[HIP ARTHROSCOPY] Planned Hip Arthroscopy

Hi All,

Found these forums on google, and thought I would give it a post!

Basically after 5 years of lower back and hip problems, I have been diagnosed with a CAM type deformity in both hips, and a laberal tear in my left hip. My pain has been moderate to bad, and on some days unberable (after walking etc). I have had an x-ray which showed the deformities clearly, and then an MRI Arthrogram on each hip which showed the tear in my left. I also believe some of my back pain was a result of a slipped disc on my neck, and also the pocket of fluid which was found in my spinal cord.

I have been to see a surgeon this evening, who specialises in hip procedures (the one I had been seeing was specialised in spinal areas), and he has recommended a hip arthroscopy on the left hip to repair/remove the tear and fix the bone.

He also said there was a small portion of extra bone, near where the tear was, which he would have to try and give space to move back up into the correct position near the edge of the hip socket (no idea if this is correct).

I know this might not be the best place to get answers, but I thought I'd just ask the questions.

1. I am a telecoms engineer and do a lot of crawling under floors and a fair bit of lifting. How long am I looking at before I can return to work, and how long I will be on crutches etc?

2. Am I likely to need an overnight stay, or is this a one day job?

The doctors I seem to end up seeing always seem to explain things to me very quickly and seem to get through the appointments quite quick, it often leads me flustered and means I forget to ask questions, which is why I'm here!

The surgeon I spoke to said there may also be the possibility of some arthritis, but he won't know until he gets in there and has a look?

My final question is, what do you think the recommended course of action should be with the right hip? At the moment they have found no tear, and doesn't hurt as much as the left side. The surgeon said to me that we'd see how it went after the operation on the left (if I decide to do it, which I probably will) and then decide where to go from there. Are they likely to do anything about it if it's not causing too much pain? Or will they take the preventative approach and do it, and try and prevent the problem? It is worth noting that the deformity is larger on my right hip than my left.

Can anyone think anything I may have overlooked to ask him, bearing in mind he didn't explain too much?

*EDIT*
Apologies, I appear to have posted in the wrong section (despite the numerous warnings). Would a moderator be able to move it please?

@Josephine:

Thanks for the info

His name is Mr Aslam Mohammed. From what I can gather he is quite well known within this field, and has helped with the development of the tools for the procedure.

Thanks, I suppose I best ask the surgeon for more information on exact times (but obviously everyone is different!) but it was just an estimate so I could give work something to work with. I'll try and get in touch with the surgeon over the phone to get a more specific time frame.

Thanks, it's just I've seen quite a lot of places talking about a possible overnight stay. As you say, it depends on the surgeon so I'll make sure I ask.

Thanks, is there a high chance of some arthritis being there? I have the pain around 5 years now, and am not in incredible amounts of pain, but certainly know the pain is there. Some days it can be unbearable (especially after walking)

That's what I was hoping, I don't want to end up in the same place with my right hip as my left. I'm too young for this! I didn't know whether the surgeon would only want to do the surgery if I was already feeling pain.

Thanks for the info

Thanks. Well like I say, hopefully there won't be any arthritis there, but after reading that, he mentioned that the bony part of the acetabulum has been affected, as part of this procedure would be to help that.

I am doing it privately (I get health insurance through work, although I haven't half had a shouting match with my insurance company today!). They said if I go ahead they'd hope to have me there in approx 3 weeks (depending on how busy they are at the moment).

Just thank god my right hip isn't as bad!

I'll probably be ringing them tomorrow to get answers to my more specific questions, and hopefully get a date!

Thanks for your help again.

After getting an update from the surgeon today, I was given an estimate of 2-4 weeks before I'm back on my feet (at which time he said I could go back to work), and 6 weeks before I'm fully recovered.

Does this seem a little optimistic? (I was told my age plays a factor).

Obviously being a telecoms engineer, if I did go back to work it would be on limited duties until I was fully confident of lifting, crawling and climbing again.

I also meant to ask earlier, I have been having pain in my lower left and right back (it's what I'd describe as my back, and buttock). Do you think this pain is a side affect of me adjusting my posture due to my hip? I have been diagnosed with a slipped disc in my neck (which is due to tight connective tissues in my back according to the physio) and a pocket of fluid in my spinal cord (not symptomatic yet), so could the combination of hip problems and tissue problems have affected my lower back?

Thanks again

Thanks for the info, I'll bear that in mind when letting work know.

It's good to know about the lower back pain, once I've recovered and keep doing my stretches from my physio for the slipped disc, hopefully I'll start to feel like 21 again!

Fortunately for me, my slipped disc isn't quite as bad as yours, but it is painful, especially in my neck!

Thanks for the help again, I get my date on Monday and will make sure to post it here.

Just got my date, 30th March!

March 30th is a very auspicious day for hip surgery. Read my signature if you don't know why I said that. :biggrin:

Good luck to you!

Thanks Josephine. I'm doing it privately which is why it's so quick.

@alexthecat: - Both called Alex and both had/having surgery on the same date!

Hi guys.

So I've ran into a problem. For a couple of weeks I've been experiencing slight weakness in my last 2 fingers on both hands, and pains in my wrists every now and then.

I went to my GP, and she has decided to refer me to a neurologist.

Before I went to see my current specialist about my hip, I had some investigations on my back, as that was my main complaint. They found a slipped disc in my neck around C5/C6 and a 'widening of the central canal' around the C7 joint. The MRI looks similar to that of syringomyelia or a syrinx in the spinal cord.

I've told my hip specialist and I'm waiting for a response from him, but am wondering whether this will delay my operation on my hip?

I'm due to go in on Friday, and really do not want to have to cancel my hip arthroscopy.

Any advice?

Thanks. I've told my hip surgeon just in case, but do you think he will not be bothered by it?