No News is Good News

It's been a while since I last posted, but that's because there really isn't too much going on with my hip. And in the world of hips. no news is good news! I can tell you that it's calmed down from October when pivoting was stopping me in my tracks, thank goodness! I started teaching a resistance and weight class once again, and I can feel improvements with each week. I do a lot of work with exercise cuffs, squats, and lunges and the great news is that my leg is able to do what I tell it. My range of motion while in a lunge stance has also improved, and certain stretches are now more comfortable (like laying on my back, 1 foot on the floor with the knee bent, and the other ankle crossed over the bent knee.) So nothing exciting, but that's a good thing!

Massaging the Scar Tissue

OMG, can I just say "OUCH!" I had my scar worked on today by a massage therapist, and boy does that hurt. The skin literally had adhered to the bone, and it hurts like a banshee to have someone apply pressure to it, let alone force. She told me to keep working it. Problem is that the most I can stomach from myself is just applying some oil and lightly rubbing it in. It's hard to inflict pain on one's self. I can feel the heat coming off of it right now, and it's been 5 hours.

No so fast . . .

I'm suppose to be merrily going about my business at this stage of the game, but for the past 4 days my hip is constantly on my mind and has me wondering 'What is going on?!' Out of the blue I've been having pain in the groin area, the same general area where the cartilage was originally torn. It started when I knelt down to kiss my son one day, and is now most prevalent when I pivot. I've also had the sharp electric like shocks pinging me along my outer hip, so maybe the nerves are still trying to reconnect? I can only hope. In spite of this, I did manage to play some golf over the weekend, I figured if it's gonna tear, then it's gonna tear. But of course, that is the worst thing that could happen. Hopefully I'm worried about nothing and the hip calms down--the sooner the better!

1 Year Post Op Appt

It's been 1 year and 1 month to the date since my RPAO, and today I had my 1 year follow up appointment. 2 days ago I had a very unusual pain in my outer hip while teaching a class. It felt as it something had chipped off, hurting so badly that I couldn't put pressure on my leg for a few minutes. My doc thinks it was just a muscle spasm and nothing related to the joint. Thank goodness for that! And I was so please that this spasm decided to happen prior to my appointment rather than after!!

I was also told that if I want more kids to go for it and that no special considerations need to be done for my hip. So that was also good news. I sometimes worry as the hips really change during pregnancy with the joints loosening up and such.

And I told him that my good hip is calming down from all the extra work I put it through last year, but I'm mindful of the activities I do being careful not to irritate it. I pray I never have to go through this again!

So that's it! I go back in a year. What a difference a year makes.

One Year Out!

Has it only been one year since my RPAO? It feels like an eternity! That was one long year with all the rehabbing and getting back on my feet, but it also seems so long ago since I've been in pain--thank GOD! The weekend before my surgery last July I went out and enjoyed an evening of dinner & the casino with friends. By the end of the night I could hardly walk, even the really old people with their walkers and oxygen tanks at the casino were passing me as I tried to walk. I'm not making that up, it's all true and it reconfirmed how badly I needed my hip fixed.

Fast forward a year. Last night I headed out once again to take in the casino & the Kid Rock show. My hip didn't even cross my mind, and it didn't dawn on me until today that my 1 year hip anniversary is here. What a difference a year makes. I am so thankful to have found my awesome surgeon, and so glad that my hip was salvageable! What an experience this has all been, and I'm so lucky that things have worked out as well as they have.

Pain Killer Over Kill!

Having screws removed is a 15 minute procedure, so why all the heavy prescribed drugs?! I was given Fentanyl in the hospital and then sent home with a script for Percocet. Yes I realize that I was cut open a couple of inches and had three screws removed, but I think all these drugs are overkill and have left me with a 6 day headache (not to mention being sick to my stomach from the one Percocet I took for the car ride home.) Looking back at my first scope with 2 tears repaired, I only ever took 2 Vicodin and then resorted to Advil. What I found weird is that when the resident came in to write the script I told him I'd be fine with some strong Motrin, and he still wrote the script for Percocet. Just another situation that proves you know yourself best and to listen to your instincts.

I always thought I had 4 screws, turned out it was only 3.

Screw-less!

I am officially screw-less at last! It's so nice to have those pesky little suckers out, as they always rubbed along the waist band of my pants. After examining the screws myself, I now understand why they did that as they have a rounded head, not flat like a drywall screw. I'll have to post some pics.

