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FAI + Weight issues + failed scope. I'm in trouble.

Posted , 8 users are following.

mwhoffman
mwhoffman

Hi folks.

I just found this forum and I'm hoping to get some support and objective opinions. I hope this is not too long-winded.

I'm 41 years old and I've been heavy all my life. No serious health problems, though I've always known it would catch up with me. I had weight loss surgery 13 years ago and lost nearly 200 lbs and hit a wall when I got pregnant with my son and still had 100 lbs to go on a weight loss goal. I started having severe pain in my hip/groin about 2 years ago and after 2 orthopedic consults, x-rays and MRIs, I finally got a 3rd opinion (WHY it took 3 I have no idea) but my 3rd ortho dianosed me with Cam & Pincer FAI. The labrum was shredded almost completely. Because of my age and weight, the ortho recommended the scope, saying if I opted for the hip replacement, I would likely need another before the end of my life and it wouldn't be pretty the 2nd time around. Better to have the scope, hope for the best outcome and worst case scenerio, put off a full replacement 10 years if I could.

The debridement of the impingment was apparently successful in that I have a healthy looking bone and no spurs but I am 4 months out and have severe pain 100% of the time. No muscle strength whatsoever and I have been doing PT twice a week for 4 months. I have done everything right. There is just a ridiculous amount of damage that the joint has suffered in the last few years. My weight, the FAI, and the scope have made this joint very angry.

I went for a follow up with my ortho this week and he agreed that the scope was not likely positive and I had become a "statistic" of someone that unfortunately had a bad result and that a replacement would be my only relief from pain. He then explained to me that my weight presents SEVERE risks for this replacement, given where I carry it. (Weight loss surgery patients tend to shed weight and it falls heavy around their hips, like fabric draping.) He was kind and understanding of my situation and my struggles of being almost COMPLETELY unable to move and I don't eat a ton of food (because I can't.) So shedding a lot of weight in order to diminish risk before a replacement isn't likely. Can anyone give me some positive thoughts here? I've been an optimistic person my entire life and never EVER struggled with depression. This is the first time I have seen my future and felt true fear and sadness for myself and my husband and my son.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • sarah97675
    sarah97675 mwhoffman

    Posted

    Bless you, to be in constant pain without seeing a way out is awful.  Has anyone medical looked into how they can help with further weight loss.  Can you do anything Aqua aerobic ?  Can they try a steroid injection to try and relieve the pain ? X

  • noplaybarbie
    noplaybarbie mwhoffman

    Posted

    Hi MWHoffman.....I wish I had some advice and agree with Sarah's response. Seems like someone should have some answers/suggestions to help you out besides letting you deal with constant pain. I am hoping that someone has a solution for you soon. It is a terrible predicament to be in. Please know that anytime you want to vent or chat people are here to listen. I sure wish I had some answers for you. Plus as I am sure you are fully aware being in constant pain makes it near impossible to exercise. Wishing you well....Barb

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 mwhoffman

    Posted

    How much do you weigh now, I was 200lbs when i had my hip replacments with no problems, not ideal, but not impossible, got myself fit by treading water 3 times a week in the local heated pool for an hour to hour and half each of those 3 days, I too was unable to walk as well due to pain levels, and totally shot hips, Specialist shocked when he fianlly saw me, not happy with my local GP, tried to admit me as emergency patient on day i presented at outpatients for first appt. .
  • dorothy04749
    dorothy04749 mwhoffman

    Posted

    Hi

    in uk often local councils run aerobic aquatic classes for the over weight person, you all meet in the local council run pool and go through a series of exercises with and without the use of a noodle.  Those long pencil like spongy things that can keep you afloat.  Amazing ways taught on how to exercise in water.  You do not say if you can walk at all with the pain but that is another albeit slower way to losing weight.  I had an overweight friend who got up at 6am and walked for two hours before commencing normal duties of the day, took her months but she steadily lost the weight.  Perhaps you can do smaller times but several times over day.  Can u do 5 /2 diet and try not to eat anything on the 2 days if you do eat very little on a normal day.

    hope the aerobics might be your answer, so much more u can achieve when buoyed by water

    regards Dot 

  • veronica61194
    veronica61194 mwhoffman

    Posted

    Have you asked if they would remove  the excess skin around your hips prior to THR to lower your risks? 
  • linda38528
    linda38528 mwhoffman

    Posted

    First of - a big hug and congratulations for your amazing efforts so far. I can only imagine how discouraged you must feel right now - with every right to be. What a 'catch -22' situation.

    Like others here, I strongly support the idea of aqua classes. I did a fair amount pre and post thr as this was the only place I could exercise without increasing the pain. The great thing about it is that you become weightless and this eases the impact on joints while the resistance of the water increases the effectiveness of the exercises. Ideally, you would find a class with a physio attached but these are far and few. Perhaps the PT you are using would agree to do the occassional session at the local pool with you to show you how best to use your time there.

    Please stay in touch here ... we may not have concrete answers but I have found the members of this forum are particularly good at supporting each other and hearing about each others' successes helps too.

    Wishing you more courage and determination to get past this.

    L

    PS - I am 64 and about to get my 2nd hip (first one Feb 2016).

    The courage of other forum members has been really inspiring and some of them have truly battled some phenomenal challenges too. xxx

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