What's a girl to write on the eve of the New Year when not much exciting has happened? I guess a blip on recovery will suffice and we'll see where that takes us.
I went back to work on Dec. 20th, just shy of 2 weeks ago. Because of the holidays, I've not worked a full week and that has really come in handy. Next week will begin the full work weeks and, sigh, I am ready, whether I like it or not. Sitting in my office chair doesn't feel great, but I get up and move/stretch a lot and have my heating pad on all the time. While at home I reclined any time I was sitting, which is hip friendly.
I still haven't made my PT appt yet, 1) because of my ear restrictions, which are now lifted and 2) because my PT saw me at work and told me that they are extremely busy right now but would squeeze me in. I will hold off til next week. I've been doing most of my own PT at home from the exercises I was given last time and that seems to be helping. My goal is to get back into running form. Little by little I've thought to myself, "screw it, I'm gonna run, even if it kills me". Ok, it won't kill me but it might "kill" my hip. I'm ok with that...I think. First though I have to feel it out and see if I can even tolerate running anymore, which will start with speed walking on an incline on the treadmill to a slow jog to a fast jog to running. I worry I won't tolerate it because I stopped taking my pain medicine altogether a month ago. It was a personal decision even though my doctor felt I should remain on it. As I've said in the past, only time will tell.
Among other "exciting" tidbits, I enrolled in school for the spring to finish my Bachelors in Nursing (way long over due) and will decide from there which direction I want to go with my Masters. I initially thought Nurse Practitioner, but am considering Research Clinician as well.
I have a 3 month follow up for my right hip on Jan 28th with Dr. Z. I imagine that appt will be the "turning point" in how often I see him. I think he will want a 6 month check, and then yearly from then on. If that's the case, that will really throw me off, but in a good way. I've been so used to going to Detroit every few months for the last 3.5 yrs that it's going to be a little hard honestly to not think about the next trip down there.
So my hip? It doesn't always hurt, at least not enough to count, but when it does, it hurts A LOT. How to describe it...the deep dull ache with some throbbing, like an ear ache. It started catching a lot again. It catches when I turn/pivot, when I vacuum, when I come to a hard stop and try to push off (this actually causes a sticking, almost locking sensation).
When I have my leg abducted and flexed, I feel a snapping/clicking in the medial groin/hip area when I move my leg from flexion to straight. I didn't notice this before the scope.
My left hip has a symptom that I noticed starting in late summer/early fall and seems to come and go. Everytime I notice it though, it's worse than the time before. I'm feeling a clicking internally and by palpation when I walk on the outside lower edge of my hip (sort of where the butt and thigh meet but closer to the back of the greater trochanter). This leads to an apprehesion feeling and a need to "pop" my hip, which I do on the lateral side. I believe this to be my IT band. I often need to "unstick" my knee as well, and can very forcibly pop the knee cap by twisting my femur away from my tibia. It feels better once popped. The ITB isn't tender to touch but my bursa is tender on the greater trochanter. My left side still just feels wobbly. No aching in the hip just occasional sharp catches, which also happens in the knee but the knee also aches.
2012 brought a close to my hip preservation surgeries. It was the year I found peace and meditation through running. It was the year I was told my right hip is done and full of arthritis, consequently putting an end to running, my form of stress release. 2012 brought about a change in my nursing career, one I didn't anticipate I would not enjoy as much as I'd hoped. But it also led me down another path to furthering my education and hopefully getting me back to where I thrive, in the surgical setting, transitioning patients from pre-op to post-op and during surgery.
I don't have a clue what 2013 will have in store. But I do know I'm surrounded by the most encouraging and loving family and friends to get me through. And if it means a THR sooner than later, well, Bring It!! I'm prepared, and I'm going to have fun doing what I want to do in the meantime.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Return to work set
I will be 6 weeks post op coming this Friday and things are going relatively well. I've been going without crutches for a week now and although short distances are ok, walking in the mall or for any extended period of time is not working out so well. I still feel a catch in the front of my hip. My limp comes back and my whole leg fatigues.
I have started home PT though to try to help strengthen the hip. Due to the recent ear surgery I had to remove adhesions from my inner ear, I'm on certain restrictions that prevent me from doing formal outpatient PT for another 2 weeks.
I'm released to go back to work with no restrictions on Thursday Dec 20, 2012. One and a half weeks left to get a little more strength and rest in before resuming everything as before.
Overall, I'm able to do just about anything, just have to modify a little if it's uncomfortable. Exhaustion and back pain are the biggest things I'm dealing with right now.
**I have 100 degrees hip flexion according to my office visit notes
I have started home PT though to try to help strengthen the hip. Due to the recent ear surgery I had to remove adhesions from my inner ear, I'm on certain restrictions that prevent me from doing formal outpatient PT for another 2 weeks.
I'm released to go back to work with no restrictions on Thursday Dec 20, 2012. One and a half weeks left to get a little more strength and rest in before resuming everything as before.
Overall, I'm able to do just about anything, just have to modify a little if it's uncomfortable. Exhaustion and back pain are the biggest things I'm dealing with right now.
**I have 100 degrees hip flexion according to my office visit notes
Friday, November 30, 2012
2 year celebration
Today is my 2 year LPAO anniversary, (and 4 weeks post right hip scope). What a fast and wild ride! I am very happy with my left hip and the outcome. Dr. Z has gotten it stable enough to withstand running, so I'd call that a success in itself. As far as pain goes, the hip joint itself doesn't bother me much. The surrounding areas do in different ways though. And it's all attributed to the femoral malalignment. Dr. Z and Dr. T are well aware and have told me that muscle strength is key but it will never be perfect. Derotation is always an option, but only I can make that decision. Right now I'm happy enough with things and trying to recover from my right hip, so this will remain on the back burner.
Left hip progress at 2 years:
No more giving out in front of hip, but there is occassional posterior giving out.
No more shocking sharp, stabbing pains with weight bearing.
I can spread my leg without feeling like the hip is going to pop off like Barbie's leg might.
Can withstand running.
Things that still need improvement:
Hip still pops/snaps painfully.
Still feels like a wobbly pogo stick at times, but it's the whole leg and I assume this must be the miserable malalignment throughout entire leg.
Still fatigues easily no matter how much strengthening I do.
Still can't comfortably sit Indian style although it doesn't really hurt.
Happy Two Years to me!
Left hip progress at 2 years:
No more giving out in front of hip, but there is occassional posterior giving out.
No more shocking sharp, stabbing pains with weight bearing.
I can spread my leg without feeling like the hip is going to pop off like Barbie's leg might.
Can withstand running.
Things that still need improvement:
Hip still pops/snaps painfully.
Still feels like a wobbly pogo stick at times, but it's the whole leg and I assume this must be the miserable malalignment throughout entire leg.
Still fatigues easily no matter how much strengthening I do.
Still can't comfortably sit Indian style although it doesn't really hurt.
Happy Two Years to me!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Post op news
So there's good news and bad news with this post. I had my two week follow up yesterday with Dr. Z and it both surprised me yet confirmed what I really already knew.
Good news:
The FAI portion of the surgery went really well. He showed me the areas he shaved down and showed me how much ROM I have now which is about 105 degrees, which we were both ecstatic about. It might even improve more beyond that! My incisions are healing nicely, no issues there. My lateral thigh/bursa area are extremely tender to touch but it should resolve in the next few months.
Bad news:
He showed me my scope images and what he saw in the hip did not make him happy. My acetabulum (socket) is ok cartilage wise, no further softening since a year and a half ago, just some labral degeneration which he debrided. But my femoral head is looking awful. The cartilage was shredded to pieces. It looked like floating crab meat or parmasean cheese flakes. My femur also had bone spurs on it that reminded me of looking at the knobby part of a dog's chew bone that has the nubs all over it. He ground all the spurs down and smoothed all the cartilage down but overall he was really dissatisfied. He said that I have an arthritic hip and I have to be careful now. Total hip replacement came up a few times. As in, this is the next logical step. It doesn't sound like there's anything left to do to help save it. I asked about the intertrochanteric osteotomy to shift the bad part off the weight bearing zone and he said it'd be a last ditch "hail mary" effort. That didn't sound promising. It's not off the table, but it doesn't sound likely it would be beneficial. My guess is he's thinking it wouldn't delay the THR at this point and it'd be awful to put me through that to only go right into the THR, but we'll see.
It's definately more real now. Last year when the PAO healing was so touch and go, it seemed scary when he said it could be 2 months it could be 20 years before THR, but now after this scope, it's inevitable it's going to happen soon. He's telling me to avoid running and find another avenue of exercise, like swimming. He asked if I was ok with that and I told him no. He conceded to say gentle and very short jogging for 1 or 2 days a week would be "ok" but would really prefer me not to do it at all. So this means 5k's are out. I still plan to ask him if I can run one or two 5k's a year when I see him again in January, so I'll update on that.
Basically right now it's too hard for us to conclude how things are going to turn out because I'm only 2 weeks and a couple days post op. It's to irritated and fresh to know what's happening. He'll have a better handle on it when I come back again and I should know more about the condition of my hip.
At this time, 2 more weeks of crutches then wean. Start PT at 4 weeks post op. I'm cleared to start driving again (yay!) and go back to work at around 6 week mark unless I feel I can go back sooner. Right now I'm not ready for going to work yet. I'm still pretty tired and my leg still hurts alot when I use it more than 5 min.
