So What Did They Fix

     So what was the problem, a labral tear caused by a Femoroacetabular impingement.  A Femoroacetabular impingment (FAI) is defined as a condition where the bones of the hip are abnormally shaped. Because they do not fit together perfectly, the hip bones rub against each other and cause damage to the joint.  The ball at the top of the femur that fits into the hip socket had an additional growth or a an extra bump of bone sticking out.  The labrum is a rim of soft tissue or fibrocartilage that surrounds the acetabulum (hip socket). The labrum adds to the stability of the hip by deepening the socket and protects the joint surface. The labrum can tear as the result of an injury or FAI.

The surgery was performed arthroscopic with three incisions in the hip and thigh.  

Here is a look a a few picture the doctor took while performing the surgery the other day.

This is showing the labral tear.  The surgeon placed part of one of his tools right through it.

Here is another view of the tear on the left side of the photo. 

This is what the labral looks like after the repair.  He removed some of the junk around the tear and a flap of cartilage that was covering the tear.  The tear was tied up with a plastic type thread.

This photo is hard to see what the problem is here, but the bump of bone on the top of the femur that was the cause of all this.

This is what the bone looks like after the bump was shaved down and smoothed out

Day Of Surgery

     The day I have been waiting for since all this began in early July, finally arrived.  My surgery was scheduled for an 11am start, so I was instructed to arrive at 9am for all the fun of the pre surgical festivities.  The hospital that I was going to has a good reputation, unfortunately it is a little over an hour drive from my house so We had to get up extra early to get ready.  I couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight and when I got up in the morning I had to take a show with some special soap that is used to kill just about everything.  My Wife, Mom and I headed out the door and made the long trip across town to the hospital.

     Part of my rehab therapy is a cold pack machine that pumps ice cold water from a cooler to a pad that is wrapped around my body.  Its job is to help with pain and swelling, and I was instructed to bring it with me.  Funny thing is because it looks like a beer cooler everyone at the hospital had  to make a smart ass remark about me coming prepared for a party and what not.  At least it showed me they were in a good mood and liked to joke around a little.  For me I thought it looked like I was carrying around an organ I was going to have transplanted or something.

     I was in the waiting room a whopping 5 minutes before I was taken back to the pre surgical area to be prepped and to be asked the same two or three questions a million and one times, at least they are thorough.  I got my IV put in, they shaved and cleaned the area again, and then had me read and sign a consent form.  After all that they sleep doctor came in and asked me a few questions.  He asked me if I had ever had a problem with anesthesia, I told no and I didn't want to start today!  He also offered me a nerve blocker that would help with the pain post surgery and I accepted.

     After that things started to move pretty fast.  They pumped something into my IV to calm me down and they did an ultrasound to give me the nerve blocker.  My wife and Mom were brought in to see me a few minutes till the anesthesia team came in to re-hash everything that the Doctor already went over.  I told them that I don't like vegetables and I really didn't want to be come one.  I was feeling a little loopy and we all had a laugh, but I was being serious.  Kisses goodbye and off I went.  The last thing I remember is a mask over my face and lights out.

     Recovery is very much a blur to me.  I remember bits and pieces, but mostly it is what my wife told me that I seem to recall.  I do remember the doctor coming in and saying that it went well and that my tear was was pretty severe.  The I remember my wife talking to me, but I can't recall what she had said.  I do recall the severe cotton mouth I had.  They kept giving me crackers which instantly turned to  paste in my mouth which I then had to try and wash down with water.  My stomach just could't take it anymore and right before we left I threw it all up in the trash can.  Once we got home it was nothing but sleep for me, and boy did I need it.

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!

  

     My surgery has been approved!!  Finally after all the doctors visits, phone calls back and forth and six weeks of physical therapy the idiots at the insurance company finally saw what everyone else already knew.  

   

     At first I wasn't sure if it was even going to happen after my follow up visit with the surgeon.  They submitted for the surgery and a week later I got a letter in the mail from the ins company that my request was under review and required more information.  Of course I received this letter when I got home from work on a Friday which meant I had to worry and stew about it all weekend.  Monday morning I called the surgeon's office and spoke with his nurse and she stated that she had already preemptively called the ins company, gave them the info they required and that were satisfied and that we had the green light.  She told me to disregard the letter, but could you blame me if I didn't 100% believe her.   I hung up with her and called the ins company, and of course they would tell me that in fact, no the surgery was not approved and was still in review status.  She did say, however that if the nurse just talked to the review board that the board my not have updated their records yet.  This being on a Monday, I decided I would give them a call on Thursday and if the status had not changed then I would call the surgeon's office again.  The same day I was going to call the ins company I received a letter from them stating that my requested procedure was "medically necessary" and that I was approved to have the surgery.  Of course I called to verify all this, and was so relieved that all this was finally over.  I have had my pre op screening at the hospital and in a little more than a week my journey back to running will begin.  

