Success story (labral repair + FAI)

Just wanted to post a success story after being in this group for many years as I navigated my hip pain. I’m a 35 y/o female athlete. I tore my labrum training for a half marathon. I initially did not have impingement. For three years, I tried all of the conservative treatments (PT, injections, etc). The joint gradually got worse over time including developing a CAM lesion. I could no longer run, cycle, or even walk without a limp.

I had arthroscopic surgery on 7/21. I woke up in less hip pain than I went in with. Since day two post-op, I have followed rehab protocol to a T. I was off opioids on day 2. I started weening off crutches at 2 weeks, and was fully off by 4 weeks. I go to PT twice per week, and do my PT routine at home daily. I can bike and swim as much as I want. I don’t have any hip pain (unless I do something silly like pivot on my leg). I am doing two walks of 1.5 miles each per day. It’s a slow rehab process, but after not making any progress for three years, I feel incredibly hopeful at the progress post-op. I am now 40 days post-op.

One thing I wish I had known more about was the traction during surgery. They briefly told me about it as I was being wheeled in for surgery. I have a foot injury as well as back injury, and each were significantly worst post-op due to the traction (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, google “hip arthroscopy traction”). I was icing my foot more than my hip in the first few weeks. If you have another joint injury (ankle, knee, back), make sure you let your surgeon know.

If anyone has questions, I’m happy to answer. Sometimes stories on the internet are scary, so I just wanted to share a positive one.