I can shower without my bench though and I'm able to get dressed standing for the most part. I need a chair if I'm tired and the muscles are fatigued. I'm also capable of light house work (loading/unloading dishwasher and washer and dryer). No vacuuming yet, no bending over to clean bathroom yet.
PT instructions say no squatting or lunges so I won't be doing any type of exercise that requires those motions. I'm still just extremely upset about the no running thing. I really need to reflect on this and decide what is best for me and if I'm willing to give it up for the sake of saving my hip.
Good news:
The FAI portion of the surgery went really well. He showed me the areas he shaved down and showed me how much ROM I have now which is about 105 degrees, which we were both ecstatic about. It might even improve more beyond that! My incisions are healing nicely, no issues there. My lateral thigh/bursa area are extremely tender to touch but it should resolve in the next few months.
Bad news:
He showed me my scope images and what he saw in the hip did not make him happy. My acetabulum (socket) is ok cartilage wise, no further softening since a year and a half ago, just some labral degeneration which he debrided. But my femoral head is looking awful. The cartilage was shredded to pieces. It looked like floating crab meat or parmasean cheese flakes. My femur also had bone spurs on it that reminded me of looking at the knobby part of a dog's chew bone that has the nubs all over it. He ground all the spurs down and smoothed all the cartilage down but overall he was really dissatisfied. He said that I have an arthritic hip and I have to be careful now. Total hip replacement came up a few times. As in, this is the next logical step. It doesn't sound like there's anything left to do to help save it. I asked about the intertrochanteric osteotomy to shift the bad part off the weight bearing zone and he said it'd be a last ditch "hail mary" effort. That didn't sound promising. It's not off the table, but it doesn't sound likely it would be beneficial. My guess is he's thinking it wouldn't delay the THR at this point and it'd be awful to put me through that to only go right into the THR, but we'll see.
It's definately more real now. Last year when the PAO healing was so touch and go, it seemed scary when he said it could be 2 months it could be 20 years before THR, but now after this scope, it's inevitable it's going to happen soon. He's telling me to avoid running and find another avenue of exercise, like swimming. He asked if I was ok with that and I told him no. He conceded to say gentle and very short jogging for 1 or 2 days a week would be "ok" but would really prefer me not to do it at all. So this means 5k's are out. I still plan to ask him if I can run one or two 5k's a year when I see him again in January, so I'll update on that.
Basically right now it's too hard for us to conclude how things are going to turn out because I'm only 2 weeks and a couple days post op. It's to irritated and fresh to know what's happening. He'll have a better handle on it when I come back again and I should know more about the condition of my hip.
At this time, 2 more weeks of crutches then wean. Start PT at 4 weeks post op. I'm cleared to start driving again (yay!) and go back to work at around 6 week mark unless I feel I can go back sooner. Right now I'm not ready for going to work yet. I'm still pretty tired and my leg still hurts alot when I use it more than 5 min.
I can shower without my bench though and I'm able to get dressed standing for the most part. I need a chair if I'm tired and the muscles are fatigued. I'm also capable of light house work (loading/unloading dishwasher and washer and dryer). No vacuuming yet, no bending over to clean bathroom yet.
PT instructions say no squatting or lunges so I won't be doing any type of exercise that requires those motions. I'm still just extremely upset about the no running thing. I really need to reflect on this and decide what is best for me and if I'm willing to give it up for the sake of saving my hip.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Unrestricted
I can flex my hip freely to a little over 100 degrees! This is truly wonderful! This is the outcome I was hoping to achieve and thankfully it happened. I know my husband and family have been grimacing at the thought of "what if this didn't work". Well the hip is definately not a "good" hip anymore but now that I have free, unrestricted movement (which I've never experienced on this side) it is amazing. More so than what my left hip felt like after being stabilized with the PAO! I will report the exact amount of degree of flexion after my follow up appointment. I'm sure it's better than anything I've achieved before. But more than numbers is just truly NO blockage or a hard end point feeling. It's great!
My pain has improved too. It's not bad at all now. When I'm resting (laying down) it aches to the point of distraction, so I'm not sleeping well. Plus if I stand more than a couple minutes I get pretty achy. Moving helps ward it off. I still feel like something catches if I'm bending the hip, so I'm resigned to the fact that feeling will probably always be there.
I got my surgical report back and among the things Dr. Z found were chondrocalcinosis, bone spurs, frayed cartilage and labrum, softening of the cartilage and cartilage fissuring, synovitis, dense adhesions of the capsul and near the bursa and glute muscles, and of course the acetabular impingement. He burred down 7 mm of the impingement and what a difference! Among all the other work he did in my hip, this is what made the most impact, although he feels it's going to be the release of the adhesions. Time will tell. He's usually right.
I'm unusually atrophied in the thigh in my opinion. I think it might be because of all the other surgeries on this hip. But it has made walking unassisted really difficult. I can't go more than two steps without a pronounced limp, pain, and my knee locking up. But I am getting better at walking more "correctly", that is, with my foot pointed straight and not outward. I'm glad that the instructions say to use the crutches for 4 weeks. Even straight leg lifts and knee extensions are too painful and hard right now. My thigh shakes and there is a sharp pain initially with a dull ache afterward. It is only 2 weeks post op tomorrow, but I still have the mentality that I should be up and running by now. Not very realistic, I know. The majority of my discomfort right now is laterally and at the knee, except at night, then it's all the hip joint.
Mostly what excites me is that the feeling I have with this unrestricted hip flexion is that I feel as good about it as my left hip!! Dare I say it will last?? I can hope, what else do I have? 2 week follow up with Dr. Z is on Monday.
My pain has improved too. It's not bad at all now. When I'm resting (laying down) it aches to the point of distraction, so I'm not sleeping well. Plus if I stand more than a couple minutes I get pretty achy. Moving helps ward it off. I still feel like something catches if I'm bending the hip, so I'm resigned to the fact that feeling will probably always be there.
I got my surgical report back and among the things Dr. Z found were chondrocalcinosis, bone spurs, frayed cartilage and labrum, softening of the cartilage and cartilage fissuring, synovitis, dense adhesions of the capsul and near the bursa and glute muscles, and of course the acetabular impingement. He burred down 7 mm of the impingement and what a difference! Among all the other work he did in my hip, this is what made the most impact, although he feels it's going to be the release of the adhesions. Time will tell. He's usually right.
I'm unusually atrophied in the thigh in my opinion. I think it might be because of all the other surgeries on this hip. But it has made walking unassisted really difficult. I can't go more than two steps without a pronounced limp, pain, and my knee locking up. But I am getting better at walking more "correctly", that is, with my foot pointed straight and not outward. I'm glad that the instructions say to use the crutches for 4 weeks. Even straight leg lifts and knee extensions are too painful and hard right now. My thigh shakes and there is a sharp pain initially with a dull ache afterward. It is only 2 weeks post op tomorrow, but I still have the mentality that I should be up and running by now. Not very realistic, I know. The majority of my discomfort right now is laterally and at the knee, except at night, then it's all the hip joint.
Mostly what excites me is that the feeling I have with this unrestricted hip flexion is that I feel as good about it as my left hip!! Dare I say it will last?? I can hope, what else do I have? 2 week follow up with Dr. Z is on Monday.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
This recovery is out of control!
I'm 6 days post scope and already have more to share:
Just some interesting observations I've had in the last couple days:
1) my pain suddenly (not gradually) has become what I think is "out of proportion" with the surgery I had. It is intense and not letting up. It is from buttock wrapped around to almost the groin and down thigh to knee (in front only, butt and just below butt in back). Everything hurts it, movement, weight bearing, touch, thought....ok not thought but then when I do think about it it does hurt more! It's ridiculous. Pains meds don't touch it, ice doesn't work (I've found sitting on ice is the best at this point but it doesn't really do much or last), and heat is pointless. The quality of the pain stays the same. There's an underlying element of soreness, like an extremely bad sprain/strain, but throughout the whole thing is this piercing, throbbing, ache that becomes sharp enough to induce tears if I move too much or just the wrong way.
2) Interestingly enough, I've found that weight bearing flat footed aggravates the pain (I can walk with the crutches, slowly) but I started going back to old habits and placing all my weight on the outer edge of my foot (so pinkie toe down to the floor, big toe up to the ceiling) and standing or walking this way. It really helps relieve a lot of the weight bearing/walking pain. This position also aligns my leg nearly perfectly straight, which I have pointed out to both Dr's Z and T before and they had said it was because of the twist in my bones.
I guess I'll be walking on the outside of my foot til it stops hurting otherwise. I don't know what else to do or think.
The intensity of the pain, being "out of proportion" with what I had done, worries me slightly, but the nurse in me says that I don't have a fever, the area is not red or overly swollen or overly warm to touch, so I doubt it's an infection. The only thing I can plausibly come up with right now is a hematoma and the pressure it would cause and that might make this pain I'm having seem reasonable. Otherwise, I'm at loss. A scope recovery shouldn't hurt about as much as my SDD recovery.
Just some interesting observations I've had in the last couple days:
1) my pain suddenly (not gradually) has become what I think is "out of proportion" with the surgery I had. It is intense and not letting up. It is from buttock wrapped around to almost the groin and down thigh to knee (in front only, butt and just below butt in back). Everything hurts it, movement, weight bearing, touch, thought....ok not thought but then when I do think about it it does hurt more! It's ridiculous. Pains meds don't touch it, ice doesn't work (I've found sitting on ice is the best at this point but it doesn't really do much or last), and heat is pointless. The quality of the pain stays the same. There's an underlying element of soreness, like an extremely bad sprain/strain, but throughout the whole thing is this piercing, throbbing, ache that becomes sharp enough to induce tears if I move too much or just the wrong way.
