THR Schaargi Hip #2 Nov. 2

[EditorER]

You have my full sympathy, @Schaargi. I’ve read about others who got relief from acupuncture. I always meant to try it, but never did. I think you are taking a very logical, scientific approach to figuring out what works best for your body. I’m hoping that as you look back at your progress week by week or month by month it will give you hope for future progress. Every increment helps!

 

[Mojo333]

We are rooting for you friend...I'm sorry it has been such a puzzle for finding what helps and what hinders.
Hope that backing off a bit may help.
Hope today is a good day.

 

[hopnfox]

I'm 7 1/2 weeks out, and having hip flexor, piriformis, and greater trochanter muscle issues. I can't put my left sock on yet ! I'm 57 and also feel like an old person! I can't walk very far, can't bend very well, and have totally lost muscle tone and flexibility-so I know exactly how you feel! I started PT this week and he has me on my back, with an exercise ball under my knees pulling it back and forth with my legs. I was amazed how much better I felt after that. He also has the ball under my legs and rolling the ball side to side to stretch my lower back and hips. It really feels good and this morning, I'm not sore at all from that. I do feel a tad less stiff. Please keep this post going so I know how you are doing and welcome any ideas you have! Hang in there, you are not alone!!!

 

[Schaargi]

I have my 6 month post surgery appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I'm nervous, as he was so dismissive the last time I saw him. I know that at 6 months, it's basically a perfunctory appointment where the surgeon just wants to know that everything is great.

Here's the whiny part : At 6 months now, things are not great. I'm barely keeping up with my 88 year old mom on our walks. (And no walks when it's snowy and icy out- neither of us can risk a fall).

Honestly, I know he doesn't want to hear it, especially if it is general aches and pains.

I'm so scared scared that I will always be in fear of falling and that I won't walk my dog or shovel my driveway again.

Any ideas on how to talk to him without alienating him? I know I am a bit whiny right now and I don't want him to shut down because of how I'm approaching it.

On another note, I did all my exercises this week (yay!) and there has been little change in my weird aches and pains (they aren't getting worse-yay?).

 

[EditorER]

@Schaargi, as hard as it is, you simply have to be honest with your surgeon and not worry about sounding whiny. Remember, you hired him, not the other way around. You can ask factual questions without accusation and expect straight answers. Be strong!

I have my 4-week check tomorrow. Theses OS visits are a big deal. I’m making my list of questions.

I hope you get all your questions answered tomorrow. Looking forward to a full report!

 

[Schaargi]

Had my 6-month appointment with the surgeon. I expressed concern with pain at night and during activities that utilize my hip flexors, with feeling fragile and weak, and with range of motion. He had me stand and sit back as though I were sitting in a chair and asked me to point out where my pain was. He showed me the model of the hip bones and where the muscle is that seems to be causing issues (it didn't seem to be where I am having trouble, but maybe it refers?).

He was not concerned at all with the pain I described, again suggesting a pillow between my knees.

He thinks I need to step up my activity level and that backing off of any of the exercises would be the a bad decision. He suggested I get a bike (my house is way too small) and said I need more resistance training. He wasn't really open to listening to my concerns or to listening to what I was actually doing (walking, gentle yoga and senior citizen exercise classes-- I am exercising an hour a day, 6 days a week with various activities) and told me that healing was up to me. I got the feeling that he doesn't think I'm working very hard at it. That might be true, but it's due to my fear of injuring myself.

I'm due for my 1-year appointment in 6 months.

It wasn't a terrible appointment, but I feel pretty alone in my journey. COVID isn't helping. Thanks for listening.

Sorry. I am feeling pretty down emotionally.

 

[Jaycey]

Wow - your surgeon sounds like a real motivator - NOT! Please don't feel bad about doing what you can. Sounds like you are active! One hour per day of exercise - that's more than many are doing at that stage. Is this guy as sports nut? He obviously thinks one side fits all.

I feel pretty alone in my journey

You are definitely not alone in this journey. We are with you all the way.

 

[Schaargi]

Thanks, @Jaycey, I appreciate it. Thinking back, he didn't even ask what I was doing; he just asked if I was glad at this point that I had had the surgery. I said, "Not yet, but I'm hopeful." I'm sure he was frustrated that he doesn't have a 100% satisfied customer. Maybe he didn't remember my nerve damage and approached it as a routine 6-month check?

