THR New hip 3/7/12

[Z15]

Cathy,

Happy New Year to you too...

So sorry to hear that you are not is a happy place...and based on your description I can certainly appreciate the why...

I think that you know I am a big fan of good PT. I have been amazed on numerous occasions when one of these smarties notices that little something that I do or how i move and they say... Hey, let me check something. They have been right more times than not.

But it sounds like you may have received a pretty major change to your geometry and the pieces got bumped a little bit out of whack like domino pieces....one after the other. If you have not tried a new PT (and you can) I would certainly want a new set of eyes looking at how i do things.

And ( i almost hate to ask) have you been tested recently for Lyme? A sudden onset of arthritis like symptoms, especially here in New England is always worth considering. My son's first symptoms (and he had it pretty bad) were arthritis like. Fortunately his orthopedist thought Lyme immediately...in your case I could see how they might think it is something else.

I know you are a fighter and won't give up...just keep looking for the answers...and the warmer days of Spring (btw..when is Spring in Vt...around July?? )

Be well, and keep us posted,

Z

 

[welshjane]

Oh Cathy, I'm not posting in the forum much these days, but I just had to write to you to offer you some support. My heart goes out to you, it really does. I'm so, so sorry to hear that you are hurting. Z's observation about Lyme's disease might be an interesting lead, especially considering its prevalence in your neck of the woods. I personally can't really help, I'm afraid, except to say that we're here for you, as you know. My only constructive thought would be acupuncture, though I hear that you're not a fan. But there's acupuncture and acupuncture, as I'm sure you're aware. If you find someone who is really well trained in Traditional Chinese acupuncture, it's hard to beat. I'm now seeing an acupuncturist for internal radiotherapy damage, and it's the only thing that seems able to help. I'm having to go on a weekly basis at present, as it doesn't 'hold' for more than a day or two, but I firmly believe that he'll put me right in the end. And this is from someone who hates the sight of needles! So it might be worth another look? In the meantime, dear Cathy, I just want to say that I admire your positive attitude in the face of pain and frustration, and I send you the warmest wishes. May 2013 be the year you find the answers.

Jane

 

[Anniepops]

Hi Cathy,

I haven't been posting much at all this past month due to personal difficulties but I do still read to see how everyone is doing and I was so pleased to see you had posted I had to reply.

I am so sorry to hear you are not still where you would like to be right now and now you also have other issues but I was happy to see that you are still the old fighting Cathy who will not let this thing beat you.

You were doing so well in September which makes me believe you can get back to that point again.......there must be a reason for things going a bit awry and I am hoping with all of my heart that you can get to the bottom of this and find yourself improving once again.

I also want to echo your comments on how the bonesmarties got you through this journey, I have said it before and I will say it again....I don't know how I would have got through it all without the help and support of all the lovely peeps on here. Please keep posting, you know we are all rooting for you big time.

Take care and stay strong my friend

Ann
Xxx

 

[Poppet]

.As I enter 2013, I am grateful for a roof over my head, heat in the winter, the time to heal without a lot of $ stress, a supportive partner to move through life with, a family who loves me and the mobility I DO have. I am also grateful for those on this site who have been a part of my recovery this past year. You have been truly amazing and I don't know what I would have done without all of you along the way. I RESOLVE to keep on moving forward and to try to focus on the glass half full part of life no matter how hard the glass half empty calls to me.

Hiya Cathy, We can't have our two warrior girls you and @cMac down.

Not fair!

Happy New Year honey it will be a better year, you will get better, your glass will overflow. I just know you will improve, we are going to put this request out to the universe.. The circle will work! VThereandnow

 

[VThereandnow]

Thank you, all of you!!! And yes Z15 I am pondering a new PT-good suggestion, and thank you for your always steady support. Anniepops, thanks for stopping by. All I can do is keep trying. I still think it has a lot to do with LLD. I have the most I can put in my shoe at the moment. I have not been back to surgeon in a while, and don't think there is anything major wrong, but I might at least talk to him and see what he says. welshjane thanks and yes, you are right, there is acupuncture and there is acupuncture, so I guess it is worth another try, maybe even just to balance out a bit. I am sure my meridians are blocked in many areas. Poppet yes, the circle can work and I so appreciate the healing energy coming from OZ and always do.

