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Having Gluteus Medius Repair Surgery & Possible Hip Revision tomorrow!

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AnnieK
AnnieK

I had my THR in July of 2015 and never recovered, but always had a limp and pain in hip. Finally had second opinion and got a diagnosis of a torn gluteus medius muscle in Feb, 2016. Also had testing for infection but all was negative. I'm finally getting the repair surgery, as well as some exploratory in the hip, by two surgeons tomorrow, after 2 cancellations and seemingly endless waiting. I even had a vertebral compression fracture of my T-11 while waiting, which was SO horrible and painful and worse than my THR.

Now I am ready to see if my hip problem can be repaired, and if I can recover and move on with life. My health has gone so far down the tubes during this 15 months of inactivity that I am wondering if I will ever get it back. I will do all I can to get better, since I have so much to live for - a loving husband, sister and grown children. I love nature and out-of-doors adventures and want to go exploring and hiking again. 

I'll be wearing a brace and be 20 pound weight-bearing for 8 weeks after the surgery to avoid tearing the muscle/tendon again. It is possible they will do a revision if they see a loose stem or cup, but that is not likely. 

This forum was instrumental in me figuring out the source of my hip issues, as within the first couple of replies to my first thread, linda96952 told me about her problems, similar to mine, and put me on the right track. Thanks, again, my dear linda96952! https://patient.info/forums/profiles/linda96952-897026 Many other people here on Patient have been so giving of their support and information that I can't begin to list them all. I had no forum support after my THR and just struggled alone. This time I feel like I am going in with so much information and so many people with me!

Here are my previous threads, as I've been on here forever, trying to figure things out and waiting for treatment. 

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/22-weeks-post-op-still-can-t-walk-unaided--490578

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/facing-surgery-to-repair-gluteus-minimus-tear-possible-revision-498750

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/will-have-2-surgeons-for-my-exploratory-gluteal-tendon-repair-surgery--505113

Have attached a photo of a portion of my MRI from January, 2016. There is a ghostly face in the area where my hip problems are, and I call it my Demon Hip photo. Perfect for Halloween!

3 likes, 52 replies

52 Replies

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  • Terri901
    Terri901 AnnieK

    Posted

    Hi Annie,

    Thanks for your reply. We do have a transporter wheelchair at home.  I was my Mom’s  (RIP). We just decided to keep it just in case.  

    So it will be okay to sit in a chair.  That was something I did not understand. Thanks for the pictures.

    I will look into cheaper transports.  I will ask at the hospital.

    Where did you have your surgery?  It sounds like you had a great doctor.

    Thank you for all your advice.

    Terri

     

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK Terri901

      Posted

      It's great you have that wheelchair, Terri! We had purchased an electric lift recliner in the year before my second surgery. It was a godsend for me in my recovery. I used the lift feature all the time in the beginning so that I wouldn't break the 90 degree rule. And there is no way that I would have been able to pull up the handle of a manual recliner. I needed to have my feet up, and the push of a button accomplished that.

      Most couches are too low to be able to get in and out of safely after hip surgery. You can put them on platforms so that they are higher, and you can use cushions to make yourself higher. But it is difficult. For months after my THR, when I didn't have the recliner, I spent all of my awake time sitting up in bed or in a straight-backed dining room table chair that didn't have arm rests. Very uncomfortable. My recovery after the tendon surgery was so much better, due mainly to the lift recliner and the hospital bed.

      I will personal message you shortly with links to my surgeons practice. I actually had two surgeons in on my second surgery.

  • dawn34084
    dawn34084 AnnieK

    Posted

    I had my surgery for the reattachment of the GM tendon.  The Dr put cork screws in the top femur and attached the tendon.  He said surgery went well and sent me home with directions: partial weight on leg for 6 weeks then pt.  I have I read as much as I can find and would love any additional suggestions.  I feel fine, but don't want to do anything to tear the tendon away from the bone.  How do they determine if it successfully heals? another mri? I welcome any info from anyone that has been through this.  

    Sincerely,

    Dawn

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK dawn34084

      Posted

      Dawn, glad you have gotten through the surgery for gluteus medius repair! This thread describes my recovery from that surgery in detail. I, too, had partial weight bearing for 6 weeks. After that I gradually added weight while walking, while still using walking aids for some time. I had physical therapy using a protocol written by my surgeon, which gradually got me back into good shape. There was no follow up MRI, but there were x-rays and physical exams where the surgeon could assess my pain levels, strength, and ability to move and weight bear, and from that he could tell how I was healing.
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