6 months post LPAO

I had to look at the calendar to realize how long it has been since my surgery, so I guess that is a good thing. I had my last follow up appointment in Iowa City on October 16th. I didn't get to take any new X-Rays, because I found out that I am pregnant with my second child! It would have been nice to see how the hip was looking, but I can wait until next June to check it out. My doctor is not concerned at all about the pregnancy, just mentioned that my rehab may take longer. I can already feel my body becoming less strong. I have not been going to the gym. I have just been so tired! I plan to get back in there though, I need to exercise for reasons beyond my hip. My last pregnancy I came very close to being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My last pregnancy ended in a C-section, so I am 85% sure I will have another one with this pregnancy. I say this based upon my experience with trying to push out a 9lb baby, my hips are not even in the picture and anyone who gets pregnant after having a PAO is able to have a vaginal birth.
Last month I was having pain in the back of my left hip, I worried that something had moved or fractured, but Dr. Mckinley said there was no stress fracture after examining my hip. I haven't had the pain since, so maybe it was in my head? I can sit for extended periods of time with my hip in the "captain" position (ie. sitting on steps, etc.) and it doesn't lock up anymore. When I bend down to tie my shoes there is still a slight pain after I get up, but nothing like it was. I wouldn't say the hip is perfect, but it is better. I think I made the right choice. I guess I am waiting to see how I am in a year. Next month I am going back to my D.O. that referred me to the orthopedic surgeon. I need to have my heel lift evaluated. Dr. Mckinley said that the surgery should have no effect on my short leg, but I feel like it isn't quite right.
My right hip has been letting me know that it is not feeling great. Last month it locked up on me for a second as I was going up some steps. I only had one instance of that, so I am hoping I can get through this pregnancy and keep my hip intact. I don't want any ligaments to loosen and make the hip more dysplastic than it already is! I really don't want to have a second surgery. The first was tough, not only on me, but my husband and family. I will post again after I see my D.O. and try to update everyone on the pregnancy/hips.

4 months post PAO

Today in the honor of Labor Day, Logan and I cleaned the majority of windows in my house today. We still have our four season porch left to do, but they fold inward so we can clean them from the inside, so much easier. I know Labor Day is supposed to be a holiday for relaxing, but it was a beautiful day to clean windows and we don't get too many days together to work on house projects.
My hip has been much better. I can get up off the floor with no problems. I have even been able to get in the gym about 3 times per week. I can do about 20 minutes on the elliptical or around 2 miles. Then I usually do some weights. My hip used to lock up after doing the leg press machine. My hip doesn't lock up anymore, but I don't think it is 100% yet. I still fill a little weak after getting done with the machine, but it feels so good to be able to exercise. Slowly the weight I gained after my surgery is coming off.
All in all life is getting back to normal. I can even lay on my operated side to sleep at night. I still have numbness in the front of my upper thigh, but the only time I have real pain is when anyone presses on the area around my scar. Once in awhile I get a few aches, but I try not to analyze every one I have. I have some bad days, with stiffness in the morning, but some stretches and moving around helps a lot! I think I still have a slight limp, but I can't really tell unless I am really tired. Next month we go back to Iowa City. I was hoping I would be pregnant by now, but it hasn't happened yet, so I guess I will be getting more X-Rays.

13 weeks post PAO

Well I am finally 3 months post my LPAO. I have to admit I am not very good with keeping up with my blog. I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post. Mostly I started back to work the second week of July. The first shift was 4 hours, after standing for 4 hours my legs felt like jello. I gradually increased my time and my stamina has come back. I am now back to work full time. I can stand for the entire 8 hours as long as I sit down for at least 20 minutes for lunch. (No Pharmacists don't take very many breaks!)
Yesterday was my last day of physical therapy. In the beginning I went three days a week for the first 3 weeks and then went down to 2 days a week. I am convinced that physical therapy is why I have done so well. I started as soon as I could weight bear. At first the exercises were me just lifting my leg weight, now I am up to 5lbs on the ankle weights. I am doing lunges and sidesteps. It sucked while I was doing it. The pain and fatigue was a lot to bear on some days, but now I feel almost back to normal and my co-workers forget that I had a major hip surgery since I can walk around the pharmacy just as quick as they can.
I still have trouble bringing my hip upward in the "captain" position. My physical therapist said ankle weights and just lifting my leg will help with that. I also have a hard time lifting my body weight off the floor (from a kneeling position) but I can tell it is getting better. The therapist also cleared me for the elliptical. Whoo Hoo! I have about 15 pounds to lose to get down to my pre-surgery weight. Damn you skittles!
My pain level is quite low. If I take 800mg of ibuprofen in the AM, then I don't feel any pain. Today I didn't take any Ibuprofen and there is a slight nagging pain near the scar and in the back of my leg on both sides. I still have numbness in the front of my leg and my abdomen.
I will try to blog monthly from now on, unless a major development occurs. My next doctor's appointment isn't until October. So no news is good news.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me while I was laid up, I had lots of help and am so grateful for the support. Hopefully I will never have to do this type of surgery on my right hip, but only time will tell.

