Complete avulsion of hamstring

I had surgery  Oct 14, 2015 for a complete hamstring rupture.  I had been dealing with partial tears for about 2 years, had steroid injections But nothing would help that pain I was having in my sitz bone. I continued to work thru the pain and tried to stay active but playing  sand volleyball I felt the burn which I knew was the end.  I am 4 weeks post op and it hasn't been easy. The 1st 2 weeks I basically did nothing but lay around and let it heal. I didn't want to do anything to mess it up.  My doctor didn't put me in a brace either the only thing he wanted me to do was shuffle when I walked.  So I have the Tim Conway shuffle down now!!  Each week I get stronger but still can't do too much without getting sore. I am going to try and go back to work this week for 4 hours a day for 4 weeks.  I sit all day so that is the challenge.  Sitting is still hard.  They told me at my last appointment it would be up to a year to heal.   I also will not  do any type of physical therapy until I am 12 weeks post op.  Good luck to you and remember shuffle!!  

Cathy, thanks so much for the info.  Surgery is set for next Thursday.  They're not sure what to  do with me since I live alone and need to climb 29 stairs to my apt.  They may send me to a rehab hospital.  I just wonder how I'm going to do all the normal things we do without help since I'll be on crutches for at least 4 weeks.  My son will be here for a couple of days, but he works full time and going for his Master's, so he's very busy.  The dr has me out of work for 6 weeks.  Sitting is my biggest complaint right now as well as my leg wanting to go in whatever direction except straight.  Frustrating to shop when I'm not sure I'll be able to make it down an aisle.  Thank goodness for home delivery and on line shopping.  PT I'm not sure about.  

This may be scary to some, but my surgeon has never done surgery like this --- he's done the acute type, but not the chronic so it should be very interesting.  I'm told he's excellent, so I'm not too concerned.  He also wants to try to avoid an allograft which is fine with me if the sutures will work.  May I ask what type of incision you had?  I noticed you mentioned scar tissue at the incision site.  I've read various articles where some surgeons prefer the latitudinal incision and others do both the latitude and longitude for chronic avulsions.  Guess I'll find out after surgery.

Hi Cathy.  Wow!  Surgery was 2nd week in Dec.  one lesson learned, don't have surgery so close to the holidays.  A couple of surprises.  Apparently there was so much blood in the torn area that it obscured the tendon connected to the ischial tuberosity.  So instead of  complete rupture it was actually only a partial.  Surprise #2 - the sciatic nerve was so totally encapsulated in scar tissue that the scar tissue actually pulled the nerve against the bone so I was literally sitting on the sciatic nerve.  Have a 15 cm incision from my butt down.  Have been in a brace (that was a surprise to me) and on crutches.  Was in hospital 3 days and rehab hospital 4 days to learn to go up and down stairs.  A little scare when the incision opened up in a small area and being on blood thinners blood everywhere - happened twice.  There is still a lot of pain while sitting and having to go back to work in 3 weeks makes me nervous,  PT at home, but basically to just get me moving and not putting weight on my leg and again with the stairs.  My apartment needs a good cleaning, so I'm frustrated about that.  Get to see the surgeon on Monday for first time since hospital,  Oh and by the way the elevated cutout toilet seat a definite life saver.  Best thing ever.  I may be starting hydro therapy soon, not sure. 

Lori that sounds bad!  I guess I am lucky mine was not as complicated.  I remember feeling like I would never  be able to do anything but doing nothing and letting it heal was the best thing to do.  It will be so worth it.  I started PT just this week and had 1 session and was really hesitant to let them do anything but I was told to take it slow.  Just afraid I will tear it again!!   I can't believe how much muscle loss I have had and the muscles around my butt are really sore.  Dr said it is a long recovery and I think he is right!!  Hang in there and keep in touch.  The house will wait!! Don't overdue it!! 

Dear Cathy, Judy,

urgent. am about to have this surgery on day16 after acceident - all 3 torn; about 4 cm down... 52 quite sporty, young children, very active.  Apparently have to do quickly to minimise operative risk.  but got NO opinion from 2 docotors and yes from 2.  are you happy you did this?  seems the recovery more difficult than you thought... thanks for urgent advice - supposed to go to clinicl tonight!  many thanks...

Hi Adriana.  You sound similar to my situation. I am so glad I did it !  I was in pain for so many years with just minor tears so once it snapped I knew it needed to be done.  Before I did it ever step I took walking upstairs hurt.  Couldn't do squats etc.   I too had one dr that said I wouldn't have to do it and just live with it but I felt like I was old (53) but enjoyed being active and felt Still had some years left to play sports. I think you will be happy with it.  How many of these procedures has the dr done?  Mine was only 60 to 70 but he was the best from Ohio State University so I was in good hands.  It is a slow recovery but I know this so I will be patient.  Good Luck!!  Yes they like to do it as soon as possible after the injury because it must be easier to reattach.  Keep me posted!!  Shuffle shuffle shuffle is all you can do after for about 6 weeks but hang in there it will be worth it!!

