Day 33 Week 5 PT Re eval

I went to PT today for my re eval. He measured my progress. I can flex my hip to 110* & abduct out at 30* which is at/past where I should be. Abducting is bringing your leg out to the side away from your body. We did more exercises like that today and I got to start doing bridges. He also added some resistance on the reformer. He said that I'm doing awesome and that if he didn't have to follow my surgeons protocol he would let me start doing some more intense things. Maybe next week (I don't have therapy for the rest of this week) 

He said that I'm ok to start going to the gym to do upper body and the bike. Some therapist and drs don't want you to do dumbbell work early on because your core isn't strong like it used I be so you start using other muscles to compensate. As long as I don't feel anything in my hip I'm good to go. 

I get so excited about these little things because that's just getting me 1 step closer to my normal life. 

Ouchie

This is a post that anyone who has had this surgery before can relate to. For those embarking upon it...keep this in the back of your minds. 

I'm almost at the 5 week out mark. Over the past 4 days I have not used crutches AT ALL and I have been driving. You don't realize how much more of your body you're using, even without the aide of 1 crutch. I figured if I am walking great with 1 crutch I must be good to go. NO. I am so tired and sore by the end of the day it's crazy. Nothing unbearable by any means but tired and spent none the less. 

The point of this post is a reminder that I am not 100% yet, even tho I have my moments when I forget I had hip surgery. I feel good and without thinking I go to take a side step or turn/twist and quickly I'm reminded I'm still healing. I accidentally externally rotated my leg TWICE today and that is honestly the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Going downstairs without concentrating on going slow or with balance will send a jolt up your leg. Just be mindful of the steps you take. Go slow and use cation still....or you will pay for it later on. 

4 weeks post op

Today was a big day for me. We just got back from Vegas last night. My husband rented a scooter for me so I wouldn't have to walk everywhere but that backfired. There are just too many people walking the streets in Vegas it ended up giving me an anxiety attack trying to get around. So I walked with my 1 crutch for 3 days. I did really well. I pretty sure the one day we walked 8 miles if not more than that. I was never in agonizing pain but by the end of the day (which was usually around 3am) I was spent. While I was there my scab fell off. So here is what my scar looks like now. 

I was told by the surgeon not to go in the pool since my scar wasn't completely healed so I just went in to above my knee. When I laid out in the sun I covered my scars with bandaids. I was also told I should take 325mg of aspirin 2x/day over the course of the trip and to wear my compression socks on the plane since there is still a chance of getting a blood clot.

I had therapy today and my PT said they should put in orders for patients to go to Vegas after surgery for rehab purposes because I had better range of motion than I did before I left hahaha. We did my normal stretches and the bike. I got to go on a reformer today. 

It's a Pilates machine that's like a leg press. I did great on it with no problems. She even added some ankle weights when I did my hamstring curls. She also said I could start doing some pool therapy and she mentioned squats in the pool. I heard squats and my heart skipped a beat 😜 Can't wait to do some real exercises!!! In do time....

Today was the 1st day I drove. I was told at my follow up with the surgeon that around Week 3 I could start driving but I was too scared and not ready to try. I drove to therapy by myself and ended up driving all over town today. I didn't use my crutch at all today. I'm going to completely ween myself off of it.  It felt good to have some normalcy again.

Day 18

At therapy today I got to get on a real stationary bike for almost 10min...might've been a little longer than 10 actually. I felt like I was on it forever when she came back to get me. She told me it would be 5min. Oh well I was happy. 

I'm walking on my own without a crutch but my leg tires out quick. I have no problem going to the bathroom or to he kitchen but I'm not ready for a full day without it. I did sweep all the hardwood floors today without any assistance. That went just fine. Any pain that I experience is in my lower quad from being used. I have yet to experience any pain in my hip since surgery. I had a little pinch feeling in my hip yesterday from sitting in a chair for dinner at my neighbors house. Sat in that same 90* bend for a little too long but once I switched positions and got moving it was fine. 

At therapy she even had me start to cross my leg over my other leg. That's a big deal!! I can put my right ankle over my left shin and internal/external rotate my leg. Great progress. 