9 weeks post PAO

Last Thursday was the 9 week mark after my LPAO. I marked it by going back to work. My job as a pharmacist requires me to be on my feet and walk around the pharmacy with quick movements from computer to fax to computer to the counter to verify and anywhere else in between. The first 2 hours went very well, but then my legs felt so tired and a little shaky. I kept going though, but by the end of four hours I was ready to go home and my limp got progressively worse. The good news is that after I got home and sat for a few hours I was feeling pretty good and was able to make dinner and be back on my feet. On Friday at physical therapy the exercises seemed a little easier, the therapist even added a 2lb weight. I think the standing helped. This weekend I have been taking care of my son on my own. It is the first time since my surgery. It feels really good to be getting back to normal. I have even been able to do laundry today and carry the baskets up and down the stairs.
This next week I have 3 more physical therapy visits and I am going to work 3 days. My goal is to last a full 8 hours. I know I will have to make myself sit in order to do it, but I think I should be able to accomplish my goal.
I don't know why I have been able to get back to normal so fast. I worked out before but was never very athletic. I think my stubbornness has helped a lot. When I have my mind set on something, I usually can make it happen. I guess it is true, attitude is everything!

Walking Again!

I have been very busy since my last post. Last Friday we went back to IA City and took new X-Rays. Everything looked great so I was given the "all clear" to put weight on my left. I was told there were no restrictions on my movements. If I can tolerate it, I can do it. I was also cleared to drive again, which has been so nice!
Friday evening after my appointment we drove to my friend's cabin at Lake Okoboji. I used the crutches Friday evening but gradually became more confident so that my Saturday afternoon I had ditched the crutches. I have a very pronounced limp that I am working on. It is amazing how easy it is to forget the whole "heel, toe, and bend the knee." My muscles hurt very bad. Mostly in the back of my legs, in the hamstrings. Did I mention how weak my leg is? I can barely lift it upward when lying on my back. I have a lot of work to do, but I am excited to be working towards the end of this story. My mood has improved a lot now that I am able to help with the laundry, cooking, and grocery shopping.
Yesterday I had my first physical therapy appointment. OUCH! I think the most painful part was the massage on my scar. I was given some exercises to do at home and have another appointment on Thursday. I could tell that afterwards I was sooo tired. I took some ibuprofen and felt much better by the evening after I rested for a bit. I am so amazed at how quickly I can get tired and worn out. The other thing I could tell right away was some of the strength was coming back and it made walking without a limp a little bit easier. It is so nice to start to get back to normal!

7 weeks post PAO!

Whew! I finally made it. Tomorrow I go back to IA City for X-rays and hopefully be told I can begin to weight bear. I hope I can, because I have been cheating. (Shhh, don't tell my doctor's office.) I don't recommend for everyone to cheat, but I have been feeling pretty good, haven't even needed to take tylenol for the past week. I have quite a limp, but I can take little steps. I am not confident to do it a long distance from my walker though! I even stood during my shower today, taking small steps around the tub to get clean. It went pretty well, but after cheating for the past 2 hours I can tell I am tired and I have some discomfort.
Today will be a short post, I will have more to report after my appointment tomorrow. This weekend my family and I will travel to Okoboji after my appointment in IA City. It will be a lot of driving, but I am so excited to have a mini reunion with my college friends. So stay tuned, the next post should be good!

6 Weeks PAO - Belated

It has been a little over 6 weeks since my surgery. I was unable to post on the exact date due to the fact I was at a state pharmacy meeting over the weekend. I was a little nervous about the weekend, I would have to stay in a hotel and be on crutches for the entire time. Fortunately the hotel had a great handicapped accessible room complete with transfer bench. My husband was able to travel with me. I still can't put on my own socks!
Everyone at the meeting was really friendly and many helped me open doors and pull out chairs for me. I am glad I live in Iowa where the people are so friendly. I don't know if people would help me out as much if I lived in New York, for example.
I do wish I had a dollar for every time I had to say periacetabular osteotomy. Even in a room full of pharmacists I still got looks of shock and "periacetabular what?"
I must say I can not wait until next week. I go back to Iowa City for follow up x-rays. Hopefully I will get the all clear to bear weight on the left. I have been so ready to walk I gave it a shot last week. Just a little step to see what would happen. Unfortunately my muscles are so weak that I almost fell over. I have been trying to stand on both legs to try to put a little more weight to strengthen those muscles. I don't feel any pain and it almost feels normal.
For my final note, being that today is Father's day, I have to give a big thank you to my husband. He has taken very good care of Caleb and his one-legged wife. We have had a few frustrating times due to my controlling type "A" personality, but we always get through it. We both can't wait to get life back to normal.