My doctor said to stop doing Taekwondo

I don't even go unless it's absolutely necessary, for example when I needed a tetanus jab after crashing on my mountain bike and getting earth in the wound. One, my immune system is there for a reason, and two, I've just heard so many horror stories. A friend of my mom's was given some sort of medication and told it only had some mild side effects. It actually had all sorts of serious side effects such as nephritis...

 

I agree with you (up to a point). The problem with general practitioners is the 'general' bit. Unfortunately the consultants I've met came with a personality disorder. Must have been all those years of training and being told they are geniuses

 

So the general concensus is that doctors haven't a clue so carry on searching for medical opinions until you find one who agrees with you?
I don't think you should give up martial arts at all but I do think that TKD is serious abuse for the hips. Try some other local schools and you may be surprised what else is out there that doesn't wear out the hip joints like TKD does.
Either that or carry on and assume that your replacement set of hips will work better!

 

I don't think so. Nobody in this thread said anything to that effect. What people said was to keep in mind that doctors often make mistakes, and to take the 'you'll never fight again' diagnosis with a pinch of salt.

None of us tried to say that doctors are idiots or that we as lay people know better than they do. We just made the point that they can be wrong.

 

Indeed. A body of doctors in England wanted MMA banned, yet MMA is actually SAFER than many other sports that people deem to be perfectly wholesome.

 

One thing to add here, although VZ will be the expert when he appears.

Implants have a finite lifespan, on the order of 10-20years IIRC (varies massively according to personal habits and it is hard to do studies because new,better implants haven't been around long enough to judge their lifespan in a person!). Therefore anyone getting an implant at a young age will need it replaced a few times - it's not a trivial operation and operating repeatedly on the same site makes things harder.

This is (partly) why they should be avoided for young people, I hope your doctor knows and has explained this .

Now, that's not a reason to be scared of them or avoid them - its always better to have an operation that you need - but keep it in mind. Prosthetics and our technology around material resilience is advancing, so it may be that joint replacements that last as long as you do make an appearance soon.

Nb./ This progress may mean my knowledge is out of date, please wait for more expert opinions than mine. At best, consider this material to prime yourself with when talking to a doctor, so you know where issues may lie


PS.

Source please?

 

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/09/05/uk-britain-boxing-idUKUKO46078120070905


This study showed a reduced risk of traumatic brain injury compared to other sports involving striking http://www.jssm.org/combat/1/18/v5combat-18.pdf

In addition, MMA has had 2 deaths in its entire history. Boxing has a yearly death rate which someone collected here http://ejmas.com/jcs/jcsart_svinth_a_0700.htm

Will see what I can find on other collision sports such as football...

 

Is an orthopedist and orthopedic the same thing? My doctor was an orthopedic.
My injury has limited me from executing some things yes that is true... but I've learned to work on things that I'm capable of doing. I was actually hoping this could be fixed rather easily so I can be able to do everything but I guess I was wrong.

What is hip resurfacing?

 

I'm not sure how I managed to tire up the bones at 25 actually. I think the injury started somewhere between age 10-15 I don't really know. I did taekwondo when I was little around age 8 and had to stop at age 10 because my parents could not afford it anymore. I was able to do all the kicks and had no mobility issues. I started again when I was 15 and I noticed I couldn't internally rotate my leg to do a proper roundhouse. So I'm not really sure what happen. I also developed scoliosis around the same time so when I picked up TKD at age 15 again. I thought my limit in internally rotating my hips was because of scoliosis. I just found out now that my scoliosis wasn't the case and it was my hips...

 

Yes x-rays and MRI were taken. Bone spurs were visible on both sides.

 

Is there anyway you can strengthen your hips through exercise and stretches?[/QUOTE]


I think there are exercises that can strength my hips, but that won't repair the damage done to the cartilage.

 

I also want to thank everyone for taking their time to respond. I will seek a second doctor opinion eventually, but for now my money is a bit of a concern and health insurance provided by my work or any work for that matter always seem to find any way possible so that they don't have to pay for your medical bills...

 

Whoa. Déjà vu.

First, I'm sorry to hear about your hip problems. Second, relax. It's not the end of the world and it's certainly not the end of your Taekwondo career. Trust me when I tell you I speak from direct experience.

I had my left hip replaced two years ago next month. I was the same age as you are now. My problems went back a few years to when I was injured in the army. I don't know what caused your onset of osteoarthritis but it's a condition which doesn't get better with time.

My family doctor was against a THR. So were the first, second and third specialists I met. It was only when I consulted an orthopaedic surgeon who was also a lifelong karateka that I finally got the surgery agreed. Like Simon S said, I was back doing full splits and high kicks in less than six months. I've had a few minor issues requiring revision surgery in the time since, but that was not due to my returning to martial arts training.

My hip is better than ever. I now coach a national sport karate team seven days a week and I'm also preparing to compete for the first time since my op. I had decided upon early retirement due to the risk of impact to the prosthesis, but a few adjustments to my style (such as fighting right side forward and kicking only with my right leg) have made it possible to spar again. I can hold my own against guys who use both legs. The competition I'm preparing for is a world championship.

I'm under no illusion the prosthesis will need replacing in 15-20 years time, and probably a couple times in my entire lifetime (if I give up the booze, fags, junk food and prostitutes! Kidding ). Recovery will probably be longer and harder each time. But I love martial arts enough to go through it again, and again, and again.

Your current situation is far from being the end of your practice in Taekwondo. Ask for a second opinion, preferably from an orthopaedic surgeon with experience in your chosen sport. Accept the fact that, if you're truly as dedicated to Taekwondo as you say, then a Birmingham Hip Resurfacing or Total Hip Replacement will more than likely be necessary. Also understand that if you want to be as good as "able bodied" folk then you're going to have one hell of a graft in terms of rehabilitative therapy and just maintaining mobility in your hip.

I can't lie and say it'll be easy. It won't. It was without doubt the most physically, mentally and emotionally challenging time of my life. If you opt for replacement surgery, no doubt it'll be similar for you too. But goddamn it's so worth it. And lord knows you got this bunch of delinquents to keep you inspired, as they did with me. Good luck fella.

 

Van Zandth,

Are you in the US? If so what state/area is the doctor in?

 

Well I competed for the last time early July @ nationals in the grassroot division and came home with silver. Sorry for such the late reply. Its kind of hard to sink in everything. So far I've been taking it easy by swimming and biking. I haven't really spar/workout hard since the tournament and mostly teaching.

So for now imma research my options and see what is available out there. Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

There was a guy with severe Asthma who came to my teacher for help. Doctor told the guy that he can't even jog, forget about Martial-Arts. My teacher trained him for an year. Now guy goes for 5 km jog everyday and has not touched any medicine since his training. You know what happened with Bruce Lee. i think Martial-Artists know better about human body than doctors.

 

LOL
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion... that does not make it correct!

Although, with GungFu a part of traditional Chinese medicine, it is possible that some of the great GungFu masters know better than some of the worst doctors... BUT, it is deceptive to pretend that the average martial artists know the human body better than the worst doctor!


Osu!