Hip Pain & Surgery Recovery Success Stories

By 2021 I could no longer tolerate the pain and it was affecting my everyday life raising 3 children. Once my true diagnosis was discovered I was referred to Oceanside to prepare me for the pre and post surgical rehab we would be taking on together. I will never forget that first appointment. It was the last appointment of Bryan’s day and he spent a couple of hours with me explaining the details, answering all of my questions and drawing notes so that my family could understand that the surgery would require me to have help for a couple months. I could not imagine being incapacitated with 3 kids. After the initial tears, I listened to Bryan when he said, “You owe this to yourself and in the scheme of your entire life the recovery will not be very long.”

After the surgery I diligently attended physical therapy at Oceanside 3x/week for months and followed their science-based protocols to a tee. The techs were kind, patient and involved in my recovery. They became like family after spending so much time during a vulnerable period. Little by little I made progress, but as my exercises progressed and I was able to walk on my own I discovered I was having pain in another, related area. Bryan evaluated me and immediately understood what was going on. He put me in touch with a world renowned surgeon who was able to fit me in THE NEXT WEEK for another surgery to repair this related issue. This procedure extended my recovery another couple of months. However, at this point I was committed and wanted to get it right.

When it was finally time for me to start running again Bryan watched me on the treadmill, recorded my gait and worked with me on a protocol to get me ready for my sport. He was accessible to me and always encouraging. Before long I was training for another marathon. Then, twelve days before the race, my other hip started to show all the same symptoms as the one I had already repaired. I was devastated, couldn’t run the race and was facing a third orthopedic surgery in 1.5 years. I called Bryan and he said, “You’ve been here before. We will get you back!”

So, lo and behold I had to go through the entire process again on the other hip. I was so confident in Bryan and his staff after the success of my first two surgeries that I knew, while being emotionally and psychologically taxing, that I could do this. Bryan never wavered. There was never a doubt I’d recover well, return to my sport and be able to care for my family without that pain. Again, I made my way through the protocols, did all of my exercises and got back to my life. Within a year I ran a marathon with an 11 minute PR and qualified for the Boston Marathon!

A few months later a new pain was lurking in the back of the first hip I had repaired. I couldn’t drive or sit without massive nerve pain down my leg. It felt like my leg was literally detaching. Again, I consulted Bryan. I brought my new images in, he read them and explained that there was another deformity impinging my sciatic nerve and abrading my hamstring tendons off the bone. Why didn’t we know about this before? Bryan explained we are “peeling the onion”… my original misdiagnosis led to many years of compensations that eventually show themselves once other issues are corrected.

So what now? I needed a 4th surgery that required two surgeons, an orthopedic as well as a nerve specialist. Bryan is so well known in the world of hip preservation that he knew exactly who could perform my surgery. He personally called the surgeon on my behalf. I was told I was a perfect candidate and he absolutely could help me. I flew to NY for a consult and before I knew it I was having surgery #4. At this point I figured the Boston Marathon was off the table. The surgery was right before Christmas and the race is in April.

My surgery was a huge success. To my surprise I was full weight bearing and walking unassisted 9 days after the surgery. At my first PT appointment with Bryan I said, “April 20… will I be able to do more than walk?” He said “absolutely.” It was at that point I decided I was going to go to the Boston Marathon and would complete it as best as I could. The Oceanside team personalizes rehab exercises to the patient’s chosen sport or life activities. I was focused on building the strength, flexibility and mobility that would allow me to come back safely. By the last week of January I was cleared to start run-walking and dismissed from the program. I rang the gong!

As I started running again I was struck by the feeling of stability in my right leg. It was the first time in my life that I felt strong and stable on that leg. Progress! I approached my training with a positive attitude, grateful for the chance to participate in the Boston Marathon in just a few short weeks. Before long it became clear to me that I would be able to run the whole 26 miles. My fitness would not allow me to be as fast as I had been previously, but I knew that. The goal was to have fun and enjoy the race. I had earned that victory lap!

I texted Bryan a few days before the event and told him about my progress. He wished me luck and off I went. Last week I successfully ran the Boston Marathon in 3:23, a solid time. Even more importantly, I ran it safely and without hip pain!

The past 5 years have not been easy. There were times I felt depressed, dreadful and helpless. Through the years Bryan’s expertise and knowledge has helped me feel confident in my procedures and recovery. I trust him and that is absolutely invaluable. While I hope that I am finished with reconstructive surgeries, I don’t know how my future will unfold. Whatever happens, I know I can handle it with the advice and treatment from Oceanside.

Thank you Bryan and Oceanside Physical Therapy!