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Todd's Bilateral Story...as it happens

Started by Todd, January 12, 2009, 06:16:49 PM

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Tekka

Good thanks,

Just working on trying to get that gait right !!! at five days i'm happy with the way i feel, i think it is so easy to forget it is a major op, so i keep reminding myself to just relax and try to enjoy the experience.

I'll post day 5 once i've had my dinner.

Cheers

Terry
LBHR 23/01/2009 Mr Mcminn

Todd

1/30/09 +23 days

Seem to be sleeping better each night.  I do think now that the sweating and dry skin are due to the body trying to heal the hip, and we're getting there.  I had my 3rd PT session today and it went much better than the Pain and Torture sessions earlier in the week.  Ever since that first session on Monday I was very sore around the hip and that pain was as much as I had felt for quite some time.  Today when I woke the hip was firm and I had the "monkey fist", but no pain or soreness.  The exercises repeated from Wed. PT session were much easier and smoother.  Did 1.25 miles on the treadmill at 4mph--without a limp for the first mile. Fatigue sets in of course and that's good.  I did another 2 miles on the bike, and felt pretty good.  My old hip doesn't travel in a vertical plane like the new hip, which is a reminder to me that we need to fix it later this spring.  I was on the leg press for a while too.  For me, the challenge remains lateral stability and trust in the hip.  To lift my other leg to put on pants is more than I trust, and I have to have a hand hold to balance.  The PT exercises that offer the biggest challenge are also in maintaining balance with the new hip.  It feels stronger than earlier in the week, but still has a way to go yet.  Flexibility is not bad.  I am kneeling on my other knee to tie the shoe of my new hip.  That is not necessarily comfortable to do, but as the flexibility improves, it is do-able at least.   
The differences and improvements are more subtle than they were in the first few days, but we're still moving in the right direction.  No complaints, no hurry.  We'll just keep the pace we're on.
todd
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Todd

2/2/09 +26 days

Subtle improvements continue.  Took it easy on  Saturday, and got on the treadmill and bike on Sunday.  Did some theraband exercises during the superbowl--Chuck, I knew your Steelers would pull it out.  Iced for an hour before bed, and will have PT later today.

I cancelled my Wednesday PT and will be going ice fishing with my brothers instead. That will be a "real-world" PT. We'll be in the BWCAW (boundry waters canoe area wilderness) no motor vehicles allowed.  We ride snowmobiles in to the boundry and walk the rest of the way.  I already told them that they'll be pulling me in a sled if necessary, but as long as the trail is solid, it will provide some good movement for me.  My wife's a little nervous, but I'll be in good hands I think.  Being pulled in a sled by my older brothers will be just like the old days as a youngster.  Maybe I'll have them bait my hook too!  We'll let you know how big the lake trout are.
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

obxpelican

Todd,

I am sooooooooooo jealous, you're going fishing and I will be working.  Ohhh well.  Yes that is great threapy, get out and do stuff.  Good luck, catch some biguns.  My first love is surf fishing but any kind of fishing would be great!

Yes, my Steelers pulled it out for me.  I feel bad for Mud, errrrr ummmm ok, no, I don't feel bad for Mud  ;D  Maybe Mud will become a Stillers fan next year.

The Cardinal have nothing to be ashamed of though, they were warriors.


Chuck
Chuck
RH/Biomet U/C Dr. Gross/Lee Webb
8-6-08

Todd

I have to admit that I perdicted the Steelers to win before the game, but was silently rooting for the Cards when my Minnesotan #11 Fitz took it to the house.  Great game!  Sorry Mud...
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

sroberts

Chuck,

I'm no Cardinals fan, but the Steelers were so lucky. That end of the half turnaround really saved it for the Steelers. It could've been 14-10 Cards going into half. Harrison made a great run. He should also consider boxing or MMA as well.

Enjoy your win it was well deserved.



spencer

Todd

2/3/09 +27 days

Another pretty normal day.  Helped get the kids off to school, did some paperwork, and went to the fitness center at the high school.  My lateral stability has improved a great deal from Monday's PT session.  I really think that she's finding and working some muscles that wouldn't get attention just by walking or cycling right now.  The day of PT the exercises are pretty taxing just getting the muscles to cooperate, but already today I have noticed an improvement.  I was up to 4.4mph for 15 minutes today with pretty normal striding.  Just to see, I picked up my knees and tried a light jog, but that extra force is just too much to handle. Clearly not ready for that yet.  The leg strength is good, but there is definitely pain at the hip when doing this.  I also did some strength work with some leg extensions and curls as well as some leg press, and repeated the speed and time on the treadmill.  Got my gear ready for fishing in the morning.  We'll give the leg a good test in the outdoor elements...gently of course.

todd
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Todd

2/5/09 +29 days.

