I have been dealing with hip issues and surgeries for about 7 years and I’m curious if I could expect to meet the mark for medical retirement or if I should start trying to get a hip replacement.
Background:
I was diagnosed with Bilateral FAI with indications of arthritis in my right hip. I had attended running clinics, physical therapy and received cortisone shots before scheduling surgery. My journey to diagnosis took years due to PCS’s and I attended expeditionary deployment training (ending up on a CONUS staff) with chronic pain while pursuing diagnosis.
After 3 bases, I went to a civilian orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with bilateral FAI. I got an arthroscopy with labral repair on my right side and my surgeon identified that I had a fracture and osteophytes. I attended physical therapy until I was able to receive the same procedure on my left hip. The left hip responded well except for post-surgical nerve pain over my left quad but I was told that would pass after 6 months.
Besides nerve pain, I was responding well for about 9 months before I began having pain on the right again. After imaging, my civilian surgeon identified that either my labrum retore or that they missed a spot so I would need another surgery at my next duty station.
I PCS’d again and after another round of cortisone shots, I had another arthroscopy with labral reconstruction at Walter Reed. I started physical therapy but I’ve started having similar pain to my pre-op condition and have had to ease off most therapy exercises due to pain. As the last few months have passed, I’ve developed progressively more pain in my left hip, left knee, left foot and back (probably from compensating for the right hip)
Given that I’ve been on a composite fitness profile for 5+ years and had to miss a deployment since my most recent surgery recovery didn’t work, I assume that I’m going to face a medboard. With my laundry list of issues most likely caused by my FAI or surgeries, could I expect to meet the 30% threshold?
Background:
I was diagnosed with Bilateral FAI with indications of arthritis in my right hip. I had attended running clinics, physical therapy and received cortisone shots before scheduling surgery. My journey to diagnosis took years due to PCS’s and I attended expeditionary deployment training (ending up on a CONUS staff) with chronic pain while pursuing diagnosis.
After 3 bases, I went to a civilian orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with bilateral FAI. I got an arthroscopy with labral repair on my right side and my surgeon identified that I had a fracture and osteophytes. I attended physical therapy until I was able to receive the same procedure on my left hip. The left hip responded well except for post-surgical nerve pain over my left quad but I was told that would pass after 6 months.
Besides nerve pain, I was responding well for about 9 months before I began having pain on the right again. After imaging, my civilian surgeon identified that either my labrum retore or that they missed a spot so I would need another surgery at my next duty station.
I PCS’d again and after another round of cortisone shots, I had another arthroscopy with labral reconstruction at Walter Reed. I started physical therapy but I’ve started having similar pain to my pre-op condition and have had to ease off most therapy exercises due to pain. As the last few months have passed, I’ve developed progressively more pain in my left hip, left knee, left foot and back (probably from compensating for the right hip)
Given that I’ve been on a composite fitness profile for 5+ years and had to miss a deployment since my most recent surgery recovery didn’t work, I assume that I’m going to face a medboard. With my laundry list of issues most likely caused by my FAI or surgeries, could I expect to meet the 30% threshold?