I'm an Official Hippy, Surgery by Dr. Snyder

[Pat Walter]

Abduction, leg out to the side type exercises are the last to return to normal.  I could not move my leg out to the side, then somewhere at 4-6 weeks, I think, it was once again doable.  My recovery was so long ago that I can't remember my timeline well anymore. 

Everything will return to normal for most people.  Just takes time.

Pat

[PistolPete]

Things are really starting to progress which is great.  Tomorrow will mark 2 weeks post surgery and every day gets easier.  Yesterday I did a lot and was the first day I didn't spend much or any time in bed.  Since my house had a fire a month or so ago we're living in a construction zone.  That being said my house has not been safe really at all for someone recovering from surgery esp. while being on crutches.  I had some friends/relatives over to move boxes and furnature around so that's a major plus.  I didn't helpe move anything but let everyone know how we wanted our rooms setup.  So, I was on my feet for most of the day.  I've been doing my exercises and the IT band hurts sometimes and other times feels fine.

This morning I took 5 consecutive steps without any assistence.  (I did have the crutch in my hand) but was able to take some steps without assistence)  Today I feel even better and I'm heading out in a bit with my wife and son to get my hair cut and to go buy her a pair of boots.  Looking forward to getting out of this house.  I haven't attempted to drive as of yet and I will prob. wait another week or so.  However, I might have to drive my son to and from school on Tuesday.  Luckily it's only about 2 miles from my house.

Pete

[hernanu]

I think you'll be fine, Pete, you just have to make sure you can get in and out of the car ok (will be stiff) and especially be able to move your foot from accelerator to brake and back without a problem.

[PistolPete]

I think you'll be fine, Pete, you just have to make sure you can get in and out of the car ok (will be stiff) and especially be able to move your foot from accelerator to brake and back without a problem.

I actually have someone to take him on Tuesday so that's a plus.  I'm sure I can drive but might want to wait another week.  My wife, son, and I just got back from a trip to get my hair cut and a trip to Target.  I was able to walk around the entire store with 1 crutch which was great.  Def. feels great to get out of the house and to be up and about again.

[PistolPete]

So, I ended up going out to get my haircut and to go shopping at Target today.  We walked a TON which was great.  I only used 1 crutch and I also switched over to the cane tonight.  I will still use the crutch when I'm sore etc. but for the most part it will be great to be walking with less support.  This will help strengthen the operated leg.  I'm def. sore now that it's night time but I did manage to get in a nice nap in the afternoon. 

I'm still getting the night sweats but they are getting a little bit less sweaty.  My leg lifts and routines for PT are getting easier but the IT band stiffness is def. difficult.  I tried to buy a massage roller but couldn't find one today.  My wife was going to buy a vibrating one but I think I need something firm that I can use a lot of pressure with.

Other than that I'm making some progress each day.  Can't wait to be walking normal again.  I think my limp is mostly gone which is awesome and getting in and out of bed and the car is no longer a major chore.  I'm thinking by Christmas I will be feeling awesome.

[curt]

I'll bet you feel better before Xmas, Pete.  The move and strengthening over the next weeks will take you by surprise, I'll bet.  Save some energy from PT to concentrate on walking too.  Its nice to measure progress now isn't it?  Beats "another crappy day with a sore hip...think I'll just sit here".  Keep it going Pete.

Curt

[hernanu]

Sounds like real progress, Pete. I'd keep some real attention on your gait, but it sounds like the walking is really getting good.

I'm glad the sweats are going down. They went pretty fast for me once they started reducing. A simple foam roller is the best, you'll be doing it on the IT band and other muscles. I got mine from my PT, but it should be easy to get it from Amazon, etc.

Christmas will be good for you. Hopefully the heavy snow holds off until then so you can do some more walking.

[PistolPete]

Yesterday I passed another milestone.  I drove for the first time since my operation and everything was fine.  It's easier getting in and out of the car so that's a plus.  I drove myself to my Martial Arts school and taught the kids class as well.  It's good getting back to my regular routine although it's difficult teaching because I can't demonstrate anything.

Another positive is that I want to lose weight.  Right before surgery I was up to 192lbs. which is fairly average for me.  Now, 2 weeks post op and I'm already down to 184.  My goal is to be at 175lbs. and completely ripped.  I only have 9lbs. to go so that should be a piece of cake.  Starting to clean my diet up and should be hitting the gym again starting next week.  I will just do light weight with high reps and do upper body only.  IT band stiffness is still my biggest issue. I have PT coming in 1/2 hour so I will talk to her about it.


BRING IT ON!!!!

[hernanu]

Sounds great Pete! Good recovery. I'm on my way to being ripped, just a bit back on the road behind you  ::)

Light weights is a good approach, be aware of fatigue and give yourself some easy things to do. The first few times I went back for light upper body work, I got a bit dizzy, just my body sorting itself out, I figure. I changed my routine so that I now always take a drink after every set on anything. Before, I would cycle through as fast as possible, drinking only at the end of the entire workout.

Keep it up...

BTW - I've periodically asked a trainer at my gym to watch me while I was on the treadmill walking (early) and running (now), to let me know how my gait is, and if they saw any issues. It always helps to get more eyes on, to spot any problems that need fixing.

