Questions for my surgeon

On Wednesday I have a consultation with my surgeon to ask a few final questions. It’s been rescheduled for 8.15am, which considering I live 90 miles away means a very early start! I will ask…

• My usual hip problem returned at the weekend after a rain-avoiding dash in Sainsbury’s car park. Considering I’ve had the hip block, should I have felt this as I did? Could the cortisone effects have worn off so soon or does this indicate a different problem?
• As I can almost touch the point that catches/causes pain on the posterior side of the greater trochanter, is open surgery the right thing to do?
• My anterior impingement and anterior atrophied labrum are all well and good (they’re not of course), but given that all pain and discomfort is posterior, is open surgery the right thing for me? Is this going a fix a problem that isn’t the real problem?
• Is it possible to inspect the acetabulum rim/labrum area without removal of the greater trochanter (in order to eliminate other possibilities before the osteotomy and dislocation)?
• I read in your literature that movements do not usually return to ‘normal’ after open hip surgery. What does this mean for me and what might it stop me doing?
• I’ve had moderate to downright painful aching deep in both glutes for over three weeks now. My legs feel like they’re not supporting me and, when it’s at its worst, it’s too painful to sit down. Why might I be getting this? Is it Piriformis Syndrome or maybe a sciatic nerve problem? Is it related to my hips? How do I/we fix it?
• I’m concerned that my left hip will give me problems when I’m on crutches post operatively. Would it be a good idea to have a hip block on that side to help?