Hip impingement surgery

[pants]

Has anyone here been diagnosed with a hip impingement and gone through with arthroscopic surgery? If so, please share your experience with it. It would be great to hear about your pain, surgery, recovery time, and how it has affected your game and daily life.

Typically I just have dull aches in my left butt cheek, left side of the hip, and sometimes on the front. It even feels like it could be in the groin area sometimes(and I've never had any groin issues). It's not so much painful as it is annoying. I can play a game and feel fine, but after or the next day my hips feel sore. Aside from that, my hips have been really tight for some time now and I have a pretty narrow butterfly. I was stretching, foam roller-ing, and lacrosse ball-ing my hips and butt for months and that nagging ache just never went away.

As it turns out I have recently been diagnosed with an impingement in my left hip. The ball is a little too big for the socket. I'm not sure if I have a labrum tear or not yet. I'm still waiting for the MRI follow up. I likely have one in my right hip too. I went and saw Dr. Joseph Barker at Raleigh Orthopedic in the sports medicine dept. He's the assistant physician for the Hurricanes and a hip specialist. He's given a few lectures and presentations on Hip Impingements and arthroscopic surgery and has performed many of them in his career. He seemed pretty certain that this was the cause of my discomfort, and lack of mobility in my hips.

I'm concerned if I don't get surgery, the onset of arthritis will be accelerated and I will also need a full hip replacement in 10 years or so.

I'm also concerned that if I do get it, my hips will never feel the same again.

For now, I'm leaning towards getting the surgery, but am a bit nervous about it and hate that I won't be able to play for a while. I do however feel hopeful that if I have the surgery, I may prevent serious hip problems when I'm older, and it could help me become more flexible and ultimately better at playing goal. Anyway, if you have anything you'd like to share about hip impingements, I would love to hear it. Thanks.

[goalieguy981]

I got the same surgery over the summer (June 29th to be exact)
The surgery itself was very easy, I'm being 100% honest, there was no pain. My leg was numb for about 2 weeks, but there was no pain whatsoever

I got the all clear to play early September, but wasn't until late November that I actually strapped on the pads again

In my experience, I am 100% glad I got the surgery. For the first time in I don't know how long, my hip felt amazing when playing. there was none of the pain/discomfort that I was experiencing before my surgery

[pants]

That's great news and really encouraging! How old are you? What was the physical therapy like? How soon after were you walking again? Do you feel more flexible? It sounds like you recovered quickly. That's pretty amazing. Congratulations on everything with your surgery and thanks for posting!

[theeagle]

I am pretty sure I have a labrum tear. A groin injury all in my left side. Its like my groin but the ( Tear) becuase I know its a tear by feeling is in my belt line region on the outside of my hip. Is that the Laburm area? Its really bad after games and days after. Now its no t going away.

[Littlefield]

I'm actually recovering from my second hip surgery. I had my left hip done on August 25th and my right hip on November 17. I had both impingement in both hips along with torn tabrums. the final straw was the sports hernia I suffered during a shoot out. overall the surgeries aren't bad, the first two weeks are difficult due to limited movement but that's all.

I'll write more later if you'd like... I'm on a tablet now and feeling lazy.

25 years old by the way.

[Littlefield]

Originally Posted by theeagle

I am pretty sure I have a labrum tear. A groin injury all in my left side. Its like my groin but the ( Tear) becuase I know its a tear by feeling is in my belt line region on the outside of my hip. Is that the Laburm area? Its really bad after games and days after. Now its no t going away.

doesn't sound like a labrel tear from my experience or any of the other people I've spoken with. either way, see a doctor! good luck!

[L7spider]

Ugh, after reading the original post, it kinda sounds like me. The pain I feel in my hips is not enough to stop me from doing activities or anything but it is more like a discomfort at this point. It is not always there, mostly after an activity (like playing goal) once I have cooled down, my hips get stiff and sore. I do stretching to help, and it does to some extent but this is something that about 5 years ago wasn't happening at all. I'm one of those people who rarely if ever get injured or sick so I never go to the doctor. I'm only 29 and I take really good care of myself. I've never had to have surgery and I guess I'm kinda trying to ignore what is going on with my hips because I don't want it to be anything. If I'm being honest though I guess it's not normal for my hips to feel like this, even if it is just discomfort at this point. In the back of my mind I've been thinking I might have hip impingement. Any way that what Im experiencing is just general soreness from years of being active/playing goal and not something serious?