Just got news we are 99% going to Vegas this weekend for a few days for a last min anniversary trip. We got married in Vegas 6 years ago. Our anniversary isn't until the 27th, so a tad early but anniversary trip none the less. Already looking at Rascal rentals. I wonder if I'll get a SUI???? Scootering under the influence?? 

Going to get a little personal here....along with an update on Day 15

First off, my Aunt and Uncle came for a visit today and brought me this little plant. So cute....wonder how long it will take for me to kill it?? 

I started transitioning from 25% weightbearing to 50% today and did fine with it. Really well actually. We are about to head off for dinner and I went to go to the bathroom before we left. I rested my crutches against the sink and without even thinking I walked over to the toilet. I had a mini panic attack because I realized I didn't support myself. I waited for the jolt of pain, or for the stumble and nothing happened. I freaked out!! I yelled for Andy. I turned around and walked out of the bathroom and into the living room without any assistance. I yelled "I'm walking!!!" I pretty much skipped the 1 crutch 75% phase and just started walking. I was so excited. I took 1 crutch with me to dinner tho. I'm trying not to be dumb about all of this. Go out too fast and falter. When we got home I walked into the house and went upstairs to make the bed. We have been sleeping downstairs in the spare room since my surgery and Andy moved our mattress back upstairs today since I am able to do stairs now. I advise anyone who is having this surgery done, to if possible live on one floor until you are able to bear weight on your leg. I was going to try to be a hard ass and go up/down the stairs right off that bat and I am so glad I didn't. It's a lot harder than it seems when you are relying on one leg and a walker/crutches that you're not used to using. So I continued to make the bed and by the time I got back to the stairs I could feel fatigue setting into my quad muscles. Still no pain in my hip at all but I did start to limp a little. Morle of the story...I am not healed. I couldn't go a whole day without any assistance just yet but the walking I did today proves I'm doing amazing.

 The reason I wanted to make this post (I know I'm post happy lately) is because I noticed a choice of word I have been using throughout this process...Tired. I remember one time in PT before the surgery my therapist asked if I had any pain in my leg while I was doing a certain exercise. I said "no pain it's just...well I don't know....tired" Today as I was walking down the steps I told Andy that my leg was done for the day and that I couldn't go anymore without assistance. He asked if it was because I was in pain and I responded "no. It's just tired". I'm using the word "tired" instead of using the word "weak". Weak is the more appropriate word to use but I guess I have refused to use it. I have always been a tough cookie. I played sports my whole life whether I was fit to play or not. I never sat out a game. (I played softball and volleyball) If I was injured, I just rubbed some dirt on it or taped up whatever was bothering me and kept on going. I don't give up. It's just not in my blood. I am not weak. Never have been, never will be. I might be an emotional mess hahah but I am not weak. I am just getting stronger everyday!!

Day 15 scar picture

That's all haha 

I'm Learning to walk again...

I believe I've waited long enough..... sorry, was trying to come up with a title and Foo Fighters popped in my head. They're amazing by the way if you aren't already a fan.

ANYWAYS

Today marks exactly 2 weeks post op and I got to start "walking" today. When I woke up it kind of felt like how you do on Christmas morning. I was so excited to see how it was going to go. I got up and took my first step....low and behold it didn't hurt at all. I walked to the bathroom and I thought "it's this easy?' At this point I am only allowed to put 25% weight down. I am doing fabulous today. I really thought it was going to be more of a struggle but it's been great. I did put a little more weight on my leg at one point on accident and it was a little painful. So it's not going to be a walk in the park but I am off to a great start.

