So agree. I'm glad he's made flexibility "cool", but he is a total douche. Excellent choice of words IMO. :D
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Update on my hip flexor: doc thinks it might be a torn labrum and basically told me I'm SOL if that's the case. Said it would be time to move to "low impact" activities, although I'm only 29 and cycling is pretty darn low impact, so I wasn't real impressed with that. I'm getting an MRI in a couple of weeks and then we'll see -- if no tear, I'll go to PT, so here's hoping....
Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
I think it helps to find a rehab specialist (whether it's a physician, PT or some other specialty) who participates in your sports, or failing that, who is an athlete of any kind. Otherwise they tend to take the attitude that you should be glad you can get out of bed unassisted and wipe your own butt, since they deal with so many people who can't. Preventing yourself from getting into that position just isn't in a lot of their vocabulary. You might ask around through your local clubs or shops.
Hope the MRI shows no tear and PT is effective.
Hopefully there is no no tear! I do, however know several who did that and had successful repairs. They are now just as active as before. Sending you good thoughts and hope PT is all that is needed.
I hear you Oak, I've had a PT imply that about my shoulder and say that I just shouldn't worry about it and not do what hurts it. Well, if I were to follow that attitude then the time would come when I can no longer do anything with it!
This is another reason I'm not thrilled with the doc, he brushed off the idea of surgery entirely -- "there are surgeries, but you won't be interested in that." Obviously I don't WANT surgery, but what I want least of all is to have to limit my biking! Although I do see his point that its maybe not yet painful enough yet to warrant the surgery. I don't know. I trust his ability to read the MRI so we'll just see what that says and move forward from there.
My impingement caused a torn labrum and that was fixed as part of my surgery. If there is a tear, I think it's probably very important to find out why - is there a mechanical defect that would re-injure the labrum even if you were able to fix it through PT, or is it something that occurred because of trauma or some other thing? I have 2 other friends (both exactly my age) who had the same issues as I did (but without the large bone cyst) and they were both repaired arthroscopically and they're doing great.
As several have mentioned (including me, I think, and if I didn't I will say it now) - surgery is a last resort for sure. But if there is something in there that you cannot fix with PT I cannot recommend enough getting it fixed. I also highly recommend getting a second opinion. My original orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed my problem seemed hesitant about operating. I know this is a relatively new procedure to fix these things arthroscopically and so he and I had a really good grown up conversation where he admitted he thought I would be a great surgical candidate but that he wasn't the guy for the job and he recommended the guy who did the surgery. It will drag the process out to talk to more than one doctor, but it's better than rushing into something.
I'm less than 2 months post surgery and am up to 60 miles on the bike and 10 miles hiking. Mine was so painful that I was literally unable to cycle for the 2 - 3 months before surgery. So you need to evaluate where you are on the pain scale, obviously.
I'm another one of MP's friends with a labral tear. :D My original ortho guy was upfront and said he did not do this type of surgery. My primary doc searched and found my current ortho at Stanford, I love him. I've had 16 weeks of PT, and now I'm working with a personal trainer to strengthen my legs/hips etc. My new ortho wants to do everything possible before considering surgery, which is fine with me. I've had too many trips to the OR in the last few years. :)
Is this a sports ortho? Doesn't sound like it, find an ortho that deals in sports and athletes and injuries. Doesn't have to be a surgeon unless surgery is indicated, of course the issue with surgeons is that his how they work. I cannot believe the ortho just writes you off, as if you were an obese sedentary oldie.
Yes to continuing to try to work on this with PT. Surgery should be a last resort but I've had several patients that have come to me and eventually gone for surgery and have done very well post surgery. So yes, you need to find a doc that would consider surgery if needed.
Meanwhile, there are some bike fit issues that can be addressed, like a shorter crank arm length and a more upright posture.
This is the link to find a Bike PT in your state, if you're interested.
I know I'm the "last resort" person weighing in as I did have surgery, but just wanted to report that almost 3 months post surgery and I'm up to 60 miles on the bike and 10 - 12 miles hiking with minimal pain. There's plenty of "you're out of shape" pain (sore legs and back and muscles around the hip), but no more of the "wow you are doing real damage" pain (shooting pain with every up pedal stroke) I had before surgery.
I'm hoping your PT eval and visits are going well and you can avoid surgery, but for me it was a GREAT option.
Update on this, I got an MRI and there's no sign of a tear. Doctor says we could do an MRI with contrast just to make sure, but he thinks its more likely hip tendonitis so we're going to start PT first. Here's hoping that helps!
Good news! Good luck with the PT.
Very good news! Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great in PT.