18 month update
I haven't been on the forum for ages so I have decided that an update is well overdue.My recovery so far has been no bed of roses but I know that it could have been a whole lot worse.So to recap :-
All was well until I was 7 weeks when I strained my hip flexors just by twisting awkwardly which delayed my recovery by a few months and forced me to rest.I noticed an improvement after 3 months but found that every time I increased the activity and by that I mean just walking,the pain in the groin returned.Fast forward by a few months when an ultrasound diagnosed psoas tendinitis That was in January of this year.The OS referred me for physio and a cortisone injection.The physio found that the muscles around the hip were very weak and I started a programme of stretching and strengthening.Due to a very long waiting list I waited 5 months for the injection and by the time the appointment came I was a lot better but after a very busy period helping my mother move house the pain was back so I went ahead with the injection.It made no difference at all By this time I had been made aware that due to my very shallow hip socket the surgeon had done his best but the alignment of the prosthesis was not 100% and this was probably a contributing factor to the tendinitis.
At my last visit to the OS I was told that the degree of the misalignment was actually minuscule and that because the injection had brought me no relief it demonstrated that the inflammation had gone and I was left with scar tissue which was causing the discomfort.I was advised to carry on with the exercises.Well this was the turning point in my recovery as I felt that I could move forward without doing more damage.I was so happy as like many of you I was used to an active lifestyle before the hip problem and love walking and exercise.A big concern of mine was the negative impact that years of inactivity was having on my long term health and I had, had high expectations when I set out on this journey of recovery.
I am pleased to say that I am now attending a yoga class as well as a Pilates class which is taught by a very experienced and competent physio.I really enjoy both classes and it goes without saying that I am working at a very low level.Slow but sure.I can walk between 2 and 3 miles including gentle grassy inclines and on firm sand.I just love these walks out in the fresh air especially in my beloved Northumberland.
I still experience intermittent aching discomfort which is more like a sensation of pressure in my upper right thigh which I can live with and have accepted that this may be as good as it gets so any improvement will be a joyful bonus. Sadly, most of my pain comes from the other hip and knee but although it can be intense it is also intermittent and not as bad as the pain I had in the right hip before my replacement.Both X-rays and MRI show that my left hip is quite arthritic but as there is still adequate joint space I don't meet the criteria for a hip replacement at the point in time.
One other issue that I have is poor posture I have the typical bad hip gait of hyper lordosis with an exaggerated anterior tilt of the pelvis and I have to really count my lucky stars that I don't have low back pain as well.Hopefully the Pilates will help me improve this by improving core strength but I am considering signing up for a course of lessons in the Alexander technique and would love to hear from anyone who has tried this.
So to sum up: I am in a much better place and I am grateful for my new hip.I know that my recovery has been a lengthy one and but that doesn't matter as I am so grateful to be exercising and walking again now.I have no intentions of rushing things as one thing this experience has taught me is the art of patience.I felt so blessed earlier this week when I was able to chase my grandson around the garden and walk him to the park and for the first time help him on and off the slide.I am sure some of you will appreciate what a red letter day that was for me.
I hope all my Bonesmart friends are doing well and getting the best out of your new hips.I look back fondly to those early weeks when we had such fun on here. Thank you all for your support, advice and friendship.I don't know how I would have got through this without you.