Hip Arthroscopy FAI Surgery Round Two—All Done!

[JusticeRider]

Sammy, I’m so sorry about your elevated pain levels. These recoveries really can be miserable. You are really, really early on (but you know that), so you will probably have all kinds of different pain coming and going. Hang in there and give your body plenty of TLC. Ice is the best pain killer, so ice as much as you can.

I’m so happy for you that you can drive now! Freedom! I hope that is giving you a mental/emotional lift in the midst of your discomfort. Speaking of discomfort, I had a wedge cushion for my truck seat that really helped me with the driving discomfort. The wedge opens up your hip angle more so it’s less pinchy. It also gives us petite ladies a boost I used mine for a good 6 months. Here’s a pic if you’re interested:
(I needed the larger one to cover my whole seat.)

 

[Sammy-Am]

Sammy, I’m so sorry about your elevated pain levels. These recoveries really can be miserable. You are really, really early on (but you know that), so you will probably have all kinds of different pain coming and going. Hang in there and give your body plenty of TLC. Ice is the best pain killer, so ice as much as you can.

I’m so happy for you that you can drive now! Freedom! I hope that is giving you a mental/emotional lift in the midst of your discomfort. Speaking of discomfort, I had a wedge cushion for my truck seat that really helped me with the driving discomfort. The wedge opens up your hip angle more so it’s less pinchy. It also gives us petite ladies a boost I used mine for a good 6 months. Here’s a pic if you’re interested:
(I needed the larger one to cover my whole seat.)

Hi,

Good to hear from you! Yesterday my pain wasn’t actually too bad, thank God! I took a shower and went to the piercing shop to get some of my piercings back in. I finally feel human again LOL. I even went to the pet store to pick up some dog food for the Little. Luckily, I had a very kind sales associate helping me carry the cans. I just can’t justify the exorbitant fees to get stuff delivered!

Today I was tasked with going to the laundromat and that’s been a STRUGGLE! But, what choice do I have? Unfortunately I don’t have a washer and dryer in my studio and I also don’t want to be a bother to friends.

I will say that I honestly can’t complain too much today. I got help today from a complete stranger at Starbucks and one of the employees at the laundromat helped me load my stuff into an available dryer.

The pain at the front of my hip has gotten slightly better. I’m having the most pain now in my adductors and proximal hamstring. I follow up with my surgeon on the 7th, so we’ll see how I feel then.

And thank you for the cushion recommendation! I found a nice combo with the car where I can lean back a little and not put as much pressure on the front of the hip, but I’m going to look at similar cushions for my work chair.

Enjoy the week!

 

[myglasshalffull]

People are still nice, on one bakery trip I had a lovely woman ask if she could help me to my car with my boxes. I think I was still using my cane. Good people still left, does your heart good when you hear so much negativity on news/TV.

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi All,

Figured I’d pop on with a quick update. I had my first day PT yesterday and it seemed to go pretty well. I’m going to one of the guys that I used to work with and who worked on both my hips pre-surgery. My pain was about a 5 or a 6 before by appointment and the exercises actually made the pain slightly better. Here’s a rundown of my exercise list with me being two weeks out:

Heel Slides
Pelvic Tilt w/Hold
Bridges
Prone Hold on Elbows
Prone Knee Flexion
Superman’s
Seated Knee Extension
Standing Hip Flexion
Standing Abduction
Standing Extension

Most of the reps are 2 sets of 15/20. If I’m being honest, he’s being a little more aggressive than my last hip when I worked with a different PT. We’re still following the surgeon’s suggested protocol (Nashville Hip Institute) but just limiting isometrics.

Per his recommendation along with my surgeon not being thrilled with me going back to work just yet, I’ll be back in the office Monday. Originally I was supposed to go back tomorrow, but I wanted to see how I felt my first week of PT. I’ll be back at PT tomorrow and Friday and we’ll see if I can do 3X’s a week going forward, depending on how work plays out.

I’ve had a nice day today so far. I went to the cafe (one of my favorites) for breakfast and coffee, read some of my book, and did some writing. I’m resting my back now which is a little sore from compensating with the exercises, and delaying growing to the market for milk . Overall though, I’m well on my way.

Happy Summer Solstice!

 

[Jaycey]

That PT list looks quite aggressive for someone so early out. Also looks like the focus is no strength building which is not really needed at this stage. Do monitor how you feel after all this. Going to PT 3 times per week is really pushing it.

 

[Sammy-Am]

Second day of PT today and overall, I don’t feel too bad! I was a little surprised that ALREADY my PT decided to switch up a couple of the exercises.

We added 2lb ankle weights for seated knee extensions and added a light resistance band for the standing flexion, abduction, and extension. I also finished off with standing heel raises, 2 sets of 15.

