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.
Friday, March 30, 2012
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!
Monday, December 26, 2011
The hip book is finally here!
Due to an overwhelming amount of support and opinions I have decided on seeing Dr. Z over having my PCP inject my hip. January 23rd it is. It's great to bounce ideas off my fellow hippies and get their take on a situation.
I finally got my copy of the first ever written and published adult hip dysplasia guide! It was a great Christmas gift to myself:) Great read for those who haven't been through the gammut yet. Plus, for those of us who are a part of this original group that the book originated with, it's fun to read and review all our thoughts from when we were going through the initial stages. I feel a kinship with my hip sisters, and reading the book makes it even better. You can find the book here: www.Lulu.com or www.amazon.com
I finally got my copy of the first ever written and published adult hip dysplasia guide! It was a great Christmas gift to myself:) Great read for those who haven't been through the gammut yet. Plus, for those of us who are a part of this original group that the book originated with, it's fun to read and review all our thoughts from when we were going through the initial stages. I feel a kinship with my hip sisters, and reading the book makes it even better. You can find the book here: www.Lulu.com or www.amazon.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
1 year post LPAO
Today is a great day in reflection of my left hip! I can't believe it's been one year already since my hip was realigned for the better:) I'm really happy with it as far as how stable it feels. For the most part, I'd say I'm 85-90% better now! I'll never be perfect, and still have occassional symptoms that bother me, but I love the outcome! At one year post op, I am able to withstand a full day of hard work, I don't have nearly as many giving out episodes, I don't feel as achy as I would have a year ago after any kind of activity, and my quad has full feeling in it again.
I do experience clicking in the hip occassionally, and the outside of the hip/leg pops or clunks which I think is the IT band? Anyway, whatever it is is pretty much the only thing that hurts my hip anymore. The problem is because the pop or clunk shifts all the way from my hip to my knee and it makes my knee feel like it's going to pop out of it's groove.
I still feel like my left hip is my strong, or dominant, hip. I tend to stand with most of my weight shifted onto my left hip. The good thing is that I can completely withstand the weight now without the hip getting sore.
I am definitely glad I had the LPAO. Even if I have to have other work done in the future, it will make my coming years much easier being without as much pain and uncertainty about my hip.
I have noticed my anteversion has gotten more pronounced since the PAO's were done. I guess it would be due to the new hip alignment? This has made my knees more painful, but I'm working on ways that will help them to feel less stressed.
My right hip is 6 months post RPAO and just shy of 2 years post RSDD. Unbelievable!! I don't feel good about my right hip at all. It really hurts after a day at work, and at night, forget it. I have a really bad time trying to sleep due to pain and aching in this hip. I still need pain meds to be able to sleep and this makes me really upset. I really love heat and always go to bed with my heat pad. I also need to ice quite a lot. I don't regret having the RPAO done since it puts my joint at a more normal alignment, but I wish it would have been done in the first place instead of the SDD. I can't change the past though, and can only hope that the future holds something that agrees with my right hip. I would be thrilled if I could get it to be around 85-90% like my left hip! I am looking for less demanding physical work (as a nurse) due to my right hip. I can't handle hard, long, crazy days anymore. At least it's only my right hip that I have to blame it on!
I'm so glad I had a great outcome first with the left hip. It makes everything a little easier to deal with and to know that maybe one of these days I will feel that way about my right hip too. Here's to hoping the one year post op entry about my right hip will be just as good!
I do experience clicking in the hip occassionally, and the outside of the hip/leg pops or clunks which I think is the IT band? Anyway, whatever it is is pretty much the only thing that hurts my hip anymore. The problem is because the pop or clunk shifts all the way from my hip to my knee and it makes my knee feel like it's going to pop out of it's groove.
I still feel like my left hip is my strong, or dominant, hip. I tend to stand with most of my weight shifted onto my left hip. The good thing is that I can completely withstand the weight now without the hip getting sore.
I am definitely glad I had the LPAO. Even if I have to have other work done in the future, it will make my coming years much easier being without as much pain and uncertainty about my hip.