I went to therapy today. My PA told me that by Monday I could be walking without any crutch. She said that at about 75% weightbearing I should be using just 1 crutch. I have been using the walker since day 1 so I took my crutches to learn how to use them in therapy. Crutches are much easier to use when you're actually walking with them and not swinging from them. Therapy is going better than it did on Monday so more progress. I was telling my PT about what the PA said about my progress and I happened to ask her when I was allowed to start on a bike? I know some people that started on a bike the next day so I have been anxious to get on one. She looked thru her notes and said "well...we can start today if you want?' YAY!! We went over to the bike. The way it was positioned my legs didn't reach the pedals too well and when I started moving my legs, my hip was just not going where she wanted it to go. She decided to start me out on a different kind of bike. It's called a NuStep. You sit in it kind of like a recumbent bike but instead of peddling you just push your feet forward and backward....so maybe like a stair stepper but sitting instead of standing. I felt comfortable on it. I didn't have any pain and it felt good to move my leg around like that. She said "ok you're going to do this for 5 min and we will see how far around the track you get" (on the display that tells you the time and distance, it has a little picture of a track/loop like you would run on. It gives you a visual of how far you're going" I looked at her and she said "but this is not a race. I shouldn't have said 'how far you can get to you'" We laughed and I said "no you shouldn't have said it to me like that because I'm going to want to go faster" I got to 0.7miles in 5min and some change. I don't go to PT again until Monday but she said she thinks I'll be able to get on the original bike by then.

2 week (12 day) Post Op Follow Up

The news I got today is not what I was expecting but I am soooo happy.

I had my first post op follow up today. I walked past my surgeon's PA and she said "put your foot down" I thought she was just being sarcastic but when she came into the exam room she asked why I wasn't putting my foot down. I said "umm bc I'm not allowed to" She said I should be putting my foot down when I walk just not putting weight on it, instead of holding it up  while I walk with the walker. Andy and I just looked at each other like I COULD'VE BEEN DOING THIS THE WHOLE TIME?!?!?!" Oh well. Now when I put my foot down it feels weird. My toes are kinda tingly.

She took out my stitches. I have never had stitches before so I didn't know what to expect. The smaller incision didn't hurt at all but man did the bigger one burn and hurt like crazy!! I wasn't expecting that. She put new steri strips on so I didn't get to take a picture of the incisions. The strips can come off soon so I will post the pic then. They are small and there is a tiny bit of bruising.

She evaluated me and said that I am coming along great. I was told before surgery that I had a CAM impingement but once they got in there she said it ended up being a PINCER too...so it's a Mixed Impingement. So part of the femur and the acetabulum were worked on. She said I don't have to wear my ted hose anymore.. Yay they are hot and annoying. I know Andy is happy to not be on sock duty anymore.

She said that I can take the brace off tomorrow. I am extremely happy about that. This thing honestly hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be but it's so hot! My legs are always crossed or rotated out, bent up so I'm glad for the brace bc I know I would've moved my leg how I shouldn't have.

THEN..... she tells me that starting tomorrow I can start to put weight on my leg. Over the next 4 days I can add 25%, then 50%, then 75%, then 100% weight down. I can start to not rely on the walker or crutch. She suggested starting to use 1 crutch or a cane as I'm adding more weight. By Sun or Mon I will be able to walk without the help of anything! (as long as I can tolerate it) I can't believe it. I was expecting another 1-2 weeks. She said I can sleep on my side or however I want and that makes me so happy you have no idea. I am NOT a back sleeper and its been killing me. I toss and turn and switch positions all the time so to not be able to do this for 2 weeks has been hell.

I think that I have been kicking ass during rehab and this confirms it. I'm gonna do this!!! She did mention that running won't be in the picture until about 4 months post op. She did say soon enough that I will be able to use a bike or elliptical. I'm ok with that. I need some cardio in my life. I can start swimming next week if I want but I am not a swimmer. I am a float on a raft kinda girl.

She also said that maybe next week I could start driving if I want but I have to have good control of my leg and feel comfortable. I think I'm going to hold off on that tho. The thought of that kinda freaks me out.

The only issue I have about today is that I didn't talk to my surgeon or see him at all. I really like his PA Kristen she's wonderful but HE did my surgery. I want to talk to him!! I saw him when he evaluated me and I made the appointment for surgery. I did NOT see him before my surgery like I was told I would. He did talk to Andy when I was in recovery. I saw him for not even 5 min when I was awake in recovery. This bothers me. I guess as long as you know what you're doing and you fixed me fine whatever but that is bad bedside manner.

As we were walking out a girl in the waiting room asked if I had a labral repair. She was there for a follow up. She is 7 months out and said she is doing great and just started really exercising again. My Dr did her surgery too so that's good.

GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!