I received good and bad news today from the surgeon who repaired a torn labrum on my left hip, caused by a hip impingement (a k a femoroacetabular impingement, or FAI).
The good news is that I am healing very well from the arthroscopic surgery this past summer and can return to just about all my normal activities. (Yes, even some light running.)
The bad news: I now have to do it all over again, only this time on my right side.
I had thought that the discomfort in my right hip, formerly known as the “good side,” was from overuse or overcompensation. (I had found myself favoring it even before the surgery.) But the pain has grown more intense and frequent of late. A regular M.R.I. over the summer revealed a tiny (2 millimeter) tear in the labrum, which, at the time, the doctor wasn’t overly concerned about. But an X-ray this week showed a small number of bone spurs on the femoral bone, which fits into the hip socket. Bone spurs cause friction in the hip joint, and, hence, tears to the labrum.
The X-ray confirmed the diagnosis of hip impingement.
The doctor says, however, that this impingement isn’t nearly as bad as the left side, and like the left side, there is no sign of arthritis, or cartilage damage.
So I scheduled another hip arthroscopy – for January 13, 2012. Yes, that’s a Friday.
Maybe it’ll bring me good luck.
Hi Armando, The right side is not nearly as bad as the left side, but if I know that it’s only going to get worse if I do nothing. PT and cortisone shots will only delay the inevitable. The good news is the left side keeps getting strong and stronger each day. Thanks again for commenting! Warmly, Vivian
WHAT?????? Your other hip? That stinks, but better to get it taken care of now than for it to get worse.
Honestly, I think we push our bodies beyond what is normal and if one is pre-disposed to this to begin with, then the problem starts. I hope that the research to treat it early is correct rather than that other study that says it dosent matter. For what I can tell and have read, anyone who was in pain was glad they did it….the question is will it save you from a THR and will it prolong any arthritic change. Hopefully by then, they will be able to give people new cartilage.
Take care, wishing you the best on #2!
Hi Vivian,
I’m sorry to hear that you have to have your right hip done! I’m a runner and will have my right hip done Dec. 6th. I’m extremely anxious about the recovery time, but I’m trying to be patient.
Hi Angela,
I moved up the date of my surgery to Dec. 9, so I’ll be just three days behind you. It took me a good three months to feel close to normal, and now, at four months, I can pretty much do almost everything I used to do. As you said, patience is the key here. Please keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing. I’ll be updating my blog regularly
Vivian