I have noticed my anteversion has gotten more pronounced since the PAO's were done. I guess it would be due to the new hip alignment? This has made my knees more painful, but I'm working on ways that will help them to feel less stressed.
My right hip is 6 months post RPAO and just shy of 2 years post RSDD. Unbelievable!! I don't feel good about my right hip at all. It really hurts after a day at work, and at night, forget it. I have a really bad time trying to sleep due to pain and aching in this hip. I still need pain meds to be able to sleep and this makes me really upset. I really love heat and always go to bed with my heat pad. I also need to ice quite a lot. I don't regret having the RPAO done since it puts my joint at a more normal alignment, but I wish it would have been done in the first place instead of the SDD. I can't change the past though, and can only hope that the future holds something that agrees with my right hip. I would be thrilled if I could get it to be around 85-90% like my left hip! I am looking for less demanding physical work (as a nurse) due to my right hip. I can't handle hard, long, crazy days anymore. At least it's only my right hip that I have to blame it on!
I'm so glad I had a great outcome first with the left hip. It makes everything a little easier to deal with and to know that maybe one of these days I will feel that way about my right hip too. Here's to hoping the one year post op entry about my right hip will be just as good!
Friday, October 14, 2011
And I am back!
I'm around 18 weeks post op and just finished what seems to have been the longest, most exhausting week of my life so far! I was cleared for work with no restrictions finally (!!!) and started on Monday. My new position is in ACS, or "same day surgery". I am responsible for admitting patients for surgery, and then recovering them when they come back, along with endoscopies and infusions. Lots of IV starting and LOTS of running up and down the halls and a lot of standing. I feel really overwhelmed with the new job, and undoubtedly I miss being back in the OR, but I like this job too. It's still surgery related and working with a lot of the same crew!
Left hip: doing really well. Stiff if sitting too long, still rely on it for placing most of my weight on this hip. Some snapping both medially and laterally. More "gross" and annoying but occasionally painful.
Right hip: again, not really sure what to think about this hip. Flexion still sucks. I can't put on socks or shoes "normally". I have to sit and put my ankle up on my knee to reach my foot. I can't flex past 90 degrees still and it really hurts if I try. I also am feeling the hip catch again. And my psoas snaps or catches painfully when I rotate my leg. I also have psoas snapping when I turn in bed. What I think might be the worst though is laying on my right side while sleeping. I wake up with hip pain in the anterior/medial region and have to turn off of my right side. This started about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Being at work is aggravating my hip and leg but I know that it's just the first week back and I'm sure that I will feel it for awhile.
For my home PT that I do now I use a theraband on both legs and do 30 reps of three different kinds of adduction and abduction exercises. I'm trying to strengthen the hip and core. Doing so should relieve a lot of my pain. That's the theory anyway! I'm thinking since my left hip is doing the best out of all my joints that it is a good example of success!
Left hip: doing really well. Stiff if sitting too long, still rely on it for placing most of my weight on this hip. Some snapping both medially and laterally. More "gross" and annoying but occasionally painful.
Right hip: again, not really sure what to think about this hip. Flexion still sucks. I can't put on socks or shoes "normally". I have to sit and put my ankle up on my knee to reach my foot. I can't flex past 90 degrees still and it really hurts if I try. I also am feeling the hip catch again. And my psoas snaps or catches painfully when I rotate my leg. I also have psoas snapping when I turn in bed. What I think might be the worst though is laying on my right side while sleeping. I wake up with hip pain in the anterior/medial region and have to turn off of my right side. This started about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Being at work is aggravating my hip and leg but I know that it's just the first week back and I'm sure that I will feel it for awhile.
