My Hip Labrum Recovery Story: From Chronic Pain to Running Again, By Renee Lochridge
Five years ago, I experienced a hip labral tear during a yoga class. The pain was intense, but through conservative treatment and dedicated physical therapy, I made a full recovery without needing surgery. For years, I lived pain-free—until a weight training session triggered a reinjury that felt sharper, deeper, and far more persistent.
After trying to manage the discomfort for six months, I realized I couldn’t walk more than a few minutes without sharp, stabbing pain in my hip. That’s when I decided to move forward with hip arthroscopy under the care of Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu, an expert in hip preservation and labral repair.
The surgery went smoothly, and to my surprise, recovery was far easier than I anticipated. Within three days, I was off pain medication, and by the end of the first month, I was walking without assistance. I committed fully to my postoperative rehabilitation program, attending physical therapy twice a week to rebuild hip strength, mobility, and stability.
By spring, I set a goal: to run the Cow Harbor Run that September. With consistent rehab and guidance from Dr. Nwachukwu’s team, I not only completed the race—I finished just two minutes slower than my pre-injury time. Today, I’m running stronger than ever, completely pain-free and back to doing what I love.
I’m beyond grateful to Dr. Nwachukwu and his incredible team for their expertise, compassion, and support throughout my hip surgery and recovery journey. For anyone facing a similar challenge, my advice is simple: trust your surgeon, stay disciplined with your rehab, and never give up. A full recovery and active lifestyle after a hip labral tear are absolutely possible!
The original version of Renee’s story can be found here: HSS Patient Stories
Special thanks to Renee for sharing her patient story!