[PistolPete]

I'm 19 days post op right now and things are going pretty good.  I typically spend most of the day with the cane but by the end of the day I'm back on 1 crutch as things tighten up.  Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I'm paying for it today.  I've been on the crutch all day today and sleeping for a majority of the day as well.  I was up most of the day yesterday and didn't get to rest really at all so I know that's why I'm so sore.  The night sweats come and go.  2 nights ago I didn't have any but last night they came back.

I'm guessing I will be on the crutch for another 2-3 weeks which I'm fine with. 

[hernanu]

Sounds like the night sweats are almost done. You can really tell when you push it,  cause you crash afterwards

[PistolPete]

Sounds like the night sweats are almost done. You can really tell when you push it,  cause you crash afterwards

Very True!!!!  I've had 2 days where I did way too much and the next day I spend sleeping the majority of the day away. Tomorrow morning my wife and I are heading out tile shopping for our kitchen.  Really looking forward to getting out on the town walking and I'm sure Sunday will be spent with some extra shut-eye.  haha

Did you start outpatient PT right after your Home PT ended?  My PT person suggested I don't do any PT until after my followup with Dr. Snyder on the 16th of Dec.

[hernanu]

I started pretty quickly afterwards, but it was about four weeks after the surgery, so I had my meeting with him about that time. I went right in and they were pretty active.

[PistolPete]

That's good to know.  My PT discharged me so quickly.  She said that I was progressing nicely and she had no concerns that I wasn't doing what I needed to be doing.  I thought it was a bit early but what can you do.  My visiting nurse only came out once and she discharged me right away as well.  I guess I must not be very likeable.  haha

[hernanu]

Actually pretty good news, they came out to me about three weeks. Just keep doing the exercises, walking,etc. and you'll be fine to go into PT. I'm sure you're doing all that anyways. It's only a couple of weeks, then you'll be in PT for a bit until you graduate.

[Cantab]

Pete, 
Sounds like your moving forward every day.  At 15 days, I'm still on two crutches, the leg is getting stronger everyday.  The in home PT says my tight quad is holding me back, I can't bend the knee to 90 degrees without feeling the tightness. But my abductor exercises are better than average, according to PT.  I start outpatient PT on Monday.  My biggest problem is the swelling.  I still have significant swelling right on the hip, like a hip pointer. Most of the other swelling and bruising is gone.  It seemed to be going down until I did PT and then went out for a walk.  I'm not sure if I overdid it, I did ice after both PT and the walk.  Been trying to ice the hip and quad as much as possible.  Is your hip still swollen?  Anyone else have swelling at the two week mark?

[PistolPete]

I don't have any swelling at all and it stopped about a week and a half post surgery.  You had Dr. Pritchett do your surgery right?  I have a friend going to see him next month to have his hip done.  Not being able to bend your knee to 90 degrees sounds pretty normal.  Some days my IT band gets so stiff I can barely bend my knee at all.  I can't believe you're already going to be going to outpatient PT.  I too was on 2 crutches for about 2 weeks.  I'm struggling walking with the cane to be honest.  We went out tile shopping and then to Toys R Us this morning and walking with the cane proved difficult.  I'm trying to push it more and more though as I need the muscles to strengthen and feel that if I baby it things won't get stronger.  Have you tried walking with 1 crutch yet?

[Cantab]

I had Dr Specht at Lahey do my surgery.  I have tried 1 crutch but feel like a fish out of water, really awkward.  I hope to try the cane by the end of next week, just around the house.  Hopefully the pt helps and the swelling goes down.  Good luck with the IT band, it is a bitch to work

[PistolPete]

UPDATE:

So, today marks 3 weeks post op and I'm feeling SOOO much better.  My operated leg is still weak but it's getting stronger for sure.  The night sweats are completely gone so that's AWESOME!!!!  I'm able to sleep on my stomach which is great because that's how I use to always sleep.  This morning I started going up the stairs foot over foot which is a huge milestone.  This will help to strengthen my leg for sure.  I'm still walking with just the cane and not using the one crutch at night any more.  I'm also taking steps without the cane although I keep it in my hand to be safe.  I'm guessing another week or week and a half with the cane and I should be a walking solo man.

The flexibility is getting better and I can put my socks and shoes on without the sock tool or the shoe horn.  I have the elastic shoelaces so I don't need to tie them. I could prob. tie my sneakers now but found it's easier with the elastic shoelaces.  I've been doing my PT exercises 3-5 times per day and doing 15 reps instead of 10 as I want to strenthen the area as best as possible.  I'm no longer doing in home PT and won't start outpatient until after I meet with my surgeon on Dec. 16th. 

I'm teaching my Martial Arts classes so I'm back to work.  It's a challenge for sure but I'm not doing anything but telling everyone what to do.  The IT band stiffness isn't nearly as bad anymore.  It is tight but nothing I can't deal with.  I started icing again to just try to keep inflamation down as much as possible.  Not taking any pain meds as I really haven't since I've been home from the hospital.

Over all things are progressing pretty well.  I will say that these past 3 weeks have been some of the most difficult in my life but the progress has been pretty good.

[sdunn4]

Pete,

Great progress!  I am a little ahead of you (surgery 10/24- 5 weeks today), so a lot of what you re going through is familiar.  I am returning to work next Monday 12/5; my job position working in a Pulp / Paper mill in an industrial setting entails a lot of stair climbing and walking.  I have the walking down just fine- this week I will be stretching little by little, and focusing on the stairs.

Good luck for a continued smooth recovery!

Steve