I really enjoyed yesterdays physio session. I got to go on the exercise bike with some resisitance, the stepper, and a stair box to practise going up and down steps. I also did some more exercises including squats and hamstring ones with weights.I even managed to break into a sweat-was surprised how unfit I have become!! This has given me loads of things to practise at home. Some of the exercises I have been doing are getting a bit easier so I have added ankle weights to those, she changed my theraband to a more resistant one and I dug out my old gym ball and have done lots of new exercises on that too. Next week hopefully we can add the treadmill. She told me to go home and take it easy, but being me I went out and walked the dog for an hour instead. I am using a walking stick outside now instead of the crutch, which is just enough to stop me lurching,and definitely uses the muscles more than a crutch. I am hoping to ditch that in a day or two, so next week, by 12 weeks post op I am aiming to be off all aids then can just increase the time and distance.
I was sore after everything I did yesterday, and today have the old 'pain in the butt' back, but am resigned now that that's the way things will be every time I increase something.
New trick of the week-walking up and downstairs normally, leading with alternate legs instead of the same one first all the time. Great excitement at that,lol, ( small things , small minds I know:) ) I still need to hang on to the rail but I am sure now I can do it, that will soon improve. I spent 10mins today going up and down a step to practise, hopefully nobody was watching through the window!
Goals for this week-go out biking at some point if the rain stops long enough, start swimming regularly (only just got the go ahead for this, I know lots of you do it much earlier) and ditch the walking stick.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Emotional Rollercoaster
Ten weeks post-op.
Recovery from a PAO is such a test of patience. Over this last week I have experienced every emotion possible. Joy from being able to do the little things that we would normally take for granted, and frustration at not being able to do more.
I am progressing when I look back to what I could do a fortnight or even a week ago but I am still not where I expected to be at this stage. I don't know if my expectations were too high, or if I am not healing as fast as I should be, but either way I know that I can only do what my body will allow and I have to accept that.
I am still in lots of pain at the back of the joint. It is a deep and sharp pain, I don't know if it is bone or muscle and it doesn't really matter at this point except it limits the amount of walking I can do.I am off crutches in the house but keep needing to rest after being on my feet more than a few minutes. I still use one when walking outside.
Physio exercises are going well, and I have been given more this week, to do twice a day. They are getting easier and the joint feels stronger. The limp is still pronounced, but not as bad as it was to start with.
I am focusing on the fact that the pain and instability that I had pre-op has completely gone, which is great news, and makes everything worthwhile as I was so limited before I had the surgery. I am glad I had the PAO because I do feel that once everything heals it will have been worth it- but I am not so sure I would be prepared to have my other hip done unless it becomes more symptomatic.
Recovery from a PAO is such a test of patience. Over this last week I have experienced every emotion possible. Joy from being able to do the little things that we would normally take for granted, and frustration at not being able to do more.
I am progressing when I look back to what I could do a fortnight or even a week ago but I am still not where I expected to be at this stage. I don't know if my expectations were too high, or if I am not healing as fast as I should be, but either way I know that I can only do what my body will allow and I have to accept that.
I am still in lots of pain at the back of the joint. It is a deep and sharp pain, I don't know if it is bone or muscle and it doesn't really matter at this point except it limits the amount of walking I can do.I am off crutches in the house but keep needing to rest after being on my feet more than a few minutes. I still use one when walking outside.
Physio exercises are going well, and I have been given more this week, to do twice a day. They are getting easier and the joint feels stronger. The limp is still pronounced, but not as bad as it was to start with.
I am focusing on the fact that the pain and instability that I had pre-op has completely gone, which is great news, and makes everything worthwhile as I was so limited before I had the surgery. I am glad I had the PAO because I do feel that once everything heals it will have been worth it- but I am not so sure I would be prepared to have my other hip done unless it becomes more symptomatic.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Turning Point
The last couple of days I have definitely turned a corner. I feel fantastic! :)
I am off crutches completely in the house, only using one when outside. I am doing 2x30mins each day on the bike. The hip could go longer, but it is too uncomfortable to sit on the seat for any longer, the last 5 mins are a real test of willpower. Physio exercises going well, and today I walked the dog along the river for 45mins using just one crutch. I carried the other one just in case, and used it for the last five mins because I was running late and needed to get home to meet someone-next time it stays in the car!
