading!  Glad you made it this far.


Cheers

I usually work 4 hours in the office and then 4 at home. All this week I have been sitting in the office 9 hours, I can feel the difference, my psoas are real tight and my lower back hurts.

My focus now is to get my body functional even though one hip needs resurfacing. I don’t think the arthritis is too bad on that one. Its not easy to unwind your body after so many years. I had a bad anterior pelvic tilt, its going away. You really have to put in the time everyday as well. I have been diligent of how I walk and sit.

I also bought the core-x system which seems to really strengthen traverse abdominals, etc. I am committing an hour a day to hip/core work, plus walking the dog for 45 minutes and weights 4 times a week.

I will check out the different plans in your other post.

Hey Larry, one way to address the overall "restructuring" of your body is some hardcore bodywork.  One of the best is called Rolfing, weird name I know, but look into it.  It also has an offshoot called Structural Integration.  Essentially it's the most hardcore massage you have ever had!  They don't use cream either, and it's a 10 session commitment, where they believe they can work beyond just your muscle, but work on the fascia.


Lots of information on-line about it as well, and lists of practitioners everywhere.  All that being said, I have done 2 10 sessions of this several years ago, and didn't get much relief.  Perhaps the results would be different if I get this done once I'm back on my feet.

Hockeyguy, good luck with the back surgery.

I have definitely failed to convince you that your damaged back post hip resurfacing would return to feeling healthy.

That's ok because it is your back, not mine.

I failed to convince you that my bulging discs and slipped discs with compressed nerves were as bad as yours. Or that I tried to work my tail off to restore flexibility in my hips like you did.

Yes, it is dismissive.

Again good luck and I hope the back surgery allows you to be able to fix the hips.

Chuckm

Sorry chuckm, I'm not following your post.


"yes it is dismissive", Not sure how I am dismissing you.  Everyone's situation is unique to them, and it's very difficult to know the complete story for people here.  I'm definitely not trying to compare what I have done for my 20+ years of being in pain to your story.  As much as I appreciate the information and personal stories written on this site, I do have to go with the advice of the actual surgeon when it comes to my health.  Have I had be experiences, and incomplete advice, I sure have.  I have no idea what you have been told by doctors during your journey either.


I am confident that I have done my due diligence and then some when it comes to my health and I am sure you have as well.


I don't need any convincing of other options, or that you had back problems as well, or how bad your case was.


There was no dismissing.  I posted my experiences so far, and some information that I have learned over the years as well as some resources to follow up with if people so wish.  All that is up to the posters who read this.


Cheers

Our health system & medical protocols are different here Chuckm. (sorry. I'm not sure where you're located)  If Hockeyguy wanted hip surgery first he would have to go out of country & most probably pay out of pocket.  There is no way he'd be able to convince Dr. B. (or any other top surgeon here)& then there would be the very good chance of him being let go by Dr. B cancelling all chances of any future dealings with him.  Yes everything is covered by our province but we have to also deal with the protocols.


For example I was approved for a resurfacing, waited almost 2 years for surgery, only to have it cancelled 4 weeks before surgery by the surgeon.  I could not convince him or my own GP's to get surgery until 6 years after that.  So I waited 8 years before surgery was approved!  10 years since initial diagnosis.  No way I could go out of country.



I wish you the best of luck with you back surgery Hockeyguy, everything crossed that it will give you that relief you need in order to proceed.

Thanks LMS, we definitely have two different systems between Canada and the US, both with their advantages and disadvantages.  One thing I would like to add about my pending back surgery was what the back surgeon told me.  He questioned me extensively about my pain, where it's located, what makes it worse etc. and of course reviewed my MRI, reports from Dr. Beaule and extensive history of back pain with several appointments with Dr. Chow over the years.


He told me that back pain alone would not get me a back surgery.  He stated that the only time he does surgical interventions is when there are neurological issues.  I have a lot of nerve pain going down primarily my right leg, right into my foot.  I have lost strength in this leg, and experience constant degrees of numbness or tingling in my leg and foot.  It's these issues, NOT back pain, that warranted a surgical intervention at this time.

LMS very good point about the Canadian Health System. And maybe my lack of understanding of that system is giving me frustration over hearing about Hockeyguy. The natural thought process would be get the hips done and then if the back still hurts then go there.

A great deal of us who post on this website who were able to get our hips resurfaced did so by taking our own health care into our own hands.

Had I listened to my first four surgeons, I would have still been sitting here in agonizing pain waiting to be old enough to become a better candidate for total hip replacement.

I also may have endured a back surgery that would have been for no reason.