The hip joint itself feels pretty good, but I know it’s VERY early. I have one finnicky spot in the iliopsoas that keeps “catching” but isn’t too painful and the only real “pain” is where my adductors meet my upper hamstring. That’s a post surgery issue that just popped up about a week post-op and that I’ll address with my surgeon the next time I see him.

I’m back to PT on Friday. I’ll see what my surgeon thinks about the exercises and how often he wants me going to therapy. The PT said 3X’s a week, but insurance limits me to 60 visits a calendar year, so I might play it on the more conservative side.

Right now I’m trying to mentally prep myself for my return to work Monday. Somehow I feel like I’ve been out forever and had my surgery eons ago, and some days I’m still in shock that I even HAD the surgery. But with today being International Yoga Day, I’m dying to get some semblance of my old lifestyle back—pain free, of course!

 

[Layla]

Hi Sammy-Am

We added 2lb ankle weights for seated knee extensions and added a light resistance band for the standing flexion, abduction, and extension. I also finished off with standing heel raises, 2 sets of 15.

Please be careful. Your leg is still healing from the trauma of surgery. Take a look at this article when you have the time. BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy

Your return to work is pretty ambitious at only three weeks post op. Hopefully your work colleagues are respectful of your limitations. We often read from those that return early, given no choice, that colleagues expect you to perform as they are normally accustomed, because after all, you're back!
I wish you luck...please let us know how it goes after you've been back for a bit.
A great rest of the week to you!

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi All,

I’ve posted Part 1 of the exercise protocol that my surgeon uses. We used the same protocol for my left hip, but as mentioned my last physical therapist prioritized isometric and ROM (within reason) as opposed to “strengthening.”

When I see my surgeon on the 7th, I’ll ask him what exercises to prioritize for my specific repair. It really is a great protocol, but it can be lengthy and a little “flighty” (for lack of a better word) as it doesn’t seem particularly strict. I’m also working with a new therapist on Friday (mine is taking a personal day), so I’ll see what his take is on my exercise list thus far.

@Layla thanks for the suggestions regarding work. I went back to work 2 weeks post-op after my left hip, but I was also in an entirely different situation. I wasn’t living on my own like I am currently, so I had periods of more “true rest.” While I’ve been resting a lot this go around, I have been finding it harder to be gentle with my hip when I don’t have the help driving, running errands, doing chores, etc.

Unfortunately I can’t take any more time off of work because of finances, but luckily I work a desk job. I’ll just have to advocate for myself by taking frequent ice breaks and taking the time to get up and walk around at various points throughout the day.

We’ll see how everything goes. While I’m dreading going back to work (not my passion, one or two difficult coworkers), I think I’ll be excited to have some semblance of a routine back. And hopefully I’ll find a happier balance between physical therapy and my work week while tuning into the gentleness of my recovery.

 

[JusticeRider]

Sounds like you have a great attitude and are being very proactive with your healing. Just be careful with that PT, especially the weights! That’s very early for weights

I hope your return to works goes well and your boss/coworkers will understand you are still very much in recovery. It sounds like you have a plan for self care while you’re there, so good for you!

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi Friends,

I’m went back to work today! I really would have loved to have taken more time off given the extent of the surgery, but for the most part it felt good to be back—my day was a pretty good one. I just forgot the feeling of trying to sit after having hip surgery. Ouch!

I have an adjustable chair at work and was only “comfortable” sitting at the highest height. I’ll post a picture of a seat cushion that I bought last year but never really used. I tried using it today and it wasn’t too bad, I just wish it was a little on the firmer side. If anyone has found a really good one, I’d love to hear some recommendations.

At 3 weeks out, I don’t feel too bad. My pain averages about a 4 or a 5, closer to a 5 today with all the sitting I did. Luckily I had the luxury of walking around and even laying down for about 20 minutes to alleviate some pain.

My biggest complaint pain wise are still my hip flexors, just continued pain at the front hip bone, straight down into my quad. I’m still having some pain at the iliopsoas, adductor, and upper hamstring. I remember this journey having many highs and lows, so I’ll just have to keep positive and see how things go. It‘ll be interesting to see how I feel working and doing 3 PT sessions this week.

Anyhow, I’m going to leave my post tonight short and sweet. I had PT after work today and I’m definitely ready for some rest before my 5:25 wake up call. Plus, I have the dog staring me down to share my after dinner snacks .

So long for now!

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi All,

It’s been so long since I last popped on! Happy Fourth!

