Diagnosed with labral tears in both hips but hips too shallow for arthroscopy.

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I had DDH as a child not diagnosed till i was 8 months and was in a full body cast when i had my dislocated hip repaired for 5 months. Everything was ok till i hit 15. I then suffered back problems and was told i had scoliosis, spina bifida occulta, scheuermann's disease and a tilted pelvis. Suffer back pain now and again but nothing i can't put up with.

When i reached 27 and 2 children later i started getting agonizing hip pain both sides when i walked even just a short distance. It's taken a year to get a diagnosis after two arthograms my consultant tells me i have hip dysplasia and as a result under developed and hallow hip sockets. I also have labral tears on both hips and a cyst as a result of the tear. He say's an arthroscopy would probably not help and make may make matters worse. He wants to try putting anesthetic into both hips to find the source of the pain as i have lots of sources. He says the net option could be steriod injection which could provide temporary relief then finally triple pelvic osteotomy.

I am now in constant pain and due back to my active job in a few weeks after having maternity leave. Nothing seems to help.

Anyone had experience or got any advice?

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3 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi! I know it's been 12 months since your post, so I hope you managed to get the help you needed. But in the off chance that you didn't (or in case someone else with your question comes to this forum), I thought I would share my case with you. 

    I had practically the same problem as you did/do (thankfully just the right hip atm, minus the 2 kids). The labral tears on the hip and the cysts are actually secondary problems, caused by the fact that you have shallow hips (hip dysplasia) - at least in our case. So since your femur doesn't fit properly in the socket, it puts too much stress on the edge of said hip socket, causing the tear and cysts. Unfortunately having an arthroscopy is not viable for us, hip dysplasia girls. One of my consultants did mention the injections, but not as a cure, just as a "quick fix" for the increadible amount of pain that I was in while waiting to see the second specialist and surgery. The problem with waiting for too long to have a periacetabular osteotomy (also known as PAO) is that the longer it takes for you to fix the problem, the more likely it is that your hip joint will deteriorates (read osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease or age-related arthritis) and then if/when it does, you'll need a total hip replacement.

    I had my surgery 2 months ago, I'm no longer in pain, but unfortunately I still need crutches for at least another 6 weeks. I wont lie, there was some pain involved post-surgery, but after 4-5 weeks things started to get better. I no longer take painkillers but I carry on doing the physio and hydro exercises needed for full recovery (to speed it up). So I'm looking forward to saying good-bye to my crutches and fingers crossed my left hip dysplasia wont "develop" - if you know what I mean. 

    As for the tear ad the cysts, my surgeon said that there's only a small chance that I may still need a hip arthroscopy to fix those, as he thinks that after dealing with the hip dysplasia, my hip wont be in the same kind of stress anymore and then my body will most likely heal itself. But he couldn't say for sure - so I've got my fingers crossed about that too! 

    There are only a few surgeons in the UK that perform the PAO, as it's such a delicate and new-ish surgery (in comparison to say, a hip replacement) - it's twice more expensive too! But the 2 surgeons that I was recommended to work with the NHS and privately. 

    Hope you are also getting better! Stay healthy smile

      

    • Posted

      Hi, I've just seen this discussion and was wondering how your hip is now? I am in the process of waiting to be seen by a PAO specialist in London to determine whether I should have it done or wait for a hip replacement.

    • Posted

      Hi Gemma. I was wandering, how did it go for you after seeing the specialist in London? Did you have PAO at the end!? And do you mind specifiying which specialist did you see? Iam also in London and currently scheduled for arthroskopy to see if Iam still suitable for Pao.  

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