2013 start in the right direction. Back to eating healthy starting now, done with the treats and sugar. Talked Cheryl into signing up with me for a yoga class called Yoga for Buddah Bodies haha. Though i have done some yoga in the past, this one is for very beginners with no expectations which i need right now due to limited mobility. emailed instructor and she is ok with my limits as long as i know what they are. Am looking into new PT. Have some pool time left that I purchased at PT place and am going today at 1:00 and will use up my visits up in a consistent way. Started the day with getting back to my morning meditation - back to the breadth as they say.

I was pretty down yesterday, and that's ok, need to feel what I feel, and today I am using all of your positive energy to pick back up and "keep on moving forward". Thanks again to all of you-I really needed it

 

[bottomshollow]

Cathy said, "I still think it has a lot to do with LLD. I have the most I can put in my shoe at the moment."

Cathy, I want to suggest that you do something specific about your LLD. Putting lifts inside your shoe is not the best way to deal with this. I found that putting lifts inside was not really comfortable---I was always aware that there was something there---I did not feel "normal". I finally bit the bullet and spent the money to have lifts placed on the sole of my left shoes--5/8" lifts. Both shoes feel the same on my feet and I am totally unaware of having a lift. I can walk "normally" and feel level and even and completely forget that one shoe has a higher sole. And I don't think anyone else every notices the difference.

I admit that I was very unhappy in the beginning when I realized that my LLD was not perceived but real. But I'm a realist and a cockeyed optimist, so I just accepted it and went with the best fix for it. I really only think about it when I go barefooted too long and my back makes me pay.

I use American Heelers. I found them online; they are in Ohio. They do excellent work and are quite reasonable pricewise compared to local orthortic businesses in my area who want twice as much or more. They can add a lift to any type of shoe.

I hope 2013 is your best year ever.

 

[Giraffe44]

Hang in there, Cathy. I'm only 7 weeks along but I know what you mean about the pain. Mine is comparable or a little worse than before surgery. We can only believe that it gets better but who knows how long it will take. At least Vermont is beautiful in the winter (if you don't have to drive).

 

[djklaugh]

(((Cathy))) I am so sorry to hear you are continuing to have pain and problems with mobility! And drat! another shoulder problem - no wonder you are feeling frustrated and down! There are a lot of good suggestions here and I sure hope you find one or two that really help! I think of you often and remember fondly the fun of meeting up with you in Vermont I will continue to send you good vibes

 

[tashia]

Cathy, Sorry you are not feeling the best. Life has a way of getting your attention if things are not just right. I know you will be able to get it done. Feeling under the weather is normal when you are so tired of trying to fix things and just isn't right. I send you all the postive waves I can. Take care. Tashia

 

[VThereandnow]

Thanks djklaugh for stopping by. You be sure to let me know when your surgery is and if you needs any recovery advice on that.

Thanks Giraffe44, I'll have to stop by and read about your recovery. Just keep in mind I am more the exception. Many who had surgery in my timeline are doing just fine, and that early pain of yours will subside. The first 2 wks are the worst and then you will get better and better every day and in less and less pain too.

Thanks tashia for your always steady positive support.

Thanks bottomshollow actually my PT was saying I might want to try to get one pair of shoes done to give it a try. How do you end up knowing how high to get it though? I have 1/2 inch in there now, but just a heel lift. Is it hit or miss or did someone measure you?

P.s. I miss that happy gal in the kayak

 

[bottomshollow]

Cathy, I just figured it out by standing upright on my longer leg and then slipping various things like post-it pads or paperbacks under my heel 'til it felt even and then measured myself. Probably not the best way, but I didn't want to pay to have it done at the doctor's office---and since the OS was so surprised by it to begin with, I didn't put much faith in him or his office. It has worked out fine for me.

