Derotational Femoral & Tibial Osteotomy (Right: 7/8/10 & Left: 6/16/11)

[Teacher2Many]

First time out of the house since surgery (aside from a doc appt. last week) and got some back to school shopping done for my students and the upcoming school year!!!  It felt great to get out but took me about 4 hrs. to navigate through 3 stores and one of them I was in and out in about 1/2 hr.  Takes me forever and a day w/the crutches and the leg got very stiff in extension and very sore but it is nice to be out and about.  The left hip was very achy as well, probably due to being in a gym shoe and the height difference between the hips now as well, but am sure that will improve as the muscles in the right hip got stronger and loosen up a bit. 

First post-op follow-up visit is tomorrow-lots of questions that I hope I get answers to but am sure some of them are going to be left unanswered as well, particularly re: the numbness in my foot and the issue with the peroneal nerve and extensor hallucis longus muscle.  I know it's only been 2.5 weeks since surgery but would have hoped to see some slight improvement by now, even if only a twitch in the muscle while trying to move it.  Seems like my ability to try and control that toe is getting weaker and it doesn't even feel like I'm trying anymore!   

PT starts on Tuesday and am quite excited-lots of issues to address but am sure that come mid-late August, I will be 'recovered' enough to get back in my classroom and get things set up!  There is no other option...that's the way it HAS to be and that's the way it's GOING to be!  Sure, things won't be perfect but am sure I'll at least be able to get around the classroom and school and take care of my darling students and their moderate to severe needs!  More recovery will come in time...heck, aside from a PT break due to surgery, I've been in PT 3x/week for the past 3.5 yrs. (consecutively too)!!!  Am grateful to have excellent insurance coverage that allows unlimited PT visits too-am sure things would be far worse if that wasn't the case!

Hope everyone had a great weekend----my 2.5 yr. old nephew stopped by today after a trip to the zoo (and how I wish I was able to go with him) with his mom, dad, and 10 mo. old sister and he was very concerned about my 'owies' and my band-aids!  He's seen me since surgery but I was usually wearing my lounge pants but today I had capris on so the scar and band-aids/steri strips were more visible!  He was so concerned he wanted to help me take them all off so that 'Auntie Def be all better'!!!  Kids are priceless and definitely know what to say and when to say it to make all your problems in the world fade away!

Hugs to all,

Beth

[crankerchick]

Aww Beth, such a cute story to share :-) It is amazing how kids can make things all better. Their innocence and unconditional love is so refreshing!

Getting out is definitely a chore with the crutches and all, but it is definitely nice to get out and brave the world regardless. Long outings always made my hip hurt, i guess it just comes with the territory.

I really hope the you see some improvement on the numbness and inability to control your toe. Maybe PT will stimulate that area to come around?!

Best of luck with your follow-up appointment. I hope you do get all of your questions answered! Once you start PT, I bet more things will start to come around. This is a long recovery, but getting active and moving does wonders for the spirit and the body.

[Teacher2Many]

Well...first official PT session was today.  Went for the eval yesterday and today started the fun and games!  My PT clinic and therapist is phenomenal and have no doubts that they will get me up and moving in no time flat!  We started doing TENS today to get the quads firing so now that I know that's an okay thing to do, will continue that at home as I have my own TENS machine.  We tried to use the same machine on a different setting to get the EHL muscle firing but couldn't seem to find the right muscle belly.  My PT said that we will try again after the steri-strips come off, as the location for the electrode pads needs to be in the same spot as the steri-strips.  Got the okay from the doc to take the new ones off this Friday, if they don't fall off before then, so starting Monday of next week, we will work on getting that EHL muscle firing a bit with some e-stim. 

Aside for the foot/ankle, ROM for all joints isn't too bad all things considering-extension on the R leg is awesome but extension has never been an issue for me post-op, probably because I normally have a great deal of hyperextension.  Can't remember all the measurements off hand and won't have the report until tomorrow but I do know that the R hip measured at 70 degrees, L hip at 142 (I think it was looking at extension but not 100% sure).  The ROM for the knee seemed better than I would have thought it to be but then today when I went in, it was a bit tighter than yesterday.  But my appt. today was 1st thing in the morning, whereas yesterday it was in the early evening, and the knee and hip are a bit tighter in the morning due to being in one position for an extended period of time while sleeping.  PT again tomorrow evening and then starting next week, I go M, W, & F morning until late August to where I switch to M, T, & Th evenings to accommodate returning to work and grad school!

