Labral Tear....maybe

[Hudson1984]

My training is on hold for a couple of weeks.

I've always been less flexible in my left hip than my right, never really paid it much attention however over the last six months i'd become painful at times and gotten to the point I can't put socks or shoes on my left foot without a large amount of effort or someone to help.

I got back into cycling to try to ease it and build some hip strength. The cycling hasn't really aggravated it but hasn't helped either.

went to osteopath (because who can get a Drs appointment!) who suggested it seems to be a labral tear - going back in a week for a review and then possibly referred back to GP at that point.

He's suggested heat and laying off exercise for a couple of weeks.

I'm planning to do the norwich 100 in May, and had been progressing through a training plan, weekly rides etc and now I need to stop when I was getting into my stride.

My hopes are to carry on with weight loss in the mean time, work on upper body as some exercise, probably from a seated bench to ensure the hip is having a little effort as possible.

I'm just worried it is a tear, see I really want to progress, really want to do this 100 but I need to train to do it. At the same time, I don't want to cripple myself at 35!

my main question is, if it is a tear should I expect that the ride is off the cards or is cycling the perfect physio, just might be slower than hoped.

is it worth instead of home training, get a physio/PT who can work with me to get me there in a safe way?

what to do what to do.

I know it's nothing really serious (i.e. life threatening) but I've been loads happier in general since coming back to cycling and I really want it to continue.

[thatsnotmyname]

Just to be clear - is the cycling making it worse or not? I don't think you said it was making it worse in so many words. So if it isn't, then carry on, in my opinion. I have a similar issue which blows up occasionally (not labral tear, more vastus lateralis - but the discomfort is very similar to what you describe) and the gains to be had in continuing to ride far outweigh the potential for exacerbating the condition.

[Hudson1984]

to be honest I don't know if it is or isn't.

I ride fine, but i'm probably not helping things if i'm on the wonk. I do have a bike fit on the 22nd which I think I'll still do, but tell them about the tear, hopefully they can set me up straight so even if I do ride, I'll not be making anything worse.

I feel uncomfortable after a ride (in the hip rather than everywhere else which aches as normal) but no massive pain or anything daft.

I think I'll take the 2 weeks off as instructed, but i'm going to need to jump into 50 mile runs when I come back after that just to get back into building saddle time.

Hopefully it's something I can physio out rather than surgery out.

[thatsnotmyname]

I’d be wary of describing it specifically as a labral tear without a confirmed diagnosis, following ultrasound or similar.

[Hudson1984]

hence the maybe

[peterb]

I had a labral tear, eventually confirmed by MRI. I was experiencing hip pain, which increased when cycling, and feeling a clicking sensation in the hip joint with every pedal rotation. I was informed that a repair whilst possible was not advised due to my age - late 60s when the problem arose. Resolved by a total hip replacement. I think you need to consult an orthopaedic specialist.

[bigjim]

I have the same problem at the moment but I have confirmed moderate hip arthritis. Worth asking GP for an x-ray to see if you have the same. Evidently the leaning forward on a sports bike and straining on hill climbs exasperates the issues. Spinning low gears and a more upright position is supposed to be more beneficial. Might to worth trying exercising on a gym bike, if there is one available to you, to see if there is any difference. The Livestrong site has some interesting info. I've tried the gym bike and have no problems in an upright position. Once I learn forward on the aero bars on the gym bike I can feel pain in my hip and outer thigh.

[Hudson1984]

trouble I have is getting a GP appointment where I live is nigh on impossible if you work for a living.

IF you are lucky enough to get past the gate keepers (receptionists that believe they're Drs) then you get 10 minutes of being told "rest and painkillers" and expected to leave feeling as though you've had anything that resembles "treatment"

So, i've bypassed the next step that would be on the NHS flowchart - booked a session with a specialist Physio, who specialises in Hips. Off to see him on Thursday, he'll then review - see if a tear is likely, then pass that onto my GP to recommend a scan (if required) this was the only way I got a scan on a knee issue a few years back.

Now, if a scan is required and all that Jazz then potentially i'll be having to slow down a bit. But I've got rollers and a turbo so can plan some rehab.

The physio is a personal trainer too so I'm letting them sort my complete training plan for the 100 miler, if he says I can do it, I'll do it. If not then I guess I won't, but i'm hoping I can use the cycling as a bit of therapy anyway, just might need to go slow.

Also have a bike fit booked for next Saturday, so all being well i'll be setup correctly and trained properly

[bigjim]

I did the private physio thing including full massage, pulling and prodding. to no avail. You can insist on an x-ray. If they suspect Arthritis it should be automatic. They usually issue them quite readily at the GP's as they don't cost the practice much and I believe you may have to have this before qualifying for a scan. Scans cost them more money and in m,y surgery you have to be at deaths door before they will pay for one. You don't need a scan to diagnose Arthritis. I imagine a waiting list for an NHS scan can be quite a while, but an X-ray, certainly in my very busy surgery can be done the same day and results back in 10 days. Worth a go rather than spend time and money on Physio you may not need. Good luck. Keep us updated.

[willcee]

Like Hudson1984 I had a hip issue for some years during my early 60's , while I have cycled for the past 20 years I was never one to dive into 50 miles runs, firstly because I couldn't justify the time, 24/7 carer, nor had I any interest in punishing myself.. physio advised needles , yes did that, and I spent quite a few quid without really getting a permanent relief, which came to a head when I had pain and a limp off the bike, trouble standing for any length or walking but was still cycling without much pain except standing and mounting dismounting.. Doc seen and had X rays, June 18 not just 1 hip but both, left being bad, their words..and Oct 18 pain free, and 13 months after that the right hip, Dec 19 which was never as bad, worse while seated or in bed, groin pain while the other had been to the outside mid hip area..its not the end of the world, its a very successful operation, take the recovery seriously and you'll not know yourself in a few short months... will

[Hudson1984]

well, physio today. He suggested it "may" be a tear but due to history feels something more long term is at play - possibly a deformed hip in general since birth, and i've just been walking/standing/living wonky and it's finally given up. Would explain the previous knee pain but no problems with the knee.

So, MRI is booked - going private for this as it's done within 5 days. See how we go from there.

He has said I can cycle as long as it's pain free so yay back in action.

I'm doing my damned 100 miler! if I have to have an op after than then so be it.

[Hudson1984]

well MRI complete - no tear!

however, the report does instead suggest, femoroacetabular impingement, so GP time for an Xray, but physio and radiologist suggest it's likely to need surgery given the findings.

wonderful! but we're a long way off that I think, given the timescales on NHS I don't think i'll feature too high on the list

[thatsnotmyname]

well MRI complete - no tear!

however, the report does instead suggest, femoroacetabular impingement, so GP time for an Xray, but physio and radiologist suggest it's likely to need surgery given the findings.

wonderful! but we're a long way off that I think, given the timescales on NHS I don't think i'll feature too high on the list

One of those occasions when a labral tear might have been preferable..

[Hudson1984]

indeed! have to get the tool box out and get a decent file...

it'll be 2 weeks rest, then I can drive. But 6 months recovery, which can include stationary cycling, so i'll be on the turbo I think - have to see what physio says at that point.

Oh well, least it'll be getting fixed and my years and years of bad knees finally has a reason behind it.

have to go back to judo after this as i'll actually be able to move better haha