Since I rarely discuss my torn hip labrum with co-workers and friends, it is amazing to find many people with hip and back problems once I open up. Though surgery is the only way to “heal a torn hip labrum,” here is a checklist of several things to do before you schedule hip surgery to rid yourself of hip pain.
Hip surgery might not improve your hip pain
Sadly, some people experience only a small improvement to their hip pain from surgery. Maybe it has to do with not being informed by the orthopedic surgeon on how much improvement they can expect, but some people I talked to are frustrated that they are not noticing an immediate improvement to their pain level. And then there are some people who are just happy to be mobile again even with a smaller amount of residual pain from their hip surgery (but these are generally older people with hip replacement surgeries).
The recovery period from hip surgery varies greatly from person to person, depending on the age and health of the patient prior to getting hip surgery. However, the more physically active the patient is prior to experiencing hip pain, the faster the recovery period. Yet, most people I talked to believe they are not sufficiently recovered until well after the doctor’s initial estimate of recovery time.
Expertise of orthopedic surgeon is important
According to The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 6% of hip replacement surgeries have to be re-done within 5 years. Even within the orthopedic specialty, there are doctors who specialize in specific types of surgeries. For example, I would look for an orthopedic surgeon who repaired several hundred torn hip labrums rather than a surgeon who replaced several hundred hips. You are better off postponing hip surgery to save up for the difference in co-pay for an out of network doctor specializing in your hip problem than to go with a so-so doctor in network. In the meantime
Not sure about how to find an orthopedic surgeon who specialize in your specific hip problem? More likely than not, your primary care physician would send you to a round of physical therapy before referring you to a specialist. Talk to your physical therapist about your hip pain. Then, ask which orthopedic surgeon sends them patients with similar hip problems who have quick recoveries from their hip surgeries.
There are other costs to consider other than just the hip surgery itself
Even when you go to an in-network HMO orthopedic surgeon, there are other costs to consider in addition to the surgical cost. During your recovery from hip surgery, you would need some medical devices to help make post-surgery life easier. Here is a short list of some things you might need:
Crutches (usually covered by health insurance)
Walker (usually covered by health insurance)
Bathroom grab bars
Elevated toilet seat
In addition, you might want to hire help (if family or friends are not available) to drive you to follow-up appointments or physical therapy, bathe, and other household chores. When I was recovering from my car accident, I barely have the stamina for 15 minutes of grocery shopping. If not for my husband, I probably would starve or use an online grocery shopping option.
Your hip surgery might impact your paycheck
Even with short term disability, you are only covered up to a certain percentage of your pay check while recovering from hip surgery. For example, the state’s short term disability insurance for California only covers up to 55% of my pay and only after a 7 day waiting period. If you have private short term disability, you typically have a 30 day waiting period. So during that waiting period before short term disability kicks in, you need to have sick days or savings to cover your lost in pay while recovering from hip surgery.
With my job, they make up the difference in my pay with my sick leave. For example, the state disability insurance covers 55% of my pay. My sick leave will cover 45% of my pay. So I would get 100% of my pay for the duration I am out.
According to doctors, you are typically recovered sufficiently enough to work by 12 weeks (maybe on a modified duty or schedule capacity depending on what you do at work). In most cases, you want to be back at work within 12 weeks since your job protection under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ends in 12 weeks. However, most people do not feel fully recovered 12 weeks post hip surgery. Even after going back to work, you would still need to take time off for physical therapy. So plan for this accordingly.
What happens if you still want to stay home after 12 weeks post hip surgery? At this point, you are no longer covered by FMLA, so your employer has every right to deny your request for additional time off to recover from your hip surgery. And you might have to dip into savings if your short term disability insurance ran out or stop paying once your doctor deemed you sufficiently recovered to return to work.
Hip surgery final thoughts
Make sure you really need hip surgery for your hip pain. Find the best doctor possible for your specific hip problem. Line up family and friends to help you out (at least for the first few weeks post hip surgery). And make sure you have a large leave balance or savings to make up for any lost in pay while you are recovering from your hip surgery.
Until next time and thanks for stopping by Small Steps to Health.
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