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THR Sharon's Anniversary Waltz

sharonslp. so sorry about the death in your family. You're right about everything else fading in importance.
Hope you feel better soon. And I HATE legs lifts, too.
 
sharonslp, snap!

We are both down with chest infections... Now us I can understand we are in winter, but you are in summer, do you think you contracted it on the ship?

So sorry to hear about the death in your family, take care of yourself friend :)
 
Hi Sharon,

Are you doing the foam roller for the IT band tightness?

I'm not sure I know what your leg lifts are -- side lying w/ straight leg, on back with straight leg? Would you like them better if they were standing leg lifts like the four way with theraband version? Those were always my favorties!!

[Bonesmart.org] Sharon's Anniversary Waltz


Good news on the knees!! :)
Take care,
Cardie
 
Hi C Mac No, no foam roller, at least not yet. PT is a lot of hands on stretching and even some massage. My leg lifts last Friday were done lying down...just like right after surgery. I was surprised at how difficult they became after the first five or so. He had me do 30, and I was badly sore all weekend. Today we backtracked to do just warm up and stretching, and I felt much better after.

I remember those standing leg lifts with the therabands....I used to do them when I had PT before my THRs. I was surprised I never got those assigned again, but I am going to PT in a different place, so I guess they have different methods. I think I still have my old theraband. Maybe I'll pull it out later, when I get past all this soreness.

Sharon
 
Sharon, I really wouldn't recommend the foam roller in your case. At least, not right now. Get that hip to calm down and stop barking at you first. I would also approach ADduction exercises with extreme caution.
 
And the week goes on.....

Physical therapy is a mixed bag so far. The stretching feels good. The hands on massage that is supposed to help move fluid out feels good. Most of the exercises feel.....like exercise, but they don't feel bad. After the day with too many leg lifts, I am resolved to JUST SAY NO as soon as I feel like I've had enough reps. Most of the time, I can manage fine....did clamshells today, and it was like coming home to an old and dear friend. I like clamshells.

But I have felt like I was slammed backwards this whole week. Thigh stiffness and aching, plus inflamed bursa....I feel fragile. I do keep reminding myself that I've also spent the past week fighting with a sinus infection (did end up on an antibiotic, and I DO feel much better, but I am still coughing too much.) And I've spent the past week processing a death....one that was expected but is still upsetting for a variety of reasons. I'll be leaving tomorrow....we are driving to Colorado for the memorial service on Saturday. Two full days of driving each way....but this is a place nestled in the mountains, and finding a flight schedule that was at all workable (don't even ask about price!!!!!!) was stressfully challenging. My SO suggested driving, and since he does all the driving, that was just fine with me.

And maybe it will be good to be off my feet for the next five days. I think I've been hit with the dreaded plantar fasciitis. I've felt some pain brewing for several months.....it was a bit worse after the plane trip home from Fairbanks, when I had to stand in line for a LONG time at the airport. It seemed okay during my dance weekend, but maybe I was masking it with meds. Since I've started PT though, it's gotten steadily worse...and today for the first time ever, I couldn't even complete my usual walk. So now it's got my full attention.


Anyway, alexthecat I hear you clearly on the foam roller. But I'm confused about the adduction exercises. Leg lifts....are those for adduction? They have been absent from the repertoire since the one day. But what else? I did an exercise today where I did a small kick backwards (standing up). Is that adduction? I monitored myself carefully....it didn't feel painful at all....in fact, it felt good to do it. Also, my PT had me lie on the table and drop my leg off to stretch the front of the thigh.....this is probably my favorite thing to do in the whole world! I love this stretch! Is this adduction? Why is there a concern about this? What do I need to watch out for? How do I back off my therapist if this is a problem? (Oh, this expert I know on the internet told me it's not a good idea......well, no, I don't know her in person....but I know she's an expert......)

At least I get some quality time with my kids and grandgirls this weekend. The one good thing that comes out of a funeral is that it brings family together. With my kids scattered across the country, I will take any opportunity that comes along. See you all next week.

Sharon
 
Sharon, adduction just means brings the affected leg toward or across midline. I'm guessing that you probably aren't drawn to those sorts of exercises because they don't feel very good to you right now. It's not the sort of thing you can push through. Just listen to your instincts on that one.

Regarding the long trek to Colorado... do you have a lumbar cushion? I think that might help you stay more comfortable during the drive.
 
