Hi Mike,
Yes - I have been scoped twice on my hip (the same one I am now having HR on).
I was a runner, tore up my labrum, and things seemed to go downhill quickly from that point. (also had FAI) I nursed it by PT, chiropractors, message, etc for a year. I went to two ortho's who said I had arthritis, just live with it - don't run any more. My PT was actually the one who recommended arthroscopic surgery to clean it up and repair the labrum.
My first was done by a surgeon who had great credentials but I later found out (when the surgery was not successful) that he was a relative "newbie" in regard to doing this. He was in and out in 40 minutes and the recovery was as bad as a hip replacement, if not worse. I was actually worse than when I went in and bone spurs, calcification started forming very soon afterwards and within a year I was looking to have someone who knew what they were doing make another attempt. I just felt I was too young and too active to give in to a hip "replacement". I found one of the best men, in my opinion, in arthroscopic, hip surgery. He is like the "Dr. Gross" of arthroscopic surgery on hips. He is also a researcher and has invented some of the tools used in the procedure. He is known as a pioneer in the field. Dr. Byrd is in Nashville and hip scopes are all he does. He's been doing them for years and has done thousands.
The second surgery with Dr. Byrd, took two and a half hours, the recovery was, again, as intensive as hip surgery, or worse. It was highly successful, however, and I was probably 80% pain free and had regained much of my ROM. I have never run again on pavement, instead I use a treadmil with an "orthopedic belt". The second surgery was in 2008 and I was maintaining until July of 2011 when I had a major fall on that hip (torqued it BAD as I fell on cement) and now - I am here on this board looking forward to a hip resurfacing.
Aside from my story I can tell you that a lot of times the recovery from hip arthroscopic surgery can be worse. Some surgeons do "microfracture" (which I had) to encourage bone growth. The first surgery I was on crutches for 2 weeks and had PT for at least 2 months. The second scope I was on crutches for one month and PT for 12 weeks. For a scope, the hip is distracted like hip replacement/resurfacing and there is a lot of work going on in there. The only difference is that you don't have a 4-6 inch incision. You only have the three "holes" from the scope they use. Unlike hip replacement/resurface, you cannot put a lot of weight on your joint after the scope. Not having had the hip resurfacing yet, I have been told that scoping is more difficult to recover from than replacement. My first surgery was totally ineffective. I can tell you that out of the 4 people who I personally know that had the surgery - 3 were not very successful. Just as in hip resurfacing - success is based on the surgeon and the number that he has done. I live in Florida and travelled to Nashville for the best surgeon that I could get. It was well worth it and had I not fallen, I probably would not be on this board. Unfortunately, Dr. Byrd could not do another scope as the hip was too far gone.
In my opinion, it is presented as a simple, easy, no problem surgery - I was even given promises of "oh yeah, you will run again by the first surgeon. I think if you talk with most people you will find that isn't the case. I am sure it depends on how bad your hip is and your age, etc...
It definitely worked for me the second time because I found a good surgeon. I will most likely go to dr. Byrd for my other hip when or if the time comes that I need to do something.
I am sure others will chime in on this.
Hope this helps.
Topic: 12 Months. BHR perfect. Arthroscope for other hip? (Read 2154 times)
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