THR concal's recovery process

[Meggzie]

Hey @concal it's great news that you're cleared to ride! It's worth remembering that just because the OS says it's ok, it doesn't mean you HAVE to get on straight away....let your body be your guide. If you feel ready - go for it. If you have doubt, maybe wait a little. Those ponies are clever and can pick up on your anxiety, then they wonder what the problem is, and..well, you know the rest

All the best for your first ride, whenever you choose for that to be - post a photo if you can!!

 

[concal]

okay, I just loaded this picture and it is showing up with other people's avatars. can someone fix this? yikes. sorry everyone, have no idea how it happened.

 

[bottomshollow]

@concal, your avatar will appear in a small version in the lower right had corner of anyone whose thread you have posted in when you bring up the list of current posts in a forum. It just lets you know who you've posted to.

Notice how my avatar appears in the lower right hand corner of these threads that I've posted in.

 

[Me2]

@concal --- how is the riding going?

 

[concal]

I am going into week 12 with mixed feelings. On the positive side, I've been on my horse 4 times now, riding for 30 minutes at a time. I started slow at week 10, only riding for 15 minutes. No real pain or discomfort riding other than the ongoing burning pain around the incision. My thigh is still swollen and I am still icing. Is this still considered normal for 12 weeks out? I was not expecting to have this burning sensation last so long, and I still feel tight in the thigh area too. My surgeon keeps on telling me not to worry, but I'd like to know if others still have these issues at 12 weeks. Since the surgeon told me it was ok to get back on my horse, I am trying to ignore the burning but is sure is annoying.

 

[Me2]

So good you are riding . . . just being up in the saddle is reassuring. Hope that other residual issues go away quickly. For me, all of a sudden it wouldn't be there anymore.

 

[Poppet]

@concal - check these articles.. knowledge is power! The burning sensation does dissipate - all a matter of time

The following is a link to an article which provides the current science regarding the healing beneath and around the implant and approximate timeframes for the healing phases and processes and the relevant nutritional information for each phase.

Healing Phases & Nutrition

This second link is to other nutritional articles which you may find interesting, including one relating to bone health.

Nutritional advice for pre op and recovery

This third link refers to my ongoing research..

nutrional-snippets

 

[concal]

I've finally gotten my act together to post a progress report after 3 months of silence. It has been 6 months and I am pleased with my progress, after so much griping in the beginning. I've been riding my horse 3x week, for about 90 minutes. I want to add for the benefit of the new hippies, that I did not do much walking or PT. I live in hilly terrain and walking was not much of an option. The few times I went to the community center to walk, I ended up with aches and pains. I did in home pt for the first 3 weeks, but only when the therapist made me <g> In Sept. (6 weeks out) I went to the office and did pt for about half an hour 3x week for 2 weeks and I was done. The dr. released me to ride at 10 weeks. That was all I did for my recovery. Not much, looking back, but I was playing it safe. Nothing strenuous or physical and not much walking. Even now, I doubt I have ever walked a mile. I am posting this so that those of you who are having a hard time or for those of you doing too much, listen to Josephine. I kept active in my house, without doing all the extra walking or exercising. And now, here I am 6 months out, and none the worse for having done so little walking or pt. I think everyday life is enough to heal our hips once we get over the first few weeks.

 

[concal]

@Josephine I am nine months out this month. The area around my incision has started burning again, and I still have some swelling. I've been icing for the last two weeks. I am worried about this burning sensation starting up again. Is this unusual? My OS hasn't returned my calls so I don't know if this is serious or not. My activity levels have not increased, even with the good weather. I still don't walk much and ride a couple days a week. I do some simple flexing and stretching before I ride. Nothing has changed so I can't explain why the burning has started up. No other pain and do not limp or anything. Thanks.

 

[Josephine]

I do some simple flexing and stretching before I ride.

Tell me what you are doing - in detail please.

 

[concal]

@Josephine I sit Indian style on the floor, and hold the position for a few seconds. Then I switch legs and do it again. Then I keep one leg straight and bend the other leg at the knee and try to touch the toe of the leg that is straight. I also bring both knees up to my chest while in a sitting position. Then I get on my back and bring each leg up to my chest, and then both together. I only do these exerises a couple of times-more of a token stretch than a serious stretch.
Today I noticed that the burning is gone, but the sensation of tightness remains. It is more of a constant sensation, like an internal swelling that is making things tight around the incision. It is an area about 2-3" out from the inside of the incision, towards the groin. I have switched to a heating pad but still am not getting much relief. The pain is not worse when I walk, ride, or get in or out of my truck etc. Nothing really makes it worse, which is why I don't think it has anything to do with a muscle .I've emailed the Dr. twice now, but he hasn't gotten back to me. Thanks for taking the time, Josephine. Much appreciated!

 

[Josephine]

Okay, can you also tell me the exact site of your pain using this chart?
Please note the instructions in the smaller image

 

[concal]

E-L5F It is next to the incision site, towards my groin. Os answered my email and thinks it could be scar tissue and wants to see me. It feels hard and tight but does not get worse with movement. If it is scar tissue can I do anything? He can't see me until June-guess he doesn't think it is an emergency. I've been alternating heating pads with ice packs not knowing what else to do. Thanks Josephine!

 

[Josephine]

Well, don't think it's scar tissue after all this time. It's much more likely to be soft tissue inflammation. I suggest you see a good chiropractor, one who would do good deep acupressure massage and encourage the inflammation to dissipate.

 

[concal]

Thanks Josephine, I will try to find someone to do the massage. In the meantime, would heat or cold ease the inflammation? Would it help to take naproxen? I sometimes get the burning sensation, does inflammation cause pressure on the nerves too?

 

[Josephine]

In the meantime, would heat or cold ease the inflammation? Would it help to take naproxen?

Try them and see.

I sometimes get the burning sensation, does inflammation cause pressure on the nerves too?

Well burning usually indicates a nerve pain called neuropathy. You should see your doctor and ask about having some gabapentin.

 

[concal]

@Josephine It took me awhile to get back here but I wanted to let you know that the massage worked! and I am pleased to say that my swelling has disappeared. I had my inguinals (sp) massaged and then the area around the scar massaged as well. Thank you so much! The surgeon wanted me to do more pt, and did not think much about me getting any type of massage, and I might have listened to him if not for you. I really can't thank you enough. I am coming up to my first year anniversary and it barely registers. I am pretty much pain free when I ride, except for that pesky lower back pain that I've tolerated for the past 20 years or so.

 

[Josephine]

How wonderful? Who did the massage for you? If it was a chiropractor, he should be able to sort out your back too.

 

[concal]

@Josephine A massage therapist......and I have degenerative disc disease and don't like to be 'manipulated' I am always afraid it will make things worse. I've learned to live with it and avoid pain inducing activities. Won't let it stop me from riding my horse tho. The hip pain was much worse.

 

[Josephine]

Okay, gotcha.