I live in Fairfield County Connecticut in the US which is less than an hour drive from NYC. Trust me there are plenty for good surgeons around here. I had my hip resurfaced in NYC at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Not once did any surgeon, including the surgeon who resurfaced my hip, ever say that resurfacing or replacing my hip would help solve my back issues.

But, that is exactly what happened and it happens to others over and over. Quig is another example.

I'm not saying that I am right about your situation Hockeyguy...but I certainly could be. 
It's all moot now because you are booked for back surgery. 

What I hope is that your back surgery is able to find you relief despite the condition of you hips (the aggravators). 

Chuckm

Oh for sure Chuckm, it is very frustrating!  Heck, if you're frustrated reading about it here, imagine how it is for us, the patient. ???   ;)   I don't have supplemental medical insurance (because I'm self employed),  and I don't know what the Ottawa PD offers (in HG's situation) so I can't comment on using that as a means to go out of country.  If I could have, I would have gone & had the resurfacing looooong ago.  And I'm pretty sure so would have Hockeyguy. :)


I'm lucky that my years of back pain did not put a spoke in the wheel for hip surgery.  I really feel for HG. It is a really sucky situation to be in. :(

My back surgery was supposed to be last Thursday but I got bumped to this coming Thursday.  What can you do! I did not like taking the Dilaudid at first, but now I can't get through the day without them.  I have spoken to a few people who have been operated on by Dr. Kingwell here in Ottawa and they have all had amazing results.  Dr. Kingwell told me I can schedule my bilateral resurfacing no earlier than 3 months post op.  I have already contacted Dr. Beaule's secretary to get the ball rolling on this.  They start booking their 3 months of surgery times starting in January, in early November!  I am supposed to have first pick so I am hoping to get a date 4 months out, just to make sure I'm all healed up and good to go.


I wonder if anyone else out there has has a bilateral hip resurfacing this close to back surgery with two discectomy's and opening of the nerve root canal due to stenosis?

Good luck!  :D

Well sitting in the recovery room 5.5 hours post OP and the pain, tingling and numbness down my right leg is finally gone!  Funny story for yiu. Before surgery I am wheeled down on a bed and parked right outside the OR for a while. Different people come by to see you, a nurse, the anesthesiologist etc. When the surgeon came to see me I had to talk to him about booking my hip surgery. We joked that I was negotiating my next surgery before this one was started.


So far so good.  Hopefully I recover quick as I plan on getting the bilateral hip resurfacing in 3.5 months.

At home now, feeling much better than I had anticipated.  My legs feel light since I have no more numbness, pins and needles or pain down my right leg.  My left leg feels better as I'm not all keeled over to the left with most of my weight being on that leg.


My obstacle right now is some constipation!  Not sure what other's experience with this was.  I eating veggies and fruit and trying to stay of the narcotic pain meds.  So far I don't need those meds, but it's only day 1, we will see.


I hope things with recovery keep up with how I feel now, but I will follow the doctor's orders.  I just feel so much better being able to stand straight!! 


Motivated to get this going to get ready for the bilateral in 3 months!!!

Awesome!  I'm so glad it went well for you! :D

Hey Hockeyguy, was just wondering how things are going?


I sent you a pm but figured others would also wondering how you've been since your back surgery.   :)

An update for anyone reading this.


I had a successful discectomy of two bulging discs L4/L5 and L5/S1.  It was as if someone turned off the pain switch and I was abel to stand straight again.  Recovery has gone great, except that I put on 20 lbs being laid up for 6 months and then recovering from surgery.  Trying to lose the weight has now been my main focus, but as most people here can attest to, I have started back at work, etc etc. 


I found out last week that I will be getting my bilateral resurfacing on April 27th!!  Time to get serious about my training and dieting.  My goal is to lose at least 15 lbs that I have put on.  I can deadlift 250 lbs for reps, do kettle bell swings, and everything I was doing before my back went on me.  I focus a TON on my mobility work and foam roll like crazy.  Tomorrow I plan on doing 2 a day workouts to step up the weight loss aspect.


I will post my workouts after I do them for a week.


If anyone has any workouts that they did pre surgery let me know and I will happily see if they fit into my current routine.


To be ones though, now that I have the date, I am a little nervous.  I don't know why as my back surgery went so well.  I think it's because it's the timing of the surgery.  My wife is studying for a promotional exam, and will be taking this test a month after my surgery.  With me recovering, she will lose valuable study time looking after me.  Add to that my kids have hockey tryouts at exactly the same time as my surgery, and they are ramping up their Tier 1 soccer ALL at the same time.  I live in a rural area and drive in to the city 35 min for all their sports so it's a big effort getting them around. 


