A Hip Chronology

The story of my hips, which is updated as relevant events occur:

1974: I was born in 1974, and have had on and off hip pain for as long as I can remember.

1999: In my early 20s, the pain got bad enough for me to see an orthopedist. See The History of my Hips. The orthopedist told me that I have shallow hip sockets and would need a bilateral hip replacement before the age of 30, and... oh yeah... he thought I had a torn labrum in my right hip.

2013 - 2014: At the age of 39, I still hadn't needed a hip replacement... but after on and off pain for 15+ years, I had X-rays and an MRI, and finally went to see an orthopedist.
  • On May 22, 2014, I saw an orthopedist, who confirmed a torn labrum in my right hip. He suggested trying a cortisone injection.
  • On June 5, 2014, I had a cortisone injection.
  • On June 18, 2014, I had a follow up with the doctor and told him that the cortisone injection helped, but not nearly as much as I had hoped. He suggested a consult with an orthopedist who did hip arthroscopy.
  • On June 27, 2014, I met with a surgeon who does hip arthroscopy. After much consideration, I scheduled the surgery.
  • On July 7, 2014, I had surgery to fix my torn labrum. I felt great for about a week post-surgery.
  • On July 15, 2014, I started to feel pain in my leg.
  • On July 22, 2014, I saw my orthopedist, who assured me the pain was nothing to worry about.
  • On August 7, 2014, after a month of complaining about my leg pain, a PT assistant finally took me seriously.
  • On August 8, 2014, I had an ultrasound and was diagnosed with acute DVT extending from my calf to my proximal femoral vein. I got an injection of Lovenox in the ER and started taking a relatively new medication called Xarelto.
  • On August 12, 2014, I met with my orthopedist, who told me I was going to be just fine. I just needed to be patient.
  • On September 5, 2014, I saw my orthopedist again. I told him my leg pain was better but that I was still having a lot of hip pain. He suggested another cortisone injection.
  • On September 10, 2014, I had a second cortisone injection. It caused excruciating pain for a few days, then I felt good for a few days, then... eh.
  • On October 14, 2014, I had a second ultrasound to evaluate my DVT. I still had significant clotting, but it appeared to be getting better. My orthopedist told me I could stop taking Xarelto, but my PCP thought I should continue. I kept taking it.
2015: I'm still having a lot of hip pain, and still dealing with DVT.
2017: After finishing up cancer treatments, I decided my hips needed attention again.

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