[Horizon38]

Originally Posted by L7spider

Ugh, after reading the original post, it kinda sounds like me. The pain I feel in my hips is not enough to stop me from doing activities or anything but it is more like a discomfort at this point. It is not always there, mostly after an activity (like playing goal) once I have cooled down, my hips get stiff and sore. I do stretching to help, and it does to some extent but this is something that about 5 years ago wasn't happening at all. I'm one of those people who rarely if ever get injured or sick so I never go to the doctor. I'm only 29 and I take really good care of myself. I've never had to have surgery and I guess I'm kinda trying to ignore what is going on with my hips because I don't want it to be anything. If I'm being honest though I guess it's not normal for my hips to feel like this, even if it is just discomfort at this point. In the back of my mind I've been thinking I might have hip impingement. Any way that what Im experiencing is just general soreness from years of being active/playing goal and not something serious?

I'm not sure but it sounds like something is definitely wrong. Best bet would be to see a hip doctor if you can. It may not be too bad right now but it will only get worse and its better if you catch it earlier rather than later.

I'm starting to get sore hips after playing in net for my 5th season (been playing hockey my entire life though) and I'll be going to see a doctor after the holidays. It just started towards the end of last season though it hasn't been too bad this season but the discomfort is definitely there after games and the next day, even with stretching.

[pants]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

I'm actually recovering from my second hip surgery. I had my left hip done on August 25th and my right hip on November 17. I had both impingement in both hips along with torn tabrums. the final straw was the sports hernia I suffered during a shoot out. overall the surgeries aren't bad, the first two weeks are difficult due to limited movement but that's all.

I'll write more later if you'd like... I'm on a tablet now and feeling lazy.

25 years old by the way.

That would be great if you could write some more about your experience. Thanks Littlefield!

[Littlefield]

Originally Posted by pants

That would be great if you could write some more about your experience. Thanks Littlefield!

As Requested:

Just for background information I started noticing things were wrong in the winter of 2010 when I switched to some new pads and noticed I couldn't close my butterfly like I used to, it slowing started moving towards not being able to do the splits (or come even close) and finally not being able to do any post-save recoveries like I used to. I'd also have a lot of pain the day after and some games it'd feel like I had a knife in the side of both my butt-cheeks. I saw the doctor during the winter and he told me I'd inevitably need it. I decided to move forward with the surgery after I had a sports-hernia during a shoot out- it basically felt like the worse groin pull of my life.

Anyway, this kind of applies for both legs, the 2nd time around was way easier due to the fact that I knew some of the tricks of the trade and was probably in a little bit better of shape thanks to the rehab.

Day One: Surgery - Not too big of a deal, just lots of sitting around and waiting. If you've had surgery before you know what I'm talking about. The surgery was about 2-hours, it was supposed to be an hour but I had more cartilidge damage than expected (if you have someone waiting for you let them know it could be longer). My parents live about an hour outside the city and I stayed with them post-surgery. This car ride was one of the only times I felt pain. Every bump hurt.

Day Two: 1st Rehab - It was pretty basic, he checked out the incisions, removed some of the post surgical wrapping and did some passive movement (I sat there and he moved my leg). After my second surgery I biked the first day too.

The Rest of the Week: 3-4 hours a day of the CPM Machine and the rest of the ice machine. Rehab is pretty standard, you bike for about 15-20 minutes while they do a lot of passive movement excercises. After a while you may start doing some stuff on your own like butt squeezes, the stop your self from peeing squeeze, and rocking lightly on your hands and knees. The worst part about week one is that your leg is essentially useless and you need someone with you to move it around and get you in and out of bed (easier the 2nd time when you figure out ways of moving yourself). Also be prepared for some back pain if your bed sucks because you're in it a lot; I had to wear my brace and basically it's your choice, lay on your back or lay on your stomach. I had more back pain then I ever had hip pain post-surgery.

