Hip Flexibility Help!!

[marty004]

Hi, I'm a 36yr old male who has had bad hips due to Severe OA the last 12 years!
I used to be play a number of sports and train 4/5 times per week so was quite fit up until the pain became too much a couple of years ago.

In Oct 2010 I went in to have Hip Resurfacing on my left hip which was the worst.
My hip flexibilty before and after the operation is at 65 degrees.

Anything that is pushed to try and get above that angle (by physios, chiros, consultants) I get a pain like someone is sticking a knitting needle up through my groin (pain goes away immediately when leg is lowered again). I also get the same pain (in the exact same location) when they try testing my internal rotation which is equally bad and sore!!

Surgeon says I may never get that flexibility back as my hip flexion has been poor for too long and he also can't see anything obvious as to what the pain may be as my new hip looks in perfect condition.

He reckons there could be very deep scar tissue around the hip socket area which would be extremely difficult to break down at this stage.

Just to point out I have dried everything under the sun to try and get ROM back in this area but to no avail! Deep tissues massage (Ouch in this area of the body!), Dry needling, accupuncture, physios, chiros, etc, etc And the pain which is there beofre and after surgery is only happening in my left leg.

Anyone out there any great ideas for getting ROM back and removing scar tissue so deep in a joint (if this is what the pain actually is)

Kind Regards,

Marty

[Heidi]

Hi
Unfortunately I think your consultant is probably right. If it is being caused by scar tissue deep inside the joint there probably isn't a whole lot you can do.
Of all of the things you say you have tried to increase the ROM, have you tried them for extended periods of time (i.e. not just a couple of sessions) and have you tried them in conjunction with each other (i.e. massage and acupuncture and stretching regularly for 6-8 weeks at least?

[marty004]

Hi Heidi,
Yes I actually just finished 7 weeks of physio, deep massage and all this did was get me back to where i was before the operation. ie. 65 degree mark.

Have you ever come across MUA? (Manipulation Under Anaesthetic)

I did some research on ways to break down chronic scar tissue and came across this (check it out on youtube).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZUNLhi3aD8

Basically they knock you out and bend the hell out of you (hips, knees, backs, shoulders, etc) to stretch out the muscles and break down the scar tissue which would be impossible to do if awake as the body would fight it. They seem to be carrying out such procedures in teh USA now so I might enquire about it here in Ireland.

I'm still very young and athletic and hope to be very active once I have fully healed from my BHR op. I'm thinking long term here and would give anything to be able to tie my shoe lace and put on a sock without breaking my back to do it.

Anyway thanks for your response. If you ever come across anything give me a shout please. I'm willing to try anything at this stage especially after getting a nice shiney hip in there its a shame not to get the full benefit of it at my age.

Cheers,

Marty

[Heidi]

Hi
Yes I have heard of MUA before but don't know a huge amount about it. The best step would be to find a doctor who does this and to seek their opinion on your case.
Good luck!