Joining the hip pain club

[x-halt-salute]

[QUOTE=Simkie;8337711]
I would STRONGLY encourage a second option. Not because what you’ve written above rings any warning bells (I sure don’t have the experience to know) but because all of this is relatively new and there are multiple approaches and it’s just good to have another expert weigh in.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for looking out for me! I did have another surgeon look at my conventional MRI, so it should be possible to get another pair of eyes on the arthrogram before going under the knife.

It’s hard not to get a little hasty when I’m told that things could get significantly better relatively soon! There are some weird logistics at play too, as there’s a lot of uncertainty in my future right now… but you’re absolutely right that I should do due dilligence with this new diagnostic information.

[x-halt-salute]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8336926]
Good luck with the surgery! What is the FAI Fix program?

So my MRI showed that I have a conformational “deformity” called femoral retroversion, which means that the head of the femur is angled back in my acetabulum (meaning I can externally rotate a lot but not internally rotate). It explains a lot about the range of motion I have in my hips (I can externally rotate a lot but not very much internally, and I can’t really draw my knee up to my chest) and how if I’m standing with my feet facing forward, I feel like I’m pigeon-toed.

I also have some soft-tissue inflammation. I’ve asked for a copy of the report so I can read it because he went over it so quickly with me that I don’t remember half of it (bursitis, tendonitis?, but no labral tear).

I’m going to keep riding at the walk and see how that goes.[/QUOTE]

Wow, that’s a new one for me. I hope you get some info that helps you figure out the best ways to manage it and keep the soft tissues happy.

Wishing you more pain-free riding!

[snootcasey]

I found my people!! I’m a runner that has always had a problem with a “popping” hip and different stirrup lengths. Found out I had a femoral head impingement. I finally had surgery after a non-invasive doctor that uses things like PRP and Prolotherapy told me there was nothing he could do for me. The doc I went to for surgery is THE guy to see. I ended up having NO labrum left so I had my femur resurfaced and a labrum reconstruction from a cadaver.

Here I am 8 weeks out with another 8 to go! Right now just rehabbing and working on strength and flexibility. But its a long road to go!

[Doctracy]

I’ve had bursitis or synovitis in both hips for years. I’m so tired of not being able to get comfortable in bed,sitting,driving,flying,etc.

[Pocket_Pony]

Well I’m happy to report that I’m feeling much better. Had my second chiro/massage, which seems to be helping.

I didn’t want to do the custom orthotics just yet until I tackled one therapy at a time. I did buy some orthotics with help from people at a local store and those are fine. Still am not wearing the shoes that may have exacerbated the problem.

I’ve been riding at the walk for a week. Was brave enough to try the trot last week for just a couple circles in each direction. I was a bit sore but not as bad as before.

I had an a-ha moment of sorts when I realized something about my stirrups, though. Thanks to the mirrors in the arena, I saw something that I didn’t necessarily feel. For years I’ve been riding in double offset stirrups (like this: http://www.doversaddlery.com/stübben-double-offset-stirrup-irons/p/X1-0704/). When I looked in the mirror at my feet, I saw that only a small portion of my foot was touching the stirrup . . . the outside portion of my left foot . . . which corresponds with the tightness and pain areas that I’m having in my left leg. I switched out my stirrups before my last ride and I felt much better in plain 'ole regular irons. Interesting!

I trotted both horses on Saturday and while I don’t feel 100%, I also don’t feel as horribly bad as I used to after a ride, so I’m going to continue to take it nice and easy. Fingers crossed!

[tollertwins]

pocket pony - interestingly, i was riding in sprenger bow balance, and on my 2x4 little pony ended up feeling a lot better in plain ole stirrups also…

[Pocket_Pony]

Hmmmmmm…isn’t that interesting!?

Has anyone tried the MDC stirrups?

[x-halt-salute]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8345908]
Hmmmmmm…isn’t that interesting!?

Has anyone tried the MDC stirrups?[/QUOTE]

Interesting to hear about your lightbulb moment re: stirrups. I’d been riding in my trainer’s jointed irons (no offset or angled eyelet for the leathers though) and then my regular old fillis irons (also no offset or angled eyelet) but was thinking about looking into MDC because of their adjustable angle. I hope someone in the thread has given them a try!

I’m glad your riding is still going ok, Pocket Pony! I, on the other hand, may finally have to admit defeat in the saddle. I’ve gone from soldiering on through the pain and being able to ride 2nd and 3rd level movements with reasonable feel to having a lot of trouble just with my horse’s motion, let alone using my right leg/seat with any feel or timing. I had to spend the entirety of my last lesson just working on walk/trot transitions because my hip was so out of whack. Not to mention that walking even short distances is making me pretty limpy. It’s been over a week since my arthrogram, but my hip pain is still much much worse than it had been beforehand, especially where riding is concerned. I’d have thought the dye/saline they pumped in there would have been reabsorbed by my body by now…

Also, after doing due diligence it still looks like I’m a very good candidate for surgery and everyone seems to think I have excellent odds for significant pain reduction, so I’m going ahead with it. The status quo is unsustainable, and my window of opportunity to have this done with a surgeon I have confidence in and an insurance plan that covers 100% of the costs will be closing in a couple of months. So it’s scheduled now for early November. Fingers crossed!