Am off to the doc...woke up at 3 this morning with a pretty bad earache and sore throat on the left side.  My left tonsil looks pretty infected and with another surgical procedure this Friday, hope they can get it under control and allow me to go ahead w/Friday's surgery (pretty sure I'll get the okay as long as I'm fever-free and on antibiotics for over 24 hrs.)!  I tell you, when it rains, it pours!!!!

BTW~Attached one of the x-ray images at 18 days post-op!!!  My Chicago surgeon and his PA seemed amazed at how well things look and the thought and surgical process behind the derotational osteotomies!

[Teacher2Many]

So, I had some x-rays done when I saw my surgeon in Chicago on 7/26 and forwarded them on to MI.  Needed to go back on Friday for one more of the hip, as the ones they did didn't quite get the picture the doc wanted.  Heard from him on Saturday morning and he is very pleased with the way the bones are healing.  Weight bearing has increased to 50 lbs. on the operative leg and will increase in 30 lb. incremements every 3 days.  Will be at 80 lbs. on Tuesday and 110 lbs. on Friday and am sure that my left leg will appreciate not having to do ALL of the work-it's not been a happy camper lately!  Will be full weight bearing at almost 5 weeks post-op, providing that the bones don't ache too much, at which time he told me to rest a few days and then go back to adding more weight.  Don't think that will be an issue-the bones haven't hurt at all, it's just the muscles and soft tissues that seem to be the most irritated.

Need to discuss the option of bracing my foot when I head to PT tomorrow.  Doc is very concerned with the foot drop, EHL shut-down, and peroneal nerve damage.  He did mention that the bracing might be more of a nuisance but if I'm going to be able to do more 'walking', I don't want that foot causing any problems and it will, since that big toe just kind of hangs there and catches on everything (door thresholds, any cracks in the sidewalk, etc.).  Think the brace would be more of an AFO style, if I remember correctly from first discussing this a while ago, instead of an orthotic for the shoe but if it's going to help, then so be it.

Just a quick question for those who have had this lovely procedure done:  anyone notice any discrepancies in leg length after the procedure?  My hips aren't level when standing and the only way to level them off is to bend the right leg quite a bit (as if it was still crooked)-makes me think that since the rotational factor is no longer an issue on the right, only on the left, that the right leg appears to be a bit longer than the left now.  Curious to see if anyone else had noticed this post-op.

Hope all are enjoying their weekend-off to hit more of the sales for back to school shopping!  Hopefully now that more weight can be bore through the right leg, these outings won't be as tiring since I can do a bit more 'walking' and a little less 'hopping' with the crutches!   

[crankerchick]

Cool image Beth! Its always interesting to me to look at other people's xrays and then look at my own. Maybe I should have been a doctor instead if an engineer after all.

So about the leg length question. I don't think my leg is a different length, but I always get the feeling it might be when l'm walking, but I always assume it is in my mind or it just from limping or something. I will pay better attention and check out my hips in the mirror. Based on the literature I read prior to surgery, though, I don't recall any mention of leg length differences. I believe I also asked my surgeon about this and he said it wouldn't be an issue. That was a year ago now though so I could be remembering wrong LOL. I have had a lot going on between then and now.

Glad to hear some action is being taken in regards to the foot and ankle issues and your weightbearing schedule sounds awesome. It sounds like you are doing well, keep it up!

[NickiAnn]

Hi Beth,

Just wanted to send a quick hello.  I am currently traveling so please bear with typos as I try to navigate this foreign keyboard!  <<<I bet its reassuring to hear that the bones are mending well.  <You will have to keep us all posted on the nerve issues.  Maybe a foot brace would just protect everthing so that the tissue can heal.  Dont wear yourself out too much preparing for the school year.  <i always try to tell remind myself that the students probably dont notice half the things <i spend hours agonizing over.  By the way, in answer to your earlier question, <I teach 11th and 12th graders. 

Thats strange about the leg length thing.  Have you brought it up with the doctor?  I wonder what he will say.

If you dont mind me asking, Beth, how much hip pain did you have before your surgery.  You mentioned that you sometimes would prop up your legs to make your hips feel better.  Were they pretty bad too?  I would say that my hips are starting to rival my knees in soreness.  The flight overseas did not help at all, but my pain killers sure did (they also make me feel pretty groovy...lol).

