Already had bilateral scope-waiting for bilateral resurfacing

[HockeyGuy]

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

[chuckm]

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   

[HockeyGuy]

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!

[catfriend]

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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.

[blinky]

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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!!!

[HockeyGuy]

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.

[Snowbound]

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.

[LMS]

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.

[LMS]

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!

[HockeyGuy]

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!

[LMS]

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)

[HockeyGuy]

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!!

[chuckm]

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 

[LMS]

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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.

[LMS]

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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!!