Hip and Cool About It: Is It Really Happening...To Me?

It started in May, I can't recall exactly when. An occasional "tweak" in my right hip. Nothing major, hardly noticeable and for us older runners something to be expected. Aches and pains tend to be part of life north of 50 and beyond. The pain did not persist, just an occasional hello and then gone. I was doing a little training for a half marathon in June, The Hospital Hill Half, which I promised son Matthew I would do. The emphasis is on the "little" of the training part because being a veteran of many halfs it isn't a big deal, especially at the pace I planned to run.

Mission accomplished, we completed the Half on June 1st, Matthew started leaking oil about mile 10 but he gutted it out and got his first half medal.

Mid June I started to have a more persistent ache in my hip. I had an orthopod visit scheduled for my 6 month OrthoVisc injection (great stuff) in my right knee. I mentioned the ache to the PA, she did an exam and xray. She felt it was muscular in nature, IT Band or Piraformis, and prescribed Physical Therapy.

Did that for three weeks, during which I did the annual 4th of July Lenexa 5K run with Dan. We have done it for many years. I labored some, especially at the beginning, the hip was just not right. On my final PT session I resolved to fire my PT guy...but he had already decided I was not responding. Back to the orthopod.

Time for MRI.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I should have had an MRI a month previously but...

Dr B comes in the room to discuss the results. No candy coating here...a simple, "You have AVN" (avascular necrosis). My reaction was, "Bo Jackson, right?" Answer, yes. Additionally osteoarthritis and shredded cartilage, take your pick of the offending party. Bottom line, when I can't stand the pain let him know and I get a new hip. I think I knew it was coming but was hopeful maybe there was a fix short of yanking out the lame hip...nope.