Help about tape on the incision!

[rjauregui]

Hi I had a resurfacing hip a month ago and still have the tape on the incision, could anyone tell me if should I leave it and swim the way it is or there is away to removed it carefully...Also I finish my  medications that means that can I have at least a glass of wine (that's the only alcohol I drink) after dinner?
Thank you for any input

[Snowbound]

That seems like a long time after surgery. I assume that you have the staples out my now. They should be removed 10-14 days after surgery.

[dbenj7]

Hi guys, my name is David from Adelaide, Australia. I'm 25 and have always kept an active, healthy lifestyle. I play soccer at quite a high level and over the past few years my pain in my hip, groin and quads, have got worse along with a few hamstring tears and chronic back stiffness. I attitributed it to getting older and just ramped up my recovery/stretching work and deep tissue massage which temporarily relieved some pain and helped me to get onto the pitch although I can't remember the last time I have been without pain and discomfort. Things have been getting harder and harder and am constantly walking around with a limp.

After seeing a multitude of practitioners over the years no one detected a major problem until now. I was recommended to a sports doc who suspected FAI and sent me for X-rays and mri. The x-ray showed a CAM fai and the mri showed extensive damage, torn labrum, "significant" chondral loss  and already an arthritic hip. At only 25 years old, I am absolutely devastated and told I will never be able to play soccer again. The sports doc said as the damage was quite extensive my surgical options are limited and arthroscopic surgery is probably not an option anymore. I am totally crushed and came across the website whilst doing some research. I have MRI and X-ray report but I can't attach as it says the files are too big. If anyone has any advice on my options would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

David

[oldsoccerplayer]

Hi David,
well we have a few things in common. My name is also David and as you can tell from my handle, I'm also a soccer player; at one time I might have been able to compete at your level but having just turned 60, I doubt that's possible these days.
First, condolences for having being diagnosed with these conditions at such a young age, but as they say "it is what it is" and you'll have to deal with it somehow.
Here's some encouragement: I was also told by a hip replacement surgeon that I wouldn't be able to play soccer again. Fortunately I was referred to Dr. Gross who told me I could get back to it 6 months after resurfacing. Like others have reported, my game (such as it is) is now better than it was pre-surgery when I had limited flexibility and some pain.
Obviously no one on this site can provide a diagnosis, but there are other Aussies who can chime in and refer you to the best resurfacing surgeon in your region who will be able to determine if you're a candidate.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

[Dannywayoflife]

Really sorry to hear of your diagnosis David. I am a fellow very young hippy. I was 27 @time of diagnosis and 28 when I had my first bhr installed. I am now just over a week away from being a bilat.

If I were you I would go and see the best resurfacing surgeon you possibly can and get an opinion from them. Up until a few months ago when my right side became too bad I was playing judo 2-3 times a week (ok not very well but that's cos I'm a box dumb oaf!). So I would say with a bhr installed and the appropriate recovery you'll almost certainly be able to return to football.

Danny

[chuckm]

I am absolutely devastated and told I will never be able to play soccer again.

What those specialists told you was completely false. A good resurfacing surgeon will get you back playing pain free in six months to a year. Once you get there you don't have to hold back at all. You can play as hard and aggressively as you ever did.

Chuckm

[Daytona Dave]

I remember being diagnosed the first time round. You could have knocked me over with a feather! I was in my mid thirties at the time of the diagnosis so not as young as you.
Have faith, and as already said, get yourself a good resurfacing surgeon. I am sure you will play again.
All the best 

[John C]

Hi David,
I believe that based on my experience and others on this site, you will eventually be able to return to football at a pretty high level. I am not a football player, but I am a serious skier (5-8 hours every day all winter at a very high level), surfer, windsurfer (many hours every day in the summer in high winds and surf), and tennis player (at least five days a week all summer). Before I had my hip resurfaced, I was skiing in pain and with reduced performance, and I had to completely give up tennis for about ten years. Now after resurfacing, I can ski pain free and back at a high level, and tennis is no problem. Both of these sports involve a great deal of quick lateral movements like in football, so I am optimistic for you. My resurfaced hip is not exactly like new, and I do have occasional twinges to remind me that it is there; but it is highly functional with no real pain.
I was first diagnosed in my thirties, and lived with the pain and reduced activities for 20 years until I discovered resurfacing. Having major surgery at your young age is no easy decision, and none of us can advise you on that, but resurfacing is an option that has allowed many of us to get back to our beloved sports without restrictions.
Best of luck, and only work with the top surgeons in their field, not whoever is most convenient.