2) Interestingly enough, I've found that weight bearing flat footed aggravates the pain (I can walk with the crutches, slowly) but I started going back to old habits and placing all my weight on the outer edge of my foot (so pinkie toe down to the floor, big toe up to the ceiling) and standing or walking this way. It really helps relieve a lot of the weight bearing/walking pain. This position also aligns my leg nearly perfectly straight, which I have pointed out to both Dr's Z and T before and they had said it was because of the twist in my bones.
I guess I'll be walking on the outside of my foot til it stops hurting otherwise. I don't know what else to do or think.
The intensity of the pain, being "out of proportion" with what I had done, worries me slightly, but the nurse in me says that I don't have a fever, the area is not red or overly swollen or overly warm to touch, so I doubt it's an infection. The only thing I can plausibly come up with right now is a hematoma and the pressure it would cause and that might make this pain I'm having seem reasonable. Otherwise, I'm at loss. A scope recovery shouldn't hurt about as much as my SDD recovery.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Post op hip scope recovery
It's day 4 post op and things are well. I'm allowed to weight bear as tolerated, no real restrictions, can use the stationary bike without resistance, and just need crutches for 4 weeks. I've cheated already and gone to 1 crutch short distances but I'm not ready to go without crutches yet. I have a limp. It doesn't hurt much to put weight down, but lifting my leg hurts. Sitting too long hurts. Actually sitting on my butt is what hurts. I think there's just a big bruise there though.
What's been most painful though is my back. I can't lay on my back or sit for long without it beginning to give me a piercing ache. I can't say what it's from, but I would imagine the traction while in the scope may have aggravated it. The pain is in the right SI to across my mid upper back. It really kind of overshadows the hip pain.
Besides that, a run down of how much easier this recovery has been for me over the SDD/PAOs:
Post op day 1: in hospital, d/c'd by 12-1 pm, home and able to stay awake til normal bedtime, not feeling horribly emotional. Pain is controlled.
Post op day 2: had mom stay the day with me since hubby had to go to work. I literally slept the entire day, didn't really do anything. Took dressings off and showered in the evening, and didn't need any help showering (getting in or out). Used the shower bench to reach lower extremeties but was able to stand majority of time. Hubby helped put on pants and socks because right hip/knee still so swollen from scope fluids.
Post op day 3: on my own majority of the day, taking care of the dogs myself (1 lab, 1 boston terrier). Hubby pre-planned day and made sure everything was out of my way so I could crutch safely and also set up my table with everything I'd need next to my chair. I did really well, tired and sore from more movement, but was able to go on first outing later in the afternoon too and then I came home and crashed.
Sleeping on back in CPM sooo uncomfortable that I finally gave it up at 4 am and turned on my side with pillows. Way better sleep.
Post op day 4 (today): again, alone, phone calls from mom to make sure I'm ok and I am. Really reflecting on things my husband discussed with me that Dr. Z brought up after surgery. I'll elaborate more after my 2 week check up, when I can understand it better.
Crutching is easy, showering is easy and the shower bench is just a comfort measure if I need it. I'm able to bend my leg easier now (still hurts) to put pants and socks on, but do need to sit to do that. My appetite is still poor, but the nauseated feeling has gone away, a lot faster than other times.
All in all I'm much more independent with this recovery. It helps that I'm experienced too, because I remember 3.5 years ago when I had my first surgery ever, a hip scope, which wasn't near as involved as this one, I was slow and cautious to a fault with recovery. Now it's second nature, and things are coming along so much better.
Plan is to send the CPM back this weekend and wait for the post op follow up to talk about the results and how I'm progressing. I also have my ear implant revision surgery coming up in 3.5 weeks to get ready for. I do need to set up my classes for my BSN as well while I'm off work. The great thing about this type of recovery is that I feel stronger both mentally and physically than I did with the SDD/PAOs and feel like I can probably accomplish this, and in a shorter time frame.
This week is about resting though and watching the presidential election unfold.
On a scale of 1-10 for discomfort for a hip scope over an open hip surgery, I'd say I'm at a 3-4, whereas I'd have been about a 6 with the opens. I think the only reason I'm even rating it as high as a 3 is because there is arthritis in my hip and because of my back.
What's been most painful though is my back. I can't lay on my back or sit for long without it beginning to give me a piercing ache. I can't say what it's from, but I would imagine the traction while in the scope may have aggravated it. The pain is in the right SI to across my mid upper back. It really kind of overshadows the hip pain.
Besides that, a run down of how much easier this recovery has been for me over the SDD/PAOs:
Post op day 1: in hospital, d/c'd by 12-1 pm, home and able to stay awake til normal bedtime, not feeling horribly emotional. Pain is controlled.
Post op day 2: had mom stay the day with me since hubby had to go to work. I literally slept the entire day, didn't really do anything. Took dressings off and showered in the evening, and didn't need any help showering (getting in or out). Used the shower bench to reach lower extremeties but was able to stand majority of time. Hubby helped put on pants and socks because right hip/knee still so swollen from scope fluids.
Post op day 3: on my own majority of the day, taking care of the dogs myself (1 lab, 1 boston terrier). Hubby pre-planned day and made sure everything was out of my way so I could crutch safely and also set up my table with everything I'd need next to my chair. I did really well, tired and sore from more movement, but was able to go on first outing later in the afternoon too and then I came home and crashed.
Sleeping on back in CPM sooo uncomfortable that I finally gave it up at 4 am and turned on my side with pillows. Way better sleep.
Post op day 4 (today): again, alone, phone calls from mom to make sure I'm ok and I am. Really reflecting on things my husband discussed with me that Dr. Z brought up after surgery. I'll elaborate more after my 2 week check up, when I can understand it better.
Crutching is easy, showering is easy and the shower bench is just a comfort measure if I need it. I'm able to bend my leg easier now (still hurts) to put pants and socks on, but do need to sit to do that. My appetite is still poor, but the nauseated feeling has gone away, a lot faster than other times.
All in all I'm much more independent with this recovery. It helps that I'm experienced too, because I remember 3.5 years ago when I had my first surgery ever, a hip scope, which wasn't near as involved as this one, I was slow and cautious to a fault with recovery. Now it's second nature, and things are coming along so much better.
Plan is to send the CPM back this weekend and wait for the post op follow up to talk about the results and how I'm progressing. I also have my ear implant revision surgery coming up in 3.5 weeks to get ready for. I do need to set up my classes for my BSN as well while I'm off work. The great thing about this type of recovery is that I feel stronger both mentally and physically than I did with the SDD/PAOs and feel like I can probably accomplish this, and in a shorter time frame.
This week is about resting though and watching the presidential election unfold.
On a scale of 1-10 for discomfort for a hip scope over an open hip surgery, I'd say I'm at a 3-4, whereas I'd have been about a 6 with the opens. I think the only reason I'm even rating it as high as a 3 is because there is arthritis in my hip and because of my back.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
3rd hip scope (has to be) the charm
Surgery went as planned on Friday, and I finally wasn't the last case of the day as I usually happen to be, but it was still a late case. I was admitted at 3 pm and went back to OR sometime between 5-6 pm. The admitting nurse told me I'd be getting a block for this surgery along with general anesthesia. A block is a nerve block in the hip region, so it's much different than a spinal. The anesthetist numbs the front of the hip before finding the nerve to numb after the nurse gives you versed and fentanyl to sedate you and keep the block from hurting. In all the experience was fine, and I remember everything which is cool. The block took effect in my knee and I thought maybe it would get to my hip in time for surgery but it didn't. I woke up in extreme pain, a lot like the SDD because the block did not work. I also couldn't pee again and was straight cathed twice (once in recovery and once in my room on the floor). This bought me a guaranteed overnight stay since urine that is obstructed leads to kidney damage. My recovery nurse was amazing though and I'll be sending in a letter of gratitude to her soon. All nurses should get recognition when they give good care, it's never mentioned enough!
Dr. Z explained to my family that he removed some impingement on the socket and removed a lot of scar tissue around the bursa and underneath the SDD incision, which he thinks will really help. But what my husband felt like he focused on most was the arthritis he found in the hip. He described it as being much more than what would be expected in a hip of someone my age, even with the dysplasia and FAI. He wasn't sure if this scope would help me but also said that some people can have a large amount of arthritis and hardly know it, while others have a small amount and have terrible pain. Basically at this point he told my husband he wasn't going to stop me from running or enjoying other activities that are hard on the hips unless it starts to hurt, then he'd advise to back off whatever hurts. Pain is to be my guide. I will be asking him at my 2 week follow up a bit more on this point. I also need to ask him about the degree of flexion in my hip that he obtained while I was under anesthesia. He saw me the day I was discharged and asked me to flex my hip and see if it hurt. I tried and it was so tight with swelling from the arthroscopy fluid that it was hard to do but I think it did feel less restricted. He had said he couldn't get it to go past 90 degrees when I was under but I don't know if he meant before or after the scope. Being that I only had about 80 degrees before it could be either way.
This scope is easier on my hip in the fact that I'm allowed full weight bearing as tolerated on crutches and have no restrictions to movement. I can use a stationary bike with no resistance right away. I need to use the CPM for 2 weeks, be on crutches for 4 weeks, and originally we had planned 6 weeks off work but after I see him on the 19th for my post op, we may decide I'm ready for work sooner!
