If you’ve read this blog recently, you’ve been hearing ALL ABOUT my current injury, a very sore hip flexor which has relegated me to the pool for aqua jogging for the last few weeks.
What I may not have mentioned is that ever since I had my second baby, I’ve been plagued with one injury after another, and the problem is that “baby” is now twelve years old. I’ve been going to a sports chiropractor who was doing a good job of putting out each fire as it flared up, but I decided it was time to get to the root of the problem.
I was referred to Athletix Rehab by another runner, and had my first appointment yesterday. I said I had found a new “doctor” but actually it’s a team of licensed physical therapists. The initial visit took almost ninety minutes, and involved a full strength and mobility assessment by my PT, and new best friend, Arvon.
Arvon diagnosed me with FAI, which stands for femoroacetabular impingement, which basically means the hip isn’t moving smoothly in the socket (no need to go into too much technical jargon.) It could be due to any number of reasons, but in my case is most likely due to a strength imbalance in my hips.
During the assessment it was clear that my left side is weaker than my right (although it’s the right hip that hurts.) When I did a squat, Arvon could see that I was shifting to the right. He asked me to do it again without shifting, and I couldn’t- out of habit I’m shifting to the right without being aware of it. No wonder that hip hurts!
FAI could involve a small tear to the labrum, but Arvon didn’t believe there was a serious tear based on the level of mobility that I do have, and the absence of severe pain. An MRI would be needed to diagnose that but he didn’t feel it was necessary because the treatment protocol would be the same regardless- strengthening the muscles around the hips.
We ran through a series of exercises, which he videotaped on my phone and narrated, e.g. “Keep your toes pointed forward, make sure your hips are back, do three sets of ten…” so I can do them everyday at home. The funny thing is, at the end you would have thought it was my left hip being rehabbed, because it was so tired and achy- although it’s my right hip with the FAI.
I briefly considered just going home, googling FAI and then figuring out exercises to do on my own. But then I thought about how long I’ve already been working on my running, my strength training, and trying to figure it out- and my best efforts have brought me to this point. So I committed to at least six sessions of PT over the next few weeks.
Overall I’m excited about this course of action. The only thing I didn’t like was when he said it would take about eight weeks to return to running normally. I didn’t ask what that meant exactly- eight weeks until I’m back to running my normal distance? Or back to running, period? Some questions are better left unanswered, for now. I’m just happy to be moving in the right direction.
25 Responses
I’m so glad you didn’t google your issue and rehab it yourself!!! There’s a reason that PTs have a doctorate. I’m still getting PT for my SIJ and it is the best thing I have done for myself. Like you, it was a chronic issue. The thing I didn’t realize was that all the compensating I’ve been doing has caused other issues for me. That’s what we are working on currently. I’m feeling pretty good now. I hope you will too. Don’t forget to do your homework!
Thanks Wendy! Yes, I think I’m banned from self-rehab for a while! I read your post about dealing with the SIJ and am so glad it’s resolving your issues.
Ha Ha. I am glad you have a vague answer and maybe you can start running sooner.
Also happy that you may have found an answer to your pain.
I have done PT several times and never regretted it. I am much better doing exercises with someone watching me and making sure that I am doing them correctly.
GL. Fingers crossed that you are back to running pain-free. Until then you have the pool. Lucky you.
Thanks Darlene! You’re right- I won’t regret the PT. And I’m definitely still loving the pool!
I’m glad you have an answer and a plan. The PT is definitely worth it. As much as I like to try to figure out things on my own, I get much better results when I turn things over to someone who knows what they’re doing.
Yes, it was definitely time to admit that I didn’t know what I was doing!
Ugh, I had a scare with FAI. They said it looked like there was a little piece of bone causing it. Thankfully I did all the PT and strengthening and it went away. I’m not totally sold that it was a true FAI issue but who knows.
Anyway — I’m glad you’re finding relief and I hope the PT works for you!!
Yes, I’ve heard of other people being diagnosed with a serious labral tear, and they rehabbed it with PT and it went away without surgery- so I think a lot of times they diagnose these things in a very scary way. I’m glad to hear your story as well because it gives me further hope that the PT I’m doing will fix the issue. Thanks!
Oh, this is great news, Jenny! And, now you have a prognosis and a plan. Fingers crossed thing go well and you’re back in the running shoes soon 😉
Thank you Kim! Yes, having a plan feels great.
Excellent! It seems like you’re in good hands with Arvon.
My PT did that too: I had to do the movements and he narrated and videotaped me.
It’s the best way to make sure that you do the exercises at home correctly.
Hey, Jenny, the 8 weeks will fly by and you will be soon back to running. Once you can do a slow jog again, you will progress quickly.
You’re right Catrina, the eight weeks will pass quickly. I’m excited to fix my issues and get back to running the right way!
From my limited physio knowledge, I guess the right hip has been over-compensating for the left? So sorry to read this but at the same time, I’m always excited when someone figures out what’s wrong as it means work can start to fix it. So I am glad you signed up for those sessions and that you start to feel a real difference soon. Arvon sounds very knowledgeable too.
Yes, it’s exciting to have a diagnosis and know what I need to work on. I can already feel a difference (although I have no plans to run anytime soon!)
I’m glad you decided to stick with the PT. They do know what’s best! It’s always interesting how our bodies are interconnected and how each side interacts with the other.
Yes, I have to admit he knows more than I do, and he can also see what I’m doing more clearly than I can. So far he’s doing a great job.
The PTs sound good and should sort you out – sounds brilliant that they narrated a video of you, very useful, as I’m hopeless at following physical instructions myself. Fingers crossed this helps you get stronger and pain-free.
Thank you Liz! The video was extremely helpful at home- it’s too much to try and remember everything.
So good to get some answers and to now have a PT plan to help rehab your hip! Sometimes I find myself using google to self-diagnose myself which I know is horrible and such a bad habit!
Well, google has not served me well! It was definitely time to turn things over to the experts.
I have had a few hip issues myself including a torn labrum and impingement issues. It does take a while to work through them but it can be done. Sounds like you are on the right path to recovery
Yep, sounds very similar to what I have. The crazy thing is it seems like it just came out of nowhere- although it must have been brewing for a while.
I’m glad you decided to stick with the PT. With my hamstrings I really thought I was doing the right exercises on my own, but my PT lady really helped with a progression of exercises that helped a lot. I get it though – always a bit of annoyance to spend the time (and money, for me) to go to PT. I start my treatment for the sports hernia issue on Tuesday. I can’t wait to see what exercises will help me out because I have no clue! I hope your treatment gets you back on track permanently.
Yeah, the PT is expensive. But I know I need it this time. I’ll be interested to hear what PT exercises you’ll be doing- to be honest I’ve never even heard of a sports hernia. I hope we’re both up and running again soon!