Keep healing and resting!

<nicole

[Teacher2Many]

Hi Nicole,

Sorry for the delayed response...for some response, I didn't get the e-mail notification saying a new reply had been posted to the thread!

So, how is the traveling going?  Are your knees and hips holding up (or holding up as well as could be expected)?  How was your sister-in-law's wedding?  When are you due home?

I am very pleased to hear that the bones are healing well but that never has been an issue with me with previous surgeries-bones, incisions, etc. all seem to heal quickly (usually sooner than one would think) which is odd since I bruise so easily and those take forever and a day to go away!  But hey, if it works in my favor, then so be it! 

The nerve issues are ridiculous and am crossing my fingers (would do toes too but that's a bit impossible right now) that it's not repeated when the other leg is done.  Doc is very upset about it-says he hasn't seen it happen in a few years so I guess once again, I'm the odd ball!  We are opting not to do a foot brace at this time as it would just make the muscles atrophy because they're not having to work as hard and we don't want that right now.  But if, as the weight bearing increases, I find that it's causing trouble, such as it catching on thresholds, gradient changes (i.e. sidewalk to grass, tile to carpet), etc., we might brace it for that.  We've tried doing e-stim but nothing's working right now.  But it takes a minimum of 2 months just for that nerve to have the ability to come back and then 1 day for every mm of damage so the soonest I should expect improvement would probably be the end of September.  Of course, hoping for it sooner!!!

Am excited about the new school year though...my dad drove me to a local teaching store yesterday (one I hadn't been to but had bought from online) and got some new border, supplies, etc. and then bought the rest of what I wanted that they didn't have online so should be good to go.  But when I packed my room at the end of the year, I didn't take down the bulletin boards, etc. as I wasn't sure if I'd be physically able to put them up.  So at least there's something there for those first few days if I'm not able to replace them but they will be redone with the new goodies by open house, which I think is only 1-2 weeks after we return from school.  11th and 12th graders-oye vie!  Never in a million yrs. will you catch me in a classroom with students over the age of 6 (preferably not over the age of 5-not sure I can even do kindergarten, esp. with all the academic demands and testing requirements that they place on them now)!  You must have the patience of a saint (or two or three)!!!!

Haven't mentioned the leg length thing to the doc yet-figured I'd wait until my appt. to talk to him.  Did talk to my PT though and we're both curious to see why...maybe it just appears that way due to muscle atrophy???  Only 2 more weeks to find out!

As for the hip pain prior to surgery, I'd say that of my pain, 75-85% of it was in the knees, the other 15-25% of it was in the hip.  But the hip pain was more due to the popping and grinding w/certain activities, exercises, etc., although I would need to pop it at least 10 times/day, which was probably to get things realigned (similar to when my knee would pop to get it back into place after subluxing and dislocating).  Long sitting definitely helps with the hip pain (i.e. sitting with my legs propped on another chair or long sitting on the bed, couch, etc.) instead of sitting in a chair-my guess is it takes the pressure off of the hip area but then again, that's not my area of expertise.  Never really 'researched' the hip-just figured the popping, etc. was par for the course and not because there was anything wrong.  My biggest area of concern was (and probably still is) the knees and the day I found out about the hip was also the day I booked surgery so maybe I never had a reason to look into ways to make it feel better, etc. since it was going to be fixed in a mere 2 months.

Glad to hear the pain meds are helping make your trip a little more tolerable!  It amazes me how quickly they work.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation,

Beth

[Teacher2Many]

Quick update...

Weight bearing is now at 70 lbs. and will increase to 90 lbs. on Saturday, but I'm sure there are times that I am putting more weight through that leg.  PT is going well-we are adding new exercises daily and making the ones that we've been doing for a while a bit harder by adding resistance bands to the mix.  Started on the bike on Monday which was pretty tough due to the tightness but simply was working on rocking back and forth.  Tried again on Wednesday and was able to make 2 full revolutions-granted, they were anything but graceful but it was done.  YEAH!!!!