For my home PT that I do now I use a theraband on both legs and do 30 reps of three different kinds of adduction and abduction exercises. I'm trying to strengthen the hip and core. Doing so should relieve a lot of my pain. That's the theory anyway! I'm thinking since my left hip is doing the best out of all my joints that it is a good example of success!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
3 month follow up RPAO
I saw Z on Monday for my 3 month check up (technically I'm 14 weeks post op) and things went relatively well. He had me walk down a hall and back so he could assess my gait, which he said was getting a lot better. Then came the leg strength tests. He was not too pleased with how weak my right hip is. I wasn't able to resist against his hand pushing on my leg at all. Even I was surprised at how little strength I have! So he really stressed to work on side leg lifts and hamstring strengthening exercises to build up my muscles. He said the muscles are still pretty atrophied looking. And here I thought I was building them up pretty well! The joint space is still narrowed but holding it's own, so we're still observing that. As far as pain, I'm no better than prior to the PAO. Z isn't going to worry too much yet because it's still quite early in healing and he recommends that most people won't feel even halfway better til at least 6 months have gone by. He offered up three opinions of why I might still be in pain. 1) weak muscles (it takes over a year to heal)
2) capsul impingement/scarring
3) recreated FAI from the PAO. I have only 85 degrees hip flexion now, which is worse than before the SDD even. He said that with the strange anatomy of my hips, getting the right hip to fit together was a challenge. He explained that the femur is anteverted and valgus (meaning points too straight up in the socket, or the angle of the neck is greatly increased) which causes it to bump against the acetabulum which was retroverted but now more lateralized and anteverted. He basically told me that's the trade off for being able to walk without pain. I hope so! But if my pain doesn't go away, I don't know what the next step is. I will be seeing him again in 6 months unless I have problems and need to be seen sooner. I am diligently working on my hip strengthening side leg lifts now. My verdict is pool therapy is nice and gentle but it doesn't do anything for strengthening! I won't go that route again if I have to. PT finished officially last week against Nicky's wishes. She didn't feel I was ready for discharge but I'm done. I can do this on my own now.
Screw removal to be decided at a later date. Dr.Z really wants to give my body a break from surgery/invasive procedures for awhile and that's why I will have 6 months til I see him again. So far the left hip is still doing well!
At this point in time I can drive about 2 hours straight, I can walk mostly limp free for half a mile to a mile, and I'm able to cycle for 20 minutes with moderate resistance. Verdict for left hip is PAO was amazing! Jury's still out on the right although I don't regret it one bit!
Z is an amazing surgeon and he gave my hips a fighting chance! I'll forever be grateful!
"I got great reZaltz!" :)
Keep up the hard work fellow hipsters! So happy to have had all your support and love over the last couple years! xoxo
2) capsul impingement/scarring
3) recreated FAI from the PAO. I have only 85 degrees hip flexion now, which is worse than before the SDD even. He said that with the strange anatomy of my hips, getting the right hip to fit together was a challenge. He explained that the femur is anteverted and valgus (meaning points too straight up in the socket, or the angle of the neck is greatly increased) which causes it to bump against the acetabulum which was retroverted but now more lateralized and anteverted. He basically told me that's the trade off for being able to walk without pain. I hope so! But if my pain doesn't go away, I don't know what the next step is. I will be seeing him again in 6 months unless I have problems and need to be seen sooner. I am diligently working on my hip strengthening side leg lifts now. My verdict is pool therapy is nice and gentle but it doesn't do anything for strengthening! I won't go that route again if I have to. PT finished officially last week against Nicky's wishes. She didn't feel I was ready for discharge but I'm done. I can do this on my own now.
Screw removal to be decided at a later date. Dr.Z really wants to give my body a break from surgery/invasive procedures for awhile and that's why I will have 6 months til I see him again. So far the left hip is still doing well!
At this point in time I can drive about 2 hours straight, I can walk mostly limp free for half a mile to a mile, and I'm able to cycle for 20 minutes with moderate resistance. Verdict for left hip is PAO was amazing! Jury's still out on the right although I don't regret it one bit!
Z is an amazing surgeon and he gave my hips a fighting chance! I'll forever be grateful!
"I got great reZaltz!" :)
Keep up the hard work fellow hipsters! So happy to have had all your support and love over the last couple years! xoxo
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The skinny on life after PAO's
I received some questions regarding what it's really like after having a PAO done and I'll do my best to iterate what is really achievable post pelvic reconstruction in the early stages (think under one year).
