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Author Topic: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing  (Read 6266 times)

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cpeteraf

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26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« on: May 11, 2016, 12:20:33 PM »
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share my story (I'll make it brief) with this community and ask for your advice. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this post, share your own experience, and offer your input.
I used to be a competitive kickboxer, training 2-4 hours a day, with the goal of becoming a professional fighter. About three years ago I started experiencing hip pain that was interfering with my training. Eventually I was diagnosed with FAI and given the option to have surgery. I was told the surgery would eliminate the impingement and associated symptoms. In 2014 I underwent bilateral FAO surgery with high hopes. Unfortunately, I have not been able to return to training since then. In addition, I now struggle with most forms of exercise and experience pain most days. It took me a long time to realize that my pain was not just part of my recovery and that my condition was not getting better. 
Recently I spoke with a surgeon who explained that I have structural issues with my hips that are causing my cartilage to degenerate at an aggressive rate. It's still unclear to me whether the structural issues were a result of the surgery or unrelated. The Dr said that "time is ticking" and I'll have to have surgery to "save my hips." I'm still waiting on a call from him to discuss the results of my MRI- which will tell me what exactly the problem is, structurally. His suspicion is dysplasia, for which he recommends PAO surgery. The issue is that, when I asked him about my sport, he said he didn't think I'd be in shape to be a competitive kickboxer after having PAO surgery.
I've read that hip-resurfacing is a good option for young athletes and that there are no limitations on your activities post-recovery. I understand that my general health is more important than my ability to compete in my sport. However, if I am forced to have major surgery, I'd like to choose the one that gives me the chance to practice my passion and follow my dreams.
I haven't heard any stories of athletes around my age (I'm 26) needing hip-resurfacing. If anyone can share some experience on this subject, I would appreciate it greatly. I am not sure if I am too young to be a good candidate for resurfacing.
Also, I want to make sure I don't have any regrets about researching all my options and potential outcomes... but I'm not really sure where to start. Can anyone give me some tips?
Any other general advice or feedback regarding my situation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Christina
Left Hip Resurfacing with Dr Su.
Aug 16, 2016 (at age 27)

Ljpviper

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2016, 02:00:49 PM »
Hello,
 
  Welcome to the forum. I had scopes for FAI/labral damage that failed. I just got the right hip resurfaced by Dr. Gross done a month ago.
 
I would tread lightly with anymore scopes based on this statment you wrote "cartilage to degenerate at an aggressive rate". Once the cartilage is damaged the scopes are useless IMO.
 
There are others like me on this forum that can add input. I know the feeling of going through 2 hip surgeries and having them fail, no fun.
 
Larry

Dannywayoflife

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2016, 02:05:32 PM »
Hello and welcome, I was in a very similar position to you 6 years ago. Firstly I would seek the advice of a top resurfacing surgeon and go from there.

Realistically I doubt that you'll be able to have the career you want after a resurfacing but I'm sure you'll be able to fiGht again. After resurfacing you can get back to all activities but with all the trauma caused in the surgery your soft tissues will never be quite as good as beforr. Also as good as my resurfaced hips are they aren't as good as my healthy hips were prior to Oa. Having said thAt I've returned to boxing (still not muay Thai as I believe the torque generated by the kicks would be detrimental to my bhr's) judo, bjj and General gym stuff.

Danny
Train hard fight easy
LBHR 10/11/2011 Mr Ronan Treacy Birmingham England
60mm cup 54mm head
Rbhr 54mm head 60mm cup 12/02/15 Ronan Treacy ROH Birmingham England
;)

catfriend

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2016, 02:38:59 PM »
As mentioned above, the real key for you is finding the right doctor: one who understands your specific medical condition and can give you options, with their respective pros and cons, for treating it. You have a specific lifestyle and vocational need. You don't have an average case. What the typical - even if very good - ortho might recommend to you may not get you where you want to be. My suggestion would be to get copies of your various records, scans, etc., and initiate consults from a couple of the doctors listed on the surgeon's list on this site (perhaps starting with someone in your region). Also, look for a doctor who specializes in hip preservation surgery (not the same thing as hip resurfacing). Seek out that second and third opinion.

There are cases of professional athletes having hip resurfacing and returning to competition (search 'hip resurfacing athletes'). That being said, whether you make it as a professional fighter or not is not something I can comment on.

blinky

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2016, 03:13:59 PM »
Welcome! You have come to the right place. Search through the forums here and see what you can find out about 1) young people who got resurfacings and 2) fighters who did it.


I agree with the posters above who suggest you send your X-rays/MRIs out to get some second opinions. Where do you live?


I don't know much about the PAO. That may well involve a whole other group of experts. But it would be worthwhile to talk to some resurfacing specialists and mention to them the PAO option and see what they say.