I also wanted a pair of just cheap flip flops for summer--but didn't want to pay to have a lift put on--so I bought two pair at Wal-Mart, removed the piece to slide you toe in on the second left one and super glued that sole onto the first left. Worked like a charm---wore them all summer and they're good to go for this coming summer. I used the other extra on a pair of bedroom slippers. Neither of these is exactly 5/8" but it is good enough that the slight difference is hardly perceptible. And it was an inexpensive solution for shoes I didn't want to put bucks into.

Picture above shows how American Heelers have split the sole and inserted the lift and placed the sole back on the bottom so that both shoes have the same feel when you stand in them. VThereandnow

 

[C Mac]

Hi Cathy,

Well, my PT used to call it yo-yoing -- the phenomenon we experience when things are going along well and then we have a period of time when we bottom out and aren't doing as well. It changes over time -- in the beginning it's more like the energy drain, as time progresses it's more like the crush of the mack truck... especially when we have other parts of our body that are troubled.

Since you describe a lot of your pain being in the SI joint you might want to have your PT person asses whether some of your LLD issues are coming from pelvic tilt and/or rotation of your spine. Did you wear a lift prior to your THR? You know, your OS may be able to assess you for LLD issues as well as doing a standing x-ray of your pelvis and lower spine to see how that is playing in to your issues.

You mention the tight IT band and quads that are taking the brunt of walking since other muscles are weakened. Are you on the foam roller??? In addition to rolling the IT band I sometimes roll the front on my legs -- the quads, to assess their soreness. Maybe alexthecat might have some suggestions for your situation too.

I hope that you and Cheryl enjoy the yoga class!! I'm trying to get my mojo going for an adaptive yoga class, it will be a tiny step up from my ATM/Feldenkrais class.

Here's to feeling like a 50, instead of 80 year old, sometime this year... (for me and maybe you too)
Cardie

 

[alexthecat]

You mention the tight IT band and quads that are taking the brunt of walking since other muscles are weakened. Are you on the foam roller??? In addition to rolling the IT band I sometimes roll the front on my legs -- the quads, to assess their soreness. Maybe alexthecat might have some suggestions for your situation too.

Sorry if I missed this. I only had time to skim over the recent entries in your thread quickly. What are the specific muscles that are weakened? What are you doing to strengthen them? Have you consulted a PT or other qualified professional about that? I think that is the direction to be thinking... getting to the root of the problem, rather than treating the symptoms.

 

[VThereandnow]

bottomshollow thanks for your feedback. Not sure I am ready to send my shoes away though will not be opposed if it comes to that.

Thanks alexthecat for stopping by, bottom line, can't seem to get the glute med to strengthen the way it should, or so says my PT -- in and out of PT both land and water, have and am doing all the regular clams, strait leg lifts bla bla bla...and she feels there are certain things I cannot progress to if I cannot even stand on the affected leg unsupported. I can walk without cane in house but take it everywhere else because I cannot go far without. Seems a few months back when trying to wean off cane, it moved me back. Was up to 6 blks without cane but then structurally it seemed to put pressure on my outer leg and it strained that. Just can't walk right is my main issue.

C Mac just got a roll and have started gently rolling. I moved up my year appt with surgeon to see if he has any suggestions or is willing to help figure out LLD. It is now end of month instead of March. Right now no PT, just finishing out my visits to the therapy pool and pondering, as Z suggested, a new PT for a different look. Had a massage yesterday and then Yoga, whew, I felt like a big lug, the way I have to move around and get up and down etc, but it was a very supportive environment and I felt ok. OMG I am so inflexible these days? The woman really wants to work with me on being able to do it and wants me to think about what felt good and what didn't and wants me to email her so she can think about modifications. She said it would be a learning experience for her too. She was very sweet, reminded me of my niece. Going to pay attention today and tomorrow on how the body speaks back. So far, it is my back that hurts today. Even though I cannot say it felt good, I feel it is important to start something so my body does not seize up any more than it has. Oh yeah, and I made an appt to have my shoulder evaluated, but let's not go there right now haha.

Thanks all, I really appreciate it.
All I can do it try to keep on trucking

 

[alexthecat]

Unfortunately, I can't make any suggestions without some sort of idea what is going on with your hip. It's good that you are seeing your OS soon. I hope you are prepared to be very firm with him. He needs to work with you to get to the bottom of this or you need to find someone who will. He works for you and he needs to do his job. Don't let him tell you that the X-rays look fine and push you out the door.

