14 wks post op

I'm 3.5 months out on my right hip and doing well! I would have been able to start jogging at 3mo if it weren't for my left hip. I'm having the same surgery on the left hip this coming Monday. The doc says the tear doesn't look as bad, maybe 2 anchors instead of 3. Hopefully the recovery will go as smoothly or better than the right. I'm just ready to get it done and finally get back to dancing in the spring.... Here we go again!!

8 weeks post op

I can't believe it's already been 8 weeks! Things are progressing well with my right hip. Getting stronger and adding exercises at pt. I saw the surgeon Monday and he was pleased with my progress. In one more month I can jog. By mid October I should be able to start dancing... Theoretically. They X-rayed my left hip and there was a cyst on the bone. Unfortunately this means there is probably a tear. I also have the same bone impingement. I'm not surprised as my left hip has started hurting more and more as my right is getting better. I will go for an MRI soon and will likely need surgery. It's just a matter of finding the time to have it done. I'd like to have it done sooner rather than later to be able to combine some of the recovery time, We shall see! Luckily dance isn't my career anymore so I can take the time to heal properly. I would like to be able to dance next spring. Only time will tell.... 

6 weeks post op!

Wow, already 6 weeks! I can't believe how fast it's gone actually. My hip doing very well!  I've added various strengthening exercises at PT like squats, even one legged, leg presses, etc. I'm doing the bike and elliptical. Everything is going so well. I have had a few issues with alignment like my lower back going out from compensation but the actual surgery hip feels great. It rarely catches like it was and it doesn't ache too much anymore. My left actually hurts more than the right most of the time (not good- probably have the same impingement in it). I will probably have them X-ray and MRI the left next visit (July 22). I would rather know now! 

I haven't asked about the progression to dance but I'll address it at my follow up. It may be irrelevant if my left is messed up too... I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I am probably not going to try to push for nutcracker this year... Don't want to over do it! Until next time....

One month post op!

Thursday was 4 weeks and today is one month post op. It has gone by faster than expected. I finally started back to work on Tuesday after losing 4 days pay (no PTO left) due to it taking a while to get a new note sent to be released. Work has gone well. My hip aches when I sit too long or stand too long, but overall it has done well. I have been exhausted though! I came home Thursday night and was in bed by 7:45! I guess I'm just not used to being up that long and busy... The stamina will come back though. 

PT is going really well. I added the elliptical and some leg presses this week. My PT says that next week we can start getting a little more adventurous. I've been fairly good about going to the gym or doing my PT at home on non PT days. I would like to start going to aqua boot camp classes. I think I should be able to soon. 

Other than that not much else is new... Interestingly, my left hip aches quite a bit now. I think it's compensation, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's the same impingement on that side. I may have them X-ray it at my next appt to see. It's not bad enough to really consider surgery at this point, but it may happen in the future :-/ time will tell... 

3 weeks post op

Well, I had my follow up appt on Tuesday to get stitches out. The PA said everything looks good and went over the pictures again. It was nice to hear the explanations not all drugged up ;) apparently my tear was very large- three anchors and sutures to repair it and my impingement was pretty bad where they had to shave the femur. I'm worried the left may also need to be repaired, but we will worry about that later. Don't think it's as bad as the right, but it aches and catches in the same way. It's common to have FAI on both. 

I've progressed a lot in PT, added ball squats and hip/glute bridges using the ball. Going 15 min on the bike. PT said to work up 5 min a day to about 30 min, then go back down to 15 with more resistance and work that up. Since I am driving now (yay) I can go to the gym on non PT days. PT said I'm ahead of schedule! Woo!

Latest challenge has been getting back to work. The pa said I could go back as tolerated, but work didn't like the note. They want more specific restrictions on the note, so the struggle has been getting that from my surgeons office. The secretary is trying to get it but the surgeon, PA and nurse have all been in surgery yesterday and today. Needless to say, the note hasn't been faxed so I can't go back yet. Hopefully they'll fax it tomorrow first thing so I can go back.  I'm out of PTO so I am not being paid past today to be out.... I did enjoy the extra days off with errands, pool time, naps etc... But ready to get back in a routine! 