MattJersey

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2016, 03:38:42 PM »
I would say whatever happens you need second opinion, perhaps third. If your doctor and surgeon didn't identify dysplasia at time of diagnosing FAI I'd be uncomfortable trusting them with advice about further hip surgery. Perhaps looking at X-ray or other scan (MRI) isn't necessary preop for FAI ... I doubt it, presumably you did have X-rays.


I would also guard against setting expectations too high. BHRs are great but I doubt anyone on the forum would prefer them to properly functioning original ones :) and whilst risk of dislocation is far smaller with large diameter bearing surfaces, I'd be wary of testing them out in top level martial arts. At the age of 26, even a 30 year life span for them (which we would all be extremely delighted about) means revision at 56. Whilst I'm an advocate of carpe diem, a balance is worth striking, since it is fairly likely you will outlast your BHR in my opinion. And the likelihood, in my mind, would only increase with the rigours of top level sport.


As suggested already, consult with a surgeon, someone who does both resurfacing and replacement can give you a balanced view. Maybe also seek advice of others too. Plenty of folk have discovered back problems at the root cause of hip pain issues. If you do need it, they will advise accordingly. I hope you get a positive outcome you're happy with.

28 April 2015, RBHR Mr McMinn

karlos.bell

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2016, 05:48:08 PM »
 :) Dear Cpetera.
FAI is a horrible painful destructive condition that your body fights endlessly to get around. Its changes your muscular structure to the changes that have occurred in your hips. Doubt it whether you have any degenerative cartilage it would have just been the surgery for FAI that would cause more destruction. That is my own experience of that happening.

Been there and done that it taken me years to get my head around it and years and years of horrific pain and disablement but it was the FAI. My prosthetic hips are better than my originals so don't go off what people say here everyone is different. Every issue is not the same.
The FAI you had was it a mix of Pincer and Cam or just one of???
Which was dominant?

If it was pincer there is probably not much hope. Once they grind the rim its pretty much a never ending battle and the joint never seems to stabilize correctly. If just a cam you may get away with it.
they don't grind the rim much now in Aussie due they found this to be the issue.

My advice get the worlds best advice first ........... now due you have had your hips altered and now someone has to again fix up the mess again. It takes a very experienced surgeon to realize all of the above. Longer you wait the worse maybe the bone stock in the femur. If you have deep hips sockets it will be worse as they may now have less bone to play with. Get back on this site and give us a run down.

FAI is a congenital issue recognized now as  major player in hip osteoarthritis.
Some seems to be able to be fixed some not. It is a bit hit and miss not quite the ideal thing if it makes you worse.

Good luck sad to hear, but it happens.

Cheers K    8)
2019-2020 THR Left & Right COC Revision Zim Continuum cup with Biolox Delta Cer Liner, Biolox Delta Cer Head 40mm 12/14 Taper, CPT Stem Cem.
2019-2020 removal of Hip Resurfacing due to Metal Toxicity Cobalt - Chromium.
2015 MOM Conserve plus
2011-2013 FAI hip surgery failure
2007-Injury wakeboarding

chuckm

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2016, 07:41:22 PM »
cpeteraf, if I were 26 in your situation I would get the BHR and totally go for it. Regardless of your plans going forward, whether it be kickboxing or not, you will get the best pain relief and activity level back with the BHR.
The surgeon is critical. How they position the implant is very key, but if you want to return to the highest level of activity possible you need a surgeon who also has perfected his or her technique with the soft tissue. That way the muscles will have the least amount of residual effects.
Dr. Su comes to mind as one of the surgeons who has patients return to professional sports. He said he felt that the muscles involves are capable of reaching 90 percent of their performance prior to arthritis. But he also noted that those muscles, even on high level athletes, are not at 100 percent of their potential anyway so with hard work you might be able to bring the strength back to where it was. 

Chuckm
Left BHR 11/30/12
Hospital for Special Surgery
46 years old

Pat Walter

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2016, 08:33:56 PM »
Welcome to Hip Talk discussion group.

There have actually been a few teenagers that had hip resurfacings.

Here is Kaibree's story, she was 14

http://surfacehippy.info/kaibree-story-of-14-year-old-with-bi-lat-bhr-with-severe-protrusio-acetabuli-in-both-hips/

Everyone is giving you good advice.  Mine is to get 3 or 4 opinions of the top hip resurfacing surgeons.  You can see who can email here, there is a note that they surgeon will give free email consultations.

http://surfacehippy.info/hip-resurfacing-surgeons/

The overseas surgeons like Dr. De Smet and Dr. Bose are also excellent surgeons.  Many athletes have gone to Dr. Bose.  Some insurances cover the overseas surgeons.

You really need to have good options that are from the top experienced HR surgeons.  Then you will know what to do.   Dr. Gross does a lot of FAI cases and gives a free consultation.  He will actually call you and discuss your options.

There is a lot of free help from the top surgeons that will give you excellent options that you can consider.

Good Luck.