[tollertwins]

I use the MDC’s that aren’t jointed and have a fixed 45 degree offset…I like them…
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/mdc-s-classic-stirrup-11743

I’ve looked at the stirrups that have the leather completely parallel to the saddle, but I DO rely on the leather for a little bit of leg support - so I haven’t tried them.

Have been of the last 10 weeks due to abd. surgery - am going to at least SIT on one of the ponies in the next day or 2.

I should know in another couple weeks if the faifix exercises help w/ the riding or not.

[Pocket_Pony]

[QUOTE=x-halt-salute;8350603]
Interesting to hear about your lightbulb moment re: stirrups. I’d been riding in my trainer’s jointed irons (no offset or angled eyelet for the leathers though) and then my regular old fillis irons (also no offset or angled eyelet) but was thinking about looking into MDC because of their adjustable angle. I hope someone in the thread has given them a try!

I’m glad your riding is still going ok, Pocket Pony! I, on the other hand, may finally have to admit defeat in the saddle. I’ve gone from soldiering on through the pain and being able to ride 2nd and 3rd level movements with reasonable feel to having a lot of trouble just with my horse’s motion, let alone using my right leg/seat with any feel or timing. I had to spend the entirety of my last lesson just working on walk/trot transitions because my hip was so out of whack. Not to mention that walking even short distances is making me pretty limpy. It’s been over a week since my arthrogram, but my hip pain is still much much worse than it had been beforehand, especially where riding is concerned. I’d have thought the dye/saline they pumped in there would have been reabsorbed by my body by now…

Also, after doing due diligence it still looks like I’m a very good candidate for surgery and everyone seems to think I have excellent odds for significant pain reduction, so I’m going ahead with it. The status quo is unsustainable, and my window of opportunity to have this done with a surgeon I have confidence in and an insurance plan that covers 100% of the costs will be closing in a couple of months. So it’s scheduled now for early November. Fingers crossed![/QUOTE]

Best of luck with your surgery!

I’m not 100% yet but I am feeling better. I’ve been riding mostly at the walk with just a little trot here and there - think I may have over-done it on my TB two days ago - and I’m hesitant to canter because of the way the hips move at that gait.

Interesting stirrups, tt, I may have to check those out.

[seeuatx]

[QUOTE=x-halt-salute;8350603]
Not to mention that walking even short distances is making me pretty limpy. It’s been over a week since my arthrogram, but my hip pain is still much much worse than it had been beforehand, especially where riding is concerned. I’d have thought the dye/saline they pumped in there would have been reabsorbed by my body by now…

Also, after doing due diligence it still looks like I’m a very good candidate for surgery and everyone seems to think I have excellent odds for significant pain reduction, so I’m going ahead with it. The status quo is unsustainable, and my window of opportunity to have this done with a surgeon I have confidence in and an insurance plan that covers 100% of the costs will be closing in a couple of months. So it’s scheduled now for early November. Fingers crossed![/QUOTE]

I’m usually not in this section so never saw this thread. I am currently in recovery from Labral repair surgery. It was a traumatic injury, tripped running and I felt it pop (I fell and actually momentarily subluxated as well). I hobbled around for a few weeks thinking it was a bad bone bruise or torn hip flexor.

Luckily my Dr. sent me for the arthrogram right away (yes it is horrible and was much worse after which I thought was psychosomatic but maybe not) and while he offered cortisone and PT, he was pretty clear surgery was my best chance at getting my normal back. I was “optimum candidate, minimal wear and tear otherwise, and fit otherwise”.I sent my images off to a orthopod friend that was out of network for a 2nd opinion and she was even more blunt with a “there is no way you can heal this on your own”. I had what they termed a full posterior tear, popped clean out and came all the way into the anterior side. 2nd opinion docs chief apparently termed it “impressive” which is just me… All from one bad step on my short, easy 2mile run of the week.

Anyway, I am currently 2 weeks post op. Pain is minimal now except first thing in the morning from being still at night. I ice it for a while while I sip my coffee, and then ice multiple times a day. PT started last week, so far so good. They are keeping me on crutches (20%/foot weight only) for another several weeks otherwise, which is annoying but the reasoning is to keep the hips balanced and avoid limping. I work on my feet all day, so I’m out on short term in the meantime. The worst part for me is sheer boredom, I’m an active person in general so stall rest is terrible. I keep thinking I should have asked the doc for some Ace to keep me in control

[tollertwins]

Just FYI…the FAIFIX exercises are helping some w/ pain when using my legs under saddle…

But if you are really shredded (like x-halt sounds to be) it wouldn’t make a difference.

