More PT

I've been going three times a week, I can really feel myself get better.  I've moved on to v2 of my at-home exercises, so I must be getting stronger.

I also notice that my flexibility is much better.  I was able to almost do a split in the water today.  I can bend my knees to my chest now too.  When I get re-evaluated, I'm sure that will be a huge improvement.

I'm still walking with my cane.  It definitely helps my gait when I use it.  Yesterday I walked and did some light cleaning in the garage without it all day.  And I hurt afterwards.  I notice that my gait suddenly got sloppy too.  I started walking with that hip-hop 'hitch' as my hip starting dropping.  I've been consciously making sure that doesn't happen, but walking without the cane just tires those muscles out.

Today in the pool I got a new therapist since my usual one was out sick.  It was a guy, which was cool; someone new to talk to.  But, when it came time for the 'manipulation' of the scar to help break up the scar tissue, I was like 'no thanks'.  I'll wait for one of the others to touch me there :)

Physical good. Mental Bad.

I've lost  my mind.  It's 37 degrees and ridiculous wind and I rode my motorcycle to physical therapy today.

Therapy is working great.  I've also been doing sessions where she is breaking up the scar tissue.  Afterward we did pool work, the treadmill and stretching.

I have to admit I took a long hot shower in preparation for the trip back.  And I still froze my ass off.  Brrr!

Aquatic Therapy

This was more like it.  I was able to work out in the pool at the physical therapist.  93 degrees and long enough to do some pretty cool exercises.

When I was evaluated, my range of motion was pretty good, but my strength was down.  So a bunch of exercises were all about building strength.

I did laps, walking back and forth in the water.  Did some treading of water.  Worked on the treadmill.  And probably the best one was simply walking up steps with my bad leg, letting the buoyancy of the water hold me up so I could go through the motion. 

I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to my upcoming three sessions next week.

First meeting with the Physical Therapist

I drove down to meet my PT today.  She's great.  What I didn't realize about PT is how much work *I* have to do.  For some reason I thought it was all machines and this and that. But it is more like homework!

She measured my range of motion and I'm not in bad shape, but both legs are weak.  So I've got all kinds of exercises to do, most of them lying down.

Something very interesting- I had assumed that not walking with my crutches or cane would be a good thing.  Nope.  Since I'm limping, I'm training my body to walk like that, which will affect my gait for a long time.  Turns out I need to get back with the cane and force myself not to let my hip sag when I move the bad leg.  It'll strengthen the hip, and prevent bad habits.

I'm trying to get PT in as soon as possible, so I'm back at the PT tomorrow and will be working in the pool, then three days next week!

Bony growth

I got a reading about my x-ray- and found this interesting note.

Findings: Left total hip arthroplasty without dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, or definite periprosthetic lucency. Cerclage wire remains in place about the proximal femur. There is some heterotopic bone formation adjacent to the left proximal femur. Joint space is preserved at the right hip. Minimal sclerosis the pubic symphysis, likely degenerative in etiology. Skin staples have been removed from the left hip since the prior examination. Impression: Removal of skin staples. Left total hip arthroplasty without radiographic evidence of complication.

 I of course, googled for this and found that it occurs in men- for some reason bone starts growing in soft tissue.  In extreme cases, it can join two pieces of bone that weren't meant to be joined- such as the femur and pelvis.  For me, I can see a swirl of bone cells in my leg.  They're low down, below the cable, so they shouldn't matter.  I've also asked the doctor and my radiologist friend and both of them said not to worry.

When are you going to quit limping?

said my wife as we left dining out tonight.

Can you believe her?  It hasn't even been a week yet since I took my first steps.  And she's been cautioning me the whole time.  Let me review- at the doctor last week he said "you can start putting full weight on your leg." and gave me a prescription for therapy.  And said "they'll have you move from two crutches to one crutch, to maybe a cane."  Well, I skipped all that and went straight to walking.  Haven't used the crutches for 5 days now.  So I think I'm doing pretty well, but now my wife is pressing me to get better faster- when I'm already ahead of schedule!  Sheesh!  :)