THR Hipmom is healing

[Jamie]

Donna, please never worry about coming here to whine, vent, yell, or whatever is needed to get through a tough time. That's what we're all about and each of us can understand frustration with a stumbling block that comes our way during recovery.

I really feel that it was not a good thing for your therapist to try and measure your leg length at this early stage in recovery.....and even worse for her to make such dire predicitons. Please focus on the positive input you received from your surgeon instead.

Remember that it took your hip and pelvis years to get to the stage it was before surgery. Then all at once things were put into normal alignment. It will take some time for that wonderful body of yours to adjust to that, but it will!!! That is the miracle of our bodies....they DO adjust.

As for lifts, shoe buildups, walking aids....and all that.....put it to the back of your mind. The important thing now is to concentrate on healing (number one), keeping pain at bay (number two), and as you are able to walk a little more....gait training to encourage that body readjustment.

These things come slowly sometimes so patience is required to reach your goal. But I have every reason to believe you will get there......now I just need you to believe it too.

 

[Jaycey]

Donna, once your muscles get stronger you will feel more steady. I'll bet you ditch that cane sooner than you think. It's just a matter of building strength and learning to walk a slightly new way.

 

[Josephine]

Of course you can adjust to 2". In terms of leg length, though not minor, it's not that much either.
I wouldn't mind betting that at least half of that is pelvic tilt.

 

[hipmom]

My pelvis is definitely tilted - it is pretty plainly seen in the xrays taken while i am standing. My pelvs was tilted prior to surgery, too.

 

[Josephine]

Well, there y'go! PT would be the answer to that. Retraining and gait training.

 

[hipmom]

I tried to follow all of the PT's advice when i went on my walk today - hold in my abdominals, contract my glutes, heel - toe, bend my knees . . . . And what was i forgetting? Oh, yeah! Breathe!!!:th_heehee::hate-shocked:

 

[Josephine]

Oh dear! Don't do that! :th_heehee:

 

[hipmom]

I feel like i have been accepted into Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks :hysterical::rolleyespink:

 

[Josephine]

 

[Jamie]

Don't worry....it will get easier with some time and practice. You'll get there!!!!

 

[Renate]

Hi Donna, I've been trying this for 3 months now, walking straight, abs in, breathing, heel/toe, just couldn't manage. Finally, last week something kicked in, and it is getting better now, still not perfect. I think practise makes perfect. Are you using a lift now?

 

[vivb]

Absolutely! For me that something felt like I had got a shot of muscle strength - one day nothing, next day some strength. Still penguining a little at nearly 16 weeks, so still using a cane when I go out, because it feels like it keeps me straight (lol)

 

[hipmom]

Yes, Renate, I have a 3/8" heal lift inside my "good leg" shoe. That is what the surgeon told me to do but I haven't been measured at all yet - not until January. 3/8" really doesn't put a dent in the difference, though. But I am managing on the cane and have been making great progress with my walks along the river. Twice the week I have walked almost 3 miles (takes me forever, but I keep reminding myself that it is not a race)! In the 19 years I have lived here, I have never walked that far on the river path! I barely walked the path at all as I have avoided any type of distance walking - even 1/2 a block - because it wasn't worth the discomfort to me. While this walking bothers other parts of my body - mainly my side and rib cage on the nonop side - my hip seems to be holding up well. I get a lot of bang for my buck exercise wise as I have to really work at staying up straight and not leaning. Even though I am not race walking by any means, I am working up quite a sweat! I am getting pretty good at holding in my abdominals (which is why my stomach hurts so bad) but not so easy to squeeze my glutes while I am walking! But it is nice to experience walking for pleasure (almost) as walking is the one thing I have really avoided my entire life

 

[nanamac]

Awww Donna, I was having the same problems with the lift, the opposite side KILLING me, and me not making the connection. I had to stop using the lift. PLEASE don't go by me. I'm just saying. You do what works for you.

There are two posts in my thread "This is my story" #662 and 663 that really should be in yours and I have asked Jamie to move them. If you haven't seen them, you may want to read them. There is some very good info from Jo.

Hang in there Donna. Thinking of you ...

 

[hipmom]

Thanks janet - i did read those posts in your thread

 

[Juliep]

Donna you seem all and all to be doing very well. I'm sorry you are still having issues with that darn LLD. I sure hope it all gets resolved soon. I can't believe how much walking you are doing. Nice to see things outside and not be rushed too. Keep at it and things will get there.

 

[hipmom]

So hip restrictions for 3 months - is that 12 weeks, 90 days, or november 23rd (surgery was 8/23)? Whatever it is, it can't get here soon enough:wink1:

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Hang in there Donna, you're nearly there. I'd go for 12 weeks - that's the shortest!

 

[Juliep]

That sounds good Cappy. I'm so glad I didn't have those restrictions. I can only imagine how tough that can be. You are almost there Donna !!

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Happy anniversary Donna! 12 weeks today - I'd call that three months.