I have been having pain in my right hip off and on for the past six years. Justin and I went to an orthopedic surgeon six years ago, where I was diagnosed with Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI). At that time, the surgery was VERY invasive - similar to that of a total hip replacement, so we decided against it. Over the past year the pain has become more frequent and intense so I decided to see another orthopedist. After looking at my new x-rays and MRI, he also diagnosed me with FAI.
Justin is a BIG believer in second (and in this case, third) opinions. He has a patient that works as a physical therapist at The Next Level, a prestigious rehabilitation clinic in Golden so he called on him for an orthopedic recommendation. He sent us to Dr. Brain White in Denver. It took two months to get an appointment, which Justin took as a good sign. I was just annoyed! Thank goodness for Justin. Dr. White is AMAZING. I can see why he has such a long wait! He took more x-rays and looked at my MRI. He agreed with the FAI diagnosis, and took time to go through and explain what was going on.
Dr. White explained that FAI is a condition where the bones of the hip are abnormally shaped. It occurs because the hip bones do not form normally during the childhood growing years. This deformity causes additional bone to form, causing the hip bones to rub against each other and cause damage to the hip joint. I have what is called a CAM impingement, where the femoral head is not round and cannot rotate smoothly inside the acetabulum. A bump has formed on the edge of my femoral head that grinds the cartilage inside my acetabulum. This has resulted in the tearing of my labrum and some breakdown of my articular cartilage.
Interesting note - my sister has also been diagnosed with a torn labrum, in her left hip. Her surgery is scheduled for October 14, so please pray for her as well!
After viewing my MRI, Dr. White confirmed that my labrum is torn. They typically can't tell how bad the labrum is torn until they "get in there", but he explained that I have a rather large cyst that has developed on my bone. This is an indication that my labrum is severely degenerative and cannot be repaired. Urgh. He said that I would require the surgery within the next year in order to be able to reconstruct the labrum. It can get to a point where there is no way to reconstruct, in which case I would be looking at a total hip replacement. With all of this information, Justin and I talked through our options, and decided to go with the surgery as soon as possible in order to avoid a total hip replacement at this time. Dr. White did say that I will eventually need a total hip replacement. Oh, and that it's "probably not in my best interest to run". Ever.NOT what I was expecting/hoping to hear.
My surgery is scheduled for November 19. The surgery will be a 4-6 hour procedure in which he will arthroscopically re-shape the head and neck of my femur (femoral osteoplasty), reconstruct my labrum with IT band tissue from a cadaver, and perform a microfracture procedure to try to regenerate tissue. I will stay overnight at the hospital. Because of the extent of damage to my labrum and the microfrature procedure, I will be on crutches for 6-8 weeks (rather than 3-4 in a typical FAI surgery).
After surgery I will need to wear this Bledsoe Positioning Kit (right), while laying down for two weeks to keep my feet facing forward and prevent external rotation.
I will also have to use this CPM or bending machine (below) for 6-8 hours a day for 6 weeks. The machine will slowly move my hip in order to prevent scar tissue.
It sounds crazy to do this surgery when we have two small children, but Justin and I feel that we need to get it taken care of while we still can. Right now I am most worried about my limited capabilities during recovery. His office has been incredibly supportive, allowing him to take off as much time as he wants. Our parents, other family, and friends have also been SO generous with their offers to help!
This is my hip x-ray. The top of the femur should look just like the bottom, but I am missing that curvature at the neck.
Interesting note - my sister has also been diagnosed with a torn labrum, in her left hip. Her surgery is scheduled for October 14, so please pray for her as well!
After viewing my MRI, Dr. White confirmed that my labrum is torn. They typically can't tell how bad the labrum is torn until they "get in there", but he explained that I have a rather large cyst that has developed on my bone. This is an indication that my labrum is severely degenerative and cannot be repaired. Urgh. He said that I would require the surgery within the next year in order to be able to reconstruct the labrum. It can get to a point where there is no way to reconstruct, in which case I would be looking at a total hip replacement. With all of this information, Justin and I talked through our options, and decided to go with the surgery as soon as possible in order to avoid a total hip replacement at this time. Dr. White did say that I will eventually need a total hip replacement. Oh, and that it's "probably not in my best interest to run". Ever.NOT what I was expecting/hoping to hear.
My surgery is scheduled for November 19. The surgery will be a 4-6 hour procedure in which he will arthroscopically re-shape the head and neck of my femur (femoral osteoplasty), reconstruct my labrum with IT band tissue from a cadaver, and perform a microfracture procedure to try to regenerate tissue. I will stay overnight at the hospital. Because of the extent of damage to my labrum and the microfrature procedure, I will be on crutches for 6-8 weeks (rather than 3-4 in a typical FAI surgery). After surgery I will need to wear this Bledsoe Positioning Kit (right), while laying down for two weeks to keep my feet facing forward and prevent external rotation.
I will also have to use this CPM or bending machine (below) for 6-8 hours a day for 6 weeks. The machine will slowly move my hip in order to prevent scar tissue.
It sounds crazy to do this surgery when we have two small children, but Justin and I feel that we need to get it taken care of while we still can. Right now I am most worried about my limited capabilities during recovery. His office has been incredibly supportive, allowing him to take off as much time as he wants. Our parents, other family, and friends have also been SO generous with their offers to help!
2 comments:
Oh man Sara, I am so sorry to hear about this. I will definitely say some prayers for you. It's so good that you have family so close, and good friends!
Please let us know how we can help, we will start praying now. Uncle John & Aunt Bunny
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