Runners Query about Doctors Advice.

[Steven]

Dear ALL,

What a wonderful site on the subject.

This must give Athletes hope to get back to sports they enjoy after suffering debilitating hip injuries.

I am confused after visiting my Doctor & advising of stories  of Athletes getting back to running, for which I was advised they were unrealistic, which left me bewildered to say the least.

I can understand any good doctor with their patients best interests at heart trying to steer them away from major surgery & associated risks expecting far too much from this Resurfacing Technique.

Your opinions would be appreciated as to whether Hip Resurfacing is truly a realistic goal for runners or whether we should be thankful
for lesser expectactions.

Regards

Steven

[sroberts]

Many of us are back to running again. No ill effects everything is good. Speed is coming back.
That's why we have the resurfacing instead of the total hip.


spencer

[Pat Walter]

Hi Steven

Welcome to Hip Talk.

Unless you are talking with some of the really experinced hip resurfacing surgeons, that can be found here  http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.php   you won't have regular orthopedics encouraging you to return to running.  Even the experienced hip resurfacing surgeons would suggest you use moderation in your impact sports, but there are many, many surface hippies that return to running. 

You will have to talk to more people and more experienced surgeons to hear the message you want to hear about the ability to run after resurfacing.

Good Luck.

Pat

[kwarendorf]

I just had my 12 week post op check up and my doc said I could do anything I wanted to, including running.

[stevel]

My doctor removes all restrictions after 6 months post-op.  I returned to downhill skiing then and after 7 months post-op added 10 minutes of jogging on the treadmill after 20 minutes of fast paced walking on the treadmill.  I have had no problems afterwards.  The effects of high impact sports or high level occcupational activity on the hip resurfacing device for periods over 8 years (as of 2004) has yet to be determined, but looks very promising since the results for less than 8 years (max) has been great.  See "8 year survival study BHR by Dr. McMinn, 2004" under "Medical Studies" on this website.

[Steven]

Thanks to the persons who responded to my question.

I was a Marathon Runner with a best time of 2H 51 & this is when I 1st suffered my hip injury 20 plus years ago.

Now its causing me pain to walk at times & I know its on the decline.
I may be lucky to have the pain relieved with another hip arthroscopy without major surgery. But if I do need to go the next step, at least I have alot more knowledge on this new technique now.

My dream is to run again (probably not marathons) , if not then cycle, if not then swim & then I'll probably just be happy to walk & live relatively pain free.

We only have 1 life, so why not shoot for the stars with our dreams.

Regards

Steven

[Tommy]

I too had a trouble finding a hip resurfaceing Dr. that did not give me the eye ball so to speak when I said 26.2 is what I do. The Dr. I found said treat it like a set of tires don't spin your wheels and it will last longer.
                                                                         Tommy

[Steven]

Hi All,

Further to my posting of May 7, 09 I have consulted another  Orthopaedic Specialist
who has diagnosed my hip condition as Femoroacetabular Impingement or FAI, which apparently is a relatively new diagnosis & area of orthopaedic study.

In short it means an abnormal bony growth at the hip joint /neck junction which prevents normal hip movement, that in time (if not treated) will wear away the joint thus requiring  a hip re-surfacing or THR.

I wonder how many other persons on this site have an FAI condition & this has taken me
24 years to get a diagnosis!!

Shortly I will be having hip arthroscopy to correct the problem & I am quiety confident
of a very good result even though my peak athletic career is over in  my late 40's.

But if I can run again &  cycle again without pain in a recreational way, I will be a very happy person indeed.


Regards


Steven.

 

[Pat Walter]

Hi Steven

A large number of male hip resurfacing patients of Dr. Gross have FAI.  He talks about it in the video interview I did with him.  http://www.surfacehippy.info/doctorinterviews/grossinterview.php

Did you ask your surgeon what the percentage of the outcome that you will be back to normal after the arthoscopy will be?  Will you have a long period of recovery?  Just wondering.

It would be good not have to have a hip resurfacing for your condition if possible.  Good Luck and keep in touch so we can learn more.

Pat

[Steven]

Thanks for your reply Pat.

I will have a better chance to ask more questions of my surgeon shortly & will
keep in touch. Post surgical recovery will be about 2 weeks & I have not  spoken about the specifics of return to sport & I'll have to wait to see exactly what he finds at surgery.

Yes, if I can delay a resurfacing & enjoy my sports this will be a very good outcome, but only time will tell & its just stage by stage at this time.

Regards

Steven

[Steven]

Hi,

Recent operation of Hip Arthroscopy with Femoral Osteecomy
(also done via scope) due to FAI diagnosis went very well with 2
small incisions on outside of hip.

Surgeon trimmed ligament / articular cartilage & drilled small holes to
encourage new cartilage growth (on small bare patch) along with removal of bone due to Cam Type Impingement.

Doctor is very pleased with result & is quite amazed the joint is not in far worse condition due to such long standing symptoms.

6 weeks recovery of gentle progressive activity & then 6 weeks of slow introduction of swimming / cycling & some jogging when feels stonger.

