arthroscopic hip bursectomy

[bacarver]

Hi TE -
I've been riding for over 30 years and am now scheduled for trochanteric bursectomy and IT band release to stop the pain. I've been through multiple rounds of cortisone injections plus "physical therapy", Tylenol and motrin, Percocet, rest. Has anyone else gone through this? My last ride was October 9. It hurts too much to ride now. Thanks for listening. Barb

[ny biker]

I have no experience with that sort of procedure but I wanted to say that I hope the procedure goes well!

I think I am headed for surgery to heal a torn ankle tendon, which was actually made worse by physical therapy due to an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis at the time. I know that it is frustrating to try different treatments without success. Hopefully you'll be on the mend and able to ride again soon.

[bacarver]

Hi - Thanks for the response. I've been in a fog since my surgery on 10/27. I can't believe that my problem is this unheard of. The physical therapy I had a year ago was brutal and the therapist injured me. He was cruel. I'm doing my own therapy as a result. My second bursectomy is scheduled for 12/8 so I'm constantly dealing with pain issues. It's really tough being trapped in the house day after day. My last ride was a 30 miler along the Ohio River on Oct. 9th. I miss my bike and all that it does for me. It will be months till I can ride again. If I'd had the choice, I would have had the bursectomies last year but it wasn't until this past August that I found the doctor who could help me.
I hope your ankle tendon surgery goes well and that your recovery makes steady progress. Barb

[Crankin]

I am sorry you had to go through this! Sometimes it is worth traveling to a larger city or different medical center for second opinions; the fact that you were injured by PT is scary. Glad you found a doctor that understands and can help.
I know being in the house sucks. Can you find an "indoor" hobby to make the time go by? I know it's hard for me... I don't do handwork, not creative, or talented. I read. In fact, when I've been injured or sick, I go on reading binges. When I was on house restriction b/c of premature labor, I binge watched old movies. I am generally not a movie watcher, at all, but for some reason, this made the time go by. One thing that helped during this time was at least once a day, having a friend come visit. This was before the Internet, but I imagine I might have spent more time online.
Keep us posted.

[bacarver]

Guess we all have to take our turns. Larger cities do offer more, but to my surprise, the ortho surgeon I found is just right down the road. How often does THIS happen? The problem was fighting with my insurance company to be allowed to see him as he was classified as out of network. He has been trained in arthroscopic surgery technique which is the way to go as opposed to a long open incision. One of the offices I went to awhile back wanted to send me to Mayo clinic. That means airplane. I wish I would have spoken up last fall when the PT was so abusive. I was trapped into obeying as a pain doctor had ordered the therapy. I am more vocal now and don't hesitate to speak up when I fear that pain is going to be inflicted for no reason. My hobbies include crafts, reading, music, and my dogs. I have found ways to pass the time after my left hip surgery because I have to. I'll watch movies after my second surgery. I cannot imagine going through this without the internet. This experience sure makes me think about all the patients I cared for over the years as a nurse. It never actually occurred to me how hard it can be to lose your freedom and to be so cut off for days and weeks and months. My goal is to get through this and successfully rebuild my bike fitness next year. I am convinced that riding my bike all these years caused the hip bursitis. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change anything because I love my bike. Thanks - Barb

[TrekDianna]

I feel your pain. Literally. I am past the horrible part of my surgery, but still sitting much of the time -- mine was knee, not hip. I went months of my doctor telling me I just had a pulled hamstring, then changed to IT band issues..I wasn't convinced and finally got an MRI approved by insurance. A torn meniscus, right off the root and medial. Ortho surgeon was great -- (undergrad degree in mechanical engineering and also an athlete). She drilled holes in my tibia and attached things where they belong. As long as I follow all orders, this should heal and I will avoid a knee replacement. I am on week 4, thigh to ankle immobilization brace. Yesterday was my first weight bearing day. 8 more weeks of the brace locked in full extension (except allowed to unlock when I sit, but can't bend past 90 degrees). I am lucky that I work at a university that has our local medical center branch PT for the student athletes and I can go there. If they can get the student athletes back on the field, I think they can get me back up. I've never followed doctor's orders so faithfully before!
Good thoughts for your healing

[bacarver]

On the verge of taking a Percocet but still haven't opened the bottle. My left hip hurts from the surgery, right hip is blowing up, and left calf hurts due to nerve damage from 2 dog attacks in past year and a half. Not sleeping well. Finding a position that doesn't hurt is difficult. I don't like the way pain meds make me feel and I hate giving in to couch pillow status. Do I believe that I will ride again in the spring? Kinda hard right now.
Wow. Sounds like you have had a hard time and that moments throughout the day are still a challenge. It is so hard to deal with the reduced activity when we are used to a high level of exercise. A pain specialist told me last fall that I was LYING about my hip pain! That was a direct attack on me. After my first surgery on 10/27, the ortho surgeon told my husband that the bursa WAS inflamed and red. I was finally vindicated. The moment in time when the truth is made clear is the moment when you can breathe. I am so happy for you that you have a capable and caring ortho surgeon. The brace sounds like a real challenge. And to be in the frame of mind for 8 more weeks. I have been allowed to take short walks now for a week and was able to start low resistance spinning on my bike trainer yesterday. Milestones. Have you decorated your brace? Ribbons? Stickers? Stuffed animals? I wish I had it in me to go to Physical Therapy, but the trauma of what I was subjected to last year by a PT means I have no trust/confidence and I'm terrified of being injured again. You are very fortunate to have access to the university services. Your target date for being brace-free should be around mid-January. I hope you are on your way back to running and riding step by step, day by day. Thanks for the post. Barb