Labral Hip Tear/FAI Surgery Recovery Checklist

I thought I would compile a list of things I have found helpful during my recovery from arthroscopic hip surgery for labral tear/femoroacetabular impingement. Of course, remember that each surgeon varies on their restrictions and protocols post-op, so be sure to talk to your physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon before buying/using the items I suggest. I have been restricted to crutches  and no flexion of the hip past 90 degrees for the first 4 weeks and no external rotation for the first 6 weeks. I got several ideas from this great blog which highlights another lady's journey with FAI.

Must Haves (in my opinion):

• Band-Aids, peroxide, alcohol - I had 5 small incisions that had to be cleaned daily for the first 7-10 days with 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 water and then covered with a Band-Aid. I used alcohol wipes to get all the markings from surgery (my surgeon put his initials on my thigh with a sharpie!) and all the adhesive from the bandages.
• shower chair - I was blessed to borrow this from my grandmother. For those with pelvic floor pain, I sit on a toilet ring vinyl cushion while sitting in the shower. It's one of the many cushions in my stash that haven't helped. It doesn't take a lot of pressure off, but it is better than nothing for me.

• long handled loofa or sponge -  if you can't flex your hip past 90 degrees, washing your legs/feet will be difficult without this
• something to tape your razor on to shave your legs (if you are female :)) - You will not be able to bend at the waist to reach and shave your legs. I used clear packing tape to tape my razor to the end of my long handled loofa. I saw somewhere an idea of taping a plastic ruler to the razor. I've had to re-tape only once in almost 4 weeks so far.
• crutches - Initially I purchased Millennial Crutches, which are supposed to be more ergonomical than the standard crutches as I was concerned about using crutches due to my poor upper body strength and a history of underarm hypersensitivity (cause unknown, but thankfully it isn't a problem as of now). We purchased the millennial crutches from a discount online site and received defective crutches just a couple of days before my surgery, so we took the standard crutches that insurance covers from the surgical center. (I did not care for the spring loaded Millennial Cruthches by the way). I've done fine with the regular crutches though other than getting blisters on my hands. I highly recommend padding. I really like these Crutcheze pads that I ordered (on Clearance!).

• Water Bottle Holder - It's important to drink A LOT of water while recovering from surgery. And when you are using two crutches it makes carrying anything almost impossible. It's really frustrating to be dependent on others for almost everything. So if you can at least go to the fridge and get yourself a water bottle that helps!  Crutcheze makes a special bag to hold a water bottle and other small items, but my great aunt let me borrow a cheap water bottle holder that clips onto some string my husband put on my crutches. Another option would be a water bottle with a handle on it like this one that you could put your finger through while using the crutches
• Backpack/backpack purse - As I said you cannot carrying much with two crutches so a backpack is really a must, especially when trying to get out of the house for PT appointment, etc.
• Grabber: I don't know about you, but I drop stuff A LOT (I think some of that is due to some of the medication I take). And of course when you can't bend over or squat down to get something, it seems you drop things even more!! I borrowed this from my grandparents, but having a couple around the house would be helpful.

Device to help put on your socks - Putting on socks/pants/shoes is really difficult when you can't flex your hip past 90 degrees. My grandmother let me borrow this device that was given to my grandfather after he had a total hip replacement. It allows you to put on your sock without bending your knee more than 90 degrees. Slip on shoes are really helpful as well. I don't get out of the house (or my PJs) that often, but it is nice to not have to ask my husband to constantly put on my socks and shoes, though those first few days I did need help with my pants a lot. They make dressing hooks like this one but I just used my grabber to help pull up my pants. I only wear stretch yoga type pants anyways.

 

• Toilet Riser: Not everyone that has a hip scope recommends a toilet riser, but if you have muscle atrophy and weakness like I do from years of chronic pain, then I highly recommend one of these. The first two days post-op I had to use a bedside commode as I explained previously, but my recovery experience is not the norm, I don't think. We bought this toilet riser for a really good deal and I'm glad we did. The handles have come in extra handy.  

Image found here

• Ice packs - if you don't use a Game Ready icing system you will need ice packs - though I only used ice for about the first 4 days as I explained in this post. This is my favorite brand of ice pack and I love this wrap. I use it around my hips/sacrum/knee, you name it. In my opinion, even if you do ice a lot, the Game Ready isn't necessary because you can buy A LOT of ice packs for $300 (the price I was given to rent the Game Ready for 2 weeks). The Game Ready was nice the first 2 nights as it ran continuously (on 30 mins/off 30 mins) but it does eat through the ice quickly.

Image Source

Also Helpful:

• TENS unit - this is placed on the muscles, creates a vibrating sensation, and helps distract the brain from pain. It helped me not have to use as much pain medication some days.
• Theracane - I have used this for a couple of years now to help do self-massage and loosen tight muscles. There is a lot of muscle dysfunction for most with FAI/labral tears and this surgery creates more, especially in the quad area. Add on crutches and your muscles are a mess!
• Body Pillow -I used this as a bolster to keep from rolling over on my surgical side while sleeping. I have a snoogle pillow that I bought when I was pregnant and having low back pain. Love this pillow! I put it up between my legs to keep from externally rotating my hip at night (you could easily just use regular pillows though). I also like the body pillow because it creates a barrier so my husband can't roll over on me during the night :)
• Electric Throw/Blanket- If you have your surgery in the winter months or rent a Game Ready this will come in handy as icing sure makes me cold. I'm super cold all the time anyway!

• Microwavable Booties - speaking of being cold all the time, my feet are super cold (they've been like this ever since the burning in my feet started 2.5 years ago, don't really know the exact cause). I used some birthday money and got these booties and I LOVE them! Not a bad deal either.

• Freezer Meals- Before surgery my mom and I cooked up several meals to store in the freezer. You will not feel like being on your feet long enough to cook a meal for sometime. I am blessed and have had a lot of meals from family and friends brought to us as well. But I also have enough meals in my freezer to go a couple of months without cooking, which is a blessing so I can focus on recovering!

When people see me on crutches and ask me "what happened" and I tell them that I had hip surgery, their eyebrows raise. But when I tell them it was arthroscopic, they say "Oh, ok" (like that's not too big of a deal). True, an arthroscopic surgery is much less invasive than an open total hip replacement, but it is still a big surgery with a lengthy recovery. A surgery involving the hip is complicated by the fact that we never truly rest our hips because we use them for standing, sitting, even rolling over while lying down. I'm not sure how people make it through this surgery recovery without help.  My husband has basically kept the house going and we've relied a lot on family/friends. (I do have a 3.5 year old daughter which makes things a little more difficult. I might write another post on how to recover from this surgery with young children.) I don't say this to scare anyone out of this surgery, but just to help prepare you so you will not be alarmed post op!

Well, I think that covers it. Thanks to the two of you who actually read this far :) Hopefully it helps someone.

**Some of you have left comments/sent emails after reading this asking how I am doing now. Please check out my latest updates here for more info.**