After the appointment with my specialist I was given the all clear to start some physiotherapy. Despite knowing that physio is often associated with pain I was eager to get started. One of my previous physiotherapy clients asked if I was going to be selling tickets to watch my physiotherapy sessions.. she explained that there would be quite a few people who would happily put their hands up and volunteer to help with treatment as payback for my bony elbows and strong thumbs!
My first physiotherapy session was focused around improving the hip extension range of motion. I was then able to start some very gentle exercise bike and basic pilates reformer exercises. My next physiotherapy appointment is tomorrow and now that my scar has healed nicely I will be jumping in the hydrotherapy pool to start some water based exercises. I am very excited to be getting in the water to exercise as it will offer a low impact environment to wake up my muscles. Its amazing how quickly muscles waste away.. As a result of only 3 weeks of not using my left leg my thigh is now 2cm smaller than my right thigh and it feels much more jelly-like.
I have swapped cards with my brothers girlfriend for an automatic so now I have a small amount of independence back. This will allow me to get to and from physiotherapy sessions and it means that I am no longer under house arrest. I have been granted a short term disabled permit which will allow me to have better access when I do go out. Although I know that I have had major surgery I feel guilty parking in disabled parking spots. When i have been out and about I have had people ask me why am I using crutches as I look fine. I guess I do look fine as I don't have a brace or plaster. When I tell them I have had hip surgery they often say- oh but your so young and you don't look like you needed surgery. I think I need to come up with a good story to tell because having surgery to correct congenital hip dysplasia isn't very exciting. But I guess the old line of "don't judge a book by it's cover" very much applies here.
Meghan ! I have come up with a "story" for Charlotte that your welcome to use....we're going to say she was attacked by a shark....got the scars to prove it!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that your driving already, gives me hope that it Might not be so bad.
Charlotte goes in tomorrow at 6am.
I am so sorry that I have not been in contact recently.. been caught up with rehab and being able to get out of the house so I havent been online in a while!! How did Charlotte's surgery go? Is she still in hospital? I have my fingers crossed that everything went really well and that she is starting to feel more like herself again. The first week was by far the worst and then each week after it got so much easier!! I am now 5 weeks post and i am feeling fantastic.. no pain, just weak and therefore if i try to walk without one crutch i have a limp, but after the 6 week mark next week I will be allowed to start some weightbearing strengthening work which should make a big difference. Pass on my well wishes to Charlotte. Cheers Meghan
ReplyDeleteHi Meghan, Charlottes op went really well. I read your reply above last week when we got home and I thought there is no way Charlotte will be doing as well as you as she just seemed so disabled in hospital. But here we are 2 weeks post op and she is doing great. She has probably over done it the last 2 days resulting in shin pain and pins and needles....she just can't resist getting up and around. She is down to 1 train at night and neurofen once a day. She had her post op visit with Jit on Tuesday and he is so pleased with her progress- her scar looks amazing...almost better than my 11 year old appendectomy scar.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned to Jit that I had had hip pain my whole life...nothing major just niggling aches every now and then, about 10 years ago I had some scans done as the pain was bad but nothing was found so I learned to live with it, I took my x ray from 10 years ago and asked him to have a look....turns out I have hip dysplasia too! Mine is not as bad as Charlotte sand will not require surgery at this stage....possibly arthritis later in life.
So pleased to hear how well your recovering. When are you having the other side done?
Take care
Sarah