Yesterday was my "official" last day in PT. I am doing so well now and there is really not much more Liz can do for me as I have met my goals. She does want to see me one more time after I see Z and ask him if stretching the hamstring, quads and other muscles is ok. According to my PT script, it said "no ROM" (no range of motion) which also includes stretching the muscles per Liz. So when I asked her if she could help me work on sitting "criss cross, apple sauce" style again, she said she couldn't due to the PT script. Once I see Z and get that ok'd (or not) I will go see Liz one more time, and truly for the last time, so she can make sure I'm doing my stretches properly and not out of form, or I will cancel the appointment if stretches are not approved. I can't see them not being ok. He has a protocol for his hip surgeries where we, the patients, work on our own ROM which is a gentle stretching itself. I can't comfortably get into the "criss cross, apple sauce" sit like I used to be able to, but can still sit in the "W" style. Hopefully once the muscles settle down I'll be able to sit both ways again.
I heard back from Jennifer, Z's assistant, about the right hip injection. She said that Z told her to tell me, "a hip injection is very likely, but I'd like to discuss some things with her first". Ok, fair enough, but I'm curious as to what the discussion will be. Back in the summer, when the hip was 6 months post op and still feeling a little wonky, but getting a little better he had offered an injection. I wonder why now, this might change. His view on the right hip seems to have changed since he first worked on it. It started out that it was more impinged than it was dysplastic and it would not need a PAO. But fast forward a year and just before I am due for my LPAO, he mentions that the right hip is actually still shallow and may need the PAO as well. So would the discussion be that an injection would make the hip more unstable since shallow hips tend to be "loose" and am I willing to risk that? I wish I knew and I will be sure to enlighten you all when I do find out. It might not even be anything except, "hold your breath, this is gonna hurt!".
Well, I have come to learn that cold = stiffness, regardless of how well "warmed up" my muscles are around my hips and knees. I could be walking completely limp free inside and the moment I step outside where it is cold I stiffen right up and start limping.
In fact with my left hip that is really about the only thing I have to complain about right now is that it is still stiff when cold or when I've been sitting a while. Getting into and out of vehicles can still be a bit of a challenge at times but certainly easier now than before. I've been having a few painful pops and snaps in both hips lately, but for the left hip it is instant and goes away immediately. The right hip has lingering pain after. It also doesn't tolerate activity of any sort now. I can only walk about 10 minutes before pain sets in and bending it and lying on it hurts.
It's pretty distressing to me right now because I don't know what to do about the right hip. I want the injection to tide me through a few months (hopefully many months) and I want to be able to just KNOW what to do next....magic 8 ball, anyone?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Post op week 12
3 months ago my LPAO took place and I can't believe how fast the time has gone since then. It truly seemed like when I was on two crutches, there was no way I'd regain strength fast enough to walk without them properly before being released back to work. But either my body is extremely resilient or Dr. Z is a genius and knows what he's doing....I think I'll attribute it to both! Next Thursday is my 3 month follow up with Z and I left a message with his assistant to request a steroid injection into my right hip as well. I *think* that I will be cleared for work shortly after next week. I'm mentally so ready! Physically I could probably use a little more time, however, my strength has improved so quickly while in PT and yesterday Liz and I agreed that after next week I probably don't need to come back to PT sessions with her. She said she has gotten me up to par and we've reached our goals and it's all up to me to keep working on them and getting myself stronger on my own. If I have questions or I have issues/problems, I can always come see her and we will work it out. I am ecstatic that I've progressed this quickly! It's still a bit of a mystery why it's so much easier than the right hip though.
First off, I just want to say I hate my screws....hate, hate, hate them. They are progressively getting more and more painful and I want them out!!! Okay, on to what really matters....
Last Saturday one of my PT goals was to see how long I could stand and how far I could walk before pain or limping set in. Liz needed to know this to guage where I'm at before declaring me fit for work on her behalf. So the idea was to go to the mall and walk the halls and as a treat, maybe buy something for myself. I did very well for not having done anything but pretty much sit on my butt the last 3 months. I think I stood a total of 5-6 hours and I was able to walk the entire mall, while stopping in stores periodically, in 2 hours and only toward the last half hour to fifteen minutes did I start to limp. The left hip didn't get painful, just sore/muscle tiredness. The right hip was like walking on a big bruise only ten minutes into my walking.