Hi Sharon,

It sounds like maybe it's a good time to have a 5 day break. Remember your ice packs, they may be helpful on the long car ride and while you are away from home as well. Good news is you can do some clam shells while you're gone if you feel so inclined, since you like them :)

I can't remember if you mentioned having back issues or not. My yoga teacher and my husband both have dealt with what they thought was plantar fascitis but was really referred pain that was originating from the L5S1 areas of their backs. My husband has spondylolisthesis and my yoga teacher as a more complex spinal condition with surgical fusion that has created foot pain. Maybe your foot issue is coming from above -- hip and/or back.

Glad you'll be with your family for a while and sorry to hear about the death that is bringing you all together.
Take care & drive/ride safely,
Cardie
 
Sharon,
Sorry about the loss. My thoughts are with you. I was just catching up on your posts and wow! Kudos to you for your game plan but sorry to hear all you have been going through. Hope things start going better and I am soooo with you on those leg lifts! I just started them in PT for an Achilles issue and they are definitely NOT my favorite.
Good luck!
 
I am home briefly after an emotional weekend....but emotional in mostly good ways. As is so often the case in a death, family draws closer and this is always gratifying. And so often a death seems to be paired with a birth....NOT the case here, but something similar. We lost a family member, but my daughter announced her engagement at the end of the weekend, and so we are gaining a family member. (Plus the opportunity for MORE grandchildren, but I only mentioned the G word once and now I have to abstain for the duration.)

For the five days I was gone, I did no exercises and spent much of the time in the car. This resulted in lots of inflammation dying down, and I was really quite comfortable. I'm having more pain on the bottom of my foot than anywhere else (plantar fasciitis? Tendinitis?) Seeing my podiatrist is on my to-do list as soon as life calms down. Wouldn't it be nice if a simple orthotic resolved this?

Yesterday I returned to PT. They were gentle with me....lots of the hands-on massage which frankly I love. I got in a good walk yesterday, and if it stops raining, I could do the same today. Or....I suppose I could go use the treadmill in my complex's exercise room. I really have to get in the habit of doing that all winter long, so why not start now? Yes, good idea.

We leave again on Friday for yet another road trip....this time to Kansas to visit my SO's daughter and grandchildren. I've given up unpacking my bags.....just throw clothes in the laundry and I'm good to go again. Can't tell anymore if I'm coming or going, but this is the season for travel and family, so I just go wherever the car is taking me.

Dee205 I think I've ruled out the achilles tendon. Now I'm wondering if I will need PT for the foot issue, and can I do it concurrently with the IT band stuff, or will it have to wait? Good luck with yours. :)

C Mac I get bits of low back strain now and again, but nothing that sticks around or alarms me. I am leaning toward a theory of tendinitis which might be originating in tight calf muscles, but it's probably time to let a professional evaluate the situation. Getting tired of everything connected to the everything!!

alexthecat Yes, you are spot on as usual. I was given an exercise to do at home that involves crossing my leg over the midline, and it hurts right away and so I stopped doing it right away. They also gave me an alternative which simply involves lying on my side and dropping the top leg behind the other....much more doable and actually feels like a good stretch. Thanks for the clarification and peace of mind. (Write that book!)

Off to the treadmill mines...
Sharon
 
Pleased to have you back Sharon, even if you just come back to do the laundry and take off again. Miss you girl :)
 
On my evening walk today, there were multiple flocks of birds, headed you know where. I guess it's official that summer is pretty much done....in spite of the high temps and balmy nights we've still been having. This has been an eventful summer, packed with highs and lows, and on balance....way more of the good stuff. I'll take that.

I seem to be done with PT. I finished out the four weeks my OS ordered, and the PT and I agreed that I should continue a bit longer, so they called my OS to see if he'd order more. I don't know if the request got lost in somebody's slush pile, or if he didn't approve it, or what, but he never called in another order, so I have stopped. Which is actually fine by me. I guess it helped somewhat....at least it didn't harm me....but I don't really feel like I was going anywhere useful. (And fairness compels me to admit that I was pretty much a slacker about doing the home exercises.) Instead, I have filled in the slack with a visit to my osteopathic manipulation doctor, who did WONDERS for one of my feet (she said oh, your cuboid bone is out of place. Here, I've put it back. See how that goes. It has gone much better!)


