Results

Well, I am around the 16 week mark, and things couldn't be better.

My left, most recently operated side is behaving really well is is more or less pain free the majority of the time,just a little discomfort if it gets really tired or its very cold.

The right hip is still causing a few problems with muscle tightness causing some knee pain due to it not tracking properly, and the hip flexor gets sore at times but my physio is helping with those issues using deep tissue massage, acupuncture and cupping. Hopefully there will be some improvement as both sides get strongerand my muscle imbalances improve.

I am able to work without painkillers and work out regulary at the gym. :)

This week I swam 50 lengths in one session. Today I managed to do 40 mins cardio in the gym (bike, treadmill walking and the cross trainer) some upper and lower body weights, then 30 mins (35 lengths ) in the pool. This followed a 5 hour shift at work and then I ended the day with 2 hours of Christmas shopping....still pain free. I am so pleased to be able to accomplish all of that, compared to where i was 3 years ago, unable to walk ten mins without aids, or even 4 months ago,when I was unable to leave the house without being drugged up with strong meds.

This recovery has been so straightforward compared to the first one. I have been fortunate to have such an amazing surgeon, a really good physio that has made such a difference this time, and a supportive hubby and family. I have worked so hard at my recovery, hoping that this will be the last surgery for a very long time, and now I am reaping the benefits. All that is left now is for my strength to continue to improve, and for me to regain the muscle mass and cardio fitness that I had prior to my hip pain and the journey of Arthroscopies and PAOs that followed.

PT, hydro and updates

Reading last weeks update all that exercises was slightly too much and I ended up sore and using one crutch again over the weekend.

Monday was back in the gym, this time did the bike for 5 mins on an increased resistance and the cross trainer for 10mins as an introduction. The cross trainer felt great, but the bike stressed my right knee a little, Followed by the pool for 20 lengths and a few hydro exercises.

Tuesday I saw my private physio, who advised me to stop pushing my knee to my chest quite so much as this might be irritating the hip capsule, which makes a lot of sense, and gave me lots more stretches and glute strengthening to do. I think that probably swimming is adding to that, so may cut back on that too for now.

Then I stayed and did a hip hydro class, which was great because it refreshed my memory and gave me some new pool exercises to try. These included pool walking with a woggle, but activating the glutes at the same time to ensure they are firing properly, and sitting on a woggle and doing a cycling action up and down the pool. The latter exercise was really good, and I am hoping I can swallow my pride , invest in a woggle and do some 'cycling' up and down my gym pool......I feel some funny looks coming my way!!

I was absolutely shattered when I got home, and definitely feeling it today. I have just seen my local NHS physio, what a waste of time!! She has done absolutely nothing for me. Today she checked my ROM and strength, asked about stamina, told me not to return to work for more than 3 hours at a time (ok, that makes sense) but to get my wellies on and go walking around the dales!! Apparently the hills will be good for my glutes!! Yeah right!! Maybe in 6 weeks time, but I can barely do 30mins on the flat, never mind climbing hills!! I won't be seeing her again, and I am so glad I have the experience and advice of the private one. Where post-op PT is concerned, the NHS have really let me down this time.

10 Weeks post-op, and loving life!

Wow!! Already 10 weeks after my PAO.

I am still amazed at how well this recovery is going. I am off all crutches and walking aids and doing the following each day;

2 x 30 mins physio exercises-stretches and strengthening.

15 mins on the exercise bike, with added resistance.

45 mins walk

45 mins in the pool, approx 30 mins swimming (breast stroke and front crawl) and 15 mins hydro exercises.

Hip is feeling really good, has virtually no pain just lacks stamina and is weak. Looking forward to going back to work at three months post-op, and making the most of the last couple of weeks at home to get as strong as possible as I know it wont be as easy to concentrate so much on exercising once I'm back in the real world.

Hands free :)

9.5 weeks post op

I went to see my new physio, who was excellent. She was extremely thorough and really knows her stuff. Its a long way to travel to see her, but hoping its all going to be worth it in the long run. My hips are now surgically as good as they can get, so its time to get lefty strong again, and iron out a few ongoing problems on the right (with the PTs help) so I can start living life to the max again.

I have been off crutches almost completely for the last few days. I am doing 3x30mins of exercises and stretching, approx 15 mins on the bike, and a walk of around 45 mins each day. The only time I need one crutch is for the walk. I even managed to muck out one of the horses the last couple of days....not exactly taking it easy, but I didn't do any of the heavy stuff! My new gym membership starts this week, so looking forward to adding some water exercises too. My left hip is weak, but pain free, just a little bit of discomfort if I overdo it. I have more problems now with the knee on my right, which isn't tracking right, poss due to muscle imbalances from my previous surgeries. I think it is also protesting after being the stronger side for the last couple of months and working harder than normal. Hopefully physio will sort that out too, because I have had enough of going under the knife.

I am really looking forward to starting the gym and building up enough strength to begin proper workouts and going cycling again next year. My Xmas list is going to be full of walking and cycling accessories ready for the spring.

We altered the clocks last night, so are now going into dark nights and winters approaching. This gives me exactly 6 months to build up my strength and fitness ready for the next clock change and light summer nights full of activity.

8 weeks....great progress and a rant to follow!

8 weeks post-op and I feel absolutely great.

I had my first post-op appointment last week, and it was really really good. Mr Witt was very pleased with the healing of the bones, and the overall strength in my hip. I did get rumbled when he asked me to do straight leg raises and side leg raises then he asked.... have you already been doing these? er, yes, just a few! lol! Luckily he didn't ask if I had already tried walking with one crutch ;) but he did comment on how well I was walking, so I am sure he guessed. He passed me to be on one crutch officially now, and to wean off over the next three weeks. I am allowed to drive YEYY!!, swim and use a stationary bike adding a cross trainer in a month.

He also told me to do loads of hamstring stretches as the sciatic nerve seems to be getting caught in the back of the hip.

I am way further on than he would expect at this stage, so he doesn't need to see me again for another 4 months which is great news. I came out with the biggest grin ever on my face.

Now the rant.....

My local PT is hopeless. I saw her today, had a few queries which she looked blankly at, and kept asking for a protocol. She is very nice, but I think a little phased by the PAO...thats fine but I wish they would admit that and refer me to someone else. All she has done is given me one extra exercise to do (that a fellow hippy informs me is not allowed) and said I will see you in three weeks. We discussed my return to work, she wants me to do less than I want to do, which is fine and I respect her opinion but what I did object to is being told that "you have had a lot of money invested in your hips, dont mess it up by trying to do too much!" I am well aware, and very grateful that my surgeries have cost the NHS a lot of money. They have also cost me a few thousand in train fares , hotel rooms and loss of wages not to mention the pain involved, and I have no intention of messing anything up. I came away feeling like a chastised child!!

I have been recommended an excellent private physio that I am considering visiting. The only problem is its a three hour round trip to do this, but I think it will be worth it, even if I just see her a few times, maybe once a month.It would be a refreshing change to talk to a physio that knows what a PAO involves, understands hip issues and doesn't look at me blankly when I ask a question.