20 weeks post-pao
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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
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.
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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