Question
Hi Sharon.
I'm hoping you can help because I'm starting to lose hope. I had been a very active 50+ woman and tore my labrum in a race
Thanksgiving of 2007. After almost a year I found a doctor who identified the problem.  I had hip surgery for a labral tear eight
weeks ago (hip debridement).  I was on crutches for two weeks and then sent to PT. I thought I was progressing, but then after only
a few session with PT I found I was almost regressing and experencing more throbbing and a pinching or catching sensation in the
hip area. I went to see my surgeon at five weeks and he said it will take time and told me to take two weeks off from PT.
I once again seemed to be progressing except for the catching and pinching sensation if I rotate my leg a certain way. I started
back at PT yesterday and last night had the same aching and throbbing pain. Is this normal? I truly don't mind the pain as long as I
know it will get better. How long does the recuperation period last and where should I be at this point? Are there PTs who deal with
this specific type of surgery?
I look forward to hearing from you
Thnks,
Maryellen  

Answer
Dear Maryellen

Don't lose hope.  

I can't say for sure what is going on.  My first impression was that you may have overdone the exercise and that caused you to have some additional pain. That would be the reason your doctor told you to ease up on the PT.

I feel it might be in your benefit to get a second opinion on what is going on with your hip.  The fact that you were progressing well, had some type of injury, which you rested, and then when you started therapy again, you felt the same thing, bothers me.

You'll need to ask this doctor for some diagnostic testing to see if what excatly the injury is and how to fix it.  The hip debridement that your surgeon performed was to put off having to give you a full hip replacement.  It may be that there is something going on which the surgery brought to the forefront and you may need additional work done.

I can't say for sure becuase as you can see from my profile I am not a doctor or a diagnostician.  That is why I suggested a second opinion.  If you look into a second opinion, don't wait, because it will only make you more upset.

Try not to worry, I know it's hard, but relax.  Sometimes when we injure ourselves, every little ache and pain scares us.   Especially when we reach our fifties.  (I know becuase I just turned 50 in July too!)  Speak to your doctor regarding diagnostic testing, if you want, look into a second opinion and take things as they come.

I wish you the best of luck and may the new year bring you back to good health.

Sharon