Week Six Update with Major Milestones and new News! But, first let me thank
@Josephine ,
@Jaycey ,
@NuMe2014 , and
@LibraryLynn for your suggestions re PT with both the operated and unoperated leg. I have thought long and hard about what each one of you wrote and I think you have really helped me formulate a much clearer path for PT. Basically what I plan to try going forward is to take it easy with both legs hoping to add a little strength/stretching to the operated leg but being super cautious about that and concentrating primarily on walking. If possible, I'll try to keep the unoperated leg calm and maintain as much strength and range of motion as I can.
Now for the news! I had my six week checkup with the OS on 11/03/2015. Two x-Rays were taken and I was first interviewed by a Fellowship Physician who is training under my OS. Fellowship training is the medical training that takes place after specialty training (Residency) and it usually lasts more than a year. At any rate, our conversation was very informative for me. I saw my x-Rays ( isn't that new hip a major standout item!) and could ask questions. We talked about restrictions and I was told that there were some movements that I would never be able to do. The one demonstrated in a seated position was pulling the knee to the chest and then twisting the body toward the opposite leg. It hurt to watch! Not a movement I've ever done in my life. I was asked to remain on the restrictions for at least 90 days and be cautious with my movements for the first year. I was also told that both the med reduction and the walking without a cane seem to work themselves out naturally. No need to push on either one. Then, one day, you realize you've forgotten to take pills because you didn't need them and you've walked a few steps without the cane. I was told to continue to use the cane if I found I had any sort of a limp. Actually the x-Ray showed the leg length almost exactly equal and I have felt no difference.
The OS came into the Exam Room and repeated some of the above information. We talked about the unoperated leg and he said I could schedule the surgery that day. I told him that I was considering end of May or beginning of June and he said that would be a good time frame. So, I've scheduled the next surgery for June 9, which gives me 19 weeks between the surgeries. If my recovery continues at its current slow and steady pace then I think I'll be ready. Evidently the only protocol that has changed from my January surgery is that the aspirin dose is now reduced from 325mg twice a day to 80 mg (that's a baby aspirin!) twice a day. I was told that there was clear research backing the reduction. I was also told that aspirin was not appropriate for every person.
Oh, just as a note, the drive to the hospital and back ( 3 hours total) plus the walking up and down the clinic halls didn't tire me out very much. I was surprised. It didn't hit me until much later in the evening but by then it was time to go to bed anyway! I just took this as a good sign that I was healing.
And yet another milestone: I was released from Home Health PT today and referred to outpatient PT. I'll miss my PT buddies. They did some comparison evaluations today and one of them was a timed 6 minute walk. The first effort during their very first visit had been 200 feet and I was out of breath, shaking, sweating--it felt like a major workout. This took place about Week 2. Today I walked 700 feet in six minutes and was still talking, not shaking, and definitely not sweating. I have not been pushing myself with timed walks or faster paced walks -- it just happened. Josephine and the BoneSmart Mantra have it right!
And a shout-out to
@marcsgirl102 for your kind comments on this thread. I'm going to pop over to your thread and catch up. But, I so agree with you about this Forum -- it's absolutely wonderful!
Wishing everyone uneventful surgeries and rehabs!!!
United Kingdom
