2:42 is flying! That's the real deal.

Please be careful with all that speed...!

Quote from: Aerial on February 02, 2012, 06:49:54 PM
I was a late life distance runner (meaning I didn't run or compete in HS or college).  I raced and ran marathons in my 20s and early 30s.  Even have a marathon PR of 2:42!  I had given up competitive running by my mid 30s but still really enjoyed running for fitness.  I did this happily until my hip started to have issues at 44. After a torn labrum and arthoscopic surgery I never recovered from in August 2010, I never ran again.  My gait was so off, my walking was way off and the thought of ever being able to run again seemed like a pipedream (the thought of running actually made me cringe).  Fast forward to 7 1/2 weeks post-op. I was out walking today feeling a nice spring in my step so out of curiosity I ran 5-10 steps a couple times.  I know I am not supposed to run and I won't try it again until later in recovery (promise).  My purpose for posting this is, I seriously feel like I will be able to run again.  To "think I can run" is monumental and very exciting.  I can not wait until I am cleared.  So excited! The first step to doing anything is thinking you can!  :). I told this to a couple people but I kind of think only the people on this board really get it.

I have to add to this too...

I am six weeks post-surgery.  Reading Aerial's posts the last several weeks, I'm struck by the similarity of our experiences.  I feel great and my limitations are strictly those which have been imposed on me.  I have had to dial it down and responsibly follow the rules.   

So far, this procedure really WORKS!!

I don't know if I will ever get back on the running drug, but I sure am a lot happier and I sure am looking forward to chasing my kids around. 

I'm back...!

That's great jon - I'm feeling the same, but further down the road from you.

Quote from: Aerial on February 02, 2012, 06:49:54 PM
I was a late life distance runner (meaning I didn't run or compete in HS or college).  I raced and ran marathons in my 20s and early 30s.  Even have a marathon PR of 2:42!  I had given up competitive running by my mid 30s but still really enjoyed running for fitness.  I did this happily until my hip started to have issues at 44. After a torn labrum and arthoscopic surgery I never recovered from in August 2010, I never ran again.  My gait was so off, my walking was way off and the thought of ever being able to run again seemed like a pipedream (the thought of running actually made me cringe).  Fast forward to 7 1/2 weeks post-op. I was out walking today feeling a nice spring in my step so out of curiosity I ran 5-10 steps a couple times.  I know I am not supposed to run and I won't try it again until later in recovery (promise).  My purpose for posting this is, I seriously feel like I will be able to run again.  To "think I can run" is monumental and very exciting.  I can not wait until I am cleared.  So excited! The first step to doing anything is thinking you can!  :). I told this to a couple people but I kind of think only the people on this board really get it.

Just great Aerial - love to hear these kind of stories.

Quote from: jon on February 03, 2012, 08:11:55 AM
2:42 is flying! That's the real deal.

Please be careful with all that speed...!

Great memories.  I was at a crossroads in life in the mid 90s. I had just finished my Ph.D. and running well.  I was either going to seriously train for the Olympic marathon or start my career as a professor.  I ended up opting for the second route.  Marathon training is grueling, not to mention I was broke after completing graduate school full time.  I find that presently I have less regret over that decision.  My hip issues were caused by dysplasia and an oval shaped femur head and socket.  The fact that I ran a lot and ran fast is remarkable to me given my hip deformity (which I never knew about until my hip went bad)!  Running during grad school though was great because it was "cheap" entertainment and race winnings were much needed income at that point  ???  Now, just to be able to run some will be great!

I am now 8 1/2 weeks post-op (time flies)! ROM is returning and strength is getting there. I did a vinyasa flow yoga class today for the first time. This is the most challenging class I have done because the poses are sequenced together.  There were a couple parts of the flow sequence that were tough (like half moon pose where all weight is on the operated leg dropping back into triangle pose).  I have some weakness in the operated leg/quad however, it's getting better. My IT band was tight for awhile but that seems to have improved. I was thrilled to see my "peeps" in class tonight again.  I'm thankful everyday for my new hip and consciously relish in the ability to walk pain free.

Good stuff, Aerial - the weakness will keep improving as you use it in more challenging situations. The flow of movements is going to be 'jerky' at times, since, as Nemesis found out in grappling, the muscles have to relearn the transitions in sophisticated movements.  Really glad the pace is picking up for you.