I have to be honest, I’m having a rough pain day today . The hip flexor on this latest hip has been KILLING me today! Luckily I had the day off of work for the holiday so I’ve just been resting, taking Tylenol, doing some really minor, minor stretching, icing here and there, and elevating. But today seems like one of those days where I can’t seem to get relief—my hip flexor just continues to have this dull ache .

I follow up with my surgeon on Friday for my one month post-op and I finish the first round of my anti-inflammatory tomorrow. I’m hoping once I see him on Friday that he’ll give me the okay to transition down to one crutch. I’m guessing that should help alleviate some pressure off of that hip flexor. And PT for the most part has been okay. We haven’t really added anything new and are waiting for my surgeon’s okay until we transition to the next stage of my protocol.

Overall, I feel like my hip is functioning better. I’m still struggling with getting around and the pain is definitely worse first thing in the morning. I joked with the ladies at work that maybe I can FINALLY burn my crutches now that I’ve gotten both hips done .

I’ll post on Friday to let you all know how my appointment goes. Hopefully I can get some answers to calm these muscles down.

So long for now

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi Hippie Friends!

Happy weekend! I’m hoping everyone isn’t sweltering in their neck of the woods, but I’m actually LOVING the heat. When I can sit a little more comfortably, I might grab a nice cocktail and start basking in the sun outside.

I saw my surgeon for my post-op appointment yesterday and mostly got good news. I can start weaning off the crutches (maybe down to one Monday and completely off in a week or two depending on how I feel). And he said surgery wise, everything is liking good. I’m basically where I’m supposed to be and it was nice looking at the imaging with him and him explaining those confusing arthroscope pictures .

I explained to my doctor that this hip is still drastically more uncomfortable than my last recovery. As I’ve posted in recent threads, my pain is about a 4 or a 5, but I know I’m still VERY early out at only a month post-op.

The doc looked everything over and thinks I have a nasty case of hip flexor tendinitis . He’s keeping me on the Meloxicam and is hoping that weaning me off the crutches will help calm the hip flexor down. We also discussed PT and he really wants me nurturing that hip flexor. We agreed to the idea of alternating sessions per week—one week of 3X’s a week, the following twice a week, so on and so forth. I follow up with him again in August, so we’ll see how things go from there.

Over than that I’m doing just “okay.” My mental health hasn’t been the best lately with finances and my job situation. Times are hard for a lot of us right now and I’m spending the weekend job hunting to see if I can better keep myself afloat .

I hope all of you are happy and healthy, recovering as well as can be. I’ll pop on again soon with any updates.

 

[Layla]

Hi Sammy-Am,
It sounds like you had a nice post op visit. Sorry to hear about the tendinitis. I hope it eases for you soon. Best Wishes as you‘re job hunting. I hope you find the perfect match. Stay in touch and thanks for updating!
@Sammy-Am

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi All,

It’s been a while since I last hopped on to write. I’ve mostly been lurking and reading about others’ journeys. I hope everyone in the community is doing well!

I’m still struggling quite a bit with this tendinitis. I follow up with the doctor on the 11th, but might try to get in to see him a touch sooner. My pain is in the front of my thigh, in what I believe to be the iliopsoas, and the very lower portion of the groin (adductor muscles possibly?). Surprisingly, I have the most pain/discomfort walking. I can tolerate sitting for 20-30 minute spurts, as long as I have a cushion and my chair isn’t too low.

I’ve officially been off crutches since last Tuesday, and I can’t say my gait feels “normal” yet. I think my hip flexors are really holding that process back.

I’m in PT twice a week, sometimes three if I feel up to it. I try to do the exercises at home as my recommended by my therapist, but a lot of the times walking around and just cleaning the house feels like plenty!

I know I’m still in the VERY early stages of recovery. I have a good friend who just had her first THR on Friday. It really got me thinking just how far I’ve come having both hips done in an 11 month span. Crazy, isn’t it?

Sending love and light

 

[Mojo333]

Hi @Sammy-Am
You certainly have had a lot of healing happening over the past year, and these are indeed early days... still.
It is very hard when you are trying to heal, and be a good patient...not to follow all protocols to the letter but I know I was prescribed physical therapy directly after my BTHR that didn't take me long to figure out it was stressing my healing hips.
Most especially with higher reps, or weights and bands. It started causing groin pain particularly.

I was pretty fit despite my trashed hips prior to surgery, So I decided if I lost a little muscle tone, I could work on that later and dropped the PT until months later and even then, held it to mainly gait training and incrementally working on weaknesses.

I’m in PT twice a week, sometimes three if I feel up to it. I try to do the exercises at home as my recommended by my therapist, but a lot of the times walking around and just cleaning the house feels like plenty!