 

[C Mac]

:iagree: Well, I do agree with what Alex says above -- but just be prepared in case this is the response that you get from your OS. But, that will be workable as long as what the OS says is the issue is soft tissue adaptation and that your hardware is ok. My OS never really wanted to try to get to the bottom of any of my issues but was supportive of all the other professionals that I was working with to try to make my hip work better for me... Hopefully you'll have a different experience with your OS!!

The woman really wants to work with me on being able to do it and wants me to think about what felt good and what didn't and wants me to email her so she can think about modifications. She said it would be a learning experience for her too.

So, this is the yoga teacher that you are referring to - right? If you feel that she doesn't have enough experience in the modifications that you may need for your particular hip & issues you could also try to work individually with a more experienced yogi that has a full compliment of modifications right off the top of their head -- you don't really want to be someone's learning experience... (well, I wouldn't want to be...). You can come back to a class at a later point if it feels like too much right now.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[Poppet]

Cathy, hiya girl... Got to spend some time catching up reading through your post, but just letting you know I am thinking of you

 

[DallasSarah]

Happy New Year Cathy!

This is crappy you are having to deal with these issues! I like the idea of seeing your OS especially on the LLD I would think or hope X-rays can answer that part and then he can offer advice. Your shoulder might be worth a visit to a shoulder specialist. I messed with my shoulder a few years ago, no clue what I had done...I think it was from hectic traveling lugging my bag around, I ignored it and finally it basically froze up, I couldn't even put on my bra strap and sleeping was impossible, which is not a good thing we all know this. Once I saw Dr it was healed in a week they gave me some steroid pill. You are brave on the yoga adventure especially with how you are feeling, WOW I hope I'm not sounding negative, my perception is you a super active busy out going lady. I completely agree with a new PT or find a trainer that has experience with hip, knee folks like us. I've been doing the trainer now for about 6-8 weeks and we have had our ups and downs, I have limitations, her knowledge is excellent as there are times or types of exercises I'm not ready to do so she will shift it to something else. We always seem to work on the core (pain in bum for me) and she always has been standing with my eyes closed, then on one leg but very slowly and in the beginning I was awful, now I can stand on one leg with my eyes closed. Is also like retraining ones whole body to adjust and work with the new hip, think of the years of bad habits created to cater to the PRE surgery pain. My other new toy is a spinning bike and I'm just getting to the point that I can raise up and cycle....it's sounds fancy but it's been a long journey of lots of baby steps and building confidence. To rebuild your gluteus will take time, I'm sad you are discouraged and will keep you in my thoughts. I think the key will be to find new ways to do a little exercise then it will help build you up. Hope I didn't babble to much!

Sending you lots of good thoughts!

xxoo

 

[rider1960]

Cathy, I popped in at the forum for a minute after not being around for a while and I was so sad to hear you are having so many problems. Gosh! You have been through the mill with this recovery, and still have a ways to go.

I think visiting your OS will be a big help in getting to the bottom of this. Sounds like you have some unusual complications going on and a physician needs to get involved. PT's and other allied health professionals can only do so much. You need the entire package, including the physician.

I don't know if it will help or not--you are not alone. You know I've been dealing with my own problems with hip number 2. I'm continuing to look for answers and am moving on to a sports medicine MD for help with the muscle and tendon injuries. I go through the same kind of thing every day--wanting to be healed and get my life back SO BAD! I'm trying to live normally when I don't feel normal yet. Few people understand.

It's so difficult to be in this position. It's such a feeling of helplessness and confusion about what to do.

Keep us posted about how things go.

Dorothy

 

[tashia]

I came over to see how you are doing. I know you started doing Yoga. I did it before all my joints couldn't bend and I couldn't get of the floor. I also need to get back. I do hope things are getting better. I will send you some postive ways if you send me some. I have a root canal tomarrow and I am not looking forward to it at all. We are both I think on the slow path but we will get there. Take care. Tashia