21 weeks post-paoThis week was CU Homecoming week, which brought up a ton of hip-related memories from this exact same time last year. Last year, I went to the CU homecoming game around 3 months post-op from my first hip scope. CU is a big campus and I remember being so nervous about having to walk between the parking lot, the various tailgating spots, the stadium and then wherever I would end up after the game. I did pretty well leading up to the game, but not too long after I found that I was hurting pretty bad and had to limp all the way back to the car. As I walked by the alumni tent outside Folsom Field today, I was struck by this overwhelming sense of déjà vu... and for a moment, I began to doubt my hip. But then, this really amazing thing happened. I remembered just how great my hip has been feeling. And what is even more amazing is that I am doing so much better 5 months post-PAO than I was doing 3 months post-arthroscopy. How incredible is that! PAO is such a HUGE surgery--one that had me on crutches for 3 months--and I am doing really well (you know, all things considered of course!). If I had to guess, I would say I'm only 1 month behind the arthroscopy recovery timeline... which is a far less invasive procedure. It was such a cool feeling to be capable of walking all over campus without the same uncertainty I had just 1 year ago. I can't believe how far I've come since this whole hip saga began- but especially in the last 5 months since PAO. I can't wait to see where I'll be at when CU's Homecoming rolls around next year :)
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20 weeks post-pao
18 Weeks Post-PAO"No pain, no gain" is a bit of a taboo phrase in rehab... but for good reason of course. Pain is often one of the most important determinants of rehab progression and patients are instructed to always stay within a "pain-free zone" while doing just about anything. This is so important to allow for proper tissue healing... and was something I really struggled with while rehabbing after the 1st surgery. BUT, there is one exception to that rule: Trigger Point Dry Needling.
17 Weeks Post-PAO
16 WEEKS (4 months!) POST-PAO
On the topic of stairs, I went to the Rocky Mountain Showdown (GO BUFFS!) this weekend at Mile High (Sport's Authority Field) where there are STAIRS A PLENTY! I have to admit, the idea of going to such a large stadium was initially a bit daunting to me and this new hip of mine. But clearly I got over it real quick and decided "why not tailgate too?!" haha. Anyway, we sat waaay up on the top deck, so I had to climb up and down so many stairs multiple times (curse my teeny tiny bladder), which wasn't a ton of fun as you could guess. I can definitely feel that my right leg is significantly weaker than the left, as negotiating that many stairs was a bit more fatiguing than normal, but I didn't experience any pain with it. NONE. NO PAIN! This moment right here is definitely going down as a win :) And speaking of wins.... CU beat CSU in OT after the single most exciting football game I have ever witnessed. It was SO MUCH FUN!
15 weeks post-pao
14 Weeks Post-PAO
As I enter this new phase of rehab, I need gradually initiate true strength training exercises so I don't overdo it and piss off my hip. THIS IS SO HARD FOR ME! I am starting to feel really good and I love that I can work out at the gym now... but I have to remember that I am not going to the gym to exercise, I am going to the gym for rehabilitation because I am injured. But hey, it's a good sign that I forget I'm injured... I must be feeling pretty good right?!
13 Weeks Post-Pao
Things went great this trip. In fact, I couldn't have asked for much more from my hip. But I was a little nervous that my hip wouldn't hold up, so I prepared for the worst. I brought the cane with me (just in case!) and I had already prepared myself for the possibility that I would have to leave the concert early or stay at the house on the second night. I brought my massage stick and fibroblaster (one of my favorite PT tools to break up fascia and trigger points) as well, just in case I completely wrecked myself. But.. I never did. And I am absolutely thrilled. For the first time in a really long time, I didn't feel disabled. I just felt like Jenna :)
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 :)
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
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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