[MPH]

Hi David. I too live in Adelaide, have an extensive sporting history but I am 22 years older than you. 3 weeks ago I had my hip resurfaced in Melbourne by Andrew Shimmin, who in this part of the world, is the best you'll get. He has extensive resurfacing history, researches and advises  Govt on resurfacing both here and in the US and is an all round top bloke.
You are limited with the surgeons in Adelaide. I found Mr Shimmin from this site, extensive research and had an appointment with A/Prof David Campbell from The Wakefield Othopaedic Group who knew exactly who I should see, knows Mr Shimmin well, and referred me to him straight away.
Only 3 weeks after surgery I have zero pain in my hip or groin. I walk a total of 4 miles a day in sets, abide by my physiotherapists rules, and have absolutely no doubt I'll do an Olympic distance Tri before my 1st anniversary. I cannot express how pleased I am so far with the result. The Avenue Hospital in Melbourne is like a hotel and the only downside is Mr Shimmin's cautiousness with flying after surgery. However, I was home after 7 days but if I had a place to stay in Melbourne I would have been out at 4.
My advice would be to see the best that Australia has i.e. Shimmin. You'll find loads of his research on this site, he's mentioned a number of times alongside McMinn, Treacy, Su, Gross et al.
Hopefully you'll have private health insurance. 😏
Good luck, feel free to ask any questions.

[dbenj7]

Thanks for the replies everyone, starting to feel some hope for the future. An inactive lifestyle is just not an option for me.

MPH - I have been referred to Dr Matthew Liptak in Adelaide, have you heard of him??

Thanks again

[nigel]

Hi David

I'm up in Sydney, had my right hip resurfaced by Dr Bill Walter  9 months ago.  I  gave up football (soccer) some 10 years ago (aged 32)  same as you just kept getting injured and my rom decreased, after a game I'd be limping for days.

I think everyone else has given great advice,  all I'd add is that I would  get a few opinions from hip surgeons some are against resurfacing due to bad experiences,  but  i think to get a few opinions is a good thing.   Dr Shimmin is certainly well known  and highly regarded as is my Dr and there are a couple of other top draw surgeons here in Sydney and Melbourne. 

I can remember the shock i was in when I was diagnosed so i do feel for  you. When I was 32 I certainly would have had my hip resurfaced  then If i had know about the procedure, unfortunately at the time the physios and Dr's  said grin and bear it for as long as possible before getting a total hip replacement.

Surgery  and the thought of having a  metal hip is very very  daunting, but as I'm sure most will agree with the op is not too big a deal and recovery  relatively pain free.

Cheers

Nigel

[MPH]

Hi David, yes I know Matthew Liptak. He played over 150 games for the Adelaide Crows and is a local favourite. He works at Orthopaedics SA, where to my knowledge none of the surgeons do resurfacings. He also specialises in knees and shoulders so I cannot fathom why you've been referred to him. I would certainly use him if my knee was creaking!
The first surgeon I saw works there, he treated me like I was 80 years old. I would definitely reconsider.
There is one surgeon in Adelaide, Tony Spriggins at SportsMed who does resurfacing but he is like a local league soccer player in resurfacing compared to Shimmin who's more like Beckham! Resurfacing has a bad rap in Adelaide due to the ASR DePuy device issue and a surgeon from SportsMed (who doesn't work there now) that left a lot of residual history that has lingered.
My advice is read the posts on this site, choose an experienced surgeon who specialises in HR and take his/her advice. Nearly all HR surgeons also do THR but its thats not the case in reverse.
There are only 2 in Aus I would consider, Andrew Shimmin due to his enormous research and advisory skills plus obvious surgical skills (the staff, Doctors and nurses at the Avenue rave about his abilities) or Stephen McMahon at the Avenue. Forget Adelaide for the best advice, go to the top. The advice will be better because there will be more options for the surgeon to consider for your particular circumstances. At your age, you need to see a surgeon with all available tools in his tool kit, not just those he chooses to use. Thats my thoughts. Hope it helps, but for such a huge surgical event, use the best.
Keep researching.

[dbenj7]

Hi David, yes I know Matthew Liptak. He played over 150 games for the Adelaide Crows and is a local favourite. He works at Orthopaedics SA, where to my knowledge none of the surgeons do resurfacings. He also specialises in knees and shoulders so I cannot fathom why you've been referred to him. I would certainly use him if my knee was creaking!
The first surgeon I saw works there, he treated me like I was 80 years old. I would definitely reconsider.
There is one surgeon in Adelaide, Tony Spriggins at SportsMed who does resurfacing but he is like a local league soccer player in resurfacing compared to Shimmin who's more like Beckham! Resurfacing has a bad rap in Adelaide due to the ASR DePuy device issue and a surgeon from SportsMed (who doesn't work there now) that left a lot of residual history that has lingered.
My advice is read the posts on this site, choose an experienced surgeon who specialises in HR and take his/her advice. Nearly all HR surgeons also do THR but its thats not the case in reverse.
There are only 2 in Aus I would consider, Andrew Shimmin due to his enormous research and advisory skills plus obvious surgical skills (the staff, Doctors and nurses at the Avenue rave about his abilities) or Stephen McMahon at the Avenue. Forget Adelaide for the best advice, go to the top. The advice will be better because there will be more options for the surgeon to consider for your particular circumstances. At your age, you need to see a surgeon with all available tools in his tool kit, not just those he chooses to use. Thats my thoughts. Hope it helps, but for such a huge surgical event, use the best.
Keep researching.