Thanks for your quick reply...still stressing.. had when the doctor I like best recommends not to do it.  The one doing it has done over 200 in the last 9  years;  I will need more advice after surely. I also need to go for a few hours to work on day 10 after ad day 12... and then for 5 hours starting day 14.... hope to make it...  hare you totally ok now or still have issues form the operation?  thanks 

You will be fine.  What type of work do you do?  I was off 4 weeks and I sit at  a computer all day. After 4 weeks I started back at 4 hours a day for another 4 weeks then increased to 6 hours then to 8.  You have to take care of yourself afterwards or it won't be worth it   

Hi Cathy.  Don't know if you're still blogging, but I'll give it a try.  Dr extended my sick leave until March.  Got my brace off last week (8 weeks post op).  Started pool therapy - first week was horrible - the pain and cramping AFTER.  I'm still having a lot of pain sitting (no more than 15 minutes on semi-soft chairs; no more than 5 minutes on hard chairs).  Not only does my sitz bone hurt, but if feels like there's a log going down my thigh when I sit.  I have to go back to work in 3 weeks and this makes me very nervous.  PT says up/down desk is essential for me to be released.  Dr has increased some meds, but I can't take the percocet.  Also like you the muscle weakness is crazy.  My leg just doesn't want to hold up so PT is working on strengthening and getting me off the crutches.  I can walk some, but then I need to grab onto something so I don't hit the floor.  

Just wondering how you are doing and if this sounds normal.   I'm so frustrated and tired of hurting.  

Hi Lori.  I can't remember when you had your surgery but mine was in October. I am doing really well.  I went thru 8 weeks of physical therapy and I have really good flexibility but that leg is still really weak.  I did end up getting a deep tissue massage on Monday and wow!!  He really got in there to get those muscles I haven't been using and compensating with other muscles.  I was full of knots and it was affecting my hips.  I need to go back next week to have him work on it again.   I can't believe the pain you are still in.  That's too bad.  I have been back to work full time since the middle of December.    It sounds like you have a lot iof scar tissue that needs worked out.  Maybe ask about that deep tissue massage.  I am not going to lie it hurts and I am bruised but it felt so good at the same time. Keep me posted. 

 

Hi Cathy.  My surgery was in the middle of December.  I am in my 6th week of rehab (2 days pool therapy 1 day land per week).  The leg is still really weak, so much so that when I stepped back on it last week, I ended up on my back looking at the ceiling.  I wasn't hurt, but it was quite a surprise.  My dr wasn't happy and extended my work leave another month.  I haven't asked about the deep tissue massage yet.  I'm still having way too much pain in the area especially to the touch.  It's getting better, but the doc said when it comes to nerves, it's going to take a long time, especially with all the work he did releasing the sciatic nerve from all the scar tissue.  I am now using a cane and the dr doesn't even want me walking around the house without it.  At least the pain is lessening to some extent.  At least I can sit on the couch for longer than 5 minutes.  Hard chairs are still out of the question and I'm sitting on two pillows in the computer chair here at home.  Driving is still challenging due to the pressure on my thigh.  They have begun to increase the intensity level in PT which is good.  Hurts after, but I need to get this leg to start working again.   

Hope you are continuing to do well.  

How was surgery and how are feeling now ?

Hello, I'm in Kentucky and my orthopedic doctor is having a hard time finding someone that has done this surgery before. Can you give me the name of the group you seen? I need the surgery and no one in this area has done it.

Crystal, 

I can't say for sure, but my experience is medical universities with orthopedic teaching hospitals have surgeons which can address hamstring avulsions.   

Also, if you are near any major sports teams and can find knee/hip doctors who support a sports team , they will likely be able to do the surgery.

Another idea:  call an MRI radiology facility and ask the office manager to ask around with their musculoskeletal radiologists : "which hip/knee doctors within an hour of here are experienced with reattaching torn hamstring tendons?"

Go in on a Monday (or send spouse) with a box of donuts and little cards with your phone and email written out .     Someone likely will tell you who to check with.

Expect to be told "unless you are an athlete, you really don't need surgery unless ......."

I would guess that Louisville or Lexington would have surgeons who repair these.

Please keep us all posted on your search.  

Wally 🍌 Whoops 

Thank you Walter. I went to the Lexington office. That is where I got the "since your not an athlete you don't need to have it fixed, just do therapy". He wanted me to do 6 weeks of therapy and claims if that don't fix it, I would be the first ever to require surgery. My PT friends tell me they can help, but can't fix a tendon retracted 4cm and completely torn. I have had two other orthopedics that told me I do need repaired but their groups have never done it before. I think the next place to try Louisville. This is an extremely rare injury and surgery in this area. I just don't want life long limitations if I don't have to.

Crystal,

I totally understand.  I heard the same thing many times.

Consider the other ideas I mentioned.   Reach out to radiologists since they would certainly know which docs can fix it, because those are the docs that more frequently order the MRI studies.  L

If you can't find surgeons near you, it is not that terribly far between KY and  Durham NC.   Duke university orthopedics has hip doctors who have fixed these before.   I don't have any experience with these docs yet.

Also, Look for sports medicine ortho docs vs joint replacement ortho docs.

Wally 🍌 Whooooops

(I did not slip on a banana peel.... it was far more slippery than that)

Cathy thank you for your story I'm 60 and have had a partial tear for 4 years now and it keeps tearing more and more . I was very active before running 3-5 miles 5x a week I am going to have the surgery to finally be out of pain . How are you doing now are you back to an active life?