     I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow!  

     Those of you heading out and braving the black Friday weekend of shopping be safe and remember no amount of discount or deal is worth treating another human being with disrespect.  And that goes double when you are dealing with all the retail employees that are out there just doing their jobs and trying to support their families as well.

 

And The Winners Are

   
     I want to thank everyone who signed up for the drawing.  Its an honor to represent such a great race like the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon and to be able to offer others the opportunity to experience it for themselves.  And with out further adieu

   
     Those of you that were not chosen, you still have four more chances to win an entry.  The links below will take you to my fellow ambassadors info pages where you can enter during the dates listed below.

November 20-November 26- Lisa Willford- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/lisa-willford/

November 27-December 3- Jes Taylor- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/jes-taylor/

December 4-10- Tom Silva- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/tom-silva/

Amanda Schwartz- D​ecember 11-17 http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/amanda-schwartz/

GCM Race Entry GIVEAWAY starts NOW!!!

And Here We Go!

     One of, if not the best part of my duties as a race ambassador is when I help two lucky people get to experience and enjoy the Glass City race day FREE of charge.  That's right, it is my pleasure to offer two people a wonderful opportunity to run your choice of the The Mercy Health Glass City Marathon, The Owens Corning Half-Marathon, or the Medical Mutual Glass City 5k for FREE.  (Please note this raffle does not include an individual entry for the Yark 5-Person Relay Marathon or Findley Davies Kid's Marathon.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

     Keep in mind, if you are not awarded one of the two entries given away here at Running in the Fat Lane you still have a chance to enter during the following dates with the remaining ambassadors.  Just click the links below to learn more about these amazing people.

November 20-November 26- Lisa Willford- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/lisa-willford/

November 27-December 3- Jes Taylor- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/jes-taylor/

December 4-10- Tom Silva- http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/tom-silva/

Amanda Schwartz- D​ecember 11-17 http://glasscitymarathon.org/glass-city-marathon-official-sponsor-list/glass-city-ambassadors/amanda-schwartz/

 

Glass City Marathon Ambassadorship

     Despite my current injury situation I was asked to be an ambassador and represent my hometown race again for 2016.  The 2016 race will be the 40th anniversary of the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon and is shaping up to be one heck of an event.  This year's event will feature five great ways for people of all ages to get out and enjoy all that this great city has to offer.

Races Available will include:

Mercy Health Glass City Marathon

Yark 5-Person Relay Marathon

Owens Corning Half Marathon

Medical Mutual Glass City 5k

Findley Davies Kid's Marathon

     

     So I have a question for you.  If money was no object which one of these races would you want to do?  Well guess what, money might not be an object for 12 of you!  You read that right, this year myself and the other five ambassadors are giving away a total of twelve free entries to one of the races I listed above for 2016.  Very shortly I will be sharing how and where you will be able to win one of these twelve coveted prizes.  So stay tuned and get ready start your 2016 running season with a great race experience.  If you are one that doesn't want to wait, early bird registration for next year's event is open now for you to take full advantage of.

Physical Therapy is Complete

     It seems like a lifetime ago that I was running consistently and having something to say about it.  I do apologize for my posts being few and far between lately, but there just hasn't been much to say that hasn't already been said on my current situation.  However, I did want to give a quick update since I finished my 6 weeks of physical therapy and I thought this would be a good time to catch you all up to date.  

     As far as therapy goes, it was successful in the job of increasing my flexibility and strengthening my legs, hips and core, but to answer the sixty four million dollar question, I still have pain.  To be completely honest I am having pain right now as I type this.  The intensity of the pain and aching varies depending on my day, but what I have noticed is no one thing is the trigger.  If I stand or sit for most of the day is flares up or it can flare up no matter what the combination is for the day.

     If I remember correctly the last time I was running regularly was early July, and the pain has continued during this rest period. Needless to say that if I was never to run a step or do any other "sports" related type of exercise, as the insurance company calls it,  this is affecting the quality of my everyday life.  My therapist says that there is a chance that I could continue to have pain even after I have the surgery done, but to be honest I would rather get the surgery and still have pain than never get the surgery and always wonder if it would have fixed it.  Plus, don't forget the extra bone protrusion that was rubbing on the cartilage and caused the tear to begin with.  If I don't get that taken care of I am sure to have more problems in the future.

     Anyway, I have a followup appointment with my surgeon on Friday to discuss where things go from here.  I hope to have some news to share from that visit, but I am thinking it will go like this, Lets set up a new surgery time and submit it to the insurance company and see if they will now approve it.  Well, all I can do is cross my finger and hope at this point! ;)