Hips--And too many years of skiing on them--Resurfacing in the forecast

Well shit...

I'm 45. Not really in all that much pain, plenty of vert over the weekend, but ROM is definitely compromised. Even hardpack skiing is fine, I could go bell to bell without much trouble. That said, my first visit to a hip specialist wasn't what I thought I was going to hear. I thought I'd have a relatively straightforward bone smoothing and labral tear arthroscopic fix, but the doctor (Mei-Dan UC Health) said I was borderline too far gone for that. The only reason he would even consider it was due to my high activity level. Not sure I really want to go through that with what he described as a high level of outcome uncertainty.

So, pending 2nd and 3rd opinions (trying to get in to see Philippon at Steadman), I'm not leaning towards arthroscopy, but resurfacing instead. Mei Dan really seemed to favor sending me to Europe or Australia for ceramic, and it seems like the reports linked above support that as well. Seems crazy to pay out of pocket when I have insurance, but everything's on the table right now.

And maybe I do nothing for a while given my pain level (or is it pain tolerance). I would just need to get an keep an eye on my bone to make sure it stays strong enough for resurfacing.

Last thing, the right hip is 4-5 years behind the left in its decline. So do I get that arthroscopic surgery now? Questions, questions...

My left hip has been bothering and my rolfer asked me if I slept on my stomach with that leg bent up.
I said yeah and she said that caused hip failure.

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Originally Posted by goldenboy

So do I get that arthroscopic surgery now? Questions, questions...

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I’d get your ducks in a row as far a procedure/surgeons. Then wait as long as possible.

I went from mild groin pain at the end of ski season, to not being able to get out of the car the next February. Skiing and biking were never the problem. It was getting up afterwards , after I’d sat for a while.

I think at your age, you should definitely consider resurfacing. You can always do a THR later.

Good luck!

^^ Thanks.

Amazing all the different opinions doctors have. Philippon said he could scope me and fix me up without a resurface or THR. Then I went to a 3rd doctor locally since they do free second opinions and he agreed with Philippon's assessment. But he also didn't recommend resurfacing of any kind, only THR.

In the end, I'm starting to think, "why do anything right now?" I've always had some mild discomfort and stiff hips- I didn't really like sitting "Indian style" when I was a kid. Maybe I have another 10 years before I really have to pay my dues and get a THR. Tough call, ugh.

Random question for you.

In your skiing have you spent a lot of time hiking with your skis shouldered and if so is the failing hip the side you mostly shouldered your skis on?

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Originally Posted by Not bunion

Random question for you.

In your skiing have you spent a lot of time hiking with your skis shouldered and if so is the failing hip the side you mostly shouldered your skis on?

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Ha, nope. I don't spend much time hiking with skis shouldered (like at bridger). And when I do, it's right shoulder, but the left hip is in worse shape than the right. My hips were born to get trashed due to an imperfect shape of femur head and socket.

Got it. Friend who was at the Canyons on their SS staff claims he ruined his right hip joint hiking Murdock and shouldering his skis.

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Originally Posted by goldenboy

Amazing all the different opinions doctors have. Philippon said he could scope me and fix me up without a resurface or THR. Then I went to a 3rd doctor locally since they do free second opinions and he agreed with Philippon's assessment. But he also didn't recommend resurfacing of any kind, only THR.

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Philippon also gives free 2nd opinions, if you fill out a questionnaire and send in your films.
I just got a voicemail from a tech, “not a candidate”. I called several times for an explanation, but never got a call back.

I thought I had more time and was planning on seeing a few more Docs. Then having a procedure in May. But the hip locked up and I had to take what was available.

My left hip THR, was the result of having right knee pain for decades. Favoring the right knee and taking hard impacts with my left hip.

I will eventually get a TKR on my right knee.
I’ve already got approved by three Docs and just have to call and schedule when it’s time.
I’ll probably go with Dr. Kim at Steadman, if everything works out.

I skied a 165 days last year and about that, so far this year. So a THR’s, not the end of the world.

Well I'm sitting here today, one week post THR. I found this thread as I was doing research prior to surgery and although I didn't post anything in the thread, I did find the comments and insights very helpful in my decision making process. Short version of the story is that I began to experience immobility and pain in early December 2018. I initially tried to work thru it with PT sessions and continued to ski in the resorts, go on backcountry treks and wrapped up with ski mountaineering trips this spring. The pain finally got too much the end of April. I scheduled the right hip x-ray and the results came back as severe osteoarthritis in the right hip. The next several weeks involved the process of selecting the surgeon and getting ready. BTW I'll be 61 in August. If anyone is interested in more of the details, I have been keeping an active account of the whole thing in my blog. http://hi-adventure.com/the-next-adventure-chapter-i/

http://hi-adventure.com/the-next-adventure-chapter-ii/


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I'm probably going to need both hips done, they told me 18 months ago I needed it on the right (they told me that when I fucked the left one up). But I'm getting around okay and no real weakness so I'm waiting on it. Left one's sore pretty much all the time, especially after sitting, but loosens up after 5 or so steps. I asked the Doc when I saw him in May when I would need it done and he said, "when you tell me it's time". So far I'm keeping on.

You definitely want resurfacing before you get to the full replacement stage whenever that is. Friends with resurfacing came back quick with much less atrophy. Full replacement is more of a crap shoot. Good surgeon can make a lot of difference it seems. Seen friends in and out with equal length legs. They gave 'r before tgey went in and came back quite quick. 2nd hip seemed quicjer and less atrophy. Not sure why. I think he said less scared to get back on tfe go after surgery. Then see others that gavs to wear the thick sole shoe. My resurfacing bud skis as always. Smooth as

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Re-surfacing is the way to go. Mine was May 2013 at 59 (Doc. Pritchett, Seattle) and was skiing just fine by the time we had snow. The re-hab time isn't long and expect 6 weeks of therapy. My Dr. had to fix a life-time of joint deformation and strange looking ball / socket that was whacked so not a typical re-surface. Do have different alignment but I completely trust it. He asked if I wanted to lengthen the affected leg to equalize them & said nah, pretty used to it and it ski's just fine. The hip may feel odd....kind of a synthetic and lacking sensation feeling but there is no better answer if it's right for you. 6 years of hard skiing and many, many tours later, hasn't done anything but improve.