I am thinking of asking tomorrow if I can delay the surgery 2 weeks IF POSSIBLE.


Also worried about the results.  From reading here, and talking to people I know who have been through single resurfacings, the results vary.  I have high hopes, but I hope not unrealistic expectations.  We will see.


Just an update with still lots of work ahead!

Yay!


I doubt that they can push it by 2 weeks but never hurts to try.  You guys will manage!  My surgery was scheduled for Oct/Nov, which meant we had the summer to put a push on the renos (insurance & mortgage co breathing down our necks) & From May to September is our busiest time of the year...  A week after seeing Dr. B, I got a phone call from Victoria saying there was an available spot for me in 6 weeks.  Right when we are about to peak in our season.  My husband was by himself to run & fabricate everything & ome of my sons looked after the horses for me.  It was hard on everyone, I couldn't do diddly squat & felt horrible about it but we all agreed, the surgery was priority as I could no longer function without it.


You can do it!  And you'll have recuperated enough to enjoy your summer with your family.  :D

Just had my Joint replacement information session last night.  I was by far the youngest there by at least 10 years!  I have been having second thoughts and have been getting some different advice from different doctors.  One sports med doc is telling me not to do it because I can still workout very hard.  Hockey will be a problem though.  My chiropractor is saying he has helped me all he can and is recommending me to get it done.  A buddy from work saw a doctor about his back, and I had told him to get his hips checked as well.  He has two blown discs but is surviving on a cortisone shot into his spine.  His doc told him his hips were a mess and far past a resurfacing and in need of replacement.  That being said the doc told him to wait a lot longer.


I am being told the resurfacing is a great option to remain active and increase your quality of life.  Getting mixed messages from many people.  Still going through with it, but my faith is being tested.


My workouts are getting better by the week, and I am slowly losing weight.  Feeling much more fit, and purposely not pushing my weightlifting to far, but feel very strong.


Still concerns over how long the recovery will be.  My immediate concerns are living on a couple acres of land and having to get the property ready for summer.  April 27th will be right at the time I would be getting this all going.

HG you've been posting on this for the past year. Ask yourself this: Will my hips feel better in six months or a year if I don't have this done? Or will they feel better if I have it done? If the answer to one is no and to two yes, then why the internal debate? If not now, when? You need to get the property ready for summer. So skip it. Then what? Well, you don't want to risk not being ready for hockey season. And then something else will come up. All the while you'll still be in pain, your hips will continue to deteriorate, and eventually you'll no longer be a HR candidate. Hint: there may be no perfect time.

Why are people discouraging you? Do they just not trust resurfacing? Is it because they equate resurfacing with replacement, and don't want to see you go down the replacement road too soon? They might not be as well informed as you. Consider what is motivating them to discourage you from something that you need, and will improve your condition.

My advice is to get it done. Stop the pain. Take back your life. My yard looked like crap last year because of my recovery. So what. It'll be fine this year. Get help with your property if necessary. Wait, isn't that what kids are for? A year from now you'll be glad you did.

I, too, was the youngest at my joint seminar at Swedish. Anybody else near my age was a child driving his/her parent there. What a way to feel young!

Dr.B does not agree to resurfacings or THRs on a whim.  If he ok'd it & is on board with you getting your hips done, you bet that it's because you are ready for it & will make the world of difference.


So what if you miss a summer... the property will still be there in the fall for you to look after it.  What's more important: your quality of life or how your yard will look?  And also, you don't want to wait too long & then be told you're no longer a candidate for a resurfacing like what happened with me!


I was supposed to have a resurfacing & when he saw my new x-rays, he did not want to do a revision from a resurfacing.  The bone quality wasn't as good as when he first approved the resurfacing 5 years prior.  And then not even a week later, I received a phone call saying they could bump up my surgery from 6 months to 6 weeks based on how bad my hip was.  They would not have offered had I not needed it sooner rather than later.  And it was at the busiest time of our season & we were in the middle of a total house restoration (1890's farm house).  It was hard, all activities & renos were put on hold & my husband worked like a dog doing his & my job.  And we pulled through...  So now this summer, I am much better equipped to be more helpful doing the indoor & outdoor renos because I am no longer stuck to my walker, in pain & popping pain pills.


Even our clients see a massive difference in me.


Listen to Dr. B & do it!  Once you get your life back, you will be happy you did it!  :)

It's been over 5 weeks since your tentative surgery date... did you go through it or did you reschedule?   :)