At least the first year of post-op recovery I had my painful days, my doubting days. Early on the pain free days came often enough to make me hopeful, but not so much that I was convinced I would ever have the life before FAI came into the picture. It took months of therapy, months of working hard on my own keeping up with strengthening. I think about 8 months post-op is when I truly began to see the light, that this might turn out okay afterall.
But I still had some painful days. Just often enough to remind me what I had been through...and to keep a hint of fear around. At 12 months I started to feel real strength and recovery...i started to feel comfortable with the idea of running.
I started a very conservative run/walk program. Run and minute/walk a minute and alternating this for 30 min. Every other day I added a minute to my walk, not focusing on distance or speed. Just run/walk. Now, I am not a patient person. Actually I am an extremely competitive person who wants it NOW! But this experience has taught me that one calculated step at a time sets me up for success in the future. And this lesson has helped me in all areas of my life. If I can make it through this, better, stronger with more perspective but most of all with a positive outlook on life...i like who i am more now.
Don't get me wrong...suffering through this is a nightmare. It hurts. And chronic pain affects every part of your life. For me, and many it caused depression. It made me crazy. I cried myself to sleep many nights, woke up crying in the morning. I grieved. And you may need to grieve too. But I kept perspective. I tried my best to put the anger away, cry when I needed too, but keep going. Keep searching and praying and believing there had to be an answer.
I ran my first 5 miles three days ago and expected my hip to complain, but it didn't. And after a day of rest I ran 4 miles. I'm still pain free. And it was a long road getting here. It wasn't just a surgery. I feel blessed to have had the best surgeon for the job, but that was the beginning. It didn't come easy and it didn't come quick. And during the beginning of running I had many days when I iced and cried and doubted...but I kept going. (Oh, and from my experience and what I've been told by the dr and pt is that pain the next day is ok. But if you are still having pain 48 hours later, that could be a bad sign).
So, whatever you are facing...keep perspective. Keep your thoughts on how you are going to get through. Set your heart on recovery and seek out a way to get there. The first time I went to see a doctor for my hip pain was 2005...6 years later I can honestly say it is behind me.
21 comments:
Thank you , this is very helpful. The ups and downs of the recovery are very hard to manage. I am only 6 week post surgery. I feel strong and flexible but the pain is still there. If there is light at the end of the tunnel, each day is easier to manage. And off i go to do my physio exercises :)
Hi Vanessa, I found your blog today while looking for yoga post labral tear surgery information. Your blog is most helpful and has given me hope. I am a soon to be 53 year old female in Los Angeles and had labral tear surgery 9 days ago. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to return to my yoga practice so I was happy to read that you were able to do yoga at 5 weeks! I have not yet started PT but plan to do so next week when I return to work. I did this whole thing exactly opposite of you -- after 6 years of hip pain that was misdiagnosed, I found out on Dec 15 that I most likely had a labral tear and that surgery was the best option (confirmed by contrast MRI). I scheduled my surgery as soon as possible without doing any research at all. My rationale was that I didn't want to read anything negative to deter me or to feed my imagination. Having read your blog I now realize I was probably a bit hasty and could have benefitted from more research and preparation but your blog has definitely made me glad that I have this surgery behind me and I am looking forward to a complete recovery. Thanks also for posting the information about the anti-inflammatory diet. Best regards, Mary Gerard mary@warever.com
Good call, attitude is everything.
Thank you so much for this...
In my mid twenties and six months post surgery nothing seems to have lived up to expectations. Good to know that there are others who have been through the same but come out running on the other side.
It gives me hope and inspiration to stay positive.
I found this blog today, and I started to tear up. Like many men with FAI, physical activity is so much part of my life and my identity. My passion is muay thai, and for those not familiar, it requires constant kicking. At 27, I never thought I'd have to be away from the sport for a year. I am in between my surgeries, I have bilateral FAI, and I have some amazing days, and I have some tougher days. It is cliche to say so much of this surgery is mental, but it is the truth. There was many times before I received a diagnosis that I would just cry from the pain. There are still days where I have my doubts, but needing both hips has given me a unique perspective; I always have a leg to compare to. The difference is night and day. Thank you for your blog, it really does resonate. In the fighting world, the expression "chin downs, hands up" it to prepare oneself for an incoming impact. I find myself saying it a lot now a days. Thanks.
Alex
Hi, I'm now 8 weeks post op and feel a lot better both physically and emotionally. I did my first Zumba class this week as my PT thought it would be good for my hip. It was great even though I could only do 1/2 hour! Have been walking for 30 minutes in the pool which in conjunction with the PT has really help. I am walking without even a limp! I do go back to your posts to compare how you felt at each week and its been very helpful. Mary
I am in the middle of numerous tests for my pain source. I have FAI and a torn labrum, but I had a back injury one year ago. My next step is an MRI of the back. My referred pain is in the area of the IT band. I am actually having a rough morning. I had an injection with numbing medication in my hip yesterday, and it has worn off. I didn't realize how much relief it had truly provided.
After reading your experience, I am getting hopeful of experiencing relief.
Thanks,
Curtis
I am now more than 3 months post op and am still having a lot of pain and limited range of motion. Would be nice to hear your thoughts on this. Mary
I am two weeks post op labral tear repair/Cam Impingement (arthroscopic procedure). I was on crutches not even 3 days. Barely needed pain meds. Ran 1/2 mile yesterday. I could've done more but doc said to take it easy. It was the best run I've ever had! So great to be back running and pain-free. My recovery has been unbelievable. Just a bit of history on me: prior to surgery, I ran maybe 20 miles a week; did pilates; worked out at gym w/ a trainer. I am a 39 year old female in pretty darn good health except for this. I am a firm believer that the better shape you are in, the better recovery you will have. Obviously there are exceptions to that. I hope this gives hope to any one out there struggling with this. Being stubborn as an ox as I am, helps too. Nobody can tell me that I may not run again, or that it will take 6 months before contemplating a run. Two weeks. That's it. Best of luck to all. MM
MM,
Glad to hear you are having a great recovery. Don't forget though, the recovery for those of us who had labrum repair and/or microfracture do not have the luxury of coming off crutches or returning to running immediately or a tear can occur.