Steri strips over incisions. No water submersion for one more week. 

15 days post op

I'll start by saying I'm off crutches! Yay! Doctors orders were 2 weeks at 25% weight bearing (barely tapping foot on the ground- or as the pt said, "don't crush the egg"). I was allowed to try one crutch after Tuesday's PT and now just use them as needed if its hurting. I've progressed to 10 min on the exercise bike at PT without pain, he wants me to do it as much as possible so once I can drive I will be hitting up the gym to do so. I added clam shells and glute bridges with a resistance band to the regimen. Slowly getting back glute and thigh strength, though I feel pretty unstable sometimes on the right side. I'm sure that will improve with time and PT. 

I've had more pain as I've been allowed to do more, which is expected. The groin area seems to catch and get stuck a lot which is uncomfortable and often painful to get un stuck. It clicks. I'm told this is normal by the PT. I feel tightness in the front of my hip which I'm supposed to stretch out. The PT started some distraction exercises where he puts a seatbelt type thing around his waist and my thigh and pulls the leg outward, creating space in the socket. It actually feels pretty good. My ROM is still improving. He also did some soft tissue massage in the front of my hip. 

I see my surgeon Tuesday to get my stitches out and follow up. I am pleased with how the incisions are healing. I think they'll fade nicely. I hope to get the all clear to return to work Wednesday. I am running out of PTO and am ready to get back in a routine. 

On a side note, I got a 91 on algebra midterm and have a 98 in the class! Half way done, then I'm off school until the end of August! It'll be a nice break! I should be submitting my PA school app within the next couple weeks. It's all getting very real and exciting!!! 

Here is a pic of the incisions healing nicely:

11 days post op

The last few days have been quite eventful, especially after being home bound for a week.  Friday started with my first PT session/evaluation.  The PT said I am at/ahead of where I should be with regards to range of motion, which is encouraging. He gave me a few easy exercises to get started with, mostly working on range of motion and activation of glute and thigh muscles.  With the addition of PT, I've had more pain... which is expected. My hip was nice and happy being quiet, but when I added movement, it got pretty angry.  The inside part feels "caught" and has aches that tend to run down my leg.  I am having some compensation pain in the outside back part of my knee as well.  I've had to increase the pain meds some with the increase in pain, but expected that with increased activity.  I'm keeping ice on it 2-3 times a day as there is some slight swelling on the outer part of my upper thigh/hip area. 

I had to get my Remicade infusion Friday as well. I crutched my way from PT to the infusion center, which wasn't as close as it seems not on crutches! Needless to say, I was pretty tired by Friday night. 

My sweet sister came by to help me this weekend and get me out of the house. I got to use my handicapped placard, so exciting hahaha.... I did enjoy spending sister time and she got me hooked on Pretty Little Liars.  Now I just have to convince myself to get my homework and PA school essay done instead of watching it ;) I also got out of the house to an engagement party Sunday morning and a dinner with a friend from out of town Sunday night. As good as it was to be social and get dressed up, I may have over done it as my hip was killing me Sunday night.  It is still pretty painful today, but I'm taking it easy.  I have PT every Tues/Thurs and have scheduled it at 7am once I (hopefully) get back to work after the follow up on the 18th with the surgeon. Early mornings for the next 4-5 months, yay!

I'll update more as I go along... may end up being once weekly as I am pretty busy with school work and other tasks!

Stitches... Kind of gross!

Two portals, 3 stitches each. Look like they'll heal nicely. 

(Ignore the lovely stretch marks that are emphasized in this photo!) 

