The Road to Recovery

I have been a power walker for decades.  Walking 5Ks and 10Ks, both in person and virtual, especially during Covid.  Last April, It all came to a screeching halt when I started have lower back pain.  X rays showed that I had some degenerative arthritis and disc space narrowing and it was recommended that I start physical therapy.  The physical therapy combined with short, slow walking helped and in the beginning of July, my physical therapist released me, told me it was okay to go back to the gym.  I started working out with a friend twice a week as well as being back to my power walking routine.  I even started training for my first half marathon.  Five weeks later, while running in flip flops during a rain storm into the house, I slipped, catching myself before falling to the ground.  Shortly after I was inside, I felt a sharp pain in my groin which left me feeling like my leg was going to give out.  The next day, I went to my family doctor and was diagnosed with hip bursitis.  She sent me for an x ray of my hip, to an orthopedic specialist and back to physical therapy.  The orthopedic doctor confirmed the bursitis diagnosis, gave me a cortisone shot and put me on rest for two weeks.

The end of September I had a second cortisone shot, this one in my hip joint to relieve the pain.  During the months of September, October and November, I went to physical therapy once a week, did my stretches at home as recommended by my physical therapist, but all I could manage was a painful half mile.  Actually, walking in general was painful and I limped around trying to live a normal life as best I could. 

Fast forward to January, frustrated because I wasn’t seeing any results despite doing everything that was recommended that I do, I decided to seek out a second opinion.  My new orthopedic doctor gave me hope.  After an examination, looking at the x rays and listening to my concerns, he sent me for an MRI.  The results of the MRI showed that I have a severe tear of the labrum in my hip.  I have a follow up in two weeks, I am sure he will be discussing treatment options which no doubt will include arthroscopic surgery or a hip replacement.

I knew something was wrong and I am so glad I listened to my gut and seeded out a second opinion.  This is where my road to recovery begins.  Stay tuned……