Hello, everybody! Just thought I'd report in with an update. Am now almost 3.5 months post-op & am continuing to make progress, measured in baby steps as compared to many others (I know, I know -- we all proceed at our own pace, & so I am, & grateful FOR it!).
I'm still not completely cane-trained (I sound like a puppy!), but I could've worked harder & that numb foot discourages anything that feels too risky. I understand that a lot of this is anxiety-based; I can do it, but just need more practice to feel secure. I'm steadier on my feet in general though, now stand when showering, am driving everywhere, seeing ROM improvements (can bend & reach some interesting new places, not to mention pull up my pants!), am out more & walking longer, have had some more nerves "reawaken" on the bottom of my foot, & have completed home PT which never required me to tolerate pain, but produced results.
Saw my OS yesterday who pronounced my x-ray perfect with the requisite bone growth, & clarified that I did have the "anterior-lateral, muscle-sparing approach" (Î wasn't absolutely sure) with no restrictions apart from extending my leg backwards, & said I'm moving/walking much better. I had a few questions in which he was fully engaged & was quite chatty & personable. Next on the agenda: Out-patient PT at a facility with a lovely, gentle therapist I used before, for cane transition, gait, strength, et al. Both OS & home PT supervisor cautioned against doing anything painful -- Bonesmart would be proud!
Still no hip pain. Only complaint is mildly achy knee on op side (though not when walking), which seems to be triggered by shallow squats. I know it's arthritic, & certainly want to treat it with kid gloves, so to speak, as I'm not in the market for any more replacements except maybe my DH -- LOL, just kidding!
Hope this finds you all happily pain-free & progressing in your own unique way. For those still struggling post-op, please try to remember, as you endure continued pain, disability, dependence on others, the ongoing worry & inconvenience of it all, or the situational depression & emotional lability that comes with the territory, that you WILL get through this eventually & can lean on the support offered you here while you wait. And for those ladies & gentlemen waiting for their respective new parts, hope you're anticipating more than fearing this adventure; it's surely an interesting ride, but one with an almost universally guaranteed to-die-for safe landing! (Oops -- bad choice of words, methinks!)
Ellen
United States
Your optimism is contagious!