It doesn't really hurt much to put weight down on my hip but moving it forward and to the side hurts a lot. I have 3 key holes to make a total of 7 now. I am surprised at the amount of pain it caused initially but now things are way better, at just two days out.
I'm still experiencing the stomach issue where I have no appetite and don't feel well after I do eat or drink anything. Best thing I've found that works is the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples, toast). It's bland and easy on the tummy. I've managed a few bites of rice and toast.
I also took my dressings off today and even as a nurse, it disgusted me. It was very bloody, which Dr. Z had said it would be. I'm still pretty swollen from waist to knee. I have a sausage leg! But I got to shower and that made up for it. My husband and parents have been truly amazing again, and I'll never be able to make up for it, but I do love them so much!
I'm going to end this with a running photo. Although I didn't end up running in the fun run in Plymouth the weekend before my surgery (work conflict) I did happen to run a 5k distance (actually just a little further than 3.1 miles!) on the treadmill at home the Wednesday before surgery...and here's the proof!
Dr. Z explained to my family that he removed some impingement on the socket and removed a lot of scar tissue around the bursa and underneath the SDD incision, which he thinks will really help. But what my husband felt like he focused on most was the arthritis he found in the hip. He described it as being much more than what would be expected in a hip of someone my age, even with the dysplasia and FAI. He wasn't sure if this scope would help me but also said that some people can have a large amount of arthritis and hardly know it, while others have a small amount and have terrible pain. Basically at this point he told my husband he wasn't going to stop me from running or enjoying other activities that are hard on the hips unless it starts to hurt, then he'd advise to back off whatever hurts. Pain is to be my guide. I will be asking him at my 2 week follow up a bit more on this point. I also need to ask him about the degree of flexion in my hip that he obtained while I was under anesthesia. He saw me the day I was discharged and asked me to flex my hip and see if it hurt. I tried and it was so tight with swelling from the arthroscopy fluid that it was hard to do but I think it did feel less restricted. He had said he couldn't get it to go past 90 degrees when I was under but I don't know if he meant before or after the scope. Being that I only had about 80 degrees before it could be either way.
This scope is easier on my hip in the fact that I'm allowed full weight bearing as tolerated on crutches and have no restrictions to movement. I can use a stationary bike with no resistance right away. I need to use the CPM for 2 weeks, be on crutches for 4 weeks, and originally we had planned 6 weeks off work but after I see him on the 19th for my post op, we may decide I'm ready for work sooner!
It doesn't really hurt much to put weight down on my hip but moving it forward and to the side hurts a lot. I have 3 key holes to make a total of 7 now. I am surprised at the amount of pain it caused initially but now things are way better, at just two days out.
I'm still experiencing the stomach issue where I have no appetite and don't feel well after I do eat or drink anything. Best thing I've found that works is the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples, toast). It's bland and easy on the tummy. I've managed a few bites of rice and toast.
I also took my dressings off today and even as a nurse, it disgusted me. It was very bloody, which Dr. Z had said it would be. I'm still pretty swollen from waist to knee. I have a sausage leg! But I got to shower and that made up for it. My husband and parents have been truly amazing again, and I'll never be able to make up for it, but I do love them so much!
I'm going to end this with a running photo. Although I didn't end up running in the fun run in Plymouth the weekend before my surgery (work conflict) I did happen to run a 5k distance (actually just a little further than 3.1 miles!) on the treadmill at home the Wednesday before surgery...and here's the proof!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Ultrasounds are hip!
Of all the imaging tests I've had done these last few years, the ultrasound is the easiest, least invasive, least expensive, and least radiation exposure....and the most diagnostic. For me at least! The radiologist Dr. Z wanted specifically is amazing. We deduced I do not have hernias, tears in my muscles, or pubic symphysis inflammation. But I do have an enlarged labrum ("huge!" as the radiologist put it), and a good bit of soft tissue being impinged in the front of the hip. My problem is too much bone now in the AIIS, or anterior inferior iliac spine. I *think* this is what Dr. Z was telling me anyway. Without a diagram or model to look at, it was hard for him to explain over the phone. Basically I'll need bone work. He's going to decompress the hip, or shave back some extra bone. He'll also take a look inside, and look at the bursa. He explained there would not be a risk for morbidity (making the hip worse), but the recovery will be more involved than what I'd been told before. Also he did say I have definate arthritic changes, so I won't have complete relief, but should have enough for now. I'm great with that. I am fully aware this hip is not as good as my left but it does have some room for improvement. I'll take anything at this point.
I'm coming up on my 2 year LPAO anniversary next month, and a week following that will be my 3 year RSDD anniversary. It really has just flown by. My left hip feels terrific compared to how it felt before! I do have popping and snapping that hurts but no more giving out. What's weird about the left leg though is that it is still the leg that fatigues much faster than my right, even with my right having a ton of work on it. All in all, worth every moment, good and bad.
I'm coming up on my 2 year LPAO anniversary next month, and a week following that will be my 3 year RSDD anniversary. It really has just flown by. My left hip feels terrific compared to how it felt before! I do have popping and snapping that hurts but no more giving out. What's weird about the left leg though is that it is still the leg that fatigues much faster than my right, even with my right having a ton of work on it. All in all, worth every moment, good and bad.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Plot twist
Things have taken another interesting turn for me and have shaken and stirred everything up. But now the dust is settling and I can breathe easy again, I hope! To summarize, I am still running but am unable to get past 1-1.3 miles. My legs simply quit at that point. It isn't the pain that is stopping me (I can mentally block that for a good while) but just purely muscle fatigue. It isn't the same thing as they're "weak" because my muscles are now nice and toned and can harden right up, but plain and simple they just quit working. Then the aches and pains really start. So, besides that I'm still planning to do the Fun Run in October.
A few weeks ago I had a really bad sharp pain in my symphysis pubis when my cat pushed off my lap. It happened a few times with that and a few times with twisting movements. My right SI joint also felt/feels awfully painful, like I need to shift it or pop it, and the pain feels like it's ripping apart sometimes. So since the pubic pain was new, I called Dr. Z about it. He was curious about this and said it's enough to prompt him to order inflammatory blood tests on me. If it's not an inflammatory condition then it's definately malalignment. Blood work was done right away, and a few days later, I got the call that a test called HLA B27 is positive. This is a genetic marker for a rheumatoid disease called ankylosing spondylitis, or AS. Basically it is an inflammatory arthritis that eventually fuses the spine and SI joints, while also affecting the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. I then had to see my rheumatologist to determine if I really do have AS, and if so, can I still have surgery on my hip?
The rheumatologist is the same who diagnosed my EDS and hypermobility. He eased my worries by telling me that although I have the symptoms of AS, the signs are not there yet (no sacroiliitis on xray, nor spurring or bambooing of the spine). But, if my back/SI pain persists or worsens, then we need to get a CT and/or bone scan because these are more sensitive than xrays, and usually damage takes a long time to show up. Once that happens, then we talk about treatment. But that's another blog, another time.
He said that even if I had active AS, he would/will still clear me for surgery. So the hip scope is still a go.
Dr. Z is fine with it but does want me to come down before surgery to have a pelvic ultrasound. At first it sounded like we would be doing a pubic symphysis injection and rectus femoris and SI joint injection too. But now I'm not sure. This new twist in events has got all of us with our panties in a bunch. I had a pretty long and serious heart to heart with Dr. Z. Beyond him being unhappy that AS could be in the picture, he is worried what he's going to find in the hip and he's worried he's going to make it worse.
Last, I finally confessed I saw Dr. T about my miserable malalignment and the recommendation was for the derotation of the femur and tibias. I wanted to mention this to him because the rheumy felt most of my pain really is from my malalignment. Dr. Z was actually very cool about it. He is glad I saw Dr. T since he is one of the best in the country for derotations. As he put it, two heads are better than one and getting second opinions is a good thing. I mentioned wanting to stick with him (Dr. Z) for the derotations if I ultimately decide to go that route, but....Dr. Z deferred and told me I really should have Dr. T perform that surgery. He told me that if he or his wife were going to have that done that he'd want Dr. T to do it over anyone else.
But, as for now, I've got 4 weeks left before my run and 5 weeks before my scope. I'm very busy, busy, busy in the coming weeks! Lots of changes, lots of news, and lots of self reflection to decide what's going to be best for me in the long run.
A few weeks ago I had a really bad sharp pain in my symphysis pubis when my cat pushed off my lap. It happened a few times with that and a few times with twisting movements. My right SI joint also felt/feels awfully painful, like I need to shift it or pop it, and the pain feels like it's ripping apart sometimes. So since the pubic pain was new, I called Dr. Z about it. He was curious about this and said it's enough to prompt him to order inflammatory blood tests on me. If it's not an inflammatory condition then it's definately malalignment. Blood work was done right away, and a few days later, I got the call that a test called HLA B27 is positive. This is a genetic marker for a rheumatoid disease called ankylosing spondylitis, or AS. Basically it is an inflammatory arthritis that eventually fuses the spine and SI joints, while also affecting the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. I then had to see my rheumatologist to determine if I really do have AS, and if so, can I still have surgery on my hip?
The rheumatologist is the same who diagnosed my EDS and hypermobility. He eased my worries by telling me that although I have the symptoms of AS, the signs are not there yet (no sacroiliitis on xray, nor spurring or bambooing of the spine). But, if my back/SI pain persists or worsens, then we need to get a CT and/or bone scan because these are more sensitive than xrays, and usually damage takes a long time to show up. Once that happens, then we talk about treatment. But that's another blog, another time.