I want to do more!! I can't wait for physio on Monday. I hope she is impressed, and will give me more exercises to do.
I am going to ask her about swimming, also possibly the treadmill and cross trainer.
Would like to hear from anyone, post PAO , (especially by Mr Witt) about which stage you were allowed to try these.
I am in hardly any pain, only when lying and trying to change positions, that is still waking me up lots during the night. Walking on hard ground, eg concrete is uncomfortable but thats all.
I am soo happy things are starting to improve so quickly, and feel stronger each day. I still walk like a penguin, but even the limp is improving a bit each day.
9 weeks has definitely been the turning point for me! :)
I am off crutches completely in the house, only using one when outside. I am doing 2x30mins each day on the bike. The hip could go longer, but it is too uncomfortable to sit on the seat for any longer, the last 5 mins are a real test of willpower. Physio exercises going well, and today I walked the dog along the river for 45mins using just one crutch. I carried the other one just in case, and used it for the last five mins because I was running late and needed to get home to meet someone-next time it stays in the car!
I want to do more!! I can't wait for physio on Monday. I hope she is impressed, and will give me more exercises to do.
I am going to ask her about swimming, also possibly the treadmill and cross trainer.
Would like to hear from anyone, post PAO , (especially by Mr Witt) about which stage you were allowed to try these.
I am in hardly any pain, only when lying and trying to change positions, that is still waking me up lots during the night. Walking on hard ground, eg concrete is uncomfortable but thats all.
I am soo happy things are starting to improve so quickly, and feel stronger each day. I still walk like a penguin, but even the limp is improving a bit each day.
9 weeks has definitely been the turning point for me! :)
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
9 Weeks post-op- slowly improving
I can't believe nine weeks ago today I was still in recovery!
Its been a long and short nine weeks.I have come so far , and yet I still feel I have a huge mountain to climb, think I am only about half way up,lol.
I have achieved a lot this week. I am down to one crutch all the time in and around the house, just take two if I am going to be out a long time or doing a lot of walking. I have been surprised how difficult the last couple of weeks have been, and surprised that I am not further along than I am. I thought I was a tough, determined person, that could cope with pain (having lived with it for so long).It has been hard dropping the one crutch, and I keep trying to lose the other one, or go onto a walking stick, but my hip just isn't strong enough yet. The first few days were very painful and extremely sore by the evening, but that soon improved.I can walk a few steps without any aids, but with a huge lurch that resembles a penguin. Also another thing I wasn't expecting is how weak my knee is on the operated side.
I am up to 25min twice a day on the stationary bike, aiming for 2x30min tomorrow. This is fine on the hip, although I do get some burning , which I presume is inflammation, but sitting on it still really hurts the pain underneath(which I am convinced is where the Ischium was cut, and is not yet fully healed-but what do I know?). I walk the dog for about 40mins twice each day-off the leash-but use two crutches for this at the moment, and am working hard at the physio exercises. Straight leg raises are still really hard, and side leg raises, although much easier to do (2x25) still hurt the Ischium area.
I am sore by the end of the day, some of it is muscular, and where the tendon was cut (hip flexors) which is to be expected, and some feels like bone pain (in the butt)especially intense when lying down, but it is all controlled by pain meds so is not too bad.
My local physio is still trying to get in touch with UCLH, I however, have given up on that!
Am hoping to add swimming next week( not breast stroke) or at least going to the local pool and doing some hydro exercises that I can remember from previous surgeries, however the kids break up from school this weekend so that might not happen.
All in all, I have made a huge leap forward from this time last week,and am fairly happy with how things are going. I just wish it would progress even faster.
Its been a long and short nine weeks.I have come so far , and yet I still feel I have a huge mountain to climb, think I am only about half way up,lol.