Yesterday we added SLR in all four directions (was pleased to know I could lay in all 4 of those positions, even if only for short periods of time) and they were all done w/assistance but I could tell that my quad was working quite hard in trying to get that leg off the table.  The only one that seemed to cause a deal of pain was where I was laying on my right side and lifting the right leg up-lots of pain along the lateral side of the knee where the LPFL reconstruction and tightening of the lateral retinaculum was done.  That area is still a bit tight and is something we just need to trudge through.  It always amazes me how quickly those muscles atrophy and go on vacation-you would think after 7 surgeries I'd be used to it by now but no such luck on that!  Guess I'm always hopeful that since I'm going into surgery 10x stronger, I should be better off when I get out.  But atrophy is atrophy...here's just hoping they come back sooner since they were stronger going in.  We also added rolling out the IT band on the R leg to see if that helps loosen up those muscles and tendons and alleviate some of the swelling along the femoral incision.

Am a little concerned about flexion due to lots of tightness and pain on the medial aspect of the patella, which surprises me as nothing was surgically done on that side.  Doc says if I can get to 90 degrees by 6 weeks and 120 by 8-10 weeks, I should be good.  Think last time we measured, which I think was either Thursday of last week or Monday of this week, I was at about 95 degrees and we keep pushing it but it gets to the point where it simply won't go any farther, regardless of how much we try to push.  It'll come back in time, esp. once some more of the swelling goes down.  Here's hoping at least!!!

We'll see what tomorrow's PT session holds-not sure if we'll add anything new or just keep working on the new ones we added the last two sessions.  Might try and work more on the foot and loosening up some of those tendons and muscles as they seem to be getting a bit tight, esp. since the foot tends to rotate inwards, causing lots of stretching on the lateral aspect of the ankle.  How I long to be able to wear two shoes on my feet!!!   

Until next time,

Beth

[NickiAnn]

Beth,

Woo Hoo!  Sounds like the weight bearing is coming along splendidly!  With all the physical therapy you are doing, you are sure to beat the atrophy quickly.  I think that if your muscle has been really strong in the past, it will return to strength faster.  I'm a firm believer in the muscle memory theory!

Sounds like you are emotionally getting geared up for school.  I have to admit that my brain isn't there yet.  Of course, being so far away does make it hard to think about all that's going on at home.  Sounds like you had fun buying some new goodies for your room.  It is always a little bit exciting to set up house in the classroom and make everything look nice.  Maybe I'll change the color scheme this year...hmmm... 

I'm holding up pretty well on the trip.  In fact, within the last week my knees have improved markedly.  Not sure what has caused the turn around other than the fact that when I'm at my in-laws I do less house work.  Though I also really paced myself  in France. I would spend the entire morning flat on my back in bed, then in the afternoon my husband and I would pick one thing to do for the afternoon.  Then at night when I got sore, my husband (who I am really appreciating right now) would go to the grocery store or deli and bring me back a little picnic to eat in bed.   However, even with all the precautions last week, the knees were still hurting pretty steadily while there, so I am actually quite surprised to have them feel so much more normal this week.  Surprised, but delighted too!  I just hope I stay status quo for the beginning of the school year.  The sports doc I had consulted for some advice prior to my trip told me that my flair up would probably subside and then I would have a period of normalcy before it comes back. And given the lovely rotation issues, I suppose it will be back at some point! So far the sports doc has been right on the money!   From what I have read recently, a good bout of patella inflammation lasts about six weeks if you are resting quite a bit.  I suppose I'm right on schedule as the persistent pain started at the beginning of June.  The sad thing is that I don't think my relationship with my knees will ever be the same again.  I just don't trust them anymore.  After all, I did nothing to cause their eight weeks of misbehavior, and now I'm going to be suspicious of them for a long time!

Thanks for the advice regarding the long sitting.  My hips are still pretty achey, and sometimes are giving me some stabbing pain.  I have definitely been taking my meals like the ancient Romans, half reclining on the couch to keep the bend in the hip to a minimum.  All I need is for someone to feed me grapes.  I think my husband might draw the line at that, though!  My sister-in-law's wedding was very interesting.  Norwegian weddings are much more formal.  People give speeches all night, so there's a lot of sitting and not much standing and mixing.  But I took a little something to get my hips through all the ninety degree sitting torture and it worked out all right.

How is the sensation in your legs coming along?  I sure hope it starts to feel more normal by September.  I know nerves heal slowly, but they do heal.  You are young and otherwise in good health so those nerves will regenerate a little bit at a time.