My crouching goal is also slowly being met. Some of the exercises Liz has me doing is really helping with that. I can almost go from full crouch to standing without my hands and I usually don't almost fall over! I think a few more days of working on that should do it and of course, keeping up with it. Once I'm back to work though, I'll be doing it all the time.
I've also noticed that being out in the cold makes my hips super stiff and I cannot help but limp. I can't wait for warmer weather! I hope this will not be a permanant thing from now on. (I can see why the elderly flock south for the winter if that's the case). I also aggravated the psoas (groin) on my left hip again...darn thing is so sensitive!! And it seems my hamstring is flaring up again. I think it's the new PT exercises I've been given, so I'll have to go slow on those. I also noticed that the pulsing, sharp groin pains I had last year in my right hip prior to my SDD are coming back. They are a bit more intense at times now. I sure hope that Z will do the injection to get me through a few months at work.
At this point in time I am aid free for walking, showering, and dressing. I'm able to do all housework without too much trouble. I still depend on ibuprofen 800 mg at least twice a day, occasionally tylenol ES (for the right hip). I haven't attempted walking the dogs yet as it is icy out and I was advised to wait to do it until after the spring thaw to avoid slipping on ice or slush/mud. I haven't really walked outside in the snow or ice much yet as it is except to get to the car and that's a very short distance.
I am up to 2 pound weights on both legs for my exercises and 30 reps each, and the goal is to reach 5 pounds each leg. I still have a twist from my torso down when I stand and when I do certain exercises it drives Liz crazy (and me) because my body naturally wants to compensate and twist like it always has, but I need to work on my core so that I don't twist anymore, but keep the trunk straight on. A lot of that has to do with my anteversion of my femurs and pelvis, plus I was told I have slight scoliosis in my lower spine several years ago. Quite honestly, as long as I remain pain free and able to do things without the hip giving out and the leg fatiguing, I'm okay if I remain twisted...
First off, I just want to say I hate my screws....hate, hate, hate them. They are progressively getting more and more painful and I want them out!!! Okay, on to what really matters....
Last Saturday one of my PT goals was to see how long I could stand and how far I could walk before pain or limping set in. Liz needed to know this to guage where I'm at before declaring me fit for work on her behalf. So the idea was to go to the mall and walk the halls and as a treat, maybe buy something for myself. I did very well for not having done anything but pretty much sit on my butt the last 3 months. I think I stood a total of 5-6 hours and I was able to walk the entire mall, while stopping in stores periodically, in 2 hours and only toward the last half hour to fifteen minutes did I start to limp. The left hip didn't get painful, just sore/muscle tiredness. The right hip was like walking on a big bruise only ten minutes into my walking.
My crouching goal is also slowly being met. Some of the exercises Liz has me doing is really helping with that. I can almost go from full crouch to standing without my hands and I usually don't almost fall over! I think a few more days of working on that should do it and of course, keeping up with it. Once I'm back to work though, I'll be doing it all the time.
I've also noticed that being out in the cold makes my hips super stiff and I cannot help but limp. I can't wait for warmer weather! I hope this will not be a permanant thing from now on. (I can see why the elderly flock south for the winter if that's the case). I also aggravated the psoas (groin) on my left hip again...darn thing is so sensitive!! And it seems my hamstring is flaring up again. I think it's the new PT exercises I've been given, so I'll have to go slow on those. I also noticed that the pulsing, sharp groin pains I had last year in my right hip prior to my SDD are coming back. They are a bit more intense at times now. I sure hope that Z will do the injection to get me through a few months at work.
At this point in time I am aid free for walking, showering, and dressing. I'm able to do all housework without too much trouble. I still depend on ibuprofen 800 mg at least twice a day, occasionally tylenol ES (for the right hip). I haven't attempted walking the dogs yet as it is icy out and I was advised to wait to do it until after the spring thaw to avoid slipping on ice or slush/mud. I haven't really walked outside in the snow or ice much yet as it is except to get to the car and that's a very short distance.
