Getting Ready for My Hip Surgery

By Lana Buettner

2 min read

Soon I will undergo right hip surgery.

The situation

After a more than a year of hip pain, trying every conservative measure possible (physio, osteopath, exercises, injections), it is time for surgery. Diagnosis: Cam impingement and labrum tear. I consulted several doctors, and everyone agreed that this is the right way forward.

Movement and exercise play a huge part in my life. As an ex-college tennis player, exercise remains part of who I am. It is one of the key pillars of my lifestyle to manage my AS. To be able to maintain the frequency and intensity of my activity, it is important to take care of this hip issue now. This will prevent further damage down the road, and fix the labrum tear, which can’t heal on its own. It would just get worse with time and the type of exercise I do (tennis, running, yoga, weights).

Questions and self-coaching

I’ve asked myself if this hip issue is related to my AS. I’ve always had a tight right hip, and my SI pain from AS is mostly on the right side. Coincidence? As we know everything in the body is so connected. While no one can clearly say what caused what, I believe that the SI problem didn’t help (and vice versa).

Using my coaching experience, I decided to shift my approach and do some self-coaching around my mindset (I had too many questions and negative thoughts floating around in my head). I know how important our thoughts are when it comes to injuries and healing.

I decided to work on the three points below

1. Acceptance of the situation

To accept that I need this surgery, that it is the best option for me. To accept that I have tried everything else and really stayed patient throughout the process. Once I made the final decision to go for the surgery, I felt a big weight off my shoulders. I trust my decision, I trust my surgeon.

2. Self-compassion

It is easy to ask ourselves “why me?” in such a situation. Probably many of you can relate as it links to your AS situation. However, I realized that I needed to step into a space of compassion, self-kindness, and mindfulness. Some things in this situation are out of my control. I can look forward to the better days, practicing sports without pain and fear of further damage. It is a big deal for me, but I know that I have all the internal resources needed to face this challenge.

3. Mental and physical preparation

As an athlete, I know that preparation is key. For the physical part, I see my physiotherapist regularly and do strengthening exercises. Lots of time in the gym to get fit and build my physical resilience. I want to make my time on crutches and the rehab go as smoothly as can be. For the mental preparation, I continue my meditation practice, as I want to find an inner calmness and peace before the procedure.

I would love to hear your experiences with surgery.

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Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
First of all, I wish you well in your surgery and your road to recovery. Perhaps it is already happened by the time this has published? It sounds like you leas an incredibly active life, and I think it’s awesome that movement is such a key pillar in your lifestyle and wellness. Ever since being diagnosed with this disease, movement and fitness has been a huge part of my life as well. It is scary to think that a part of our body could prevent that from being the case! Especially when we have a disease that is so contingent on our movement and flexibility! I am also having horrible hip issues. For about seven months my sacroiliac joint and my left hip has been bothering me. It feels like one hip out of place most of the time. I have shooting pain down my leg most days, and when I walk. I have been in a slight denial, thinking it’s a flareup that will go away. Unfortunately, I think that there is a terrible AS issue and that I have to address it.
Auldyn Matthews Moderator & Contributor
You’ll do great! Keegan was nervous going into both his total hip replacements due to what you have plus osteoarthritis. The biggest thing to remember is that it takes time to heal. It’s okay if things aren’t picture perfect immediately! I wish you well for your surgery and keep us updated!
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Lana Buettner" user-id="2389692"/> , I really love how you broke all of these things down to prepare yourself mentally for the upcoming surgery. I am lucky enough to so far not have needed any (touches wood) but if that day comes when I need something done I shall be checking back here to go through the same things to get myself ready! I really hope the surgery goes well for you and you are able to make a swift recovery to experience the benefits as soon as possible! All the best, James (Community Member)
Bridget Gawinowicz Community Admin
I love this article Lana! I've also been diagnosed with cam-type hip impingement and it's caused some really intense and chronic pain. I've been going to PT and it's been helping a lot, but wonder if I will eventually consider surgery, too. And I know with your AS there's tons of other considerations. I hope you're healing well from the surgery and we get an update soon! <3
Lawrence Rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
 When I had my hip replaced in my early 50s, I could not figure out why I was having that issue. Was it something I did a few months before? Perhaps a year? The surgeon told me that I had done it over ten years before by his estimate. I was like ten years before? As he talked, he gave me various scenarios. One was a time when I had jammed your hip. Oh, my jammed my leg? That was when I recalled the incident. It was my fault. I jumped out of a fast-moving swing. When I hit, my right leg jammed. I was 12, and I could barely walk for weeks. Then, 39 years later, my hip bone was complete without blood flow. Was it AS that tore up my hip? Well maybe. Was it the dumb jump? Was it AS? Who knows for sure. It might have been a combination of things. Or something else. I know now that having the new hip installed was the best thing ever. I hope you can say the same in a few months. I do hope so.