I've also been splurging on a weekly massage to work specifically on the glute muscles, IT bands, and muscles of the legs and feet. After just two sessions, it feels way more productive than the PT. Judging by my pedometer, my walking has increased significantly....my mile a day is now up to two miles, still split up between two or three walks a day. My stride feels loose and limber and satisfying. I confessed to her (massage therapist) that I was very erratic on keeping up with the PT exercises. But I promised her that if she assigned me just one exercise....only one....I would do it faithfully for the next week. She wants me to strengthen my gluteus medius muscle (I do believe she is channeling alexthecat) by doing 30 reps a day of lying on my tummy and activating the muscle...hold for 3 seconds....relax. I'm actually very curious to see what a week of this will accomplish. This is not something my PT ever suggested I do. I don't know if that's good or bad or neither.

BUT....I also went back on Celebrex for the past ten days. I just needed a break from pain. I'll probably stay on it for another couple of weeks....traveling this weekend, and again in two weeks. After that, I'll taper it off again and see how it goes. It should be noted though that I had a massage today, and I did NOT take my pill, and I felt great today.

I wander around the hip forum, handing out advice and wisdom, but really....I'm as confused as all of us. I go searching for more information, and I see that one expert contradicts another expert. Take meds/don't take meds. Stretches are good/stretches are bad. Orthotics good/orthotics bad. Use ice/use heat. Take this supplement/don't take this supplement. Wear good supportive shoes/go barefoot. Eat carbs/don't eat carbs. Stay away from sugar, but chocolate is good for you. I try out some recommendations, and try to let common sense get me through the tangle.

But mostly I count my blessings. In spite of the pain issues, I function well almost all of the time. When I don't, I am able to take a pill and get relief. My complaints are really on the very small side.

So hope all the US bonesmarties have a happy and healthy holiday weekend....give summer a great send-off. Hope the international community has a happy and healthy weekend...who needs a holiday to have some fun anyway?

Sharon
 
sharonslp.You hit the the nail on the head when you say this recovery is so confusing and its so difficult know if we are doing the right things or too much or not enough as it seems like the body is just as unpredictable as the advice given to us.Its great news that you are feeling the benefit from your massages and you are walking more easily.Enjoy your holiday weekend.
 
I'm happy I didn't do too much research when I had my hip done. I do wish someone had warned me about pain meds and the resulting constipation (had to find out the hard way:heehee: ). I had just enough PT in hospital to get discharged. Was home a week before inhome PT could get to my house (snow and ice storm). Did 11 sessions of inhome PT, and then just got on with living my life. I have never had any issues with my hip. I do count my blessings. Really, if it were not for the forum, I would almost never think of it.

The aches and pains I do have are all related to getting older---but it beats the alternative, and they are a reminder that I am alive and kicking.
 
sharonslp said:
But I promised her that if she assigned me just one exercise....only one....I would do it faithfully for the next week. She wants me to strengthen my gluteus medius muscle (I do believe she is channeling alexthecat) by doing 30 reps a day of lying on my tummy and activating the muscle...hold for 3 seconds....relax. I'm actually very curious to see what a week of this will accomplish. This is not something my PT ever suggested I do. I don't know if that's good or bad or neither.
Click to expand...

Hi Sharon,

This portion of your message also reminds me of our Cyborg Charlie (whom I seem to be unable to tag...). Remember when he used to remind us to "crack walnuts" between the checks of our bums as we were walking?? Just another way of doing the 1 exercise that you promised your PT gal you'd do, only it's just part of your walking routine. :)

I hope this helps too,
Cardie
 
Cardie, it does help! Because in spite of my good intentions, I haven't made it to 30 any day, and while I was traveling, I missed two days entirely. So really, why can't I do while I'm brushing my teeth, or peeling carrots, or folding laundry?

C Mac
 
Time for a good catch-up, and since I'm up in the wee hours because sinus drainage is making me cough, this seems like a good time. (I went through this cough last year at the same time. Am I allergic to October?)

Mostly I seem to be in a status quo holding position regarding any pain due to bursitis and/or IT band inflammation. Generally going drug-free, with certain exceptions. Lots of stiffness which is much better with movement, so I make an effort to move more. Winter is on the horizon....that's a problem for me. I do have easy access to a treadmill, and I know I have no one but myself to blame if I don't use it on inclement days. There are days when pain flares up more than usual, but they are pretty infrequent. I am still getting bi-weekly massages which I feel are enormously helpful. I'll probably stretch to monthly, starting next month. So things are not perfect, but they are reasonable and manageable.

