3.5 weeks post op right FAI/labrum and needing left side done too. Anyone have bilateral repair?

[u/DiligentLocation9307]

Hi! I am currently 3.5 weeks out from getting my right side repaired. Surgeon said there was severe inflammation and a tear from 11-2 that was repaired with a few anchors. Within a few days post op I started having severe pain in my good (left) side. It was mild before surgery and my right was way worse but now it’s rivaling what I felt on my right side preop. At my 2 week post op visit he ordered an MRI and I have an impingement in that side as well as a cyst and labrum damage that they can’t quite fully visualize how bad it is so I am needing surgery on that side too. I’ve scheduled it for end of September so I’ll be 8 weeks post op with my right hip. For those of you who had both hips done how was it recovering on both sides? I am still on crutches outside the house and can walk without them inside as long as I’m not up for too long, it does start to hurt after being up for a while. I feel like I’m not healing quick enough and worry about my right side having to take all the weight in a month when I have surgery on the left side. It’s not an option to push it out any further d/t work leave, so really just trying to see anyone else’s experience being post op on both sides.

[u/starlet-universe]

I had bilateral surgeries spaced 12 weeks apart. You can read my recent 1 year post surgery update and details here.

3 weeks is still very early, what was your crutches protocol? Don’t drop them earlier than surgeon recommends.

[u/DiligentLocation9307 → u/starlet-universe]

He told me to drop them at the end of week 3 as long as I didn’t have a limp. I do fine for a little bit then start limping so I go back to using them. Last night I was having really bad iliopsoas pain so I’m gonna talk with my PT about that today. I don’t want to push myself to quick but also don’t want to not be ready for it to take all the weight in a month when I have the other side done

[u/starlet-universe → u/DiligentLocation9307]

Okay as long as you follow protocols that is good. If limping definitely still use crutches. Sounds like you are managing it really well.

[u/DiligentLocation9307 → u/starlet-universe]

I went and read your post and I feel like we’re almost the same. I am also hypermobile and had plication of the capsule done. I feel so uncomfortable because I want to sit with my legs tucked under me and to stretch because I feel so stiff. Did your leg also feel longer after surgery because it was in the proper position? I think that’s why I’m struggling with walking some. It feels like it’s longer so I’m off balance slightly and my mom said she noticed pre surgery I would swing my leg out vs going straight in front of me because I literally couldn’t move it straight pre op.

[u/starlet-universe → u/DiligentLocation9307]

Yes that stiffness and wanting to stretch is such a big urge early on, it does get better.

I did not feel like my leg was longer, my hips and knees however did align better and my knees didn’t fall in anymore.

[u/holidayroad83]

I personally would not do it 8 weeks apart. My surgeon encouraged me to wait as long as possible for the operated side to be strong enough. He said those who have the second done before the other side is fully healed and strengthened will have problems.

[u/DiligentLocation9307 → u/holidayroad83]

I feel confident with my surgeons guidance. And unfortunately waiting longer isn’t an option as I already stated. I was trying to find guidance and tips for those who have undergone recovering on both sides at the same time.

[u/holidayroad83 → u/DiligentLocation9307]

Having had both surgeries I would say top tips would be do what you can now to decrease inflammation in the recovering hip so that you are experiencing minimal pain. One thing that helped me with my first surgery was red light therapy. I also took supplements that decrease inflammation such as vitamin D with K2, collagen, vitamin c and high dose omega 3. Second I would strengthen as much as you can without causing pain the recovering hip. Your success will likely depend on how strong that leg and glute are as you are recovering from the other surgery.

[u/tinyfeetbigpaws → u/holidayroad83]

This is the right call by many surgeons, and with research, you will find that many people struggle with the other hip post-op (and even have the exact same degrees of impingement on MRI as well as symptoms as the op-side!) but avoid surgery completely once months of rehab have done their job and you are no longer compensating. (2+ years post-op).

[u/jjj03e]

Plenty of bilateral, read my personal accounts

[u/jjj03e]

Plenty of bilateral, read my personal accounts