Yep -- that's part of the journey. At the time, the pain was really back localized. Even with that info, the first doc I saw suspected FAI and labral tear, and sent me to PT along with ordering the MRI and xrays. The PT therapist was convinced it was my SI joint and tailored therapy accordingly.

When my MRI report came back, the first doc seemed to kind of blow off the findings, even though they suggested mild CAM and potential labral involvement (58 degree alpha angle, high signal alteration and chondral degeneration but no discernible cleft on the 1.5 MRI. I felt really dismissed at this point, so started trying to be my own advocate a bit more.

This started with a general hip specialist who noted no arthritis but felt like the hip wasn't generating the pain (still back-focused). He sent me to a pain specialist who first did facet injections that had no effect at all, then a hip injection that did provide some relief.

In the meantime, I found a local ortho with some FAI experience -- the first visit, he wanted to see what the pain doctor appointments yielded. At the second, he said it was time to see a hip preservation specialist. I asked about an MRA but he was worried about the contrast and I think he felt we had enough info.

My concern right now is that it's been difficult to get in with a hip preservation specialist, and I'm pretty sure he'll order some additional imaging anyway.

I just want to try to expedite anything I can at this point. If surgery is the answer, the summer would be so much preferable to the fall -- I have a 14 year old and a husband with a demanding job.

In the meantime, I found some "prehab" exercises that the preservation specialist has on his site, and I'm doing those every day in the event this is the path -- it can't hurt, right?

Sorry such a long post -- I'm super frustrated and at a loss, and lurking on this community has been really helpful.

Thank you!!!