Surgeon advised that the large majority of patients recover very well after this procedure, but obviously it all depends on the individuals own joint condition & how early surgical intervention occurs, with the sooner the better of course. I believe 1 in 4 can suffer from FAI or Pistol Grip Deformity.

I am progressing cautiously post surgery & are quietly encouraged by my doctors confidence & will keep in touch.


Regards

Steven.

[gary2010]

Steven,
I had arthroscopy for impingement (mixed type) a year ago, I was symptom free until I tried to re-integrate my usual traing regime (running, kickboxing, stretching, weight training) I've never managed to run for more than about 15 minutes since then. I've just had a follow up x ray and I'm ready for resurfacing.
It turns out I've had the impingement problem all my life, just never had it diagnosed, but it explains why certain movements have always been harder than they should be.

The arthroscopy cost me a fortune, with hindsight, I would have gone straight for resurfacing as it was probably about 20 years too late, I think it works well when impingement is diagnosed early, but the treatment has only been available for a couple of years.

G.

[Steven]

Hi All,

It has been 3 years since my right hip arthroscopy/Cam lesion removal/microfracture. Unfortunately it has not been a success as I have not been able to take on any running at all. I can jog without pain but will suffer badly afterwards in rest mode & my hip is obviously teling me something. Walking is ok though & sometimes up to 2 hours total a day in bits & pieces.

Good call by previous message from ' G ' as I also agree that if this FAI procedure is done early there must be a far better chance of recovery. Unfortunately I also was born with right lower back weakness (transitional vertebrae) & I'm sure the bio-mechanics of the whole right pelvic area are a major contributing factor to my hip pain. I recently had injections into this back area,  but it was only a short term solution. The Chiropractor has been a life long friend for relief.

It looks like Hip Resurfacing is my next step when things deteriorate to the point I cannot put up with the pain. I do not want to wait much longer though as this site gives me hope that getting back to some form of running is possible, despite the lack of confidence from some local specialists.

Regards

Steven.

[gary2010]

Hi Steven,
I'm amazed you haven't gone for a BHR yet, I had mine done nearly 2 years ago now and I never think about the hip these days, I can run comfortably for about 40 minutes over mixed terrain, the kicking is coming back. I'm not as fit as I'd like to be but that's mainly due to lack of time to train.

Go for it mate!
G

[David]

Steven,
Don't torture yourself any longer...
I had arthroscopic surgery for an FAI impingement, 3 labral tears, microfracture 11/08.  Gave me some minor relief for a year but still was not able to resume running to my potential without discomfort.
Finally got the BHR 8/11 and have zero regrets.  Am back running (up to 16 miles) and multisport crosstraining without that debilitating pain.
Please ask ant question, there are many here with great success and stories...
David

[hernanu]

Steven, I can tell you by my own experience this is the best thing I've ever done for myself and for those around me who had to see me suffer and cared about it. You don't get any points for longer time in pain, the procedure has been a godsend for me.

We all took our time to get here, I certainly 'lasted' seven years in increasing pain. If you feel it's time for a resurface, take gary's, mine and other stories and see that the possibilities are very good for a good pain free life afterwards. There are no guarantees, of course, but the odds are heavily favoring us. I'm at almost two years now and feel great.

[hernanu]

Hi Steven,
I'm amazed you haven't gone for a BHR yet, I had mine done nearly 2 years ago now and I never think about the hip these days, I can run comfortably for about 40 minutes over mixed terrain, the kicking is coming back. I'm not as fit as I'd like to be but that's mainly due to lack of time to train.

Go for it mate!
G

Gary, really glad to hear that you're doing so well. Looks like we're closing in on the two years, my kicking is also returning gradually. Finally got to kicks with real pop on the heavy bag - turning side, hopping side, etc. In a couple of months, will start working on spins and jumping kicks. Fitness, as you know is incremental - I'd bet the third year is the fitness year for the two of us.

[Arrojo]

I agree with the others who say don't delay.  One of the keys to a quick/good recovery is the shape you are in before surgery.  I actually was able to jog (slowly and painfully) right up to the day before my resurfacing surgery, along with maintaining fitness and core strength as best I could.  This has helped me (so far).

I also had FAI impingement, but because of the bone on bone arthritis, the only option for me was resurfacing.

[Steven]

Hi Guys,

I appreciate your replies &  very pleased to hear you are doing well & thanks for passing on your encouraging stories to me.

My thinking has always been to try & rectify the problem with Arthroscopies
with the minimal surgery option, but there comes a time when this avenue  becomes exhausted. With Athroscopies or any surgery there is obviously risk
& I am always keeping this in mind as more major surgery procedure options
present themselves to me.
 
I will organise a referral to follow up HR again, but not with the original specialist
who's opinion I respect, but  probably just had my best interests at heart.
 

Regards

Steven

[Dannywayoflife]

Steven,
           As you say it gets to a point when the conservative option is no longer enough or apropriate. Also with arthroscopy if the first didn't work then further arthroscopy won't work. Find a top surgeon and go for the next most conservative option.