u/senu-mahte

I'm getting two scopes back to back (8/28 and 10/2). The left is a cam/pincer with labral tear, the right appears to just be a cam impingement but that's pending some pre-surgery imaging. I'm getting plication on both sides to address hypermobility.

I'm trying to brainstorm some softer things to do, and understand how limited I will be so I can start daydreaming of some gentle outings, like museum trips, walking ghost tours, seeing some botanical gardens, historical monuments, and other local things I've been meaning to do. I also have to cancel some stuff I have planned - like a Gorillaz concert the night before my second scope!

When were you able to sit to do some crafts? When was slow walking feasible for you? Were there any seating arrangements that made sitting for long periods more tolerable for you, like rolling stools versus regular chairs, or kneeling chairs? Did standing desks help?

I'm currently setting up a small art studio space so I can weave baskets, maybe learn to sew and work on some other fun projects, and would love some input on seating especially. Thanks, hip homies 😎

I'm sad to report that my cortisone shots are wearing off and I am getting pain while sitting again. I swear I've never figured out how to sit comfortably with the tear, it is my worst enemy. What are your pro strats? I just want to eat my microwaved pizza leftovers in peace, but I swear every adjustment I make just gives me worse problems.

My impingement and tear are lateral if that helps?

I picked up a secondhand class 2/3 e-bike the other week (Electra Ponto Go S). It has a nice wide café style seat and my knees never break 90⁰, so it doesn't usually bother my FAI/tear. I'm a smaller rider at 5'1". It has adjustable pedal assist so I can change the level of resistance based on how I'm feeling and how much exercise I want to get. Plus, it has a fully electric mode that allows me to get home without pedaling if my tear gets aggravated.

It actually bothers the tear less than driving does, and it gives me a sense of freedom and mobility that the injury had taken from me the last two months. My life had become really small, I had to give up 80% of the activities I enjoy during the latest flare up, and being able to take the bike to the grocery store, local trails, PT, the gym, farm stand, all without worrying about how I'll get home if I'm in pain has been a total joy. It's given me a new way to experience my town and I've explored spots I've never seen before. I just have to be careful to not swing the injured leg widely to get on/off the bike and stand up or use the throttle when pedaling up a tough hill and we are golden.

If you're going to pick one up, there are step-through models that don't require a big leg swing to get up on the seat. Models with a class 3 option have a fully electric mode that don't require pedaling but aren't legal everywhere. I'd definitely recommend trying to grab one from a local shop because online orders often have a non-returnable policy after the bike has been assembled.

Have fun out there and keep looking for ways to regain your mobility and agency. This injury doesn't have to take everything from you. 💕

That's it. I'm feeling super disheartened today. I have had several nearly pain-free days in a row after being in significant pain for the last two months. I thought I was getting better. I've been doing PT religiously. I bought an e-bike for rehab. But this morning I got up off the couch wrong, I bent too far forward when I was going to stand. Then I squatted to deep to pick up chicken eggs in the coop and I've been in blazing pain for hours.

I'm an athletic, fit person. My life has gotten so small since this tear. Everything is a compromise with the injury. Sleeping, sitting, driving, getting up, kneeling, squatting, walking, everything is affected. I can't even bend down to pet my dogs. I had to give up yoga and weight lifting. The only thing I have left for me to comfortably do is jiu jitsu, and even that is starting to hurt. I'm supposed to compete tomorrow and I am sure I'm going to lose, because the whole match I'm just going to be worried about making the tear worse. I could barely prepare for the competition because of how much pain I've been in. I'm probably going to get wrecked.

My surgeon told me my tear is too small for surgery and we have to continue with conservative treatment. I understand the reticence to cut me open at 37, but I was hoping we could just get it done and I'd be back to life in a few months. I appreciate that surgery is not his first recommendation, I just wish there was something that could bring me relief. He says continuing jiu jitsu is playing with fire. I don't understand what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel like I am giving up everything I love to do just to lay on the couch and not make the tear worse, and that is not how I want my life to be.

I'm starting to feel hopeless that this will ever feel better and I'll ever be back to normal, even though the last week has been an improvement, it just seems I am one wrong move away from another flare up. I tore it last year but it didn't bother me until it flared up tremendously two months ago and it's been nonstop pain ever since. I've dropped thousands on this injury between the MRI, PT, a standing desk and a bike, not to mention lost wages from appointments. I'm 37 and was looking forward to spending my summer competing, traveling, foraging, hiking and camping. Now it looks like it's going to be more couch time.

I just wanted to put this out there for people who get it. I'm feeling so demoralized and hopeless that I'll be able to do the things I love without pain. 😢

Any hopeful words are appreciated.