I have achieved a lot this week. I am down to one crutch all the time in and around the house, just take two if I am going to be out a long time or doing a lot of walking. I have been surprised how difficult the last couple of weeks have been, and surprised that I am not further along than I am. I thought I was a tough, determined person, that could cope with pain (having lived with it for so long).It has been hard dropping the one crutch, and I keep trying to lose the other one, or go onto a walking stick, but my hip just isn't strong enough yet. The first few days were very painful and extremely sore by the evening, but that soon improved.I can walk a few steps without any aids, but with a huge lurch that resembles a penguin. Also another thing I wasn't expecting is how weak my knee is on the operated side.
I am up to 25min twice a day on the stationary bike, aiming for 2x30min tomorrow. This is fine on the hip, although I do get some burning , which I presume is inflammation, but sitting on it still really hurts the pain underneath(which I am convinced is where the Ischium was cut, and is not yet fully healed-but what do I know?). I walk the dog for about 40mins twice each day-off the leash-but use two crutches for this at the moment, and am working hard at the physio exercises. Straight leg raises are still really hard, and side leg raises, although much easier to do (2x25) still hurt the Ischium area.
I am sore by the end of the day, some of it is muscular, and where the tendon was cut (hip flexors) which is to be expected, and some feels like bone pain (in the butt)especially intense when lying down, but it is all controlled by pain meds so is not too bad.
My local physio is still trying to get in touch with UCLH, I however, have given up on that!
Am hoping to add swimming next week( not breast stroke) or at least going to the local pool and doing some hydro exercises that I can remember from previous surgeries, however the kids break up from school this weekend so that might not happen.
All in all, I have made a huge leap forward from this time last week,and am fairly happy with how things are going. I just wish it would progress even faster.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Warning-moaning post!
I am now managing to full WB on one crutch (just). I haven't left the house yet, and am just doing little and often pottering around and resting inbetween. I went into town for half an hour yesterday to do some banking, used two crutches for that, and even that jars my pelvis badly.
Hip is stiff and sore(as expected) and as swollen as it was when I left hospital. Glutes area is achey and the front where the tendon was cut also get sore pretty quickly, both of these things I am sure are normal and will improve over the next few days. The posterior pain is still there and getting worse again as I put more weight on it. I can't do the physio exercises at all, but am using my dressing gown cord to assist and doing them that way. Am up to 15mins on bike which feels fine.
Have been reading over other posts when people dropped the crutches and saw it took about 7-10 days for things to improve, so hopefully I will be the same. It is really a test of patience, I thought I would be able to things much quicker.
Mr Witt told me I should be able to return to work at 10-12 weeks post-op, and by then would be able to walk and stand for hours without walking aids!! Either I will suddenly have a massive improvement or that was a tad optimistic-at the moment I can manage up to an hour on one crutch in the kitchen when I first get up, then need to rest as I am in pain and so tired, and that cycle continues throughout the day. Am still getting intense pain when trying to change position when lying down. Returning to work seems a lifetime away.
I feel as if I am being a real wimp,lol.
Everyone said that the first two weeks of a PAO recovery was the worst, but for me I sailed through the first five weeks before things started to go downhill. So far weeks 6-8 have been worse for me, more frustrating, and in a way more painful too as I am battling with not taking meds as I don't want to cover up the pain and do too much.
I have had no support at all from UCLH, and neither has my local physio. All I want to know is what is normal at this stage and what isn't.I am seriously considering contacting their PALS to see if they can help at all.
Thats my daily vent over with.
Hip is stiff and sore(as expected) and as swollen as it was when I left hospital. Glutes area is achey and the front where the tendon was cut also get sore pretty quickly, both of these things I am sure are normal and will improve over the next few days. The posterior pain is still there and getting worse again as I put more weight on it. I can't do the physio exercises at all, but am using my dressing gown cord to assist and doing them that way. Am up to 15mins on bike which feels fine.
Have been reading over other posts when people dropped the crutches and saw it took about 7-10 days for things to improve, so hopefully I will be the same. It is really a test of patience, I thought I would be able to things much quicker.
Mr Witt told me I should be able to return to work at 10-12 weeks post-op, and by then would be able to walk and stand for hours without walking aids!! Either I will suddenly have a massive improvement or that was a tad optimistic-at the moment I can manage up to an hour on one crutch in the kitchen when I first get up, then need to rest as I am in pain and so tired, and that cycle continues throughout the day. Am still getting intense pain when trying to change position when lying down. Returning to work seems a lifetime away.