One week post op

Well, it is one week post op and it's fitting that today I'm not doing as well. Haha seriously though, I woke up with more pain-->more pain meds--> more nausea--> zofran for the nausea. That being said, I am not getting discouraged... Just dealing with what comes my way. I slept under my covers last night instead on top with a light comforter and woke up on my side (bad hip side). I think that may have to do with some of the pain. I think I'll go back to sleeping on top of the covers with the light comforter and still utilize the pillow between my legs. I started out that way but I guess shifted a lot in my sleep. 

Overall, I've been doing well. Had, as of yesterday decreased to half to one pain pill as needed rather than around the clock. I just took a full one due to the pain increase today. My biggest difficulty is being alone currently. Always tend to drop more things when you're alone and can't easily pick then up! My dad took the dogs to the boarding yesterday bc there was no way I could take care of then on crutches. That's an unexpected large expense :( 

My claim came through on insurance as "additional info required".... Aka my surgeon has to send files for review. Prayers that it all gets covered (~$24K!!!) fully once reviewed. Otherwise I'm screwed financially! 

I start PT tomorrow at 11am. Got my friends to take me and pick me up. It's so hard to not be able to drive! I also get Remicade tomorrow for my ulcerative colitis... Much needed. Lets just say, multiple bathroom trips on crutches is no fun!! Hopefully it'll calm my tummy issues down. Surprisingly I haven't had the typical pain med constipation problems (bc of my UC flare) but am prepared with stool softeners and miralax if needed! 

Lets see.... Other than that just been doing a lot of math homework and staying on top of my online coaching clients. Pretty bored even tho I have a lot of school I can do! So much for time off... 

I'll update after PT tomorrow! 

Some more bruising and skin rash from tegaderm :( get to switch to band aids on Saturday! 

 

Day 4 Post Op

It's now 4 days post op and things are going better than I expected.  I am cutting back on the pain med dosage but still taking them around the clock.  Certain movements hurt more than others, especially the ones that activate the psoas.  I am obviously missing a lot of strength, but it is even improved from day 1.  I am doing really well on the crutches and have been awake more than sleeping which is also a step in the right direction.  I am definitely getting use of my Netflix account and have watched more episodes of "Scrubs" than I can count.  I've also been able to stay on top of my online algebra homework.  I am definitely glad that I dropped the A&P2 class that was supposed to start tonight. Without being able to drive, there is no way I would've made it 4 nights a week. I'm having a hard enough time asking for help to get to PT and Remicade on Friday.... unfortunately my parents both go out of town tomorrow and Thursday, so I won't have someone with me 24/7.  My mom is making sure I'm stocked up on the essentials and that my apartment is set up crutches friendly for doing the necessities.  I decided I am probably boarding the dogs this week because I don't have anyone who can help me with taking them out all day.  It will be one less stress to worry about.

Yesterday I got a bath in and got to change the dressing. The bath was interesting... definitely glad that I got the shower stool and loofa on a stick (and raised toilet seat for that matter).   I was surprised to see how little bruising there is around the two incisions.  The incisions are still covered with some steri strips, but from what I can tell they're very small.  The inside is definitely worse than the outside looks!

I've been doing my "tummy time" and that does not bother the hip at all, it actually feels pretty comfortable so hopefully the scar tissue is not bad.  I set up my first PT session for Friday which I'm looking forward to, even though I'm sure it will hurt! It will be 2-3x/week from there.  Post op appt with the surgeon is set for 6/18 so I assume I won't go back to work until after that.... a little longer than I wanted, but I am just trusting the timing and taking things slowly.  I want to heal properly and if that means using all my PTO, that is ok.  Trying to be a good patient :)

Day 2 Post Op

It's day 2 post op and I'm doing my "physical therapy" of lying on my tummy on my bed for 15 minutes (3-5 times a day). It's not painful luckily and will help prevent scar tissue from forming at a bent angle. I called and set up my first real pt session for next Friday. 

So far I've seen a lot of improvement already. I've gotten good at the 25% weight bearing on crutches. I am able to get up and off the lounge chair without assistance to go use the restroom. I can sit in a regular chair without too much pain. I'm still taking around the clock pain meds, but have cut back to 1.5 tablets. I do notice that when I sleep, the normal body twitching hurts and wakes me bc it activates the psoas area where they lengthened it. My incision sites are still covered so I haven't seen them yet but they're starting to itch and are very sore. I get to change dressing tomorrow and take a shower. I feel gross!! 

