After Monday's PT session, I felt pretty good. I bought a heating pad at Target with Mom on the way home and have been making sure to heat my hip a few times a day to keep it from getting stiff. On Monday, I did take a little extra medication, just to keep ahead of the pain, because I had a feeling I would be sore after the PT stretched me out and had me on the bike. I did however, call my surgeon's office today to get a new prescription to lower my dose of Oxycontin. Another week and I'm hoping to be off it completely!
On Monday night, we decided that it was time to attempt getting me off the couch for the night. I have been couch sleeping since I got home on the 26th of February (3.5 weeks!), and was anxious to try my own bed. Ben was more scared than I was, afraid that he might roll over and hit my leg in the night. He put up a barrier between us, using a rolled up blanket, then surrounded me with pillows. I had a pillow under my knees, one between my legs, one for my head, then the blanket rolled up on my left side (not as cozy as it all sounds). I slept pretty well, only waking up at 4 am when Ben quickly sat up to check and make sure I was still doing okay. I have recently figured out a pretty good way of rolling over onto my non-operated hip. I can sleep on my right side, with the pillows between my legs, under me, and behind me, for about 30 minutes. Then I wake up, uncomfortable, and needing to get on my back. It takes a few minutes to get situated again onto my back, but I make it work and can go from side to back, then side again all by myself throughout the night. It is a workout though, since I am using my upper body to move my hips around, but at least I am not stuck on my back.
Last night was the second night in my own bed, and although I wasn't as comfortable as night # 1, I made it. I think the couch will officially be only for day time resting and napping at this point. It is so exhausting getting up and down the stairs, that I am only willing to do that once a day or when necessary. I'll save the stairs for bedtime at this point.
So back to PT. Today was my second session. On Monday, my PT had said that she wasn't exactly familiar with the PAO and that she needed to get my surgery report before she was willing to really do some work on me. She wanted to make sure she knew my restrictions (and I wanted her to know them too!). So today she went over what she found from my surgeon. "Wow.", she said. "You had a lot of work done." I'm glad she realized that. She discussed what she read in the report and I told her I will bring her in my xray on Friday, since she hasn't seen a PAO image before. She seemed very interested in the surgery, and really makes me feel good about what she has in store for me.
I started my session with 10 minutes of heat, then mostly stretching. Laying on my back, she guided my leg in all directions. Up, down, in, out. Very, very slow. At times I felt as my hip was moving so much, but when I looked down, I realized it had barely gone from it's starting point. That's okay. It will take time to get my old range of motion back. Lots and lots of time.
I ended my session on the bike again. This time was better than Monday, still not making full, quick circles around, but a little more smooth. I have a feeling that in 2 weeks, I will be going around and around without a thought. My leg is beginning to remember what it is supposed to be doing!
So, after talking to my PT, and trying to explain exactly what it was that was done during the surgery (hence me bringing in my xray on Friday), I thought, it has to be hard to understand if you haven't been shown. So I am adding this link to my blog for those of you who are curious as to what I had done. Don't worry, this is just an animation- no blood. But go ahead and check out what my old and new hip look like. You'll be surprised at what these doctors were able to do... and more surprised that I am up and walking (with aid) this soon after surgery. Our bodies (and surgeons) are amazing! http://www.hss.edu/animation-PAO-periacetabular-osteotomy.htm
On Monday night, we decided that it was time to attempt getting me off the couch for the night. I have been couch sleeping since I got home on the 26th of February (3.5 weeks!), and was anxious to try my own bed. Ben was more scared than I was, afraid that he might roll over and hit my leg in the night. He put up a barrier between us, using a rolled up blanket, then surrounded me with pillows. I had a pillow under my knees, one between my legs, one for my head, then the blanket rolled up on my left side (not as cozy as it all sounds). I slept pretty well, only waking up at 4 am when Ben quickly sat up to check and make sure I was still doing okay. I have recently figured out a pretty good way of rolling over onto my non-operated hip. I can sleep on my right side, with the pillows between my legs, under me, and behind me, for about 30 minutes. Then I wake up, uncomfortable, and needing to get on my back. It takes a few minutes to get situated again onto my back, but I make it work and can go from side to back, then side again all by myself throughout the night. It is a workout though, since I am using my upper body to move my hips around, but at least I am not stuck on my back.
Last night was the second night in my own bed, and although I wasn't as comfortable as night # 1, I made it. I think the couch will officially be only for day time resting and napping at this point. It is so exhausting getting up and down the stairs, that I am only willing to do that once a day or when necessary. I'll save the stairs for bedtime at this point.
So back to PT. Today was my second session. On Monday, my PT had said that she wasn't exactly familiar with the PAO and that she needed to get my surgery report before she was willing to really do some work on me. She wanted to make sure she knew my restrictions (and I wanted her to know them too!). So today she went over what she found from my surgeon. "Wow.", she said. "You had a lot of work done." I'm glad she realized that. She discussed what she read in the report and I told her I will bring her in my xray on Friday, since she hasn't seen a PAO image before. She seemed very interested in the surgery, and really makes me feel good about what she has in store for me.
I started my session with 10 minutes of heat, then mostly stretching. Laying on my back, she guided my leg in all directions. Up, down, in, out. Very, very slow. At times I felt as my hip was moving so much, but when I looked down, I realized it had barely gone from it's starting point. That's okay. It will take time to get my old range of motion back. Lots and lots of time.
I ended my session on the bike again. This time was better than Monday, still not making full, quick circles around, but a little more smooth. I have a feeling that in 2 weeks, I will be going around and around without a thought. My leg is beginning to remember what it is supposed to be doing!
So, after talking to my PT, and trying to explain exactly what it was that was done during the surgery (hence me bringing in my xray on Friday), I thought, it has to be hard to understand if you haven't been shown. So I am adding this link to my blog for those of you who are curious as to what I had done. Don't worry, this is just an animation- no blood. But go ahead and check out what my old and new hip look like. You'll be surprised at what these doctors were able to do... and more surprised that I am up and walking (with aid) this soon after surgery. Our bodies (and surgeons) are amazing! http://www.hss.edu/animation-PAO-periacetabular-osteotomy.htm