I feel as if I am being a real wimp,lol.
Everyone said that the first two weeks of a PAO recovery was the worst, but for me I sailed through the first five weeks before things started to go downhill. So far weeks 6-8 have been worse for me, more frustrating, and in a way more painful too as I am battling with not taking meds as I don't want to cover up the pain and do too much.
I have had no support at all from UCLH, and neither has my local physio. All I want to know is what is normal at this stage and what isn't.I am seriously considering contacting their PALS to see if they can help at all.
Thats my daily vent over with.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
8 weeks post-op
Still having some pain, but not as severe as it was. Have given up trying to get an answer from UCLH. I have spoken to his secretary, who referred my details to the physios, but they haven't got back to me, or my local PT who has been desperately trying to get a protocol from them.
It is a shame because Mr Witt is an amazing surgeon, and I am sure he is unaware that patients are not getting the post-op support that they need.
I have decided to go ahead with the full weight bearing as originally planned, but am going to take it carefully. I started using one crutch around the house this morning, but am pretty sore now after a couple of hours. It is so nice to have a free hand to carry stuff around with!
I need to go out into town today so will definitely need to use two crutches for that.
Am carrying on with physio, but she is taking things slowly because she hasn't had a PAO patient before and is scared to push things too much, which I can understand, but at the same time I am eager to get trying new stuff. I was given a theraband this week to strengthen my knee, as it has got weak from lack of use over the last 8 weeks. I also damaged some ligaments in it about a year ago when one of our horses fell on top of me, so it is probably still a bit weak from that too. I can feel it buckle sometimes even on the crutches, so am glad she is addressing that too.
Will post more on the WB in a couple of days.
It is a shame because Mr Witt is an amazing surgeon, and I am sure he is unaware that patients are not getting the post-op support that they need.
I have decided to go ahead with the full weight bearing as originally planned, but am going to take it carefully. I started using one crutch around the house this morning, but am pretty sore now after a couple of hours. It is so nice to have a free hand to carry stuff around with!
I need to go out into town today so will definitely need to use two crutches for that.
Am carrying on with physio, but she is taking things slowly because she hasn't had a PAO patient before and is scared to push things too much, which I can understand, but at the same time I am eager to get trying new stuff. I was given a theraband this week to strengthen my knee, as it has got weak from lack of use over the last 8 weeks. I also damaged some ligaments in it about a year ago when one of our horses fell on top of me, so it is probably still a bit weak from that too. I can feel it buckle sometimes even on the crutches, so am glad she is addressing that too.
Will post more on the WB in a couple of days.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Pain in the butt!
Well , here I am at 71/2 weeks post-op.
Not much to report really. Have increased weight bearing to 50%.
I am still suffering with increased pain in the bum (Iscium area). It is worse when WB for more than a few minutes and really intense when rolling over in bed.I lost count of how many times it woke me up last night. The rest of the time when I am taking it easy, it is just a dull ache. I have tried to contact Mr Witt, but it seems his secretary is away this week, and I keep getting her voicemail, which is now full so obviously she is not there.
I am hoping to get in touch with her next week, as I am due to start full weight bearing then. (I have had a sneaky try, but the leg gives out due to this stupid bum pain) I also want to know if I am ok to carry on with physio or if I should wait until things settle down, as the exercises he gave me seem to be making it worse.
Will report more when I know something.
Not much to report really. Have increased weight bearing to 50%.
I am still suffering with increased pain in the bum (Iscium area). It is worse when WB for more than a few minutes and really intense when rolling over in bed.I lost count of how many times it woke me up last night. The rest of the time when I am taking it easy, it is just a dull ache. I have tried to contact Mr Witt, but it seems his secretary is away this week, and I keep getting her voicemail, which is now full so obviously she is not there.
I am hoping to get in touch with her next week, as I am due to start full weight bearing then. (I have had a sneaky try, but the leg gives out due to this stupid bum pain) I also want to know if I am ok to carry on with physio or if I should wait until things settle down, as the exercises he gave me seem to be making it worse.
Will report more when I know something.
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