Walking without crutches:
This was able to happen for each PAO right around the 11 week point for me. On average most surgeons will give you the 8-12 week range and that's pretty spot on. I technically could have come off walking aids altogether at 8 weeks except that my limp was too pronounced after walking only a few minutes. There was really no pain, per se, just fatigue. Once the muscles became stronger it became easier to walk further. At 8 weeks I dropped both crutches indoors but still used one for outside or going to the store until right around 11 weeks.
Being off the crutches completely now is still on the tiring side. I can't walk far still. The grocery store is still a lot for me and I notice I do walk slow and begin to limp on the right side (most recent hip done). The left hip is doing really well though, and it is now 9 months post op.
Cycling:
I was given the thumbs up to use a stationary bike with no resistance after my two week follow up. It went just fine each time. I would only be able to do a minute in the beginning but have worked my way up to 15 minutes easily and fairly quickly. At three months, as long as everything is healing as it should, resistance isn't an issue to add into the routine. Probably even at 6-8 weeks it would be okay.
Flexibilty:
This is a big one. While most people will lose a lot of natural flexibilty post op, I can't say that I lost very much. It all varies on your body. I am more flexible than average although I have lost some ROM. If flexibility is important to you, don't be too upset if at first you can't do what you once could. It may came back if you work at it, but remember, the whole hip is in a new position now.
Use of pain meds:
I have been using different pain meds for awhile. I don't know that I would classify myself in a category of "high pain tolerance" or "low tolerance" or anything like that but I just plain hate feeling bad or being in pain, which I am the majority of the time. But it's not just my hips that hurt. I have "polyarthralgia" (multiple joint pain) and a few other conditions and for me meds work. I took vicodin for about 5 weeks after the PAO's and then got back on my antiinflammatory, Mobic. I also have a script for Tylenol #3 for breakthrough pain. However I do try to use heat, ice, and massage as well so I'm not totally depending on meds. I honestly can say the left hip doesn't need pain meds anymore, that heat and ice are enough, but it's too soon to tell with the right hip yet. All my other joints I have issues with still need help though, so I will probably be on meds for the rest of my life.
Intimacy:
After having PAO's on both hips, especially close together, it is somewhat different finding positions that work and are comfortable for you to remain in. It is possible to pretty much go back to what you were used to though. For me it doesn't feel completely natural just yet, because abduction is hard to keep up. It really puts a lot of uncomfortable pressure on my inner thigh/pubic area. I was told that it's mainly due to the pubic cut made during the PAO and this is the slowest cut to heal.
"Does the PAO really help?":
If I got a quarter for everytime I heard this asked I'd be rich! In short, yes, it does work. But I think that you really have to think about why you're doing the PAO. Pain? Giving out/instability? Unable to walk or run because of fatigue in hips? Just because the xrays show the dysplasia and your surgeon says to do it? These are all things to consider. If you have pain from your hip and giving out episodes, it's a miracle! My left hip was terribly unstable, now it feels really good. If I had to rate it 1-10, 1 being horrible 10 being wonderful, I would say it was a 3 before surgery and is now an 8 after surgery and will probably continue to improve. The right hip was completely different. I felt fatigue pain and something like a deep bruising pain after short distance walking. It never gave out on me but it sure did have some breath taking stabbing pains. It is harder to judge this hip due to the previous 2 surgeries on it, but I suppose I would say maybe a 2 to begin (before FAI/SDD surgery) and now after the PAO I would say I'm at about a 5-6.
I have a way to go before I'll be all done recovering from my hips but there is hope. I see more improvements than set backs and hear similar stories from fellow bilateral PAOers so I know that it's all normal.
I'm a little tentative to test out my hips doing strenuous activity such as tennis or running but I need to get over that. This is the reason to have the surgery done so I can enjoy those activities without premature wear and tear. I think that might be my biggest hurdle to face, not babying the hips. It's a mental thing and I think the mental aspect of the PAO's is much more difficult than the physical aspects!