He said that even if I had active AS, he would/will still clear me for surgery. So the hip scope is still a go.
Dr. Z is fine with it but does want me to come down before surgery to have a pelvic ultrasound. At first it sounded like we would be doing a pubic symphysis injection and rectus femoris and SI joint injection too. But now I'm not sure. This new twist in events has got all of us with our panties in a bunch. I had a pretty long and serious heart to heart with Dr. Z. Beyond him being unhappy that AS could be in the picture, he is worried what he's going to find in the hip and he's worried he's going to make it worse.
Last, I finally confessed I saw Dr. T about my miserable malalignment and the recommendation was for the derotation of the femur and tibias. I wanted to mention this to him because the rheumy felt most of my pain really is from my malalignment. Dr. Z was actually very cool about it. He is glad I saw Dr. T since he is one of the best in the country for derotations. As he put it, two heads are better than one and getting second opinions is a good thing. I mentioned wanting to stick with him (Dr. Z) for the derotations if I ultimately decide to go that route, but....Dr. Z deferred and told me I really should have Dr. T perform that surgery. He told me that if he or his wife were going to have that done that he'd want Dr. T to do it over anyone else.
But, as for now, I've got 4 weeks left before my run and 5 weeks before my scope. I'm very busy, busy, busy in the coming weeks! Lots of changes, lots of news, and lots of self reflection to decide what's going to be best for me in the long run.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Steroids, knee buckling, and running, oh my!
I had the right hip injected with kenolog and marcaine on Friday by my PCP and wow!! He is smooth! I didn't feel anything, not even the initial poke, and he didn't even use lidocaine. Who doesn't love that?! I do believe I will be going to him for my injections from now on. The steroid injection I had in July by Dr. Z either didn't take, or there just wasn't enough in it, so I had asked if it would be alright for one more injection before surgery. Dr. Z said it was fine as long as I waited 6 weeks from the one he had done and to make sure it wasn't less than 6 weeks out from surgery. I had it done exactly 6 weeks after the injection in July. I think there is a bit of a steroid flare, because things are sore, but my PCP said to expect that. However, my flexion pain has improved. I can bend my right hip further before I feel the deep sharp pain. I still have just a generalized ache all around, especially in the groin and SI joint and buttock. I've also become more aware of my SDD incision site where the muscles were seperated to be quite painful. The hernia site is really bad, which is just south of the scar. I hope Dr. Z was serious when he said we could get Plastics involved once the hip was settled.
The other unsettling thing is my left knee lately. I have had three episodes of complete giving out/buckling when going to stand up and take my first step. I also am having a harder time controlling the knee/leg staying straight on when I walk. It wants to twist way inward and feels "floppy". The knee cap itself has a nagging pain that is not something I can ignore and I try to rub it out, but then it starts to slide too far left or right and it snaps or clunks over one edge or the other of my femur and that HURTS. With each step I take, I feel a click or pop in my knee, more medial or inside, when I put full weight down and the leg straightens through full extension. That's more gross feeling than painful. But I don't like this at all.
And it's frustrating because I am limited to fixing things one at a time due to work and because the OS says so.
We still haven't narrowed down a run yet, but some of our family members are so excited and proud of this goal that they are going to run it too or at least be there to watch it happen! I only have about 6 weeks left to get my endurance and stamina down before doing a run, so God help me, I'm going to need it!
The other unsettling thing is my left knee lately. I have had three episodes of complete giving out/buckling when going to stand up and take my first step. I also am having a harder time controlling the knee/leg staying straight on when I walk. It wants to twist way inward and feels "floppy". The knee cap itself has a nagging pain that is not something I can ignore and I try to rub it out, but then it starts to slide too far left or right and it snaps or clunks over one edge or the other of my femur and that HURTS. With each step I take, I feel a click or pop in my knee, more medial or inside, when I put full weight down and the leg straightens through full extension. That's more gross feeling than painful. But I don't like this at all.
And it's frustrating because I am limited to fixing things one at a time due to work and because the OS says so.
We still haven't narrowed down a run yet, but some of our family members are so excited and proud of this goal that they are going to run it too or at least be there to watch it happen! I only have about 6 weeks left to get my endurance and stamina down before doing a run, so God help me, I'm going to need it!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Determination and small dreams
It's official. I'm addicted. I am back on the treadmill, my little dream of doing some sort of organized run still alive. My husband continues to inspire me with his run times and marathons, and in some ways, I hope to inspire him by overcoming my "chains" and doing something I didn't think I'd have the strength, stamina, or drive to do ever again...try a 5k. Well, I'm realistic and I know a 5k probably isn't going to happen so I've set my sights on a 1 mile "Fun Run". I'm letting the hubby pick the run, and we'll do it together. The plan is for this fall, probably mid to late October. Actually setting a date/run makes me more determined and encouraged to keep up on my training.
So, with that being said, Tuesday I was jogging and kept thinking "I'll just keep going til I hit a quarter mile" then "I can do half a mile", then next thing I know I've completed a whole mile without stopping! I surprised myself and was pretty pleased. This I know I can do. I'll keep at it and build up my endurance because I don't want to lose any ground I'm gaining for this run. If you have gimpy hips, you know what I'm talking about! Letting even just a few days go by with no activity can set you back to square one.
So how are the hips doing with this? At just over 1.5 years out, left is good, not too many complaints, some popping here and there. At just over a year out, right is status quo, it hurts a lot. It's crunchy and achy. It's just never gotten better. That's why we're scoping in November. Things I do to help my hips/legs through the bad days: I ice and heat a lot, I sleep with a heat pad on my legs, I use Salonpas patches on my quads and just below my knee caps and I elevate my legs as much as I can. I also have knee braces and orthotics for my shoes, but I don't feel the inserts really help. I like to use Bio Freeze gel too and massage that into my legs. That's a nice treat. What's even nicer is getting my hubby to do it, but he hates the smell.
I thought that my hips and miserable malalignment would keep me from being able to run, but my pcp put me on a new pain med a few weeks ago and since the first week went by on it, I've felt like a new lease on life! It has really made a difference on my pain quality, sleep quality, and just overall life quality. This is the same medicine my neuro-sleep doctor was going to put me on because of severe restless leg syndrome/pain, so I am in a win/win situation. This medicine makes my pain tolerable and gives me a glimpse of the life I can have once everything is fixed. It's nice! It's not something I want to be on for a long time though. But I think it's the bridge to getting where I need to be.
So, with that being said, Tuesday I was jogging and kept thinking "I'll just keep going til I hit a quarter mile" then "I can do half a mile", then next thing I know I've completed a whole mile without stopping! I surprised myself and was pretty pleased. This I know I can do. I'll keep at it and build up my endurance because I don't want to lose any ground I'm gaining for this run. If you have gimpy hips, you know what I'm talking about! Letting even just a few days go by with no activity can set you back to square one.
So how are the hips doing with this? At just over 1.5 years out, left is good, not too many complaints, some popping here and there. At just over a year out, right is status quo, it hurts a lot. It's crunchy and achy. It's just never gotten better. That's why we're scoping in November. Things I do to help my hips/legs through the bad days: I ice and heat a lot, I sleep with a heat pad on my legs, I use Salonpas patches on my quads and just below my knee caps and I elevate my legs as much as I can. I also have knee braces and orthotics for my shoes, but I don't feel the inserts really help. I like to use Bio Freeze gel too and massage that into my legs. That's a nice treat. What's even nicer is getting my hubby to do it, but he hates the smell.
I thought that my hips and miserable malalignment would keep me from being able to run, but my pcp put me on a new pain med a few weeks ago and since the first week went by on it, I've felt like a new lease on life! It has really made a difference on my pain quality, sleep quality, and just overall life quality. This is the same medicine my neuro-sleep doctor was going to put me on because of severe restless leg syndrome/pain, so I am in a win/win situation. This medicine makes my pain tolerable and gives me a glimpse of the life I can have once everything is fixed. It's nice! It's not something I want to be on for a long time though. But I think it's the bridge to getting where I need to be.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Scoping out November
The appt turned into two separate appts. The first one we took the one year xrays (looks the same, really no changes) and did an extra-articular injection of the right hip, or an injection to the surrounding tissue to see if the outer edge of the socket was causing pain when being flexed. I was to call Dr. Z in a few hours to let him know if it helped.
No dice. So he wanted me to set up an appt to get an xray guided intra-articular hip injection at the hospital. I was going on vacation first, then would get the injection done.
The second appt I met Dr. Z at the hospital and was injected in the radiology suite, much like getting an arthrogram. Only the numbing spray he used didn't numb my skin at all, so I felt the whole injection. Ouch! However, the injection really hit the spot and I noticed a difference almost immediately. Same instructions this time too, only call him on Monday since he'd be in surgery the rest of the day.
I was able to sit without pain, lengthen my stride without pain, bring my knee fully against my chest with NO pain at all, and internally rotate my leg while brought up close to me without pain. I'd say the injection lasted about 5 hours. Then the pain came back. I think I will sound really cliche here, but I didn't realize how much pain I've been in!
I talked to Dr. Z about the hip injection working really well for me and he said the only option at this point is MRI (which I can't do) or hip scope. I chose to do the scope. I'm at a point where I feel like I want to try to do something about it. He made sure I understood that he may not be able to actually do anything once in the joint. I reassured him that I know, but I need to try, just to know we've done all we can with the hip. I want so bad to have the right feeling like the left.