My first one, when they got in there, was about half shredded off, too. Nothing helped.

[seeuatx]

Well I had an unforeseen complication just as I was heading into 5weeks post op and doing pretty well. I went into the ER the other day because I had a nasty calf cramp that I just could not quite get rid of. Yup, DVT blood clot that no one suspected because of my age (just turned 31). Luckily caught fairly early but now on Xarelto for the next 3-6 months, so no riding or skiing during this time

In hindsight I should have asked about maybe taking asprin since I wasn’t in the age range to be considered to need post op blood thinners. Everything else I think I did right, moved as much as I could and did PT 3 days a week.

[tollertwins]

buuummmmmeeerrr!!!

[Pocket_Pony]

Yikes! How did they dx your blood clot? What about it felt different than any other leg cramp?

[seeuatx]

[QUOTE=Pocket Pony;8382425]
Yikes! How did they dx your blood clot? What about it felt different than any other leg cramp?[/QUOTE]

The nurses at the ER thought I was over exaggerating until the ultrasound confirmed it. I had no other symptoms, no swelling, redness or temp difference between the legs/feet. It felt like a normal pulled muscle except that it lasted for several days. I’d felt it cramp once or twice before but it would work out after a bit. Then last Saturday I was out and about on the crutches and it hurt terribly by the end of the day. It would come and go depending on what I was doing so I didn’t think much of it until Tuesday night when it was cramping so bad it woke me up a few times in the night. I knew that was not normal and went to the ER Wed. morning since my normal doc was in surgery that day.

[x-halt-salute]

Just an update after not being on CoTH much during a fall full of travel, tying up loose ends at work, and trying to pack up all my worldly belongings before surgery (I suppose it’s now safe to publicly say that I’m moving out of state in December).

Surgery is a week from tomorrow. I’ve got a relative flying out to stay with me for a few days just to make sure I have a ride to/from the hospital and a little help around the house during the worst few post-op days.

I confess that I haven’t found time for the FAI Fix program, between traveling abroad and handling chaos on the homefront, but I’ve been doing a bit of core/hip flexor strengthening on my own and I’m hopeful that the more targeted program is something I could usefully employ after surgery (… maybe after the dust settles post-move).

Horsie is enrolled in full training board from now until after I get planted in Colorado and send for her. I’m going to squeeze in a couple more rides before surgery, but the pain has got the better of me and I’m a pretty pathetic rider at this point. Never thought I’d be the person with a horse in full training who just shows up to feed treats, but I think the little mare will enjoy a vacation from me and my stupid hip.

Seeuatx, so glad you caught that clot before things got even worse! And thanks for sharing your experience – it is both reassuring to hear how well things were going a few weeks out of surgery and worrying to hear about your DVT. I was pleased that my orthopod seems to take the risk of clots very seriously. He prescribed aspirin for me, and stressed the importance of motion, but hearing your story is extra motivation to be a compliant patient and to pay attention to potential clot symptoms.

As always, glad to have such a supportive community here! Your stories and advice have really helped me to make the decision about surgery and to prepare for it, especially given the other things I’ve been juggling. Hope you’re all doing well and are relatively hip pain-free lately!

[seeuatx]

Yes, take your asprin and wear your compression socks. I had the socks but not the asprin. Also follow your PT religiously. And ice is your best friend. Best of luck! I’m sure it will go great.

My good news for the day is my 5 week post op was today and minus the DVT clot my progress is considered excellent. Range of motion are all returned to almost normal. It was great to finally have a ROM test that wasn’t excruciatingly painful. I can start adding more weight and walking without crutches in PT. Still off work until after Thanksgiving which is longer than I had hoped, but I was burnt out anyway so I’ll try to look at the bright side.

So I’m hoping X-Halt that you have the same results (minus the DVT of course) and can recover back to normal as quickly as possible

[x-halt-salute]

Well, folks, I was pretty confident about things when I walked into the hospital Tuesday morning, but the news I woke up to was not what I was expecting.

Multiple MDs interpreted my MRI arthrogram as showing a superior/lateral labrum tear and a band of scar tissue. When they got the scope in there, though, they found the labrum folded back on itself but not torn and no band of scar tissue, but a lot of arthritis.

I was pretty dumbfounded when the orthopod came to the recovery room and told me that there really wasn’t much they could do as far as debriding damaged tissue and that we’re back to activity modification and pain management as the primary modes of treatment (since the arthritis seems to be the most significant issue). I’ll have a more detailed discussion with him at my follow-up appointment in a couple of weeks, but it sounds like I just have to live with the pain until it gets bad enough/I get old enough for a THR.

I’m really discouraged.

[Simkie]

Well, shit, x-halt. That sucks. I’m so sorry you didn’t get better news

Keep us posted on how you’re doing and what they’re recommending for your pain. I hope they’re able to make a difference now that they know what it looks like in there.