Hip Arthroscopy Hip Arthroscopy ups and downs

[Alfie888]

I phoned the hospital yesterday to complain about my 6 week check up now being put back for the second time to 14 weeks. After complaining and waiting on the line for a little while the receptionist asked if I could come in in the next couple of hours. So, I went it see the OS last night. He seems to think everything is looking good but it will be a few more months before I'll know for sure the op has worked. He did say my leg muscles are weak and strengthening them up will help. As far as the other hip now giving me pain goes, it's just wait and see as to whether it settles down or requires intervention in the future. I have an appointment now for 3 months time and an MRI to see how things are looking.

I'm not sure seeing the OS has put my mind at rest, but at least my back pain has eased over the last couple of days and we have ordered a new mattress, which is long over due, hopefully that should help a little on the sleep front.

Just to add to my troubles, I decided that I would go into work for a few hours today and had an accident in the car. Nothing serious, just scraped another car, but it's going to cost me one way or another

Lets hope the rest of the week is pain and incident free.

 

[Tomgirl]

Alfie glad to hear you were able to see OS last night, 14 weeks was a long time to wait. Hope the new mattress helps. Here's to an incident free week.

 

[Mojo333]

You ARE not allowed to have an accident, Alfie. Not allowed.
I'm going to send some good Mojo your way.
You know stress is awful for your immune system so cool out and try your best not to worry.
Time for good things to start happening for you.

 

[Alfie888]

I slept pretty well last night and nothing bad has happened today, fingers crossed. Yes, get some of that good mojo sent over I could do with it.

 

[Mojo333]

Good morning @Alfie888 . At least here, it is a little after 7 am.
I'm hoping you slept well last night.
How have you been feeling?
I'm nursing my second cup of coffee and so happy it's Friday.
Fortunately my sister married a local farm boy turned heavy equipment operator who has lots of land and places to ride. It's not a dune buggy type four wheeler as it is very heavy but it is four wheel drive and has a winch so I can trail blaze and bog down in the swamp and get myself out with help of nearby poplar trees.
Course not lately...being good and cruising flat lands and dirt roads. Good way to see the simple things in life...wildflowers, rabbits, clumsy armadillos and spooking a few deer.
It's cathartic for me and as I work at a charity, don't have funds for expensive trips or hobbies.
I'm becoming more content with less...beauty is all around us..in nature and people although with the latter can seem more elusive.
Hope you have a peaceful weekend.

 

[Alfie888]

@Mojo333, It's nearly lunch time here.

It sounds great having some land to drive around on. I envy the amount of open space you have over in the US. The UK isn't a big country and you can't get access to a lot of the countryside in an off-road vehicle, which is just as well really. Everything seems to be owned or off of limits.

I'm sleeping OK as I'm taking Tramadol before bed time, but waking up with pain. It's on and off, I might have half an hour feeling fine then it will come on again. My left good leg is causing me more pain than the operated one. It's on and off, but it's giving me a aching from the hip that radiates down the outside of my leg sometimes. There's not much I can do about it but wait and see if it works itself out at the moment. I'm back at the physio on Tuesday so I'll see what he says.

How are you doing? Feeling any better? Lets hope the OS puts your mind to rest when you see him.

I'm thinking of going fishing on Sunday. Nothing to strenuous. I figure I might as well be sat by a lake in the fresh air for a few hours than sat at home. I have a nice comfy reclining chair and a little stove. I'm starting to go a little nuts now being stuck in all the time. I know a place I can go pike fishing practically from the back of the car and it's only 30mins drive. I'll see if I can get one of my friend to come and do any lifting.

 

[Mojo333]

Really hate they put you off. Will be glad when you get some answers.
You should go fish. You'll probably suffer through some if the doing, but there is therapy needed for the soul. Sending you a pic of BIL pond, super pretty if I can resize.
Go fish!

 

[Mojo333]

Here it is...there are huge large mouth bass in here. I can't catch.

 

[Alfie888]

Ohhhh, that looks nice. I get all excited when I see water. Don't know what it is, I've always been like it, from being a kid. It's probably all those negative ions having a positive effect on the body and soul.

Yeh, I imagine I might suffer a little. But to be honest it's good to have something to look forward to rather than the same old get up, do some work, ice, TV and then bed. I hate being indoors at the best of times and being stuck inside and in pain really isn't doing much for my mental wellbeing.

 

[Mojo333]

I feel exactly the same.
Pack snacks and get some hydrotherapy.

 

[Alfie888]

Well, I went fishing on Sunday. I know a lake 30mins drive from the house where I don’t have to walk miles with my gear. I got there just as the sun was coming up. It was very cold and even with 6 layers and a woolly hat I could still feel the chill sat on my comfy chair. I lasted about 3 hours and then decided to call it a day, fishless. It was good to be out of the house though and I did get to see the resident king fisher. It looked so out of place amongst all the leafless trees. Home for lunch and a warm shower. I did pay for it a little on Monday though, but worth it for my sanity.

We got a new mattress delivered today, the old one was well past it’s sell by date. Why we didn’t replace it before the op I don’t know. I’m looking forward to going to bed tonight on a comfy layer of memory foam

I had my fortnightly appointment with the physio this afternoon. He gave me some exercises to try last time I was there which caused me more pain when I tried them. I told him and he said if it hurts don’t do it. He’s a nice bloke and pretty knowledge on the arthroscopy side of things. He’d been to a seminar last week on hip scopes and seems to take an active interest in the subject, which is reassuring. To be honest He’s given me more info and advice than my OS and is much more realistic about recovery and outcome.