I think walking around and no PT would be more helpful in relieving that tendonitis.
Usually, the first step in treating hip tendonitis focuses on reducing inflammation and pain and the first course of action is to stop the physical activity that was causing it.
Rest, Ice, and Elevation...the most Booring recovery protocol of all... is also very helpful.
Maybe some sunning with an ice pack would be a good prescription for feeling better quicker!
Hope you get some good prospects for new employment..

 

[Sammy-Am]

Hi Friends,

Thank you to all those who like and reply, or even just lurk. I apologize if I haven’t gotten around to responding. My emotions have been out of whack the last few days between recovering, being miserable at work, and a couple of other anxiety inducing things. Not to mention the fact that I just got the bill for my surgery a few days back and I am BEYOND grateful to have health insurance. $821 for a $20,000 procedure isn’t too horrific .

While I’m going through a personal rough patch, I did have a few highs this weekend. The weather in NY was absolutely divine today—in the 70s with a refreshing breeze. And last night I went to the movie theater for the first time in about a decade. I saw Oppenheimer and was pleasantly surprised that I was able to sit somewhat comfortably for the 3 hours. Yes, 3 hours!

Today was mostly an errand day and I’m not sure exactly what set my body off, but my left SI joint is KILLING ME! I’ve taken a couple of doses of Tylenol and tried laying on my heating pad, but alas, nothing is helping.

I’m going to assume my SI is a little of whack since my left side has been compensating so much for my surgical side. I remember having the same issue last year where my pelvis felt “imbalanced” (for lack of a better word).

Other than that, my right side is very, very slowly recovering. Walking isn’t ideal nor is going up stairs, but the pain as a whole feels better. I just have some nagging and very painful spots in my adductor and psoas that are still fighting me, probably in correlation with the hip flexor issues. I see the doctor in a little over a week so hopefully we can work something out together.

The physical therapist recommended a psoas release tool. I think it’s called “pso-rite” or something along those lines. Maybe someone on here has experience with something like it? If I buy it, I’ll be sure to post my experience.

Happy week hippies! I’m off to rest my back and cuddle with the doggie.

 

[Layla]

Thanks for the update, Sammy-Am,
It’s good to read the weather was nice and you were able to get out to the movie theater. I hope the discomfort and pain you’re dealing with eases soon. If you still have your appointment on the 11th, hopefully your surgeon will have some answers and ideas for you. Best Wishes for a great week!
@Sammy-Am

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Month Anniversary!
I hope you have a nice week, Sammy.
@Sammy-Am

 

[Sammy-Am]

Update

Hi All,

I saw my hip surgeon yesterday afternoon and thought I’d pop on to post a quick update.

I had my 9 week post-op appointment scheduled for yesterday at 8AM with my surgeon. Unfortunately, there had been a little mix up and they put me on the schedule for a day where he was in the OR in the morning. The office tried calling me to let me know and to get me to reschedule, but I forgot to give them my new number after switching phone plans earlier this year—whoops! So imagine my surprise when the PA walked into the room, especially when she’s never been involved in my case. I’ve only ever seen the doctor for all of my appointments.

Luckily, the PA and the office staff were more than accommodating and we’re able to get my on the doctor’s schedule later that afternoon.

I was able to discuss with my doctor a few of the “problems” I’ve been having with my hip. I explained to him that I don’t have too much pain sitting nowadays, the majority of my pain is with walking and tends to be in my hip flexors, quad and lower groin. Pain with hip flexion (bringing my new to my chest, stairs) and pain going from hip flexion to extension (stepping back with my leg when walking, still having a slight limp, and pain maneuvering my leg from bent to straight on the bike).

He examined me and the verdict is still the same—continued hip flexor tendinitis. We agreed to continue the Meloxicam, rest, continue to use ice and heat, and take a less aggressive approach to PT, which I’ll be doing 2x’s a week, not three, and only if it feels right. And I was a little concerned about still having some anterior hip pain with internal and external rotation, but the doctor reassured me that unfortunately, we just have to be extremely patient given how major the surgery was.

I know we’re approaching everything as best as we can at this point and I have complete faith in my surgeon, especially given how great my left hip is feeling almost 13 months post-op. If I remember correctly, I don’t remember feeling “great” until at least 6 or 7 months out from the left side.

Still, I’m eager to be pain free and am trying not to obsess over the “next steps.” I’ve only had short term relief from the anti-inflammatory in the past, so of course my brain is jumping to “what’s next?” I follow up with the doctor again in 6 weeks, so hopefully the more time passes, the more things will settle.

Thanks for listening as always and I’ll post another update soon.

 

[Jaycey]

Still early days @Sammy-Am ! I agree with your doc - it was major surgery and you need to give yourself time to heal. Sounds like you are doing really well. All the stiffness and ROM limitation will ease with time. Hang in there!