oohheykate's MPFL reconstruction on 4/14/2011 (LOA & MUA on 6/21/2011)

[Runner1993]

Hope it helps!

[oohheykate]

Thanks everyone!

My pain has settled down a lot from yesterday, thank god! I really did not want to move most of the day yesterday. But today, my hip is hurting on and off and some movements really hurt it but I'm not expecting the shot to take effect yet. Like you said Milly, it takes up to a week or even longer to start working.

[DebraJean]

Hey Kate, how's the hip?? Hope the shot has kicked in and working for you. Deb

[oohheykate]

I think my pain is improving! I was actually able to sit on my computer chair for a little bit. Usually, I’m in pain the minute I sit down on it. School hasn’t been that bad but I don’t know if that’s because I don’t have to sit on stools anymore. My hip is still cracking/popping though. It also still hurts when I lay in bed but it hasn’t been hurting me too badly at night when I’m trying to sleep.

[TwoBadKneesUSA]

Sounds promising!  If there is a tear in there, that may be the popping you are hearing.  Hope it gets better for you.

Milly

[Runner1993]

Glad you are getting some pain relief finally!

[Runner1993]

Good luck tomorrow!

[oohheykate]

Thanks, Runner!

So, as you all know, I had a follow-up with my hip OS today after getting my cortisone shot. I left with the diagnosis of: multidirectional hip instability, hip impingement syndrome, and a torn labrum. I think my Ortho adds to the list every time I’m there. I seriously cannot catch a break. Like I need more instability in my life. And the best news is: I AM BACK IN PHYSICAL THERAPY. Can you tell how excited I am? I go back to my hip OS in two months. I have noticed a significant improvement in my hip since getting the cortisone. I can actually sleep through the night. I had no idea I was waking up because of the pain but I've been sleeping through the night since the pain has gotten better. Sitting in school is better, as well.

My operative knee has been holding up pretty well! It's awesome. My knee felt almost normal yesterday. I didn't even feel like anything was wrong with it until I touched it and noticed I couldn't feel me touching it. Then I was like, "oh yeah! I had five surgeries!" It's so weird knowing that maybe my knee will be almost normal. I have been getting more achy pain lately a lot of my joints because of the cold weather especially my right knee.

And I thought I'd share this with you guys. I had to write a boast about something for English and I wrote about being a master of crutches.

    I, Katelyn, connoisseur of purple walking sticks

    Have acquired a skill that many people do not need.

    An ability so mastered that it comes natural to me.

    Learning immediately after being under the knife for the first time.

    Perfecting it after the four operations that followed.

    I stealthily swim through the scholar’s safe haven hallways.

    People part, like the red sea,

    When they observe me crutching.

    Dipping, dodging, and ducking,

    Vehemently avoiding an assail from those who ignore my presence.

    Clicking and clacking constantly from class to class.

    Hopping haphazardly up and down harsh steps.

    Resolute to conquer the stairs,

    No matter how arduous they may be.

    Hours and hours of trekking wear me down.

    But I must be strong and press on,

    Until that final bell rings and I can go to my humble abode.

    Lazy and lethargic, I never want to leave my throne again.

    But then the day comes when I no longer need my crutches.

    That is, until the next operation happens.

[TwoBadKneesUSA]

Glad the hip is feeling better.  Hope they can help without surgery (if at all possible).  Like the poem.

Milly

[oohheykate]

Thanks, Milly!

I've decided to get a second opinion about everything going on with my hip. After reading the office note from my hip OS, he wrote that I shouldn't expect any significant improvement in my symptoms (popping, clicking, pinching, and instability). I refuse to believe that none of those will get better so I'm calling another OS tomorrow.

I don't think I mentioned it-- My PT eval is on Wednesday for my hip.

[TwoBadKneesUSA]

It may be that the tear will have to be addressed surgically, depending on where it is. I would think like a meniscus you know.  Maybe the doc is thinking the hypermobility may be a factor.  It cannot hurt to get another opinion though.  Good luck!

Milly

[Runner1993]

Good luck with pt! Have you had the same pt all this time?

Nice poem; it's so true! I used to write a lot in high school. I was the editor for my school's literary magazine. I haven't done as much creative writing in college.

I would get a second opinion, too, even if he just agrees with the first guy. Why is he having you try pt and not surgery? Does he think therapy can help the labrum? Is it in a spot where it can heal on its own?

[oohheykate]

Milly,

That's the thing though, my hip OS doesn't think the labral tear has anything to do with my pain and that it was there before and PT just flared it up. He really does not want to do surgery because of how hypermobile I am. The two times I've seen him, he's said that my hip moves way more than it should. It doesn't make sense that I would be diagnosed with hip impingement (FAI) and a labral tear, two things that can be fixed, that are very pain, and cause more instability yet my OS doesn't want to touch it.


Runner,

Thanks...I am not looking forward to going back. I've been going to the same place since I started PT in 7th grade.

I'm glad you can creatively write! I suck at it. It took me forever to write that. I'm better at writing things about things I can make up or things I can research.

Like I said to Milly, my OS is really hesitant to do surgery because of how hypermobile I am but I can't live with the pain if it can be fixed. PT can help reduce symptoms along with the cortisone shot by strengthening and that will help the instability also but the tear will never heal itself.



So I made an appointment with another OS. I had two in mind, one being one of the better hip surgeons in the country, neither take my insurance. Then, combining my insurance and where I've already been, it narrowed down the hospitals to one...my old OS who did the first three surgeries on my knee. I am so conflicted about this appointment. I mean, I'm happy that I can get a second opinion but I don't know how seriously I can take him after what I've been through with him. And plus, he's just a sports medicine doc so I would never let him operate on me if that time comes. Just so you guys know, it's really difficult to find a hip specialist.

[oohheykate]

I forgot to mention that my appointment with the second opinion OS is on Feb. 21st.

[Runner1993]

Good luck with your appt. It must be strange to be going back to your old OS!