12 Weeks Post-PAOThis week has definitely been a turning point for me and I haven't been this happy in a really long time. Even though I am NO WHERE NEAR healed and have so much more work ahead of me, I can honestly say that my hip has not felt this good in nearly 10 years. Now that I know what it feels like to not be in so much pain, I have no idea how I actually chose to live my life like that. Even though it's been a rough go of it at times, I am so incredibly thankful to have been PAO-ed :)
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11 weeks post-pao
It's such a strange feeling to have--to be nervous about walking in the community because you can't trust your body. Before the hip saga, I had never payed much attention to how many benches are available in public areas or the grade of ramps or the varied height of stairs or the extremely variable terrain one might find themselves in. But now, that's all I see. We talk about these things in PT school all the time, but having to actually live through this has been completely eye opening for me. Victoria, BC
10 Weeks Post-PAOAt this point in rehab, I have some really good days... but I also have some really bad days. On those bad days it takes a tremendous amount of self-restraint to not push myself too hard. I am such a die hard athlete at heart, and it's just not in my nature to "take it easy," which brings me to the issue of the cane. Being in PT school, I know all too well how important it is to use an assistive device in the presence of abnormal gait. But gosh, it sure took my ego awhile to let me transition to a cane (which is infinitely better for gait biomechanics than 1 crutch). A lot of our patients cringe at the suggestion of using a cane and it drives me as a therapist NUTS because I know that is what is best for them! But what a humbling experience this has been for me, because I totally get it now. Crutches (to me anyway) symbolize a short term injury, whereas a cane really symbolizes a more long term disability. Feeling disabled at 27 is a really challenging thing to wrestle with in your mind. And of course, this is totally temporary, but it doesn't make the moment of today any less difficult.
I have a large incision site over the front of my hip, a second one on my butt off to the side (posterolateral) and then I have the 2 port holes from the scope procedures on the front of my hip... which is a lot, don't get me wrong, but every time I see them I am not ashamed. Instead, I am reminded of the hell I've been through to get to this point and am instantly revitalized to continue busting my ass to get my life back.
9 WEEKS POST-PAOThings have been progressing well and I have been walking in my apartment without my crutch. I have also walked for some short distances outside without it, although I can feel that I am nowhere near strong enough to start making this a daily occurrence. Once again, I am really grateful for going through this with the knowledge of a soon to be physical therapist (countdown set at 10 months!) because I know that my athlete mindset would never have acknowledged this. Rehab is a slow process and it's not about fighting through pain to prove that you are strong. Learning how to find a good balance between pushing yourself to achieve gains in strength but still respecting tissue healing time is truly an art. And it's so hard! However, I've found that pool therapy has really helped me to find this balance. I love the pool because I can do so many more things in water that I can't do on land (walking without assistance, single leg balance, jumping, running...). I've also found that it's a great way to work on range of motion exercises without overloading muscles around the hip. When I'm feeling really good, sometimes I'll even go to an aqua aerobics class! My old lady hip totally fits in, but I always find it kind of hilarious because I am by far the youngest one there. I came across this awesome presentation by Louise Grant (2011) about exercises to do in the pool during early rehab phases following hip surgery that is a really great guide for anyone who is new to the idea of pool therapy after hip surgery. I highly recommend you check it out!
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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