A couple of weeks ago you mentioned that you were having another small surgical procedure done.  That was right before I left, so I never got to ask you what it was or how it went.  I hope everything was o.k. and that you did not have further discomfort.

I will be back home this Thursday, so after that just a few days to wait until I can get official advice from the expert.  I'm sure you are also more than ready to get his opinion on many, many things.

Take care,

Nicole

[Teacher2Many]

Hi Nicole,

Glad to hear that all things considered, you are doing fairly well on your trip, in regards to the knees and hips, even if it means having to baby them a bit!!  Hopefully the pain will continue to stay at bay and not return right away...just remember to take it easy when you return home.  I know coming home is always hectic-laundry to catch up on, yardwork to take care of, cleaning to do, groceries to buy, etc., etc. but try to not do it all at once either, as I'm sure your knees and hips will be complaining tremendously!

I am excited to start the school year and I think that is my main motivation to get moving again, regardless of the amount of pain it causes.  Spent a good deal of Friday's PT session in tears but a couple days of tears is nothing if it means I get to play ball on the playground with my darling kiddos!!!  I hate being helpless and limited...we had my dad's birthday barbecue yesterday and 3 of my 4 siblings came with their families.  Great times were had by all (although I was confined to the chaise lounge so that I can long sit and not cause the hip pain) but my 2.5 yr. old nephew thought it would be interesting to open the gate and venture out to see the neighbor back his car out of the garage and into the alley.  All I could do was yell for someone to get him before he got that gate all the way open-it was like witnessing it in slow motion and desperately wanted to get up off the lounge chair and run over there.  Luckily, his dad wasn't too far away and was able to catch him due to my insistent yelling!!!

As for the other surgery, it is rescheduled for 8/20.  The anesthesiologist refused to proceed due to a possible diagnosis of strep a few days prior and the fact that I was on antibiotics.  Didn't seem to matter that my surgeon was okay w/proceeding, he still refused.  And I'm fine with that decision-I understand the why and everything.  It was just super aggravating because when they called the day before to go over pre-op info, the anesthesiologist they talked to said as long as the pain had subsided (which it did) and I was fever free, it would be fine.  So my mom took the day off of work, we headed to the hospital (getting in/out of the car is always fun), and then to find out it wasn't going to happen was a bit aggravating.  But the antibiotics are finally finished, tonsils are cleared up, and don't foresee anything getting in the way for surgery next week. 

Hope all continues to go well for you and who knows, maybe your husband will surprise you and feed you grapes as if you are Cleopatra (hmm, perhaps you can tell him you're thinking about being her for Halloween and wanted to see what it felt like to play the part)!!!

Off to finish working on my other post!!!  Perhaps I'll see you on the 17th!

Beth

[Teacher2Many]

1 month post-op today so figured I’d post w/an update!

So, the nerve sensation and EHL muscle isn't there yet and won't be for a while.  Doc says it takes at least 2 months just for the nerve to heal and then beyond that time, 1 day for every mm that it has to regrow.  So depending on where it was injured would determine when I should expect sensation but not expecting it until the end of September at the soonest.  It is such a pain and pray it doesn't happen when the left side is done but considering he says he hasn't seen it happen in a few years, I'm hoping the odds are in my favor!!!  Just now able to get into shoes-have spent the past 4.5 weeks in socks only w/a shoe on the left when going out.  It's so difficult when you can't pick up that big toe to get it into shoes as it just flops there in a bent position so you end up with calluses and blisters on the top of your toe from it rubbing on the inside top of your shoe.  BUT I came up w/this awesome idea and it actually worked-when I'm going out and need to wear shoes (which is a must for driving, which I'm hoping to be able to do within the next week or so), I'm taping the big toe in a straight position to the one next to it, as if I had broke it.  At least it keeps it straight so I can get it in a shoe.  Worked out well today for my outing out for more school supplies and the like but I can only tape it when going out so that I can work on my toe exercises when at home in hopes of that nerve and muscle regrowing.  There is some tightness and swelling of the muscle belly on the lateral side of the ankle due to the foot turning inward more than normal-it’s putting an extra strain on those tendons and ligaments.  Bracing is probably inevitable but we’ll see what the docs say at the next follow-up appts. on 8/17 and 8/30.  The pain is still awful but find that when I wake up in the middle of the night around 1:00 am or so (still trying to reset my sleep cycle-almost there) and take a pain pill then, I'm not waking up w/the excruciating ankle and foot pain between 3-4 like usual.  So at least that's one less thing to interfere with my sleep.  Not too keen on needing the pain pills for a part of my body that wasn't surgically worked on but hey, it is what it is and as long as my body is in physical pain, I should be fine to take them w/out worry about addiction.

