I
finally started PT on Monday to try to deal with the pelvic tilt / rotation. I was so excited to go and a bit disappointed when he didn't seem very enthusiastic while I explained my pelvic tilt and approx. 2" difference in my leg lengths. I brought my X-rays on disc and told him that the doctor thinks my actual leg difference is @ 3/8 - 1/2" and the rest is due to my pelvis. He didn't want to see my X-rays.
He said we could try a few things for @ 2 weeks, but if nothing was happening, I shouldn't continue. I know that he didn't want to give me false hope and he wanted to be honest with me, but it put a damper on my excitement to say the least. :cry4:
He looked at my difference. He said that my muscles were very tight - especially one that goes from my backside around and attaches to the thigh. They hooked me up to an electric shock thing and put a big heating pad on my hip for @ 15 min and then proceeded to do a deep massage along my incision. He explained that the incision needed to be desensitized and that the scar tissue needed to be broken up (or something like that). All I know is that it was very uncomfortable! I still can't lay on the op side and I have a pretty good pain threshold. He only worked on it a few minutes and suggested that I try to massage it at home also to loosen things up.
He put my foot up on his shoulder, reached under my backside and gave a yank (presumably on my pelvis). Then he did the same on my other side. This didn't hurt at all. He looked at the difference and said that he thought I was a 1/2" closer! :yes 4: Now I was excited and I think he was, too! I could actually feel the difference! He warned me that it may only stay that way 15 minutes or an hour, but it was a sign that it could be moved closer to position.
I couldn't believe that in 5 or 10 minutes of his actually working on me, I had noticeable improvement! I was thrilled to say the least. I couldn't wait to go back on Wednesday!
Yesterday we went through a similar routine. Monday's adjustment had reverted back - I'm not sure how long it stayed. But Wednesday's adjustment brought my legs even closer together and held there from 9:00 a.m. until at least 3:00 p.m. On Wednesday he gave me 2 exercises to do at home to work some joint where the pelvis meets the back. When I stood up on Wednesday, I immediately felt like I was standing more evenly on both of my legs. I do this very unscientific measuring of myself by digging my thumbs into the top of my hips and I could see how much closer my thumbs were than that morning!
I had been playing around for awhile by standing with my "short" leg on different size books in front of a mirror to see how much it would take to even out my pelvis. The book I had been using is @ 2". When I got home I was able to stand on a book that was only a little over 1/2". Did I mention that I was ecstatic?
I went down and walked 2 miles on the river path. I even had to lower my adjustable cane down a notch to make it fit me better and be comfortable. My daughter could see the difference when I picked her up from school just from the way I was walking. Unfortunately, it didn't stick all day, but I know it stayed longer than it did on Monday.
The PT said not to expect to have my lengths all the way evened out - he wasn't sure that would ever happen. I told him I was excited to have any improvement. If I still need to get a built up shoe, a 1/2 to 1" is better than 2" (funny how your perspective changes, isn't it?)
I go again tomorrow. He will give me more exercises. He only wants to focus on the pelvis for now and then he will focus on the rest of the muscle strength in my legs. I am so happy to finally be doing something
United Kingdom