I am up to 2 pound weights on both legs for my exercises and 30 reps each, and the goal is to reach 5 pounds each leg. I still have a twist from my torso down when I stand and when I do certain exercises it drives Liz crazy (and me) because my body naturally wants to compensate and twist like it always has, but I need to work on my core so that I don't twist anymore, but keep the trunk straight on. A lot of that has to do with my anteversion of my femurs and pelvis, plus I was told I have slight scoliosis in my lower spine several years ago. Quite honestly, as long as I remain pain free and able to do things without the hip giving out and the leg fatiguing, I'm okay if I remain twisted...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Post op week 11, back from Disney!
I had a great time at Disney World and was able to use my "golden ticket" for all the attractions the parks had to offer. It was wonderful because the cast members just let you right through to the front of all the lines so there was virtually no waiting in line anywhere! Thank you Dr. Z!! I saw several people in wheelchairs or on crutches who were also using the "golden ticket" (it's actually called a guest assistance card) and I didn't feel quite so bad using mine. Up to 5 people in your party can go with you too, so it was perfect. The guys didn't feel like I was quick enough on my crutches, so we had a wheelchair for me the whole time, and actually, I'm glad we did because I did crutch from our hotel room to the main lodge and it was quite a trek and I was wiped. So I can't imagine crutching all over Disney's four parks! I had a blast and that is what matters.
I didn't keep up too well on my PT while I was gone though, but when I got home I found that I am still right at where I was before, if not a little better. I'm not using the crutches at all inside and I don't limp unless I've been sitting for a long time or I'm tired. Even then I just walk slowly til I get my muscles worked out. The only exercise I'm really having difficulty with and unable to finish my reps is the straight leg lift. I can only get about 8-9 of them done before my leg loses form. I'm supposed to do 2 sets of 10 exercises each.
I have no difficulty with stepping up on a step with the left leg leading anymore like I did before and I'm able to walk up and down the basement stairs now. I've gotten rid of the shower bench a few weeks ago and haven't needed the chair to dress on for a couple weeks either. I can't believe I forgot to mention that earlier!
I still have a bit of difficulty with flexion of the left hip. I used to be able to flex it more than 120 degrees, now I think I'm lucky if I'm hitting 90-100 degrees. Hopefully this is just because the muscles are tight and I'll be able to loosen it up as I do my exercises more. I find that I'm again stronger on my left side than on my right as I find I'm standing more to my left than my right when I am standing up. This has been the case pretty much all my life as I've been aware of it. I'm even able to stand alone on the left leg and can do so for about 30 seconds before I feel the muscles start to tire out. This is pretty good compared to how the right side healed! I think I will use one crutch to go outside tomorrow for my PT appt and have Liz determine if I need to use it anymore after that. I feel I can go without it anywhere now. I just know that Z likes to make sure his patients are steady outside where it's slippery out since the muscles aren't completely 100% yet.
I didn't keep up too well on my PT while I was gone though, but when I got home I found that I am still right at where I was before, if not a little better. I'm not using the crutches at all inside and I don't limp unless I've been sitting for a long time or I'm tired. Even then I just walk slowly til I get my muscles worked out. The only exercise I'm really having difficulty with and unable to finish my reps is the straight leg lift. I can only get about 8-9 of them done before my leg loses form. I'm supposed to do 2 sets of 10 exercises each.
I have no difficulty with stepping up on a step with the left leg leading anymore like I did before and I'm able to walk up and down the basement stairs now. I've gotten rid of the shower bench a few weeks ago and haven't needed the chair to dress on for a couple weeks either. I can't believe I forgot to mention that earlier!
I still have a bit of difficulty with flexion of the left hip. I used to be able to flex it more than 120 degrees, now I think I'm lucky if I'm hitting 90-100 degrees. Hopefully this is just because the muscles are tight and I'll be able to loosen it up as I do my exercises more. I find that I'm again stronger on my left side than on my right as I find I'm standing more to my left than my right when I am standing up. This has been the case pretty much all my life as I've been aware of it. I'm even able to stand alone on the left leg and can do so for about 30 seconds before I feel the muscles start to tire out. This is pretty good compared to how the right side healed! I think I will use one crutch to go outside tomorrow for my PT appt and have Liz determine if I need to use it anymore after that. I feel I can go without it anywhere now. I just know that Z likes to make sure his patients are steady outside where it's slippery out since the muscles aren't completely 100% yet.
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