My hip, on the other hand, has been killing me lately.  And it's not even really the hip area but the area on the lateral side of the femoral incision.  There is a ton of swelling in that area (which definitely doesn't help my already somewhat 'chunky' thighs look any slimmer) that I can't seem to lessen.  The swelling in the rest of my leg (knee included) is minimal if at all and yes it increases w/prolonged activity, such as running errands, but that doesn't last but more than 24 hours afterwards.  The foot/ankle is still swollen but that's a different story w/a known cause.  But the swelling by the incision doesn’t want to go away-I’ve tried strapping on my ice packs (which helps w/the pain but doesn’t do much for the swelling), doing some soft tissue massage, and even taking some NSAID’s but to no avail.  This is also the area that is causing the most pain, particularly when sitting in a chair.  After about 10 minutes of sitting, the pain gets to be too intense so then I move elsewhere where I can long sit (or I prop my legs up on another chair).  Not sure what to do to help ease this pain…with grad school starting in a few weeks, I’ll be sitting in class for 3 hrs. twice a week, not to mention the 30-45 minute drive one way to/from campus.  There’s no way that’s going to be the slightest bit comfortable w/out the help of pain meds and I really don’t want to have to rely on them just to be able to sit comfortable.  Every now and then is fine but it’s going to end up being more frequent w/class twice a week, not to mention the homework aspect at home involving sitting at my desk/computer.  Has anyone who’s had this lovely surgery done experienced this same amount of swelling and/or pain?  Any other ideas to help alleviate either the swelling or the pain? 

Weight bearing is going well w/out any bone pain and will be at 110 lbs. on Tuesday.  ROM is at about 95 degrees which I’m not too happy with but doc says if I could be at 90 by 6 weeks post-op and 120 by 8-10 weeks, he’ll be quite pleased.  Guess I just want to be able to get some of that bend back sooner rather than later.     And what strikes me is very odd is that the pain and tightness, etc. when bending is along the medial joint line and NOTHING was done in that area during surgery.  Now if the pain and tightness was along the lateral joint line, I’d understand w/the reconstruction of the LPFL and the repair of the lateral retinaculum but medial pain, I don’t get it.  Even my PT is noticing that seems to be the hang-up with flexion and she’s not sure why either.

There is some tenderness to palpation along the lateral joint line which although it’s not comfortable, I’m not too concerned about it because of the repairs that were done on that side and also because that’s the area concerning the peroneal nerve, which probably explains some of the tenderness.

Guess that’s about it in a nutshell!  Hopefully this next month will be full of more gains and improvements, increased muscle strength and flexibility, less pain, and hopefully, the return of some nerve sensation!

Hope all is well with everyone,

Beth

[Teacher2Many]

Hi all,

Just a quick update...things are going well in PT and we are progressing with exercises and strengthening. 

We are working on addressing the foot/ankle pain and have been prescribed Lyrica to take twice daily to help with the nerve pain and it is making a huge difference at night.  Am getting about 5 hrs. of sleep at a time instead of 2-3 hrs. due to waking up from the foot pain, which is helping a lot during the day.  I had my foot casted today for an AFO which will be used at night time and during the day if it can fit in a shoe and be tolerable which should help with the nerve pain, foot drop, and EHL issue as well.  Downside to use of an AFO during the day as it weakens your muscles as they don't have to work as hard due to relying on the AFO but if it helps rectify the issue with the foot/ankle, I'm okay with some weakness.  I'd much rather work on strengthening muscles then having to deal with the foot/ankle pain and weakness.  Besides, if it fits into a shoe, at least I won't have to worry about taping my toes, as that's the only way I can get my foot into a shoe as the big toe just hangs there and I can't pull the toe up so it gets stuck. 

I think that my anemia is improving as well as I don't seem as tired anymore either, although I still do fatigue easily, particularly with long walks w/the crutches.  Hopefully that will change once I can ditch the crutches.  Starting this Sunday, I can put full weight through my operative leg, which is great but will still need at least 1 crutch for a while due to quad weakness.