I am 10 weeks post-op next Monday.  Things are going very well.  This update if for the yogis out there.  Today was the first day I was in a class and we did full wheel pose (aka full backbend).  It felt great, no hip pain at all.  I would not have thought I would be back to this pose at this point (handstand too).  Next step will be getting back to drop backs again.  I'm also starting to get some improvement in pigeon pose on the operated side.  A month ago I would have not thought that possible either. I am definitely at the point that I want to do more.  My hip is saying go, go but I continue to abide by Dr. Gross's protocol.  Elliptical, indoor cycling/spinning, yoga, and power walking are my activities these days.  Really wanting to run and play tennis but not just yet  ;).

That's awesome. So glad to hear you are recovering so well. Keep it up.

Hi Aerial,
That's very impressive. You are having an amazingly easy recovery. What do you attribute your ability to recover so quickly and gain so much ROM so easily? Were you in excellent shape prior to surgery?

If I tried any of those poses even at 6 months they'd have to wheel me out of the yoga session! LOL

Luanna

Luanna- I have been wondering the same thing.  I realize from reading here that I have had one of the easier paths so far with this.  I am quite strong and quite flexible, although the year prior to surgery things went downhill quite quickly. I have learned so much through Anusara yoga about alignment and how to access tight spots through careful alignment.  I think this has helped me to, in a very directed way, work on increasing ROM.  I work on it daily on my own and have been attending 3 classes a week.  I don't  think I would have the results i have had without quality yoga instruction.  I hesitate to say this but sometimes I also think you need to push the boundaries a little to make progress.  I have not done anything that produces pain but I am will to push though a little discomfort.  Don't get me wrong, there is still room for improvement but it is coming along.  Oddly, I have recently done little spurts of 10 - 20 running steps 3 or 4 times when I am walking.  That little extra weight/intensity seemed to really help ROM as well.  Those spurts are tricky to balance because I want to do more and at the same time wonder how bad it is to do these very short spurts (not fast). I guess what I am wondering at this point is, at what point does the "one size fits all recovery protocol" no longer be the best case for everyone??  I am not a doctor and I surely respect the HR surgeons but I wonder..............

Aerial, I don't think the one size fits all applies after some time, but there are things that fit most of us, and until we find our path, it's good to have the limits well defined so that we can safely find them for ourselves.

I found that my ROM was quite good after the initial eight weeks, and I think you're finding the same. I have taken much longer to run than some folks here, so that is one limitation in my case, but lifting weights has not been much of a problem.

I find that the things I did well before (flexibility, strength, anaerobic exercising) has come back fast, and those things that were not (running) took longer.

I think it's a combination of long knowledge of how to work on those things I did well before which helped in recuperation, as well as previous fitness in those areas. I know the runners in here would know much better than I what needs to be done to regain their running form.

I'm glad that you're making such good progress.

Hern- I fully agree that what you do after surgery and how soon is related to your habits prior.  I think the restrictions were right on target for the first six weeks (except I would have liked and did more walking than recommended).  During that time, your body is in its protective mode and probably would have not let you do more.  I guess at about my point post op you see some who have been given the blessing to cycle outside and run......which makes one wonder why there is a six month wait (for cycling) and one year wait (for running) for others?  This is not a huge deal but I sure makes one want to "disobey"  ;D

Thanks so much for the yogini update!  Aerial, you are doing so well.  I'm jealous :P.

I think you and the above posters are on to something with the correlation between how long you were out of commission pre op, your fitness level, and the myriad variables every hippy has with their recovery, and the ease and ROM of your recovery, yet I will hang back, do no one iota more than whatever my surgeon says, and err on the side of caution.  All of the above, and other additional factors that I've detailed on my story will probably make my recovery one of the slower ones!

On Friday, just in time for my 51st birthday yesterday, I was given the greenlight to do the Tree Pose in the Pool!  My Right Hip is difficult with pain and balance issues, but my Left Hip is a dream and standing on it in Tree pose, seemingly indefinitely, poses zero problemo!

I am taking my Yin Yoga DVD, Mimi Solaire, to my surgeon, Dr. Schmitt, before or on my April 4th Three Month Followup Appointment, and hoping I'll be approved for at least 70 percent of the program.  There is a LOT of bending at the waist with your legs stacked on one side, and your torso, shoulders, and head are facing the opposite direction.

I wonder how long your surgeon makes you wait to twist at the waist? 

Thanks,
'One
aka
2fer

I have been twisting at the waist since six weeks.  I don't believe I was ever told not too???  This is a weird ass typo on my part, as I am specifically barred from twisting at the waist.

