I drove down to Melbourne today to have a consultation with John O'Donnell. John is "the man" when it comes to hips. I have discovered he has been performing hip arthroscopy since 1990 and is one of the most experienced hip arthroscopy surgeons in the world having done over 5000 of them. This certainly put me at ease.
John is a very easy-going bloke and has a terrific personable way about him. Many specialists have an "air" about them and seem to look down their nose at you but John was far from it.
He looked at my scans, including my MRI, and pointed out what everyone had been telling me was wrong with my hips. John was in no doubt he could correct my problems and get me enjoying an active lifestyle without pain. He explained the surgery in layman's terms and told me he'd expect I'd be on my feet the day after the procedures but probably using crutches.
Even though I have always had more pain in my left hip, John was sure my right side had more damage and wanted to go in there first. I went with the left side. But as it is I'm having both hips done one week apart.
The most daunting part about that is not the surgery itself. That sort of thing has never bothered me. The great unknown is the rehab and recovery and getting a good result. That's what has me nervous. This has been a long road and I don't want to be doing it for nothing.
Anyhoo, I'm booked in at St Vincent's & Mercy Private Hospital for April 22 (left) and April 29 (right). I could have had it done when my private insurance cover ticked over on February 17 but I'll wait until after the last week of the BCA cricket Grand Final and during the school holidays. Hopefully we make it and win back to back. Then they can do what they like with my hips. Most folks think I'm a bloody idiot playing with these bad hips as it is.
Bring it!!
Showing posts with label Melbourne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melbourne. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Monday, 21 November 2011
Olympic Park Sports Medicine - I'm excited!
I went along to meet sports science doctor Andrew Jowett at Olympic Park Sports Medicine today and was excited in the knowledge I'd be getting some definitive answers to what was going on with my body! After years of being treated for assumed lower back and groin issues I was looking forward to finding out what was really going on.
I didn't have to wait long after filling out an initial details form and went into Andrew's office where he asked me about my history. I informed him I'd had a knee reconstruction as a 19 year old, several years of short-lived groin issues and a left ankle injury in April 2011, among other minor issues.
I told him my symptoms really flared up in July when I started running for fitness and noticed hip, groin and thigh pain, especially in the left side. I said I have pain when I sleep and with prolonged sitting, especially driving. I mentioned I occasionally feel the pain in my lower leg and have an occasional limp when I walk or run.
He then tested me for the range of movement in my hips and watched me walk up the corridor to check my gait. He noted I had "some mild left gluteal wasting and a mild antalgic gait". "Left hip pain in full flexion and bilateral abductor guarding". He said I have "hip pathology".
Andrew then sent me next door to have x-rays and ultrasound which showed I have flattening of the femoral neck on both sides but he thought the left side looked worse.
He has diagnosed me with a Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) of both hips with hip joint synovitis that is secondary to the FAI. It is the cause of the inflammation and pain around the hip joint. I also have moderate thickening and scarring of the illiotibial bands.
Andrew's initial explanatory diagram of FAI.
Andrew has recommended a 3 week course of anti-inflammatories with a potential cortisone injection in the hips under x-ray if it doesn't settle down. He has suggested I strengthen the gluteals under physio guidance and says I can continue with karate, cycling and swimming and told me I can do straight line running that is cricket specific.
He has advised me to continue to be as active as possible within these limitations.
Unfortunately he also told me that surgical intervention has a limited role at my age, as the outcomes may not be predictable from hip arthroscopy and labral debridement. According to Andrew my running days are over
This is not what I wanted to hear and was a real downer. Feeling very flat as I am pretty sure I won't improve with exercises and strengthening. There is more to my pain than weak muscles.
I didn't have to wait long after filling out an initial details form and went into Andrew's office where he asked me about my history. I informed him I'd had a knee reconstruction as a 19 year old, several years of short-lived groin issues and a left ankle injury in April 2011, among other minor issues.
I told him my symptoms really flared up in July when I started running for fitness and noticed hip, groin and thigh pain, especially in the left side. I said I have pain when I sleep and with prolonged sitting, especially driving. I mentioned I occasionally feel the pain in my lower leg and have an occasional limp when I walk or run.
He then tested me for the range of movement in my hips and watched me walk up the corridor to check my gait. He noted I had "some mild left gluteal wasting and a mild antalgic gait". "Left hip pain in full flexion and bilateral abductor guarding". He said I have "hip pathology".
Andrew then sent me next door to have x-rays and ultrasound which showed I have flattening of the femoral neck on both sides but he thought the left side looked worse.
He has diagnosed me with a Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) of both hips with hip joint synovitis that is secondary to the FAI. It is the cause of the inflammation and pain around the hip joint. I also have moderate thickening and scarring of the illiotibial bands.
Andrew's initial explanatory diagram of FAI.
Andrew has recommended a 3 week course of anti-inflammatories with a potential cortisone injection in the hips under x-ray if it doesn't settle down. He has suggested I strengthen the gluteals under physio guidance and says I can continue with karate, cycling and swimming and told me I can do straight line running that is cricket specific.
He has advised me to continue to be as active as possible within these limitations.
Unfortunately he also told me that surgical intervention has a limited role at my age, as the outcomes may not be predictable from hip arthroscopy and labral debridement. According to Andrew my running days are over
This is not what I wanted to hear and was a real downer. Feeling very flat as I am pretty sure I won't improve with exercises and strengthening. There is more to my pain than weak muscles.
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