I Have My Life Back...

A fellow member of our FAI community asked how my surgeon justified a non-surgical route when the information out there suggests waiting can cause permanant damage to the joint. That had been my main concern as well and I know it's a big factor in why many decide to have the surgery. So, I posted my reply as follows...with a little added in:)

Jon, so glad you asked because that was my main concern. Although not diagnosed until this year, I have had these symptoms since my teens (33 now). I was a cheerleader in HS and college plus a kayaker and whitewater rafting guide, so I put them through a lot.

Dr. Byrd's reasoning is my images do not show much damage or loss of joint space. If I have had this all these years with on and off flares of pain that may come with years between then I have managed it on my own in the past without causing damage to the joint and should be able to return to normal again with a little therapy and anti-inflammatories.

Now, I am pain free most of the time, only when I do something to aggravate it will it hurt and usually I'm fine the next morning.

I replaced Yoga with Pilates, running with swimming and will not return to a high intensity spin class. At first I thought these were things I could not live without but when faced with bilateral hip surgeries on the bone as well as microfracture, it was a no brainer for me.

Had there been concrete evidence surgery would return me to running, yoga and spin maybe...but at this time there's not enough to convince me.

I'm happy with my choice and although I miss some of those things, they were not my passion. I still go to the gym and enjoy what I do, that's what matters to me. I have my life back. That's huge!