Thanks mate. I saw him today. He thinks arthroscopy could still be an option, apparently I have a massive CAM FAI on the right side. He has sent me to get a CT scan on Monday and cortisone injection. I asked him about resurfacing and he said I am too young?

 I really don't know if I want the cortisone injection with all the side effects. Interstate travel is difficult for me with financial constraints as I am a student but I have decided enough is enough and I am going to go for it. Is there an easy way I can get a referral for Dr Shimmins? I want another opinion and this definitely sounds the way to go

[MPH]

Dave, if you have a GP referral letter it lasts 12 months and you can use it to see any surgeon. Andrew Shimmin works at the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group at 33 The Avenue, Windsor VIC.
If you ring there, you'll be able to make an appointment. Explain what is going on and they'll put you through to his PA, Linda, who is awesome.
Get the opinion, at your age I personally think you should canvas opinions of top surgeons and see what they say.
A/Prof David Campbell is extremely good. He looked at my images, instantly knew what was best and who should do it. He consults at Glenelg at Wakefield Hospital. He may be a good source of opinion, and he's not frightened of giving his opinions on surgeons either!!
If you don't have the letter your GP will provide another.
Hope that helps.

[dbenj7]

Dave, if you have a GP referral letter it lasts 12 months and you can use it to see any surgeon. Andrew Shimmin works at the Melbourne Orthopaedic Group at 33 The Avenue, Windsor VIC.
If you ring there, you'll be able to make an appointment. Explain what is going on and they'll put you through to his PA, Linda, who is awesome.
Get the opinion, at your age I personally think you should canvas opinions of top surgeons and see what they say.
A/Prof David Campbell is extremely good. He looked at my images, instantly knew what was best and who should do it. He consults at Glenelg at Wakefield Hospital. He may be a good source of opinion, and he's not frightened of giving his opinions on surgeons either!!
If you don't have the letter your GP will provide another.
Hope that helps.

Thanks heaps mate. Did you have any experience with cortisone injection? Liptak wants to get one but I'm reluctant

[MPH]

Yes, I had 2 through Orthopaedics SA. They work for a few days due to the cocktail of local anaesthetic and cortisone but wear off quickly.  That seems to be the common result having read numerous posts on this site about them! It does give a period of limited relief. However, we're all different so it may work for you.
Huge life decisions for you, get as much info from respected knowledgable surgeons. I hope it all works out for you. Don't hesitate to ask any time.  Good luck

[oldsoccerplayer]

Cortisone shots worked quite well for me. I had one every 3 - 4 months for about 2 years which helped me get by, but really just postponed the inevitable.

[shabbis]

Just had my 2 month checkup with Dr. Pritchett. After looking at the x-ray, he said he had good news and bad news. The good news: all restrictions have been lifted on my operated hip. The bad news: I'll be seeing him again soon for the right hip.

Almost back to normal at 2 months now. Hitting the gym on a regular basis with a pretty heavy routine. No pain at all in the hip, incision area still gets pretty sore though, which is understandable. ROM is about double of what I had before surgery, I had femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) in both hips, still do in the right, pretty amazing ROM in the left now with that restriction removed. The scar is quite a conversation starter in the gym showers too. I can walk about 5 miles right now, still get a little sore from that though, so running is still out for now.

He said I can start running, skiing, surfing, hiking and cycling again. I know I won't be doing all of those activities for a while though as I need to build back up the muscles around the incision. It's just a comforting feeling not to have to worry about the implant and be overly cautious.

As I look back, overall, recovery wasn't too bad. The first 2 weeks were brutal, of course. I embraced the pain killers, which really helped, especially when trying to sleep at night. Once PT started, the recovery really accelerated.

Now time for round two at some point to join the bi-lat club.

[shabbis]

Cortisone shots did not work for me as my hip was too far gone by the time I had the two injections. I also have heard from several doctors to go easy on the shots as they can have a negative impact on the joint if you get too many injections. And I am not sure what was worse, the surgery or getting that huge cortisone needle shoved all the way into the hip capsule.

I am a 41 year old male, FAI in both hips, left was worse, and was also very active before surgery (running, cycling, surfing, skiing, hiking, weight lifting). I just had all restrictions removed on my operated hip at 2 months post op. Overall, recovery hasn't been that bad. The first two weeks were brutal, embrace the pain killers, but once I fell into a physical therapy routine, the recovery has been quite amazing.

I am hitting the gym with a pretty heavy routing of stationary cycling, rowing and weights now. Hoping to get some skiing in before the season is over and get back to surfing in about 3 months. Daily running in about 6 months.

As others have said, do your research and find an experienced surgeon. I drove 200 miles to have my surgery done by a surgeon who as done over 4000 hip resurfacings. Finding an experienced physical therapist, especially in hip surgery recovery, makes a huge difference as well. They really give you targeted exercises to get back that quad, glute and hamstring.

[Dannywayoflife]

All restrictions lifted at 2 months?