Well, I survived the fishing expedition.  We left my brother's house early Wed. morning, it was -31F, and it warmed up to -29F  :o in the hour it took to drive to the lake.  Nice day in Minnesota!  1 mile ride on the snow machines and we set up in 50' of water 24" of ice.  We caught a couple 6 pound lake trout and missed a couple more, so the fishing was really pretty good.  By noon the temperature came up to +6F, so we were basking in the weather. 

My hip performed pretty well, but it was certainly more difficult to maneuver with heavy clothes and boots on than what I've been used to for the past few weeks.  I was able to handle walking on the breaking snow crust and uneven terrain.  Did some adduction and abduction work using the snow as resistance along with walking.  Maybe I can convince my PT to do the next session while fishing?  Kills 2 birds with one stone I suppose.  It was really good to get out in the real world and give it a little test.  I clearly have a way to go yet as I woke up a little sore in the flexor this morning, but all in all we're progressing.
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Bionic

Sweet.  How did you get the fish to smile like that?
Right uncemented Biomet Recap/Magnum
Feb. 11, 2009 with Dr. Thomas Gross and Lee Webb

Todd

Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

obxpelican

#70
Todd,

That is so cool that you went fishing just a few weeks post op, you are an animal    :o

I am an avid surf fisherman, I fish the outer banks of NC and I really missed doing it the last years so I made up for it in November by fishing almost every day all day.  My hip did extremely well, actually I do better walking on my hip than I do sitting. 

Nice trout.  Next year I might go back to lake Erie for some steelhead fishing, that was always a lot of fun.

Way to go Todd.


Chuck




Quote from: Todd on February 05, 2009, 07:08:07 AM
2/5/09 +29 days.

Well, I survived the fishing expedition.  We left my brother's house early Wed. morning, it was -31F, and it warmed up to -29F  :o in the hour it took to drive to the lake.  Nice day in Minnesota!  1 mile ride on the snow machines and we set up in 50' of water 24" of ice.  We caught a couple 6 pound lake trout and missed a couple more, so the fishing was really pretty good.  By noon the temperature came up to +6F, so we were basking in the weather. 

My hip performed pretty well, but it was certainly more difficult to maneuver with heavy clothes and boots on than what I've been used to for the past few weeks.  I was able to handle walking on the breaking snow crust and uneven terrain.  Did some adduction and abduction work using the snow as resistance along with walking.  Maybe I can convince my PT to do the next session while fishing?  Kills 2 birds with one stone I suppose.  It was really good to get out in the real world and give it a little test.  I clearly have a way to go yet as I woke up a little sore in the flexor this morning, but all in all we're progressing.
Chuck
RH/Biomet U/C Dr. Gross/Lee Webb
8-6-08

Todd

Thanks, Chuck.

I "surf" fish in the winter on Lake Superior here for a stocked hybrid kamloops rainbow trout, and have done some steelheading quite a few years ago..can't beat the atmosphere of being out in the elements and waiting for the big one.  I agree that the hip usually does better walking than sitting.  I was on a 5 gallon bucket for a while yesterday, but found I was a lot better off standing or kneeling.  We had been fishing at 25' down, and I pulled my jig to about 5' under the ice to watch the action and make sure it was doing what I wanted it to do when WHAM.  Fresh laketrout for dinner tonight. 
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

sroberts

Todd,

That sounds like good eatin'. Do you guys use a portable shed or are you out in the elements the whole time? Man I'm a cold weather wimp, I cringe when it dips below +40.



spencer

Todd

We used a portable house with a small propane heater.  The low temps keep the air very dry, and the cold isn't as potent with that low humidity.  Wind is more biting than anything, and we were fortunate to have calm air most of the day too.  Any surface hippys wanting to have a physical therapy session on the ice, let me know.  Bring some warm clothes and I'll take care of the rest. 
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Todd