The hip scope is set for November 2nd. I don't really expect much, but hopefully he'll be able to clean up adhesions or spurs/HO. I hope it's not just my cartilage deteriorating. Basically that would mean waiting for it to degenerate to the point of needing a replacement. That could take a long time. Or it could be fast. Either way, I'm not ready for it to be my cartilage.
No dice. So he wanted me to set up an appt to get an xray guided intra-articular hip injection at the hospital. I was going on vacation first, then would get the injection done.
The second appt I met Dr. Z at the hospital and was injected in the radiology suite, much like getting an arthrogram. Only the numbing spray he used didn't numb my skin at all, so I felt the whole injection. Ouch! However, the injection really hit the spot and I noticed a difference almost immediately. Same instructions this time too, only call him on Monday since he'd be in surgery the rest of the day.
I was able to sit without pain, lengthen my stride without pain, bring my knee fully against my chest with NO pain at all, and internally rotate my leg while brought up close to me without pain. I'd say the injection lasted about 5 hours. Then the pain came back. I think I will sound really cliche here, but I didn't realize how much pain I've been in!
I talked to Dr. Z about the hip injection working really well for me and he said the only option at this point is MRI (which I can't do) or hip scope. I chose to do the scope. I'm at a point where I feel like I want to try to do something about it. He made sure I understood that he may not be able to actually do anything once in the joint. I reassured him that I know, but I need to try, just to know we've done all we can with the hip. I want so bad to have the right feeling like the left.
The hip scope is set for November 2nd. I don't really expect much, but hopefully he'll be able to clean up adhesions or spurs/HO. I hope it's not just my cartilage deteriorating. Basically that would mean waiting for it to degenerate to the point of needing a replacement. That could take a long time. Or it could be fast. Either way, I'm not ready for it to be my cartilage.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Another year down, NSAIDs gone
Next Thursday will be my one year RPAO anniversary. That also means my LPAO will be 1.5 years old. It seems to have gone by in a blink of an eye, literally! I think my new job has a lot to do with it. It keeps me crazy busy, which is good for me.
Over the last few months I was experiencing reflux and burning in my belly and also a continuous cycle of anywhere from 5-7 mouth ulcers (not cold sores) at a time and it was miserable to eat or drink. My pcp tested some blood, which was negative, so the next step was to stop one drug at a time that I was taking. Mobic (my anti inflammatory) was the first and most logical choice. I was supposed to give it 2 weeks and if no relief, start it back up and stop the next drug. Well, the ulcers cleared up so it seems I'm getting sensitive to NSAIDs. No more Mobic, no more NSAIDs, at least for long term use. I've been off it now for three weeks and I feel a lot achier without it in my system. I told my friend at work today that I felt a major increase in pain and she pointed out the fact that I'm without the Mobic now. I hadn't connected the two until she said that. It surprised me how much it actually helped!
So at 1.5 years post LPAO, my left hip feels really well. It has begun to get painful clicking/snapping a little more occassionally now and the "bulging" feeling is still there but I don't have any residual aching after activity. I can be "rough" on this hip and it doesn't really bother me too much.
At 1 year post RPAO my right hip is still not good. It hurts no matter what I do and has begun to disrupt sleep more too. Driving has become really uncomfortable. The pain is distracting.
I do alright if I can move around and reposition myself. Walking short distances for the most part is ok, but I have to keep my stride short. Stretching out to a long stride hurts both hips actually. My SI joint pain on the right has flared up really bad again too. Of course, this could be due to no more Mobic.
I'm curiously awaiting my one year post op and screw removal post op combo appt on June 14 to find out if things are still status quo with the hip or if the xrays will show further breakdown. I also want to get a handle on surgery; the when, what, where, etc.
I haven't been able to run/jog again since stopping the Mobic. Everything hurts too much, and I really have no desire to pound my hips/knees and pay for it after. I will keep walking with incline to stay healthy. I'm having a difficult time controlling pain right now so it's hard to do even that.
The worst thing with the right hip right now is the spasms it will get. It starts on the side and rolls in waves to my groin and then right on down to my toes. Not typical spasms, but painful none-the-less. I'd rate it comparable to migraine pain.
I guess I really can't believe what a difference there has been in the recoveries of both my hips. A part of me still kicks myself for having done the very first hip scope 3 years ago, before I researched the crap out of hip dysplasia. Hindsight really is 20/20.
You win some, you lose some, right? Hopefully I'm still on the winning end of the spectrum for a few more years with my right side. I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Over the last few months I was experiencing reflux and burning in my belly and also a continuous cycle of anywhere from 5-7 mouth ulcers (not cold sores) at a time and it was miserable to eat or drink. My pcp tested some blood, which was negative, so the next step was to stop one drug at a time that I was taking. Mobic (my anti inflammatory) was the first and most logical choice. I was supposed to give it 2 weeks and if no relief, start it back up and stop the next drug. Well, the ulcers cleared up so it seems I'm getting sensitive to NSAIDs. No more Mobic, no more NSAIDs, at least for long term use. I've been off it now for three weeks and I feel a lot achier without it in my system. I told my friend at work today that I felt a major increase in pain and she pointed out the fact that I'm without the Mobic now. I hadn't connected the two until she said that. It surprised me how much it actually helped!
So at 1.5 years post LPAO, my left hip feels really well. It has begun to get painful clicking/snapping a little more occassionally now and the "bulging" feeling is still there but I don't have any residual aching after activity. I can be "rough" on this hip and it doesn't really bother me too much.
At 1 year post RPAO my right hip is still not good. It hurts no matter what I do and has begun to disrupt sleep more too. Driving has become really uncomfortable. The pain is distracting.
I do alright if I can move around and reposition myself. Walking short distances for the most part is ok, but I have to keep my stride short. Stretching out to a long stride hurts both hips actually. My SI joint pain on the right has flared up really bad again too. Of course, this could be due to no more Mobic.
I'm curiously awaiting my one year post op and screw removal post op combo appt on June 14 to find out if things are still status quo with the hip or if the xrays will show further breakdown. I also want to get a handle on surgery; the when, what, where, etc.
I haven't been able to run/jog again since stopping the Mobic. Everything hurts too much, and I really have no desire to pound my hips/knees and pay for it after. I will keep walking with incline to stay healthy. I'm having a difficult time controlling pain right now so it's hard to do even that.
The worst thing with the right hip right now is the spasms it will get. It starts on the side and rolls in waves to my groin and then right on down to my toes. Not typical spasms, but painful none-the-less. I'd rate it comparable to migraine pain.
I guess I really can't believe what a difference there has been in the recoveries of both my hips. A part of me still kicks myself for having done the very first hip scope 3 years ago, before I researched the crap out of hip dysplasia. Hindsight really is 20/20.
You win some, you lose some, right? Hopefully I'm still on the winning end of the spectrum for a few more years with my right side. I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Twisted sister
I finally had my appt with Dr. T, a patello-femoral specialist who is to knees as Dr. Z is to hips. Basically I was looking for how bad my malalignment is in numbers and to see if Dr. T suggested the same thing as Dr. Z. Both docs came up with the same conclusion about my left leg. Derotation osteotomies (DRO) for both the femur and tibia. My right femur is not "twisted" enough to consider any derotation.
So, normal femoral anteversion is 13* and normal tibial torsion is 25*. My right femur is anteverted 14* and my right tibia is externally rotated 37* (which is pretty significant). My left femur is excessively anteverted at 45* and my left tibial external torsion is at 45* (both numbers are very significant). So the DRO would be beneficial for my left leg. It is not something that HAS to be done but more on how I feel and adapt to limiting factors.
One interesting thing is my orthotics are doing me no good (as I've mentioned previously) because they are meant for arch support to keep from over pronating. But Dr. T showed me where having the orthotic would be most helpful and it's under the ball of my foot. That helps to align my femur/knee a bit more and take some stress off my knee. I actually have higher than normal arches and they are stiff. Who knew?? I also inquired if the dysplasia caused the miserable malalignment or vice versa. Dr. T said one does not cause the other but research shows that those with hip dysplasia are more likely to also have excessive anteversion. He was also very interested in how asymmetrical my femurs are. He said it's unusual for only one femur to be excessively anteverted. But then, my pelvis is also unusual according to Dr. Z, so maybe that has a lot to do with it! My guess is that it must be my tibias causing my knee caps to face inwards because the right knee looks like it faces in too even though my femur is nearly straight.
I learned a lot of interesting things at my appt yesterday, but as much as I liked Dr. T, I will not go to him for treatment. I'm a Z girl and staying that way ;)
So, normal femoral anteversion is 13* and normal tibial torsion is 25*. My right femur is anteverted 14* and my right tibia is externally rotated 37* (which is pretty significant). My left femur is excessively anteverted at 45* and my left tibial external torsion is at 45* (both numbers are very significant). So the DRO would be beneficial for my left leg. It is not something that HAS to be done but more on how I feel and adapt to limiting factors.