My appetite has been lacking due to the pain meds but I'm making sure to keep food in my stomach for those and the anti inflammatory. My gi doc said its ok to do the NSAID as long as my stomach feels ok, since I should only need it a couple weeks. So much to think about and coordinate with all my gi problems as many meds don't sit well with UC. 

Timer just went off for my "PT" so I'm going to attempt lunch... Until next time!

Recovery begins

My hip surgery went well and I'm back at home now. To recap the last 36 hours:

I arrived at the surgery center around 5:15am yesterday and checked in.  The nurse brought me back around 5:35am to prep. I went over consents and paperwork with her before the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me.  I missed her call the night before and she didn't leave a message BC she thought it was a work number. She discussed that I would be sedated and intubated for the anesthesia. She also put an anti nausea patch behind my ear that I can wear three days.  The nurse started my IV and she did great. She used lidocaine which was nice! My surgeon came in to talk to me and then I was on my way around 6:45.

Surgery lasted about 90 minutes. He repaired the labrum and had to anchor it with absorbable screws, shaved the head of the femur and I believe a little of the pelvis. He also had to lengthen the psoas so it wouldn't continue to catch and pull the cartilage.

The worst part of the recovery was when I initially came out, I was shaking uncontrollably and freezing despite warm blankets.  I was very nauseated. They gave me zofran and morphine for the nausea and pain.  After an hour or so I was taken up to a private room.  I was still very nauseated and finally had to get phenergan (very strong anti nausea). It not only helped the nausea but knocked me out which was good. Luckily despite the nausea, I didn't throw up.  I finally woke and was able to order lunch.  I was allowed to switch to oral pain meds once I ate.

Before the PT came in, I did have to get up to use the restroom... Boy was that difficult!! With the psoas lengthening, I've lost all strength to lift my leg.  I am on crutches with 25% weight bearing.  I met with the PT who showed me how to do this and she said to act like  I have a hard boiled egg under my right foot and that is how much weight  I can place.  She also showed how to do a stair (good up, bad down first). She emphasised pain will be not be my guide as it'll start feeling better and I will be tempted to put more weight, which I shouldn't.

I finally discharged around 6:30pm. They thought I may have to stay overnight BC of the nausea but luckily that got under control.   I got home and my mom got me set up on my chaise lounge chair as its easier to get in and out of than my low bed.  I've kept pain meds in me every 4 hours. I am getting better at the way I have to use the crutches and am currently relaxing.  I have to start 3-5 times a day laying on my stomach on my bed for 5-15 min each so the scar tissue wont form in an angle. I'm going to try and document my journey as I go along! Stay tuned... :)

FAI/Labral Tear Surgery

I decided I wanted to keep a blog of my journey with FAI surgery (Femoracetabular impingement) since the blogs that I read helped me fully understand what I was getting into.  I leave in about 10 minutes for my surgery. The road leading here was long, but I realized that it could've been much longer the other day. I wouldn't have even had my initial appointment until next week with the other surgeon that I had looked into.... here we go! I tore my labrum back in December dancing in the Nutcracker, although I have a feeling it was probably partially torn before then.  I finally made an appointment in March at the urging of my coworkers when it kept hurting. I initially thought I had pulled a muscle.... not the case.  I saw a PA who did an MRArthrogram that showed a labral tear.  I got an appointment with my surgeon who also did more x-rays and diagnosed me with femoracetabular impingement. Basically the femoral head is misshapen and catches on the psoas, causing potential tears.  I've decided to have arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum, reshape the bone, and possibly lengthen the psoas. My surgery is at 6:30am so I will be leaving shortly to check in! I plan on posting once I feel up to it and keeping track of my journey, it will be a long bumpy road ahead!