2/9/09 +33 days

Last week between PT and treadmill and bike, I had overdone it a bit.  Took it easy this weekend and worked mostly on stretching and flexibility.  Each week I've been measuring the distance I can raise my foot from the ground with a bent  knee.  My unoperated leg gets to 13", and my new hip allows me to get my foot 23" off the ground.  My kids like to show off and show how high they can put their feet--on the table and back of the couch. I'm not there yet, but much improved from pre-op and compared to the previous week.  I've been doing lunges and groin stretches, and not much walking as the pain around my hip has been causing me to limp a lot more than in previous days.  When doing ROM during PT, I'm getting more clunking in the hip.  When the therapist puts a firm hand on the hip, the clunking is reduced or eliminated in some instances.  She suggests that we do more to strengthen those lateral stability muscles (adduction and abduction) rather than extending the ROM.  Try to avoid too much clunking until the muscles can take over. 

We worked on my gait today.  It really takes some concentration for me to walk without waddling, but we're making some progress.  I've been testing the hip against things I couldn't previously do.  Going up stairs 2 at a time is now pain free.  Can't say the same for my unoperated hip.  I am looking forward to having that one done around the end of March.  I can tell it's starting to hold me back. 

I told my wife today that the progress from day to day is nearly as dramatic as it had been initially, but having some benchmarks and small goals helps to recognize that there is progress.  I would highly recommend to anyone having the surgery to make note of little things that you can and can't do, and use that to mark progress after surgery.  For the past week I've been trying to get my pants on without having to stabilize myself with a wall or the bed.  Standing on the new hip is alright, but the strength and stability to balance while the other leg is raised and bent has been too much.  I try everyday, and that will be another small benchmark of progress. 

Have a great day!
todd
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Tekka

Todd,

Your progress is great mate, I'm really impressed with your work ethic...I think because of the difference in sugeons protocols it's easier for me not to try and push to hard, because if I was told to go jump through hoops I would mate.

Keep up the good work..

Not sure if I could face having my other hip done for a while, as pleasant as the whole experience has been I want time to fade my memory a little.

Cheers

Terry
LBHR 23/01/2009 Mr Mcminn

Todd

Terry,

It is strange the different protocols between surgeons, and you are right--we follow what they tell us to do and not to do.  Eventually we all reach the same point of "normal" again.  Part of me dreads having the next hip done because it is a long slow road back.  On the other hand, I have seen what can be with one new hip, and I can hardly wait to get it over with so I can prepare for a summer of activity! 
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

Todd

2/11/09 +35 days

I've been nursing my hip for the last few days after overdoing the treadmill last week.  I was more concerned with getting a good workout rather than tending my hip, and am still feeling the hurt this week.  So, I've laid off the treadmill until further notice.  I did 10 minutes on the bike to warm up prior to my PT today.  I've seen some questions on this site about whether PT is necessary or not, and in my experience, it has been extremely helpful.  If for nothing else, to help give you peace of mind that you are progressing.  I get a hip massage, stretching, various exercises and rom work, theraband variations and walking practice.  There are muscles that are being worked that haven't been active for some time, and they need to be retrained.  My therapist is going to develop a PT protocol for hip patients using my experiences as a guide--I never dreamed I'd be a hip model. 
Although I'm a bit impatient, I still notice the subtle improvments from day to day.  A bit better flexibility, better ROM, and after each therapy session we do a gait check where I try to walk like a human.  Today was easily the most normal I have felt walking. It does take some concentration, and being loosened up makes it easier (I'm limping and icing now) but it was progress again.  I have to remember to heal my hip before concerning myself with getting my workout in.  It's just hard knowing that pain is nearly gone and I can hardly wait to start playing hoops again.
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

jharpjr

Hi Todd,

John (jharpjr) here from Syracuse NY. Glad to hear you are becoming a "famous model" in the hip resurfacing PT world.
Just take it easy and be patient. I too over did a PT session and now realize it wasn't worth the pain afterward. I'm learning the best mix is for a successful recovery is a good PT program and patience. Happy 5 week anniversary, keep
working and you'll be back to normal activities before you know it....

Todd

John,

You're absolutely right. Patience is not easy to remember sometimes.  If we look back at where we were to where we are in 5 weeks though, what a difference!  There are many small improvements that are evident from day to day that I have to remind myself of.  Happy 5 week anniversary to you too! 
Todd  LBHR, Dr. David Palmer 1/7/09; RBHR 5/6/09 St. Croix Orthopedics, Stillwater, MN

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