One interesting thing is my orthotics are doing me no good (as I've mentioned previously) because they are meant for arch support to keep from over pronating. But Dr. T showed me where having the orthotic would be most helpful and it's under the ball of my foot. That helps to align my femur/knee a bit more and take some stress off my knee. I actually have higher than normal arches and they are stiff. Who knew?? I also inquired if the dysplasia caused the miserable malalignment or vice versa. Dr. T said one does not cause the other but research shows that those with hip dysplasia are more likely to also have excessive anteversion. He was also very interested in how asymmetrical my femurs are. He said it's unusual for only one femur to be excessively anteverted. But then, my pelvis is also unusual according to Dr. Z, so maybe that has a lot to do with it! My guess is that it must be my tibias causing my knee caps to face inwards because the right knee looks like it faces in too even though my femur is nearly straight.
I learned a lot of interesting things at my appt yesterday, but as much as I liked Dr. T, I will not go to him for treatment. I'm a Z girl and staying that way ;)
Monday, April 9, 2012
Results are in
I heard back from Dr. Z today about the CT of my right hip. I'm in for another scope.
I have heterotopic ossification around the socket and my femoral head has bone spurs on it. My pubic symphysis is also degenerative (I didn't ask how or why but read that it can be caused from pelvic instability).
Anyway, since I can't have MRIs anymore, the scope is a way to determine the condition of my cartilage too. Dr. Z made me feel pretty good about my convincing him to do the scope with the PAO because now he has something to compare it to. He said it was a wise decision :)
I don't have an appointment with him til early June so I'll make more decisions then. I don't have FMLA again til October, so I know it will be at least 6 months til I go thru with this.
One good thing is he didn't feel this is urgent so much as it will hopefully give me some pain relief and ROM back, so scheduling it at my discretion and comfort is key.
At least now I don't feel so crazy!
I have heterotopic ossification around the socket and my femoral head has bone spurs on it. My pubic symphysis is also degenerative (I didn't ask how or why but read that it can be caused from pelvic instability).
Anyway, since I can't have MRIs anymore, the scope is a way to determine the condition of my cartilage too. Dr. Z made me feel pretty good about my convincing him to do the scope with the PAO because now he has something to compare it to. He said it was a wise decision :)
I don't have an appointment with him til early June so I'll make more decisions then. I don't have FMLA again til October, so I know it will be at least 6 months til I go thru with this.
One good thing is he didn't feel this is urgent so much as it will hopefully give me some pain relief and ROM back, so scheduling it at my discretion and comfort is key.
At least now I don't feel so crazy!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Screwless in Detroit
Screws are out, without a hitch. Took about 45 minutes in total. However, I didn't get to keep my screws. Something about they have to go to an inspection lab first (???) then they will mail them to me. I didn't quite understand this but I guess it must be a pretty new policy. Darn it, because I wanted to see how big the biggest screw is too!
I also got a cortisone injection to my left knee.
When I was being discharged, I realized that my bladder was really full and hurting. The nurse had me get dressed and go to the bathroom but I sat on the toilet for awhile and.....nothing. Not even a dribble. I spoke to the nurse about it and she got things rolling.
A bladder scan revealed a bladder full of urine, greater than 1000 ml, which prompted a straight catherization to relieve it. Much better!
Then it was time to go CT my right hip. They should have it reconstructed on Monday and Dr. Z said he'd call me about it next week sometime.
Having screws removed is pretty easy! No crutches, and 10 day restriction of no "rough housing" (only gentle play with the pups) and 30 day restriction of no "strenuous exercise" (ie: no running). He's mostly worried about the incision splitting open. I can take the dressing off in two days and shower at that point too. Whew! Time for a nap.
I also got a cortisone injection to my left knee.
When I was being discharged, I realized that my bladder was really full and hurting. The nurse had me get dressed and go to the bathroom but I sat on the toilet for awhile and.....nothing. Not even a dribble. I spoke to the nurse about it and she got things rolling.
A bladder scan revealed a bladder full of urine, greater than 1000 ml, which prompted a straight catherization to relieve it. Much better!
Then it was time to go CT my right hip. They should have it reconstructed on Monday and Dr. Z said he'd call me about it next week sometime.
Having screws removed is pretty easy! No crutches, and 10 day restriction of no "rough housing" (only gentle play with the pups) and 30 day restriction of no "strenuous exercise" (ie: no running). He's mostly worried about the incision splitting open. I can take the dressing off in two days and shower at that point too. Whew! Time for a nap.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Cool runnings!
I hope it's not too early to post this, but I've been running on the treadmill for the last two weeks...
Ok more like jogging and really only every other day. I am trying the couch to 5k treadmill training (just kind of making my own version) and so far I'm doing pretty decent!
Now, I haven't run this past my OS, but I think he'd be alright with it. I'm to the point where I'm so tired of waiting to feel better. I think I'm about as good as I'm going to get and I might as well just go for it while I can. To run one 5k is a bucket list item I really want to cross off my list of things to do. I want to run one race with my husband who has turned into somewhat of a marathoner. He's willing to do a 3 miler with me in order to help support and cheer me across the finish line.
This, among wanting to sky dive and zip line through the rain forest and write a book are just some of the things I aspire to do in my lifetime. I figure, why not now for the 5k? I'm not getting any younger or healthier just sitting and hoping my hips will last or be completely pain free...because they probably won't and they certainly aren't. Granted, I could do other exercise that is healthy but has much less impact on my joints, but riding a stationary bike doesn't get me across a finish line holding my husband's hand and feeling a sense of total accomplishment. I've been through hell and back the last few years, had some major life changing decisions made because of the surgeries, and I'm ready to do something fun, something not to be determined by the state of my joints.
Thus far, my left hip feels pretty good. Some painful snapping at times. That's it! Left knee is doing alright if I wear my brace. But my gait has changed and I have more and more frequent giving way, or buckling, of the knee (strangely enough, it's not very painful when it buckles).
The right hip is touch and go. I feel ok half the time and the other half I feel like the old pain is creeping back. I do think the steroid injection back in January had been helping up to this point. Now I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. The catching is starting again and the really deep pain is back when I flex my hip and then try to put weight on it. I ice and take way more anti inflammatories than I probably should, but whatever it takes.
I really probably shouldn't have started training now. I have my screw removal coming up in 10 days. Which means more than likely having to put the training on hold for a few weeks. It'll be like starting over by then. But that's what impatience does to a person!
One thing to note, that numb/bizarre feeling I was writing about in my right hip after the injection has remained. There is an area laterally across my thigh right over the scar to my hip scope incision that is getting more and more tingly/bizarre feeling. I don't understand why it's more noticable now but it is!
Ok more like jogging and really only every other day. I am trying the couch to 5k treadmill training (just kind of making my own version) and so far I'm doing pretty decent!
Now, I haven't run this past my OS, but I think he'd be alright with it. I'm to the point where I'm so tired of waiting to feel better. I think I'm about as good as I'm going to get and I might as well just go for it while I can. To run one 5k is a bucket list item I really want to cross off my list of things to do. I want to run one race with my husband who has turned into somewhat of a marathoner. He's willing to do a 3 miler with me in order to help support and cheer me across the finish line.
This, among wanting to sky dive and zip line through the rain forest and write a book are just some of the things I aspire to do in my lifetime. I figure, why not now for the 5k? I'm not getting any younger or healthier just sitting and hoping my hips will last or be completely pain free...because they probably won't and they certainly aren't. Granted, I could do other exercise that is healthy but has much less impact on my joints, but riding a stationary bike doesn't get me across a finish line holding my husband's hand and feeling a sense of total accomplishment. I've been through hell and back the last few years, had some major life changing decisions made because of the surgeries, and I'm ready to do something fun, something not to be determined by the state of my joints.
Thus far, my left hip feels pretty good. Some painful snapping at times. That's it! Left knee is doing alright if I wear my brace. But my gait has changed and I have more and more frequent giving way, or buckling, of the knee (strangely enough, it's not very painful when it buckles).
The right hip is touch and go. I feel ok half the time and the other half I feel like the old pain is creeping back. I do think the steroid injection back in January had been helping up to this point. Now I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. The catching is starting again and the really deep pain is back when I flex my hip and then try to put weight on it. I ice and take way more anti inflammatories than I probably should, but whatever it takes.
I really probably shouldn't have started training now. I have my screw removal coming up in 10 days. Which means more than likely having to put the training on hold for a few weeks. It'll be like starting over by then. But that's what impatience does to a person!
One thing to note, that numb/bizarre feeling I was writing about in my right hip after the injection has remained. There is an area laterally across my thigh right over the scar to my hip scope incision that is getting more and more tingly/bizarre feeling. I don't understand why it's more noticable now but it is!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
At least my toes look good!
Since the hip was injected, I've had moderate relief of my two main symptoms that led me to get the injection. I'm able to flex my hip without as much pain, still restricted to less than 90 degrees though, and can stand on it without the wincing pain afterwards (biggest thing is I can reach my toes to cut and paint my nails now! Hence the title of this post). However, I ended up with a really painful internal bruise, my right thigh was an inch bigger than my left, and I have sensation changes to my hip that are just bizarre. Nothing concerning though. I did have to drive back down to Detroit to be reviewed by Dr. Z two weeks after the injection to rule out hip infection from the injection and while I was there, he did say the possibility of heterotopic ossification (HO) could be what's causing my right hip to have the symptoms it does. If it's not HO, then it's adhesive capsulitis. There's a fix for the HO (scope) but if it's adhesions, then we'll just leave it alone. I had him take a look at my right hip muscles on the outer side (where my fat/muscle hernia is, and where the muscles around the incision look like they "cave in") to get his take on it. He said that is really common due to the density of soft tissue/adipose tissue/fascia there (especially if a person has weight loss after surgery) and that when we're all done with fixing my hip, he could refer me to a plastic surgeon to lipo out the irregularity and smooth down my leg muscles. Bonus!