Pain in my feet due to what I think is plantar fasciitis had been responding quite well to both the massages, and treatment from my osteopathic physician. She keeps my cuboid bones in proper position, along with the rest of me, and the pain has become pretty low-level...sometimes even pain-free.

BUT...I just had the most pleasurable but also most painful four days and I hope it didn't set me back too much. Seven years ago, when my first granddaughter was born, I told my kids that I wanted to take her to Disney World when she turned seven. (And of course, any subsequent grandchildren when they turned seven.) I started planning the trip in great detail over the past year, and last Thursday, Abby and I embarked on our journey. We had the bestest time! I feel so privileged to have been allowed to share this trip with this unique little person who is so dear to me. When we left on Thursday, I was a little sad, because I knew it would be over and done so quickly....I wanted to savor every second. I did savor, but even though it was over and done too quickly, the memories already feel like a rich, savory soup. We both hated to leave, and yet we were both happy to come home to our normal life. Win win.

That's the pleasure part. But it was also so very hard! I knew that there would be a tremendous amount of walking, and also a lot of waiting in lines, and I worried a bit about how I would handle it. I started back on Celebrex a few days ahead of time, and counted on it to get me through...along with tylenol if necessary. It was necessary! On our first day, my pedometer told me I walked 18000 steps. We avoided any attractions with terribly long waits....nothing over 20 minutes. But 20 minutes of just standing completely does me in. By the end of the evening, bursitis was agonizing, my lower back was agonizing, and my feet were agonizing. I took more tylenol, and hoped that I could walk the next morning.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Friday was way more comfortable. It was an easier day all around; less walking (only 13000 steps), and far less standing. I breathed a sigh of relief and thought I was over the worst. Saturday went well until the evening, when a toenail that had been treated several years ago for being ingrown suddenly started acting up. I was limping by the end of the evening, and it continued on Sunday. It is still sore now after a day at home, so I guess I'll be calling my podiatrist in a few hours.

I wanted the trip to be perfect for Abby, and I think that it was, but I'm very glad to be back home where I can nurse my aches and pains in private. I will do this again in two years, with the next grandchild in line....and then three more times at least....and I am starting to wonder if I can keep my pledge. This past year has been filled to the brim with both good and bad events, and I feel like I've aged . So I figure I have two years to get me in better condition.

Life should settle down a bit now. I have one more trip planned for Thanksgiving, to my daughter in Tennessee, but that will be low-stress. And then I start law school in January. If all goes well, I won't be traveling much for the next five years! Just quick weekends to see my out-of-state kids and grandkids (and several trips to Disney World!!!). I hope the trade-off is worth it....if it's not....then I guess I'll have hard decisions to make. But isn't that always the case?

Did anyone notice that I never once mentioned hips? My hips are fine! Pain in a lot of other places, but these hips are going strong.
 
Hi Sharon. I have been reading through your thread. I am glad that your hips are great! But I had some thoughts. Maybe when you know that you are going to have a high activity level you could take the NSAIDS to keep things in check? I know that I am going to have to take NSAIDS when I am working.

My back doctor said pretty much what your OS said (I have had chronic back pain since 2001). " When you find a medicine that works for you, why wouldn't you take it? ". I told him my concerns about side effects etc., and he said i just need to have regular blood tests to monitor. It is all confusing and a personal choice of course. He also said that everyone is so concerned about being natural, but what they are forgetting is that chronic pain is a natural part of being human, and medication can help get you out of that pain. So obviously his opinion was that I should take the medication. There are some risks, but there are also risks with being in pain which in turn leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Not everyone will have the bad side effects. Many do not. There are also risks with surgeries because they don't always work. I have been told that it is a balancing act.
 
sharonslp glad to hear you had a great time with your granddaughter and no hip pain!! That's great!!!
What a wonderful Grandmother you are!!! Your granddaughter will remember that vacation the rest of her life.
Sorry you had pain with your bursitis and/or IT band area. Have you tried using a foam roller for the IT band muscle? What does your massage therapist think about using a foam roller?
 
sharonslp I have been invited to accompany my daughter's family to Disney World next summer and you have made me decide to accept! I will go well armed with pain meds and I thank you for posting this.
 
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