WOw, Aerial, I'm really amazed you were able to return to yoga at 10 weeks post-op. I thought Dr. Gross said no yoga for 6 months? I have practiced vinyasa and bikram yoga for 6 years and cannot wait to get back to it but I was under the impression that it was off limited for the first 6 months. I'd love to hear otherwise because I definitely feel very limited in what we are allowed to do until then.

2 more weeks on crutches...then transitioning to cane. I am counting down the days!

Quote from: mountaingoat on February 19, 2012, 05:56:11 PM
WOw, Aerial, I'm really amazed you were able to return to yoga at 10 weeks post-op. I thought Dr. Gross said no yoga for 6 months? I have practiced vinyasa and bikram yoga for 6 years and cannot wait to get back to it but I was under the impression that it was off limited for the first 6 months. I'd love to hear otherwise because I definitely feel very limited in what we are allowed to do until then.

2 more weeks on crutches...then transitioning to cane. I am counting down the days!

Hello- At my six week appt. I was told yoga was OK as long as it isn't extreme.  Again, I think extreme really varies by person. There are definitely some more advanced hip opener poses I can not obtain yet.  If you think about it, handstand and backbend are definitely not hip oriented.  I definitely know when I hit my limit on some poses and use a prop if I can.  It was only very recently that I tried pigeon (and it is a baby version now).  You sort of feel your way a long, listen to your body.  I would never cram my hip into a pose that hurts!  As mentioned in a previous post in this thread, vinyasa is a whole other challenge.  I am still regaining balance and moving smoothly from one pose to another is still coming back.  I have done a vinyasa class the last two weeks, this week was better than the first week but still have work to really really work at it.....not a natural flow yet!  As most know, Dr. Gross does not prescribe PT.  For me yoga seems to be a great way to regain strength in the core and stabilizing muscles in the leg, hips, pelvis.  However, as Herns alludes to, yoga is not something I think anyone should jump into this early post-op if they have never done it before!

Good luck in your upcoming crutch free life!

Quote from: Two4One on February 19, 2012, 05:52:59 PM
Thanks so much for the yogini update!  Aerial, you are doing so well.  I'm jealous :P.

I think you and the above posters are on to something with the correlation between how long you were out of commission pre op, your fitness level, and the myriad variables every hippy has with their recovery, and the ease and ROM of your recovery, yet I will hang back, do no one iota more than whatever my surgeon says, and err on the side of caution.  All of the above, and other additional factors that I've detailed on my story will probably make my recovery one of the slower ones!

On Friday, just in time for my 51st birthday yesterday, I was given the greenlight to do the Tree Pose in the Pool!  My Right Hip is difficult with pain and balance issues, but my Left Hip is a dream and standing on it in Tree pose, seemingly indefinitely, poses zero problemo!

I am taking my Yin Yoga DVD, Mimi Solaire, to my surgeon, Dr. Schmitt, before or on my April 4th Three Month Followup Appointment, and hoping I'll be approved for at least 70 percent of the program.  There is a LOT of bending at the waist with your legs stacked on one side, and your torso, shoulders, and head are facing the opposite direction.

I wonder how long your surgeon makes you wait to twist at the waist? 

Thanks,
'One
aka
2fer

I have been twisting at the waist since six weeks.  I don't believe I was ever told not too???

Happy birthday, tree pose is a great gift!  You know, I never remember being told there was a restriction on twisting at the hips.  Rotation poses feel really good!

Thank you, Aerial, for your Birthday Wishes!  I had an awesome time yesterday!

QuoteI have been twisting at the waist since six weeks.  I don't believe I was ever told not too???  This is a weird ass typo on my part, as I am specifically barred from twisting at the waist.

That's my correction to my earlier post.  If you don't have PT prescribed by Dr. Gross, How do you know what you're supposed to do/not do?  I'm not very good at 'listening to my body' or 'common sense', as I am neither common nor is my sense in line with anyones' really :o.

'One

Hi Aerial! I've enjoyed following your posts and am so encouraged by your progress. I'll be seeing Dr. Gross next week for my 6 week post op appointment (I've had no problems at all with my recovery) and was wondering what I can expect? Did he do X-rays again? I'm hoping to meet a friend afterwards so I'm trying to gauge the length of the appointment. And I'm curious -- do you ever use your cane anymore?  Thanks for your help!
Liz

Hi HippyLiz,
I'm about 6 weeks out and I still use my cane on occassion.  When my leg starts to get sore I'll use it and also when I need to walk for a long distance.  I'm thinking this may be the last week with the cane.  Are you still using yours?
Regards