My hip still aches, and my good one too on and off. Not to bad today though, but I have been busy and that helps take my mind of it. Perhaps that’s what should be prescribed. A big prescription of busy for the pain.

 

[Mojo333]

Alfie. Glad you got out. Sorry, I know I missed alot when not quite up to it.
But, you know that is why they call it fishing , not catching. Kingfishers are awesome. I love their rattling voices.
Glad you are still coming it on PT.
Hope the new mattress gives you a more restful sleep tonight.

 

[Mojo333]

Hey @Alfie888 Thanks for the link.
I'm so getting one of those and yep I'll carry mine too. My coccyx thanks you.
How's have you been? Still a ways off for your recheck?
Do you feel it is getting any better?
Hopefully you are getting a break in the weather. Anything under 60F and I'm freezing...I'm a wimp and it's definitely coming finally.

 

[Alfie888]

Hi @Mojo333, It should be good for your coccyx. It will be uncomfortable when first sit on it, but once it warms up will mould to your body shape. I love mine.

I’m just plodding on at the moment. Things are getting better, I think. More of an ache than a pain now, if that makes sense. Not taking any pain relief during the day, just on a night before bed, although I imagine most nights I can do without it. My walking is getting better, a little further every day. I even rode my bike for the first time last week. Only for about a mile. It felt strange because those muscles are still pretty week.

How are thing with you? You feeling better?

 

[Mojo333]

Must days better...I guess there is still some small issues that can seem more aggravating when we are ready to be PERFECT.
Glad you got to ride. I'm sure those muscles do seem weak but I think we really see so much on here...good stuff mostly like with me, that we really play down what kind of trauma we DO have to come back from.
There's alot of stuff they have to move around to get to those hips.
And alot of bad compensation before repair that has to be retrained! You'll get there...me too.

 

[Mojo333]

Hey @Alfie888
Just popping in to say hi and hoping you've had a better week.
I do have a suggestion for you...on your avatar picture, you seem to be a little hunched over. Perhaps if you worked on your posture a bit, it would relieve some of that pressure on your hips. (And keep your knuckles from dragging)
Not a doctor, but that honestly can't be good for you.
Today should be sunny so I'm hoping to get a Vitamin D infusion and hopefully some relaxing.
Wishing the same for you.

 

[Alfie888]

Hi @Mojo333, Hahaha, yes you are right, but that picture was taken before the op, I’m walking a lot more upright now. My colour has changed too. I do keep meaning to change it!

To be honest my back is really playing me up at the moment. We got a new bed about 10 days ago, memory foam and quite expensive, I don’t think it’s doing me any favours. I am getting really hot in the night, to the point of waking up drenched in sweat with my back in pain. After doing a little reading it turns out memory foam doesn’t breath and causes you to over heat. I run pretty hot at the best of times. Luckily we have the option of swapping it for something else on a 40 day trial, so going back to the shop this weekend. Why can’t things just be simple?

I’m back at work more or less full time now which involves a lot of sitting. That probably isn’t helping my back much either. I’ll get there eventually.

My hip is feeling better, I think! I am walking a little further every day. It does cause me some discomfort if moved in certain directions but generally not when I’m going about my everyday business.

Not much chance of a vitamin D overdose here I’m afraid, it is sunny today but not very warm. I always take supplements this time of year as it’s impossible to get enough vitamin D from the sun especially if you work indoors all day.

Well, that all sounds a bit gloomy, doesn’t it. It’s not all that bad. I’m going to see a gig tonight, it’s seated so I should be ok. Then off to the pub afterwards I’m also going to try and take a day off work this week and go fishing down the river, just keeping an eye on the weather for a nice overcast day.

On a positive note. My partner was talking to an old friend yesterday and they got onto the topic of hip replacements etc. It turns out the friends mother had a hip replacement when she was younger. That was over 30 years ago and it’s still going strong. There is hope for all of us.

I’m going to get myself out in the garden now. See what needs tidying up.

 

[Mojo333]

@Alfie888 Well, a 30 year hip replacement worth no issues makes me smile.
I know what you mean about the mattress situation. Not mfteemory foam, but some kind of pillow top? my better half surprised me with for rehab after I got home - our old was 10+ years old, - and not only does it agitate me after a full night sleep, it makes him incredible hot.
No option for return though.
Glad you are flying some better.
I hung out in the country and eat by a sweet fire until after dark thirty. Now home .
I really do wish the best for you as I am tired but essentially pain free.
Thank you to the good Lord, my surgeon, fate, Providence, or whatever and whoever is responsible

 

[Alfie888]

@Mojo333 We swapped the matress for a good old traditional sprung one made with natural fibres today. It’s a real shame as the memory foam felt great when you first went to bed. It just gets to hot and uncomfortable after a few hours.

I ache a fair bit today after my night out yesterday, had a bit of a sore head too. To much beer, making up for my abstinence of the last few months

Good to hear you are feeling well. Let’s hope it stays the way for the next 30 yrs.

 

[Mojo333]

Tried to set beaver traps at the pond yesterday, but instead made a new friend.