I was just thinking...at this point last time, I was back at work. I had also already ice skated once and climbed a rock wall. I was also off the pill and anticipating getting pregnant.
This time I am not at work and just extended the amount of time I will off, I have pain every morning when I get out of bed, I have trouble sometimes crossing my leg or lifting it up, getting it into the car. Standing for too long is difficult, as is shopping. My limp comes and goes, as does weakness and instability.
But...I am making steady progress and I am pretty sure that my pre-op pain is gone. It is hard to distinguish at this point bc there is so much going on, but the deep, achey groin pain is gone. I could not be happier about that, but wish things could move a little quicker!
7 comments:
Hi Susie! Thank you for your blog, it's been extremely informative! I'm having a hip scope to repair my right labrum. The Radiology report said it there was no indication of FAI, but my doc said he wouldn't know for sure until he went in.
I can't do a whole lot right now- I'm in no pain as long as I take NSAIDS and do only necessary walking (I'm usually pretty athletic, so it's driving me nuts). Otherwise, I end up with sharp pain to the groin and I'm barely able to move for days-weeks.
I have some questions- perhaps you've answered them before (maybe an FAQ page would help? haha)
(1) do you regret the surgeries, or are you happy you have had them?
(2) Did you feel confident in your doc, and why? Do you have suggestions on picking the doc? Mine seems good, but then again, it's my hip for goodness sake. :)
(3) Did you ever use a CPM machine after the scopes?
(4) I've tried to look up what the heck the boots you were sleeping in were- but couldn't find anything.
(5) I live alone and my family just moved away (drat!). I'm going to have friends coming to check on me. Do you have any recommendations on how to set this up? i.e. will I need someone to stay over for a few nights? do I need someone to put boots on me? Or will I be okay ordering pizza and having people bring me mail periodically.
(6) I'm anticipating 3-4 weeks off work (I live in a 3rd floor apartment, no elevator and my office is nothing but steps, so... yeah. that's fun). My doc said no driving while on crutches. and I live a half mile from a bus stop. Do you think this is realistic (judging by your own experience)
I'm excited to possibly be better (even just 50% better than I currently am would be AWESOME). But I'm also terrified it may end up being worse and i'll need a THR. I'm also afraid because my family moved away.
Sorry for the long post- maybe I should have emailed you. :)
P.S.- you do seem happy with the results thus far, just wanted to be clear. :)
Mountain lover, I will answer each of your questions:
(1) do you regret the surgeries, or are you happy you have had them?
I am obviously not happy that I have had 3 surgeries on one hip but I got relief with the revision on this one. I also got my other hip fixed in 1 shot, 3 years ago and it is great
(2) Did you feel confident in your doc, and why? Do you have suggestions on picking the doc? Mine seems good, but then again, it's my hip for goodness sake. :)
I feel very confident in my doc, otherwise I would have gone to someone else (I did get a second opinion at one point and he told me to stick with my doc). With hips I think it is important to be very picky and use someone with ALOT of hip experiene. My doc is one of THE hipsope specialists, I did a lot of homework before even going to him initially over 3 years ago, someone who dabbles in hips would not have been good enough for me, I want someone who lives, eats and breathes hips!
(3) Did you ever use a CPM machine after the scopes?
I had a CPM for #1 and #2, I didnt use it so much and didnt get it for #3 and #4. Not all docs require it, mine does but I am a good bargainer!
(4) I've tried to look up what the heck the boots you were sleeping in were- but couldn't find anything.
They are part of the Philippon hip positioning system, used in the OR, I will try to post a pic over the weekend
(5) I live alone and my family just moved away (drat!). I'm going to have friends coming to check on me. Do you have any recommendations on how to set this up? i.e. will I need someone to stay over for a few nights? do I need someone to put boots on me? Or will I be okay ordering pizza and having people bring me mail periodically.
I needed my husband to put the boots on me each time. When I had a CPM I needed him to put me into it in the beginning. I need a lot of help bc I have 3 kids, if I were a lone I think I might have been fine a lone after the first few days. You should find out if you will need the boots, I never did before but this time I had my capsule repaired and tightened
(6) I'm anticipating 3-4 weeks off work (I live in a 3rd floor apartment, no elevator and my office is nothing but steps, so... yeah. that's fun). My doc said no driving while on crutches. and I live a half mile from a bus stop. Do you think this is realistic (judging by your own experience)?
I think so.
P.S.- you do seem happy with the results thus far, just wanted to be clear. :)
I am very happy so far, my recovery is going slow, but I have to keep in mind that this is the 3rd surgery on this hip and it wont heal as quickly as in the past
Lots of luk to you!
Susie, you could be describing me! Sounds like we are peas in a pod.
There is no way I could even imagine rock climbing or iceskating at the mo, I just wouldn't trust my hip to that just yet, don't know how you did it!
I am being reassessed for my return to work at the end of next week so have another week of 2 hour unpaid shifts. Hoping to go back after this at least part time, it will be 10 weeks post op for me!
Slow and steady wins the race. Both of us will be fit as a fiddle in a few months and we will be able to celebrate :-)
Hang in there, you're doing well!
Jess
Hi Suzie. I think that if I was in your shoe and am on my 3rd operation knowing what I know I would take my time with the healing process. I remember doing well and pushing myself only to end up inflamed and starting all over. No rush right? I think it is great that you can take the time off from work to do so. So many people do not have that option. Its great that the groin pain went away. Phew, that is such a b***h.
Thanks, Susie! You've been through a lot, it's good to hear about all of your experiences and I hope for an amazing recovery for you!
I am pretty confident I have a good surgeon - he studied under Philippon. He's young and not as experienced, but I think he's one of the best in the Denver/Boulder area-I've heard great things. I don't need the best or a hotshot or anything. Just someone who cares about my hip as much as I do and gets the job done right!
I'm a worst-case scenario person, so the 5% chance there will be no improvement coupled with people's horror stories on forums leads to all sorts of paranoia. :)
I've decided to stop the NSAIDS and do a reasonable amount of exercise and see what happens. I've been pain-free since dosing up on Aleve and becoming a couch potato, so it feels hard to justify right now-I need a little reminder of not being able to walk I guess.
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