Today I can joke about it (a little). To use an IT analogy, the surgeon designs and installs the hardware (bones and joints), the physical therapist deals with the softwase (soft tissue). In this case I met with the hardware guy and he INSISTS that the problem is caused by a user error. I want to know where the customer care specialist is. (hee hee)

I will re-examine whether I am truly being lazy, but I will continue to listen to my body.

That was ugly. Not looking forward to the 1-year appointment.

Thank you so much for being here!

 

[FCBayern]

It's lovely that you can still have a sense of humor about the whole thing @Schaargi. It seems like your OS expects every outcome to be the same, if so he's a fool in my opinion, some recoveries are going to be tougher than others. I have followed your recovery since the beginning and I don't believe you have been lazy. You had more challenges than others from the start, it's not surprising that your recovery may take a little longer. Please don't let the OS get you down, your recovery may take longer than some but that doesn't mean you can't have a very positive outcome. We'll be here cheering for you when that day comes.

 

[Schaargi]

Another week, another streak... of exercises.

My hip flexors continue to bother me, but it doesn't seem to be connected to my activity level. I am going to focus a bit more on flexibility this week in addition to what I'm doing. Baby steps....

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

[FCBayern]

Good job @Schaargi! Keep up the good work!

 

[Jaycey]

Well done on keeping a positive attitude @Schaargi ! You have come a long way!

 

[Mojo333]

I just had to remind myself often -
Tightness is a normal occurrence after this kind of major surgery. Your surgeon did major carpentry work and disturbed every millimeter of soft tissue in this area. You aren't tight because your muscle is underused and needs to be stretched and rehabbed. You're tight because your tissue is healing... If a long full step right now is causing pain and limping, don't take long full steps. Take smaller steps. Take a short walk several times a day, instead of longer walks. Use your cane. Use ice. Rest a lot.

This isn't the time to do anything to excess. You are right...Baby steps now, and lots of patience, pays off big time later. Recovering from self-induced tendinitis can end up taking weeks or months. Consider yourself as still recovering from surgery and structure your return to your life as a slow, gradual process where you introduce very small increments in activity, and then give yourself time to see how you react to it.
All temporary, and worth the patience.
Wishing you a good week.

 

[Schaargi]

@Mojo333. You're the best. Thanks for having my back.

I'm having a hard time understanding how it is that my "good" hip and other muscles (my neck and shoulder!) are hurting. Went on a short walk today and both hips were at a solid 6. I'm icing now.

 

[Mojo333]

It's always better when the ones who have "limped the limp" can encourage.
You are a sweet, supportive member and I wish nothing but good for you.
Keep the faith.

 

[Schaargi]

Well, I might have stumbled on an answer to my own question --groin pain on the "good" side. I found an article in the BoneSmart library regarding how weakness on one side can pop out on the other side. I thought I would post the link here in case others are having the same issue.

Groin pain/good hip

I had a right anterior hip replacement 6 months ago. I was doing really well when I went on a trip and did a lot of walking. For the past 3 days, I've had groin pain on the "good" side. I keep thinking it was from overdoing the walking. But why would the pain be on the good side? Anyone have any...

bonesmart.org

Adductor/groin pain exercises

https://www.burlingtonsportstherapy.com/blog/preventing-the-pulled-groin/

bonesmart.org

 

[Schaargi]

Exercises done for the week!

The exercises don't seem to affect the pain either way, although I spent Christmas Eve driving all over the state of Colorado acting as Santa's elf, dropping off gifts for family members who wouldn't be visiting. All day in the car? No hip flexor/groin pain whatsoever. Being in my feet much of the day on Christmas? Ouch. I will continue to over think this until it goes away.

 

[FCBayern]

Good job on the exercises @Schaargi Riding in the car was a bugaboo for me for 10 months or more, so that is a good accomplishment. Being on your feet will come with time.

 

[Layla]

All day in the car? No hip flexor/groin pain whatsoever.

Wow! Shocker!

Riding in the car was a bugaboo for me for 10 months or more,

Not sure about ten months for me, but definitely not pleasant beyond about 30 minutes for several months, at least.
@Schaargi maybe the “in and out” is what saved you. I always assumed the misery was brought on due to the inability to shift position easily, or for any length of time in such a confined space.

It seems you’re doing great! I hope you have a nice holiday week.
Wishing you a

 

[Schaargi]

All day in the car? No hip flexor/groin pain whatsoever.

Wow! Shocker!

Yeah, which leads me to believe it's an offshoot kind of pain, not directly related to my surgery but a result of weird muscle imbalances that are popping out elsewhere. It's a puzzle and quite annoying since I can't quite pinpoint it. Thanks for being there! Here's to a great,2021!