1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

I found help for my torn gluteus medius

Posted , 13 users are following.

gingery56
gingery56

I have spent years in so much pain....at least 11 years.  I thought I had tried everything because as an RN I have seen too many surgeries that not only don't help, but actually cause harm. I tried chiropractors, dry needling (which did help a lot), massage, analgesic creams, hot, cold, saw an orthopedic surgeon who of course offered a dubious surgery suggestion.  I tried  everything I could possibly think of over these years.  I had had physical therapy and found it caused more pain instead of less.  I went a few more years and recently was told by a friend to try his physical therapist.  I was reluctant but was running out of options and felt I was headed for a surgeon search.   I tried the new PT and it has been the best thing I have ever done for my torn GM.  I have had to go for several months but I feel I have gotten at least a 50-60% improvement.  It has been slow but sure and I feel I am going to have a healed GM when we are finished,.  Hope this gives others some hope. 

1 like, 17 replies

17 Replies

Next
  • Anonymous111
    Anonymous111 gingery56

    Posted

    I also work in healthcare and If it were me - I’d do the same as you - avoid orthopaedic surgery at all costs.

    Good luck with physio.

    • gingery56
      gingery56 Anonymous111

      Posted

      It's because we've seen too much Ben.   My PT guy is amazing and I almost didn't go because my last experience with one was so unsatisfactory.  I'm very glad to have found the guy who is helping me so much.  I also see a massage therapist twice a month, but I've gone to her for years. 

  • miriamal49
    miriamal49 gingery56

    Posted

    Hi hingery56, what was the difference you saw in this new pt? What new movements in exercises? If you could share we can try it. Thanks 
    • gingery56
      gingery56 miriamal49

      Posted

      Miriam, first of all he is certified in "manual" PT....I guess that means hands on and not just exercises.  The difference has been wonderfully different than my last PT experiencece.   He does ultrasound, then he uses what he calls a knife but it is just shaped like one, but has a rounded smooth edge.....he loosens up the area first with light massage, then uses this instrument to go over the places that have hard knots in my hip.  After that he uses electrical pads with stimulation with hot packs.  I'm usually impatient but I knew that if his treatments didn't work I would be forced to look for a surgeon, (that is the absolutely last thing I would ever do, but I was afraid it was inevitable). When I got to this PT clinic I could not stand up straight to walk and was bent over and in constant pain.  I just checked the dates and it's been just 3 months, and I've gone 3 times a week. When I asked last week why he thought it was taking so long he reminded me of how bad I was when I came.  He said, "when I saw you coming in all bent over I knew I had my work cut out for me."  He has given me exercises but only 2 and very very easy on me. When he tries something that hurts he backs off.  Exercises to strengen my back muscles & core will come but right now healing of the tear is the most important thing.   As a nurse I am dismayed at how long and how difficult it is to get answers to intense long term pain.   I'm not a hypochondriac, but often doctors treat us that way if they can't see the answer.  I finally went to an orthopedic surgeon and practically demanded to have MRI's of both hips, my pelvis and lumbar spine.,  This is how I finally after years of pain and treatment found that I have a tear in the gluteus minimus. 

      I hope my answer helps you.  

    • emmalou58373
      emmalou58373 gingery56

      Posted

      What kind of MRIs have you had, Gingery56? Not all MRI machines are created equally. I have a Glute Med tear. The 1st MRI, of 1.5T strength, that I had showed NOTHING. Then I saw a Sports Medicine MD and she ordered a *double-strength MRI* (3.0T) which showed about 6 different problems with my hip, including a Glute Med Tear. Keep seeking out care and tests. I was relieved that the 2x strength MRI meant I didn't need the contrast injections!

  • stephanie207
    stephanie207 gingery56

    Posted

    So what did that PT do that was different.  I also an am RN, had total Right Hip replacement, anterior approach done in January 2017 and still have severe leg pain.  I have had 9 months of PT, dry needling,m massage, creams etc etc etc.  So I would love to know what you did that was different.  Thank you
    • gingery56
      gingery56 stephanie207

      Posted

      Im not home with my computer Stephanie, but I put the answers to your question in a response to someone else. If you can locate that it should cover it, but if not, write to me again.
    • stephanie207
      stephanie207 gingery56

      Posted

      Thank you so much.  I did find that information.  I have doing all of that work with no significant change in my pain.  I am so glad you are doing so much better.  
    • emmalou58373
      emmalou58373 stephanie207

      Posted

      Gingery said they had the

      add-on Manual Therapy training. My old PT had it. They are a 10x better PT as far as pain management goes, if they get that...

  • renee01952
    renee01952 gingery56

    Posted

    Hi Gingery, 

    Thank you for sharing your story -

    I am on this road of recovery from 2 THR surgeries for a while - At times it felt as if I was not improving, hitting plateaus or something - I had physical therapy on a regular schedule  but it seemed to make things worse - too much too soon - weights added, exercises too strenuous, who knows - Walking badly, tightness and discomfort in groin, trochanteric bursitis etc --- 

    Then I was referred (by my PT) to a clinic where they have "slendering" machines --- Never heard of them before, but apparently once popular in the '40/s (?) - 

    It was the best thing for me - First of all I got full attention - 10 minutes on each bed where parts are moving your muscles - 6 beds total makes one whole hour of attention!!! I go 2x week

    - in addition I have neuromuscular massages once a week - Slowly my body was able to comply due to the gentle treatments - The massages were pretty intense though -

    I am very happy for you that you found a good and specialized physical therapist -- that is so important - 

    Big warm hug

    renee

    • stephanie207
      stephanie207 renee01952

      Posted

      Could you please elaborate on the “slandering machines”.  Maybe a picture.  Thanks

       

  • Jodi-France
    Jodi-France gingery56

    Posted

    Good for y!

    Thanks for posting.

    What does the physical thery entail, the one that is working for you?

  • gidgygirl
    gidgygirl gingery56

    Posted

    What is this PT doing differently? My PT also says my gluteus medeus is the reason for my limp - it's not responding to the exercises I've been doing. We've tried a lot of different exercises, but by now, after 8 weeks of PT twice a week & daily exercise at home, I would hope to see some improvement, and I'm not.

  • 2young
    2young gingery56

    Posted

    My first post here ---

    I am 12 mos post Right partial hip replacement ( emergency surgery after a fall)  Despite 6 mos of PT followed by Dr ordered exercises to strengthen my quads and glutes, I am still limping. I am now seeing the 3rd Ortho surgeon and have some hope he is trying to find answers. Mt PT thinks I have a torn glutes from the fall and/or other tears. What does a torn glute feel like?  I've done exercises and didn't have a problem until my Posas became inflamed. Maybe the Posas is working too hard to compensate for the Glutes?  I am having a MARS MRI tonorrow. If that reveals nothing then a diagnostic Ultrasound is next.  For the glute tears - heat, massage, elec stim - what works?  I want to avoid surgery if I end up having this. 

    • 2young
      2young

      Posted

      And my glutes do not respond to exercises either.  Is that a symptom of a torn muscle?   
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.