Walking without crutches:
This was able to happen for each PAO right around the 11 week point for me. On average most surgeons will give you the 8-12 week range and that's pretty spot on. I technically could have come off walking aids altogether at 8 weeks except that my limp was too pronounced after walking only a few minutes. There was really no pain, per se, just fatigue. Once the muscles became stronger it became easier to walk further. At 8 weeks I dropped both crutches indoors but still used one for outside or going to the store until right around 11 weeks.
Being off the crutches completely now is still on the tiring side. I can't walk far still. The grocery store is still a lot for me and I notice I do walk slow and begin to limp on the right side (most recent hip done). The left hip is doing really well though, and it is now 9 months post op.
Cycling:
I was given the thumbs up to use a stationary bike with no resistance after my two week follow up. It went just fine each time. I would only be able to do a minute in the beginning but have worked my way up to 15 minutes easily and fairly quickly. At three months, as long as everything is healing as it should, resistance isn't an issue to add into the routine. Probably even at 6-8 weeks it would be okay.
Flexibilty:
This is a big one. While most people will lose a lot of natural flexibilty post op, I can't say that I lost very much. It all varies on your body. I am more flexible than average although I have lost some ROM. If flexibility is important to you, don't be too upset if at first you can't do what you once could. It may came back if you work at it, but remember, the whole hip is in a new position now.
Use of pain meds:
I have been using different pain meds for awhile. I don't know that I would classify myself in a category of "high pain tolerance" or "low tolerance" or anything like that but I just plain hate feeling bad or being in pain, which I am the majority of the time. But it's not just my hips that hurt. I have "polyarthralgia" (multiple joint pain) and a few other conditions and for me meds work. I took vicodin for about 5 weeks after the PAO's and then got back on my antiinflammatory, Mobic. I also have a script for Tylenol #3 for breakthrough pain. However I do try to use heat, ice, and massage as well so I'm not totally depending on meds. I honestly can say the left hip doesn't need pain meds anymore, that heat and ice are enough, but it's too soon to tell with the right hip yet. All my other joints I have issues with still need help though, so I will probably be on meds for the rest of my life.
Intimacy:
After having PAO's on both hips, especially close together, it is somewhat different finding positions that work and are comfortable for you to remain in. It is possible to pretty much go back to what you were used to though. For me it doesn't feel completely natural just yet, because abduction is hard to keep up. It really puts a lot of uncomfortable pressure on my inner thigh/pubic area. I was told that it's mainly due to the pubic cut made during the PAO and this is the slowest cut to heal.
"Does the PAO really help?":
If I got a quarter for everytime I heard this asked I'd be rich! In short, yes, it does work. But I think that you really have to think about why you're doing the PAO. Pain? Giving out/instability? Unable to walk or run because of fatigue in hips? Just because the xrays show the dysplasia and your surgeon says to do it? These are all things to consider. If you have pain from your hip and giving out episodes, it's a miracle! My left hip was terribly unstable, now it feels really good. If I had to rate it 1-10, 1 being horrible 10 being wonderful, I would say it was a 3 before surgery and is now an 8 after surgery and will probably continue to improve. The right hip was completely different. I felt fatigue pain and something like a deep bruising pain after short distance walking. It never gave out on me but it sure did have some breath taking stabbing pains. It is harder to judge this hip due to the previous 2 surgeries on it, but I suppose I would say maybe a 2 to begin (before FAI/SDD surgery) and now after the PAO I would say I'm at about a 5-6.
I have a way to go before I'll be all done recovering from my hips but there is hope. I see more improvements than set backs and hear similar stories from fellow bilateral PAOers so I know that it's all normal.
I'm a little tentative to test out my hips doing strenuous activity such as tennis or running but I need to get over that. This is the reason to have the surgery done so I can enjoy those activities without premature wear and tear. I think that might be my biggest hurdle to face, not babying the hips. It's a mental thing and I think the mental aspect of the PAO's is much more difficult than the physical aspects!
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