Hip Update {On Wednesdays I Write}

That’s the official name of it: “Femoroacetabular Impingement.” Say what? My doc grabbed my phone here because he had a better shot–I was just pretty happy to have a textbook hip problem!

My hip is hardly a fun topic to write about on this blog, but if you know me well, you know that my right hip bothers me enough for me to always have my pain management on the mind. I’ve had the diagnosis that I’ll need a hip replacement. It makes sense; my father has had both of his hips replaced. Aside from his height, I totally have his body: he’s where I get my nice legs from–but those legs also genetically have weak knees and hips plus small feet. I like the skinny leg and small feet part; the weak knees and hips part I don’t like so much. (I also tend to carry my weight in the same spot as my dad–hello middle and chin. Please, no offense Dad! I love having your skinny legs. In fact, my dad’s the only person I know who wears bicycle shorts with sag around the legs!) I know eventually I will most likely need to get my right hip, if not both, replaced. It’s just at 43 years old I feel too young.

Finally, I found a doctor who agrees! Oh, the relief in finding a good doctor! And this doctor, (well, aside from my dad) he might just be the very best doctor I have ever had (Although my Venezuelan OBGYN was pretty great too. I digress…) This arthroscopic surgeon based in Hong Kong is amazing. His name is Dr. Daniel Yip, and the moment I told him it’s been suggested that I get my hip replaced, he said, “You’re too young!” Yes, thank you doctor: I couldn’t agree more.

Upon meeting Dr. Yip he then proceeded to give me the usual examination and requested various reports like x-rays and an MRI. After I completed his tasks and went back to see him, I received the best explanation from a doctor that I ever had. First, he got out the physical hip joint with femur attached as well as a text book. He explained what the labrum is and what it does for our hips. He showed me how my femoral joint is abnormal and thus causing a tear in my hip joint’s labrum meanwhile aggravating it with each step. Wow! It all makes sense. And if I still wasn’t getting it, he showed me videos of what’s going on inside of me–ya, that’s exactly how it feels with every step when I can feel that silly tear in my labrum being pushed up by my femur. It doesn’t feel good, but knowing what has been wrong all these years? Ahhh, that’s relief!

Right then and there after the explanation I received an injection of cortisone in both my bursa (for the bursitis that accompanies this problem) and my lower back (for the lower back pain also caused). This Thursday I have an appointment to go in to receive another injection of cortisone plus some substance that will offer lubrication to the joint. This measure is to help with some relief over the summer. Then, the next step, is to receive arthroscopic surgery next fall. I know this will sound absurd, but I can’t wait! He feels confident that in cleaning up this joint, I will buy 5 maybe even 10 years on my hip! If he goes in there and can repair the tear, he will–although this is unlikely. He’s also going to shave off that abnormality on my femur so that this doesn’t happen again.

After this visit where I really learned about my hip issues, I got back to my office and there was already an email from Dr. Yip! He wrote me personally with different key words I might like to look up as well as a dozen websites to look at. If I wasn’t already in love with this doc, well, the personal email sent right after my visit sealed the deal! I am so appreciative to Dr. Yip’s care with me. I totally recommend him–even though I have yet to have surgery with him yet. (Although all those who have give him the same accolades.) If you are in need of arthroscopy surgery, he’s your doctor. All. The. Way!