I can’t believe how good I feel! I feel almost normal. Really!! All the pain that I was experiencing for two years is GONE. All of the surgical pain is gone, too. All that remains is the joint and muscle soreness from all the strengthening in physical therapy, and the muscles learning to move again after 3-4 weeks on crutches. My incisions continue to heal – they are still red in color, but are fading, and they are becoming less sore as the weeks go on. I continue to work on my gait in everyday life, and continue re-learning how to stand equally on two feet at work after weeks of being one-leg dominant. And, a great accomplishment – I can finally cross my legs (although we don’t advocate that because of all the pelvic torquing it causes…)

I’m now back to work about 2/3 capacity, standing for 3 to 3 1/2 hours per day. I’m hoping to be back to full capacity in a few weeks.
I also had my first workout in 4 months yesterday – we focused on mobility and some cardio, and today I feel great. Over time I’ll be back to swinging kettle bells and doing battlejacks with “the ropes” with a strong and stable hip, but for now, it’s slow and steady working up to more strength and greater range of motion. And while I’m not good at being patient, I have been compliant and I know that’s why I am doing so well so quickly.
The tortoise always wins the race. 🙂
5 thoughts on “Hip Labrum and FAI surgery recovery: Week 11, no pain!”
Yes! So happy for you and for us!!
I’m 5 weeks post op and the myofascial pain is unbearable. Im scheduled to get the other hip repaired in 2 weeks. At what point do you feel like you turned a corner.
Hi Dana, You are brave to have the other done so quickly. I didn’t really feel a significant change in the muscle and fascia pain until about 8-10 weeks. If your PT is not incorporating soft tissue work into your sessions, seek the help of a Neuromuscular Therapist or medical massage expert who can help with trigger points and adhesions. The traction with the surgery has an impact in the psoas, TFL, quads and glutes, so pain in these muscles post-surgery is very common and can be moderate to severe. I also found benefit in changing my positions from seated to standing to laying down quite often -the change in the hip flexion and decompression of the hip at the joint take pressure off the repair and also elongates the psoas. To answer your initial question, I feel like I finally turned the corner on rehab at about 10-12 weeks. This can be a long recovery, 6-12 months.
Hi! I know this is 3 years later, but I wanted to write because I am 6 weeks postop and I still have such such deep gluteal pain and tenderness; is this the pain you had, and when did it get better? It’s made worse by sitting, also by the PT that activates/isolates those muscles, and walking more than 2 blocks. So I have REALLY been taking it easy. Glut pain was my primary symptom of the tear in the first place. LOoking for any advice or someone with a similar experience! Thank you so much.
Hi! I know this is 3 years later, but I wanted to write because I am 6 weeks postop and I still have such such deep gluteal pain and tenderness; is this the pain you had, and when did it get better? It’s made worse by sitting, also by the PT that activates/isolates those muscles, and walking more than 2 blocks. So I have REALLY been taking it easy. Glut pain was my primary symptom of the tear in the first place. LOoking for any advice or someone with a similar experience! Thank you so much.