I found help for my torn gluteus medius
Posted , 13 users are following.
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
Anonymous111 gingery56
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Good luck with physio.
gingery56 Anonymous111
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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 gingery56
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gingery56 miriamal49
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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 gingery56
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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 gingery56
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gingery56 stephanie207
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stephanie207 gingery56
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emmalou58373 stephanie207
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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 gingery56
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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 renee01952
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Jodi-France gingery56
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Thanks for posting.
What does the physical thery entail, the one that is working for you?
gidgygirl gingery56
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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 gingery56
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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
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