9 months post core decompression
I was unable to be on my feet all day in clinic and it was incredibly distracting to me, which is not a good thing for any healthcare provider. As such, I elected for a single, never to be repeated ever again (in an effort to maintain good cartilage health) cortisone injection just to get me through my work day. I have received about 60-70% relief from this, which is great because I can at least do my job now, but I am still unable to do much for exercise. So until further notice... the pool is where you can find me...
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8 months post-core decompressionI know it has been awhile since I've updated, perhaps because things have been so up and down with this pesky hip that I haven't known how to even put words to what has been going on. Even though the MRI came back clean for AVN, I've continued to have intermittent activity related pain. I ended my ski season early because I was having pretty significant night pain again... but with rest, things seemed to get better. I gradually resumed activity again and was able to get out and hike quite a bit. But then again, out of the clear blue sky, I began to develop significant activity related pain that would be much worse at night. This past weekend, I got so sore from just walking around the mall for a few hours- which makes absolutely no sense considering just 1 month ago I hiked Mount Olympus in Utah, which amounted to 3,000+ ft vertical gain in 3 miles, with little issue. During this time, I had a PRP injection to stimulate the body's own healing process. It seemed like this may have been helping a bit, although the true effects of it can take several weeks, so it's hard to really know. I of course have been diligently rehabbing and trying everything I know under the sun to assist my body in healing itself, but it just seems like it is going to continue being stubborn... 9 scars. 5 surgeries. 3 long years. These past few weeks I've had a hard time looking at these scars because my hip hasn't been feeling great... and that has made me feel angry that my body is failing me yet again.
As a PT, I hear this all too often from my patients as they work to overcome injuries... and Mr. H has been no exception over the long year we have been working together. He, too, has been working to overcome 3 brutal orthopedic surgeries over the last year. He has had an incredibly challenging time practicing patience and self love during his recovery. Today, after a particularly difficult session, he looked at me and said, "You know, I am so thankful to have had you by my side through all of this. Even through all the ups and the downs, I am not angry at myself anymore and I have you to thank for that. You have helped me be thankful for this body and all the things it can do right now and for all the things it will be able to do when we're finished here." Those moments when the patient becomes the therapist- little did he know that his words were exactly what I needed to hear today. Mr. H... thank YOU for the much needed reminder to be grateful for this warrior body and to trust that it will continue fighting for me just as it has done so all along! 20 weeks post decompressionGUYS. I can't believe it... MY FEMUR ISN'T DYING ANYMORE! I am over the moon with excitement! Even more so, I know that all the hassle of driving to Idaho every week for hyperbaric treatment (HBOT) was totally worth it. It just goes to show that, regardless of what insurance companies or other people may tell you, you must always advocate for yourself. Ahhh and just look at those scans! 14 weeks post core decompression
12 weeks post core decompression
7 weeks post core decompressionI eluded to the great challenges of health insurance reimbursement early, but I figured now is as good a time as any to vent about it once again. In order to undergo hyperbaric oxygen treatments (without seriously going into debt..) I am currently splitting my time between Salt Lake City, UT and Pocatello, ID... which is around 5.5-6 hour round trip voyage depending on the weather. As you can imagine, it has made it extremely challenging to continue working and fulfilling my responsibilities of the residency program. I go up to Idaho for early morning treatment Mondays and drive back to SLC to work afternoon/evening. I then stay in SLC and work 7:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday. I spend the next two full days in ID for treatment and into Friday morning, then drive back to SLC to work afternoon/evening and then work all day Saturday. This schedule has been absolutely nuts, but I know that it will be worth it in the end. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to save this hip. We've already been through so much together- no way I'm giving up on her yet! It's incredibly frustrating that my insurance company will not pay for these treatments- especially when there is such good evidence for its use- and is more willing to accept conversion to total hip arthroplasty...
5 weeks post core decompression
4 Weeks post core decompressionWell, I'm back in Colorado for the week to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with my family and I couldn't be more excited. It's been a stressful couple weeks since returning to work and I am more than ready for an extended break. As you know, I began hyperbaric treatments in Colorado the week after surgery. I had an evaluation in Salt Lake City to transfer care over to their facility upon my return, but ran into some issues regarding insurance authorization. In Colorado, I underwent treatment at a facility that was cash pay only, so there was no need for insurance authorization prior to treatment. Unfortunately, it took over 2 weeks for Anthem to make a decision for coverage an authorization request submitted by my physician in Salt Lake City- a request that was described as "limb saving" and "urgent." Even worse, when they finally did make a decision, they ended up denying coverage because my case is "idiopathic." Fun fact: if I had radiation induced avascular necrosis, they would cover these treatments. Welcome to the horrendous world of health care and privatized health insurance...
Since the facility in Colorado does not accept Medicare, they are able to charge a significantly reduced rate for patients who elect to pay cash for their services. You see, by law, hospitals and clinics who are Medicare providers are not able to adjust cost of service on an individual basis. My treatments in Salt Lake City would then cost $750.00 PER TREATMENT based on the Medicare rate... whereas in Colorado, I am able to undergo treatment for about $125.00 a session. And when you need 40-60 of these treatments, that is a HUGE difference. So I am taking full advantage of being back in Colorado to squeeze in as many of these treatments as possible! Earlier this week, I met a woman who was undergoing hyperbaric treatment for avascular necrosis in her ankle. She had Stage IV AVN (I repeat... stage FOUR) resulting from long term immunosuppression therapy and has seen tremendous improvement with hyperbaric treatment. She shared with me her MRI images below. I was in complete awe. The changes you see below are monumental--in fact, they are changes that I didn't even think could be possible. Most literature that I've read says that Stage IV AVN almost always requires a total joint replacement because the disease progression is too great. I mean, these people aren't even candidates for core decompression like I had because the bone is too weak and damaged. AND LOOK AT THOSE IMAGES! She has had about 100 treatments... which is a lot don't get me wrong... but being able to keep her own ankle joint is worth all that and so much more. I am so thankful to have crossed paths with this woman and to have made a new friend in this process. My life is going to get a little crazy these next couple months trying to get all these treatments in, but seeing these images and hearing her story was just what I needed to reignite my energy to keep on fighting this thing. 2 weeks post core decompression
10 days post core decompression
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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