Week 2: 3-4 hours a day of the CPM Machine and the rest of the ice machine. Things get a little easier and you can start doing things yourself and crutching around more. It was halfway through the week I started feeling more comfortable and would go down and eat dinner with my folks, possibly go crutch around Best Buy etc. Rehab is a lot of the same, more massaging, exercises etc. etc. Stitches were also removed.

Week 3: Returned to work. A lot of the same otherwise, a little more biking, more moving by yourself but still on crutches. I started walking in PT and around the house this week.

Week 4: You should be weaning off crutches or moving to one. I also was freed from my brace as well. I started doing walking exercises, side steps, balance exercises etc. This is also when the really intense scar tissue therapy happens... during this I swear and yell at my physical therapist and kick violently.

Week 5: More intense walking, side steps, walking backwards etc. etc. This time a lot of the stuff was using resistance bands.

Week 6-10: You're basically back to your normal life, minus sports. I went back to lifting in the gym, going out with friends without worrying about hurting myself. Physical Therapy got pretty varied and the exercises are all off the place.

Weeks 10-12: I did a lot of circuit training all focused on strength, balance, and flexibility. I was really starting to stretch on my own again with minimal pain in the hip.

Week 13: Repeat

Basically when anyone ever asked, I'd say it was a lot less pain then I expected but also a lot less movement/mobility than I expected. I essentially couldn't figure out how to use my leg for the first 1-2 weeks the first time around. Other than that, to this day, it kills me not to be playing hockey.

If you have more specific questions just ask. I know going into my experience I wish I had a better understanding of what I was doing.

[supercharged06]

i think im beginning to develop this hip issue as well i dont have half the range of motion that i used to have in my left hip... i can play for hours and generally will feel fine but 20mins or so after im off the ice my hip really tightens up and is just like a nagging pain for the next day or so
i noticed the symptoms about 7 month ago (didnt have health insurance untill about 3 weeks ago) so im thinking of going to get it checked out, its just i dont know what i would do with my self not being able to play hockey for 4-6 months =(

[Horizon38]

Originally Posted by supercharged06

i think im beginning to develop this hip issue as well i dont have half the range of motion that i used to have in my left hip... i can play for hours and generally will feel fine but 20mins or so after im off the ice my hip really tightens up and is just like a nagging pain for the next day or so
i noticed the symptoms about 7 month ago (didnt have health insurance untill about 3 weeks ago) so im thinking of going to get it checked out, its just i dont know what i would do with my self not being able to play hockey for 4-6 months =(

Well get it started now and you'll have the surgery by March or April then you'll be set for the next winter season!

[rocki033]

I am like the above poster, I avoid the Dr. , but I did get a x ray and saw a Dr. They all looked at me crossed eyed and had no clue. If I could walk that was A ok for them. I have all the same symptoms as you guys mention, but I have a constant dull throb.

One Dr. wanted me to get an MRI, is that truly only way to know whats going on, or did you guys just get x-rays?

[Littlefield]

Originally Posted by rocki033

I am like the above poster, I avoid the Dr. , but I did get a x ray and saw a Dr. They all looked at me crossed eyed and had no clue. If I could walk that was A ok for them. I have all the same symptoms as you guys mention, but I have a constant dull throb.

One Dr. wanted me to get an MRI, is that truly only way to know whats going on, or did you guys just get x-rays?

Signs of impingement can be seen in x-rays but you won't truly know until an MRI

[pants]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

Signs of impingement can be seen in x-rays but you won't truly know until an MRI

I also read somewhere that hip impingement is often misdiagnosed and could take up to two years of fishing with different doctors until the right one spots it. Your best bet is to find a reputable sports medicine doctor that specializes in the hips, or just a hip specialist at the very least. Like Littlefield said, the impingement will show up in normal X-rays. I think that the MRI is more for finding out if you've torn the labrum or to see how bad the cartilage damage is if any. I find out tomorrow what my fate is, so I'll let everybody know.