Best of luck to you!
@MM -- who was your doctor and where are you located? I am 4.5 months post op and am still not back to my previous yoga schedule. Also, I'm still having a lot of pain and limited range of motion. I'm not getting any answers from my doctor who does not seem interested in any post surgery care. Thanks, M
I'm in the 1st month post-op after bone shaving. Since I cannot live without Karate training, I hope to recover soon, but it seems I have to be very patient with that. Any of you have practiced martial arts again after hipfai surgery treatment?
Chris
Hi Vanessa,
I've been reading over your blog today, and it's been very encouraging.
I'm currently 4 months post op from FAI surgery requiring microfracture for labral repair. I'm still feeling fairly persistent, though not terrible intense pain. The pain has been discouraging, as I'm only 28 and face a very long road of the microfracture fails.
I apologize for asking this question, because I feel sure you've answered it somewhere in your blog, but I just can't seem to find it...Did your hip require microfracture?
Thank you so much for documenting your journey. It was been very encouraging to me!
Phillip
Phillip,
Fortunately i did not although the 2nd surgeon (of 3) that i met with thought i would. I had bony cam & pincer impingements removed, labrum attached by anchors, osteovectomy and cleaning of cartlidge damage and debris. I was told 6 weeks on crutches, but got off a couple of weeks early for good behaviour:) I worked really hard in PT but was also extremely careful to follow ALL the instructions I was given.
Good luck!
Vanessa
I'm getting back from a open surgery FAI (both Pincer and Cam type) with osteotomy of the trocanther. Yes, i'm feeling pain and every 3 days i'm taking EXXIV60mg (non-steroid AI), but my mind is focus on my future life. I work as a Personal Trainer and 1 month and 1 week after the surgery, i'm getting back on work!! Some days i just smile thinking that the pain is gone, but when i get on bed i have some terrible pains... that's life!! :/
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this blog! I am a very avid long distance runner and started having hip pain a little over 2 years ago. Within the past month it has gotten so bad I can barely clean the house let alone go for a run. After seeing many many doctors, I finally had an MRA that showed a small Labral Tear. My doctor told me surgery would be needed and I would no longer be able to do long distance running, and running after surgery will need to be limited to about 2 miles. For me this was heartbreaking and I can not imagine not being able to do long distance. Now I am reconsidering the surgery and thinking about trying cortisone shots. If any one else has experience with recovery and getting back into long distance running I would greatly appreciate your input! Thanks!!
Andrea
Your post and whole blog is so inspirational. What you managed to do after surgery proves that nothing is possible it just takes determination.
Your words have mad me cry this morning. In a good way. I am in the "dark night" so-to-speak" having had bilateral FAI surgeries last year and now a revision on my left coming this year. for an active young person, this no less then heart breaking. but you are right, there is a silver lining with love and support coming out of this that makes me cry with happyness sometimes. It is impossible to believe where I sit that I may one day run. But, it is funny how when something is taken from you-that is all you want! so yes, If I can believe, I can do it. THanks so soo much, I needed to hear this this morning.
I too stumbled on to this blog today. And, I too have found myself in tears relating to the pain, depression and despair that has been my life for almost 5 years. I had to stop volleyball because of my 'bad' right knee when I was only 40. I was very active. TKR was finally done when I was 51. Knee was bloody bone end on bloody bone end. Yukky pic it was. The day I got home, my right glut started throbbing, then when learning to walk with my new knee, my groin and hip became painful. I had Spine surgery last year 2011, which they thought was causing the hip issue. Nope, but a layer of pain was removed. So now about 5 years after, out of work for over 1 1/2 years (can't sit very long, stand or walk or lift), still dealing with chronic pain and pain meds they are finally doing an exploratory arthroscopic surgery on the right hip. My hope is that with all the good results I am hearing from you all, this will be the answer. I know I will never play volleyball again or run because of the TKR, but I do miss hiking the trails and kayaking the many rivers we have here in the Northwest. I have been on hold and do feel the loss. I pick up my grandson when he asks, knowing it will cause pain later. But hey, something as simple as squatting and picking up a piece of trash can cause pain later. He is only little once and I enjoy the face to face and little hands around my neck. Your blog has given me hope as well as a place to send my family, friends and even my great Doc who has been working with me and will help me after surgery with all the pelvic placement, back and neck that has taken tons of abuse from all the surgeries.
Question: Has anyone else experience 'cramping' in your inner thigh, calf and front of calf...all at the same time??? I feel my entire right leg is starting to fail from the hip down to my toes....
I think most articles on this subject don't really present the reality when it comes to the recovery prat oh hip surgery . Usually they say under 6 moths, that goes to show that they have a theoretical perspective.
Hi I have been diagnosed with FAI cam impingement . When I went on for the op the surgeon said that the damage was much worse than he expected. I had a lorn labrum, I need my cam shaved and I also needed micro fracturing on the femoro head. It's Been 5 weeks post op.
I did not feel much pain because of the anesthetic which only began to wear off about 3 weeks after op. which is why I had no pain. Now that the anesthetic has worn off I'm begining to feel alot of discomfort and pain when I sit for long periods . Is this normal after and op like this and how long is the estimated time before complete recovery.
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