The hip on the other hand, is a different story.  It is aching like crazy and the only way I can be comfortable is if I'm either long sitting or sitting in a chair w/my legs on another chair.  Not sure if it's soft tissue pain, bone pain, or issues from the plate but whatever it is, I hope it goes away soon.  Although I don't sit for extended periods of time at work, I do sit while working with my students and to not be able to be comfortable isn't really practical.  The only place I can sit comfortably is in my car...go figure that one!  Anyone have any ideas on how to help with this issue or if you've been there before, what you've done that's worked?  Funny, prior to surgery the hip didn't cause too much pain (all of it was in the knee), aside from the popping, but now it is so irritable. 

Here's to hoping the irritation and pain isn't long-term!

Beth

[NickiAnn]

Hey Beth,

Exactly where is your hip pain located and what does it feel like?  Achey, pinchy, grinding? So sorry you are adding yet another ache to the list.  Hopefully you will get some good info at the upcoming ortho visit.

Nicole

[Teacher2Many]

Hi Nicole,

So, are you home & back to reality?  Only a few more days until you get some answers & hopefully get a plan in place to be on the way to a pain-free life!!!

The hip pain starts as a very strong ache and if I continue to sit in a chair, it progresses to a stronger deep achey pain and then a bit of a sharp pain.  It is absolutely unbearable-at least when I had the knee pain I could still function, just at a slower pace, and found alternatives to certain activities, such as running.  This pain, however,won't let up unless I go long sit on my bed (and really, how practical is that in the real world) or take a pain pill but the thought of having to take a pain pill just to be able to sit in a chair is a bit ridiculous.  Grad school classes start 8/24 twice a week for 3 hrs. a class-wonder if they'll let me move a bed into the class to sit on?!  J/K but really, not sure how that's going to work.  The pain, though, based on viewing my hip x-rays is directly where the plate lies which is also where the huge (in my opinion at least) pocket of swelling is as well.  Wonder if the plate is causing too much irritation & if so, wonder how soon it can come out.

My pain tolerance is pretty high but when it makes life's tasks next to impossible, such as sitting, that's where I draw the line & intervention is needed.  We'll see what Dr. Teitge says on Tuesday!

Oh yes, 1 more thing too:  I've developed a bump on my knee a few weeks ago.  Thought it was a mosquito bite at first but it never went away & then got bigger.  Now there are two of them.  Very palpable & visual when the knee is slightly bent-asked my PT what she thought and she said, to her, they feel like a screw or staple or pin but I'm pretty sure I don't have any hardware in my knee.  Yet another mystery for Dr. Teitge to solve.

Take care,

Beth

[crankerchick]

Hi Beth, glad to read things are progressing in PT and that you are able to get some more sleep now. I know that has to feel like a welcome relief.

I had/have similar issues with the hip. In the first few weeks post-op I could never sit comfortably because my hip was just so tight-feeling, like a toddler was camping out on the side of my thigh with his arms wrapped around my thigh in a bear hug. It ached for sure. I had the same feeling on the tibia, but I guess the tibia was less annoying because you don't actually sit on the tibia like you do on the hip.

The best option was, like you, to lay or "long-sit" as you put it, like in a recliner. Next best was sitting with my leg on a chair or ottoman. The worse was sitting normal with my feet on the floor.

As time progressed, the vice grip seemed to lessen some, but then started the deep bone ache. Certain ways of long-sitting, like laying on my couch, oh my goodness ::cuss:: it was like someone was taking a fork and stabbing me in the thigh repeatedly. It would happen on my tibia too, but more so on the hip. It actually still happens when I lay on my couch now.

It seems what I experience when sitting now is a combination of muscle spasm and tightness. I still have the bear hug feeling on both thigh and shin, but it has eased a bit over time. Then when I get up, it is the snapping and grinding feeling. But like you, none of this is in the hip joint itself, it is all on the side of my thigh like where my incision (and the plate) is.

Stretching helps a lot, even though only for a bit. I know it is counter-intuitive but stretching the hamstring and glutes really helped me with getting the hip flexors and VL to relax. Stretch the quad and hip flexors too. I saw the most improvement in the hip area once I saw the trainer in Houston and he gave me a slew of hip stretches to do and advised me to start having massages regularly.

I think it is a combination of soft tissue inflammation, muscle tightness and irritation, and bone compression from the hardware. But I'm no doctor, what do I know.