Pat
Webmaster/Owner of Surface Hippy
3/15/06 LBHR De Smet

Quig

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #9 on: May 11, 2016, 09:39:17 PM »
Cpeteraf, welcome to the site. As you can see, you're in the right place... there is a near endless amount of information available here combined with a lot of very, very helpful and knowledgeable people.


Those who have posted before me have already pointed in you in the right direction. I would echo their suggestions to seek out several opinions from experienced resurfacing surgeons.


I'm sure you're sick and tired of having people be shocked at the condition of your hips for your young age. I went through the same thing for many years and I just had bilateral resurfacing done by Dr. Gross exactly four weeks ago today. I'm 39. I've been dealing with really crappy hips since I was 31. Same story, super active and FAI trashed everything. I put off surgeries for a long as possible and dealt with the pain while also educating myself as much as possible on my options. As you're probably well aware, there aren't many good options once the cartilage is gone. As it was explained to me, it's simple, cartilage CANNOT be restored, once it's gone, it's gone for good. At that point you basically have to do something and when you weigh your options resurfacing is the easy winner.


While there are no guarantees, it seems to me that resurfacing easily gives you the best chance to get back to your kickboxing.


Good luck!!
Bilateral Hip Resurfacing by Dr. Thomas Gross
  -Right Hip; April 11, 2016
  -Left Hip; April 13, 2016

cpeteraf

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #10 on: May 11, 2016, 11:09:22 PM »
Thank you all SO MUCH for your feedback. It feels so good to hear from people who understand what I'm going through. I've had a hard time finding support from my friends and loved ones, I think because it's hard for them to comprehend. Even my primary care doctor doesn't seem to get it. He suggested my issues might go away with a daily dose of aspirin.

I live on the east coast and I have an appointment set up with Dr Su, but it's not until mid-July. I was contemplating also setting up an appointment with Dr. Marwin at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Now after reading your responses, I definitely plan to go through with that appointment.


I live in Philadelphia. My first surgery was at Rothman and the whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth, to say the least, so I'm not interested in going back there. I spoke with Dr Struan Coleman from HSS but he said I wasn't a good candidate for his arthroscopic surgery. Any other recommendations for doctors near me?

Christina
Left Hip Resurfacing with Dr Su.
Aug 16, 2016 (at age 27)

karlos.bell

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2016, 02:57:25 AM »
 :) Hi  Cpeteraf. Awesome you get the picture your not alone. Maybe a good idea to look them up and see who does the most and has the most experiences on this web site. Medical opinions are hard to judge, and so are doctors so you may have to make you own judgement.  Ask success rate.... Whether I will be able to be an active athlete of my dreams etc etc.... what will my restrictions be.

Example I am able to do fully what any normal person can do... Unlimited. Do some more home work on the device they are offering - Take some time to think about it do not rush. From my experience you will get back to 100% what you where, if not better you are young. Example I can run 10 ks now. Never could do before.... The main thing that comes through on any person on this site is fitting of the device. Pat and the seniors here will all support that.
Example doing some stuff still on my muscles due again to FAI still with my sports surgeon he has said the fitting I have had from De Smet is excellent so I am most pleased.
De Smet comments "Karl these may last you the rest of your life" if he gets the fitting right he may very well be correct. And he has done just that. How long do these last? Depends and a few factors but the fitting is most important. It may quite well be the rest of my life.
That is my outlook on resurfacing very positive from my experience. 8)

Cheers K

 
2019-2020 THR Left & Right COC Revision Zim Continuum cup with Biolox Delta Cer Liner, Biolox Delta Cer Head 40mm 12/14 Taper, CPT Stem Cem.
2019-2020 removal of Hip Resurfacing due to Metal Toxicity Cobalt - Chromium.
2015 MOM Conserve plus
2011-2013 FAI hip surgery failure
2007-Injury wakeboarding

Tri Hard Alan

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #12 on: May 12, 2016, 04:01:43 AM »
Lots of good advise from other folks and I don't have anything as detailed to add but I would say that BHR is definitely the best option for your everyday life. And this is something that is going to go on far longer than your competitive sporting life.


With regards to your competitive sporting life, the ability to recover and get back to previous sporting levels is hugely variable from person to person. The thing that will be most difficult for you is the thing you require the most, flexibility. And the soft tissue recovery will take a lot longer than the structural recovery of the actual implant. You will need to be very patient but I suspect once you have completed all your research you will find that BHR is still the best option.


Good luck and hope you find the best possible solution.

Saf57

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Re: 26 year-old athlete interested in resurfacing
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2016, 05:56:45 PM »
cpeteraf--Dr. Marwin is great, so I would definitely keep that appointment. He did my left hip last august, and all is going quite well(my right was done by Dr. Gross years earlier). Marwin doesn't get as much press as Su, but he is a great surgeon. I'm not sure if he's done pro athletes, but I know he's resurfaced former college and other highly competitive athletes who have returned to impressive levels of competition. Best of luck to you!

 

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