1 month post op

It’s been just over a month and things are starting to return to normal. I’m now able to walk here and there, albeit not that far, with an ever-improving range of movement. Extension is still pretty limited but it’s good enough that I don’t have to limp. I’ve been using the exercise bike for 10-15 minutes a day (low resistance) just to get the blood flowing and to keep my muscles working, which feels great.

The two incision wounds have healed and all that remains are quite minor pinky scars, which will soon be almost invisible anyway (having hairy legs has its benefits). The scar tissue beneath the skin is a little lumpy, particularly at the anterior portal, but it’s only noticeable when you apply pressure so it’s no big deal.

I still can’t be sure, but I’m feeling more and more confident that the original problem still exists. Particular sensations prior to surgery, like a feeling I get when turning in bed, have semi returned. Also, I went into the attic yesterday (yes, I’m well enough to climb a ladder… kinda) and I thought I felt the old problem. Things still aren’t 100% right after the traction stretching though, which is why I’m not certain about whether or not the old issue is still there. As I said in my last post, and as I have to keep reminding myself, it's too early to know for sure.

Last weekend the new post-surgery issue in my leg returned for a second time. In a way, I’m glad it did as it’s given me valuable information. Since this has happened a second time, I’m confident that the feeling is the same as what I get in/around my hip, just in a different place. If we’re able to find out what the leg problem is, I have hope that they’ll find the hip problem. There are a few possibilities to investigate with physio (ITBS and Snapping Hip Syndrome, for example) at my next appointment.

I’m really looking forward to talking things over with my surgeon and chatting with physiotherapists who know a lot about these things (I’m pretty sure the last lot didn’t). My appointment is on Friday (29th Jan) at the Duchy Hospital and I’ll post an update shortly afterwards.

Get well soon, Louise.

3 weeks post op - Has it been successful?

My surgeon advised that I may feel the same/similar symptoms for 2-3 months post op, so it’s really too early for me to say for sure, but there are a few things leading me to think that the surgery didn’t fix the problem…

• The surgeon found no damage posteriorly. This is where my pain is.
• I’m pretty sure I can still feel the problem.
• I’ve started to get a new issue in my leg (probably from the stretching during surgery) that feels just like the problem in/around my hip. Coincidence?
  

The anterior labral damage could be referred (unlikely, according to my surgeon, but you never know) and my leg could be something unrelated, so it’s too early to confirm whether I’ve been fixed or not. I’m not going to dwell on it until I know for sure.

Generally speaking, my recovery has been going really well. My ROM has improved so much since the last post and my walking is starting to look and feel more normal again, but I’ve still got a looong way to go before I have normal flexion and extension. I can just about sit cross-legged and can lie on the operated side for a short while, although it’s not yet comfortable enough to do either for any length of time.

The hospital called yesterday to ask how I was feeling and if there were any issues or complications. I like that they did that. I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon at the end of the month, straight after which I’ll be whisked down to physio. I hope they’ll give me new and different exercises to do. I’m getting a bit bored of the current set!

A few photos

My room at Duchy Hospital


An hour or two after surgery


Christmas Day on crutches


Stuck in the mud, Boxing Day


Healing up nicely (1 week post op)


New exercise bike for rehabilitation