Since the injection (which is also about the time I started my new position at work), I've had a slow return of the offending pain (my flexion is still limited), but the pressure from the bruise is getting a lot better. My new job is certainly easier on my body physically but I am learning that sitting isn't going to be the best thing either. Too much sitting causes the front of my hips to feel pain (the right hip feels the pinching pain and the left hip feels the "out of place" pain). I also participated in a snow shoe 5k (3 ish miles) last weekend and really had fun! I didn't fare so well physically (fell once during the walk and had some tracking issues with my knees) but it felt good to DO something. Of course, same old, same old with the right hip and left knee pain that plague me. I still continue to ice/heat, wear my knee brace, and consume pills to keep me functioning. I can't wait for the day when I can just go do something physically active and not pay for it for the next few days (like how my left hip feels!!).
I still wake up tired and unrefreshed even though I'm taking Lunesta to help me sleep through the night. My knees feel stiff and achy first thing but then calm down once I'm up and moving and the right hip is always sore upon waking. I definately shouldn't feel like I've run a 5k after light/moderate house chores either, but yet that is how my right hip/left knee react. I'm pretty confident that my right hip will be about as good as the left side once we know what we're facing, because then I can get the correct treatment for it, whether it be the scope or just continue strengthening/injections. I did schedule a 2nd opinion consultation with a patello-femoral specialist (Dr. Teitge) for my left knee however. I'll be seeing him in April and getting a rotational 3D CT scan of my lower body to see how bad my malalignment really is. I want to know what his thoughts are on treating my alignment, see if knee injections would be something I could do, and if surgery really is the only option (other than doing nothing) to getting rid of the knee pain/instability. Then I'll just digest what he says and sit on it awhile before deciding what to do if anything needs to be done. Ultimately, I want to stay under the care of Dr. Z as he has been through the majority of all this. It's always good to have an extra set of expert eyes look at you in my opinion, as different view points can shed light on things. Plus it'll be interesting to hear what Dr. T thinks of my dysplasia in relation to the miserable malalignment, if one caused the other or if they just typically go hand in hand.
Since the injection (which is also about the time I started my new position at work), I've had a slow return of the offending pain (my flexion is still limited), but the pressure from the bruise is getting a lot better. My new job is certainly easier on my body physically but I am learning that sitting isn't going to be the best thing either. Too much sitting causes the front of my hips to feel pain (the right hip feels the pinching pain and the left hip feels the "out of place" pain). I also participated in a snow shoe 5k (3 ish miles) last weekend and really had fun! I didn't fare so well physically (fell once during the walk and had some tracking issues with my knees) but it felt good to DO something. Of course, same old, same old with the right hip and left knee pain that plague me. I still continue to ice/heat, wear my knee brace, and consume pills to keep me functioning. I can't wait for the day when I can just go do something physically active and not pay for it for the next few days (like how my left hip feels!!).
I still wake up tired and unrefreshed even though I'm taking Lunesta to help me sleep through the night. My knees feel stiff and achy first thing but then calm down once I'm up and moving and the right hip is always sore upon waking. I definately shouldn't feel like I've run a 5k after light/moderate house chores either, but yet that is how my right hip/left knee react. I'm pretty confident that my right hip will be about as good as the left side once we know what we're facing, because then I can get the correct treatment for it, whether it be the scope or just continue strengthening/injections. I did schedule a 2nd opinion consultation with a patello-femoral specialist (Dr. Teitge) for my left knee however. I'll be seeing him in April and getting a rotational 3D CT scan of my lower body to see how bad my malalignment really is. I want to know what his thoughts are on treating my alignment, see if knee injections would be something I could do, and if surgery really is the only option (other than doing nothing) to getting rid of the knee pain/instability. Then I'll just digest what he says and sit on it awhile before deciding what to do if anything needs to be done. Ultimately, I want to stay under the care of Dr. Z as he has been through the majority of all this. It's always good to have an extra set of expert eyes look at you in my opinion, as different view points can shed light on things. Plus it'll be interesting to hear what Dr. T thinks of my dysplasia in relation to the miserable malalignment, if one caused the other or if they just typically go hand in hand.
Monday, January 30, 2012
No MRI
Quick update; MRI is a definate NO. Dr. Z will be ordering a 3D CT scan immediately post op from the screw removal. Once I'm stable in recovery room, they'll transfer me to radiology, do the scan, then discharge me.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Injection relief
Why did I wait so long to get this hip injected again?! The cortisone has been a saving grace for me everytime! I forget how helpful it is, just sad it doesn't last forever.
I was seen yesterday for my right hip, complaints of continuing pain and restricted joint motion. Dr. Z first had me get xrays. They came back unchanged from September which is a huge relief! So we know it's not advancing arthritis. But when he did his physical exam on my hip, it wouldn't flex any further than 85-90 degrees. It was very painful at about 80 degrees and I was very unhappy letting my hip be pushed any further. I told him it felt like I didn't want him to go any further with it. He said there was actually something physically blocking movement. A bit perplexing, to be sure. I'm sure he hates this hip since it's had everything done to it already and still presents abnormal.
Anyway, he thinks I need to have the screws removed soon (March 30th), and then I need an MRI. I had to remind him I can't get MRI's anymore (I have an internal cochlear implant that the FDA will not ok MRI's) and then he was even more perplexed. So, my assignment is to try to get permission from my ear surgeon to ok the MRI, but if absolutely not, then Dr. Z said he'll just have to go with a CT scan. At that point we did the hip injection. The numbing spray is amazing! I like it so much more than the lido injection. While ultrasounding my hip he thought he could see a bunch of adhesions, so that could explain the joint restriction and pain. When he tested my hip after the injection, there was almost no pain, but still had hip flexion of about 85-90 degrees. While I don't know what the next step will be after the screw removal and imaging, my best two guesses are 1) scope to clean up scar tissue or other underlying causes of pain/restriction, or 2) do nothing and live with it as is. I have my follow up after screw removal in June, so I suppose I'll know more then.
The other issue discussed was my left knee/leg. I was finally diagnosed with miserable malalignment officially and left side is much worse than right. I really only have two options to consider for my left leg. 1) Do nothing and just put up with it. Continue to ice, take Mobic, and do activities to tolerance. 2) The only correctable option is a combination femoral and tibial osteotomy. He is very reluctant to go this route because it's a nasty surgery, I'd be off work for up to a year (not so long with my new office job now though), and according to Dr. Z the PAO would seem like cake compared to this. He said he wants me to wait as long as I possibly can before considering this route. One big thing to consider is that my knee is not in danger of being harmed with the miserable malalignment. I'm "functional" so why mess with that? It's really going to be up to me in the end (and we're talking back burner, a long time from now before this decision will be made. My criteria will be limitations from pain, if knee goes from subluxing to dislocating, and intolerance to Mobic long term). Basically, I'm focusing on right hip for now, since it is sooo close to being finished!
So roll on March 30th where I will really and truly be "just a few screws loose" one last time!
I was seen yesterday for my right hip, complaints of continuing pain and restricted joint motion. Dr. Z first had me get xrays. They came back unchanged from September which is a huge relief! So we know it's not advancing arthritis. But when he did his physical exam on my hip, it wouldn't flex any further than 85-90 degrees. It was very painful at about 80 degrees and I was very unhappy letting my hip be pushed any further. I told him it felt like I didn't want him to go any further with it. He said there was actually something physically blocking movement. A bit perplexing, to be sure. I'm sure he hates this hip since it's had everything done to it already and still presents abnormal.
Anyway, he thinks I need to have the screws removed soon (March 30th), and then I need an MRI. I had to remind him I can't get MRI's anymore (I have an internal cochlear implant that the FDA will not ok MRI's) and then he was even more perplexed. So, my assignment is to try to get permission from my ear surgeon to ok the MRI, but if absolutely not, then Dr. Z said he'll just have to go with a CT scan. At that point we did the hip injection. The numbing spray is amazing! I like it so much more than the lido injection. While ultrasounding my hip he thought he could see a bunch of adhesions, so that could explain the joint restriction and pain. When he tested my hip after the injection, there was almost no pain, but still had hip flexion of about 85-90 degrees. While I don't know what the next step will be after the screw removal and imaging, my best two guesses are 1) scope to clean up scar tissue or other underlying causes of pain/restriction, or 2) do nothing and live with it as is. I have my follow up after screw removal in June, so I suppose I'll know more then.
The other issue discussed was my left knee/leg. I was finally diagnosed with miserable malalignment officially and left side is much worse than right. I really only have two options to consider for my left leg. 1) Do nothing and just put up with it. Continue to ice, take Mobic, and do activities to tolerance. 2) The only correctable option is a combination femoral and tibial osteotomy. He is very reluctant to go this route because it's a nasty surgery, I'd be off work for up to a year (not so long with my new office job now though), and according to Dr. Z the PAO would seem like cake compared to this. He said he wants me to wait as long as I possibly can before considering this route. One big thing to consider is that my knee is not in danger of being harmed with the miserable malalignment. I'm "functional" so why mess with that? It's really going to be up to me in the end (and we're talking back burner, a long time from now before this decision will be made. My criteria will be limitations from pain, if knee goes from subluxing to dislocating, and intolerance to Mobic long term). Basically, I'm focusing on right hip for now, since it is sooo close to being finished!
So roll on March 30th where I will really and truly be "just a few screws loose" one last time!
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