Yesterday marked the third time I was put under for my hip since Feb 08. The good news was there was no anxiety on my part going into surgery; knowing it would be a quick, harmless procedure, and I had been through MUCH worse put my mind at ease. It did end up being a longer day then I expected, as I was there for 6 hours. The doc was running behind schedule, but my motto is "if you want the best, then it's worth waiting for', plus my dad & I got to catch the replay of Game 7 Red Wings vs. Ducks which we were planning on re-watching that night at home. So everything worked out for the best.

The procedure was quick, only 15 minutes or so. But I still needed a good hour+ in recovery. When I came to, I know I was still out of it but for some reason felt I had to prove to myself that I was coherent enough to have a conversation and proceeded to talk the ear off of the poor guy that was watching over me. It was kind of like one of those drunken situations where the drunk thinks he's fine as he's slurring all over the place (especially after I was given a dose of Fentanyl.) Reminds me of that Joe Namath interview:




Anyways, the procedure was a piece of cake. What did surprise me is how sick I was on the painkiller Percocet, to the point of being physically sick (which is a first in this whole ordeal.) But after a rough night I realize that I do not need any strong painkillers. I'm getting around on my own, although a little slow. I expect to be feeling much better in a couple of days. Doc said to take it easy for 2 weeks, and that the holes in my bones will heal in 4 weeks.

Boot Camp--What the Hell was I Thinking?

An opportunity arose for me to sub a Bootcamp class at one of the gyms I teach at. Prior to surgery I use to teach a much more aggressive format, and since surgery I've been keeping up with my workouts on my own time. So, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to prove to myself that I still got it. Well, let me tell ya something--not teaching this format for over a year and then jumping in for one day was not the brightest idea I've ever had. You know that post-workout soreness that sets in 24-48 hours later? I got it within 6 hours. And it was not that "good sore" that reminds you that you just had a killer workout. It was a soreness that I've never felt before. The only movement I could do pain free was breathe, and even that was pushing it. The real kicker is that I didn't even do the entire workout, mostly demoed a few moves and then coached the class through. But I know that dang adrenaline has a way of taking over and I always tend to over do it. Oh brother did I over do it! For now I'll stick with teaching water--Monday & Wednesday mornings--and do my own thing on alternate days. Maybe I need to kick it up a notch?!

On another note, I just want to give a shout out to everyone who keeps checking in on my blog! I know I don't post so much anymore, but there's just not that much going on. Screws are set to come out May 15th, but I've already told you that.

Feeling Normal!

I've had a big 3 days. Detroit is hosting the Final Four tourney this weekend, and I just had to go downtown and check it out! I wore a really cute pair of boots with a heel and walked for miles around the city. This is a big deal why? Because I haven't worn heels in over a year. And to walk from Joe Louis, to Ford Field, to Greektown in heels without an inkling of hip pain is a major deal to me.

And then this morning I taught my first water class since July. So aside from jumping and running, I'm back in the full swing of things. Screws come out May 15th!

Back to Work

Looks like I will be back on the fitness schedule starting in April! I'm going to start teaching water class. That will work out perfectly, as I won't feel like I'm over doing it by picking up all sorts of strength classes in the studios. Plus come summer time we teach outdoors, which is awesome at nine in the morning.

Scoped Celebrities

Now that the most famous baseball player of this generation (A-Rod) has undergone the hip scope, I was curious to know what other famous people are included in this select group. Come to find out, there's a lot!

According to www.drjonhyman.com, famous hip arthroscopy patients include: singer Barry Manilow and Professional athletes like golfer Greg Norman, hockey player Mario Lemieux, skater Tara Lipinski, and football player Priest Holmes. Several NBA Basketball players have had hip arthroscopy in recent years, including Theo Ratliffe w/the Atlanta Hawks(2002), Sam Cassell, Joe and Josh Shipp, and Troy Hudson (2008.) Others include figure skater MIchelle Kwan and goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

According to www.newsday.com, Alex Rodriguz's surgeon, Mark Philippon, removed a "pincer" impingement, stabilized cartilage, repaired the labrum tear and debrided the lining of the cyst. It's also reported that Rodriguez will need a second operation after the season to take care of a "cam" impingement in the hip--this surgery will be much more major and keep him sidelined longer. This Sports Illustrated article sums things up nicely: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/david_epstein/03/08/arod.hip/index.html

Not that I would wish this surgery on anyone, but after having two hips scopes done last year on the same hip (due to a re-tear 6 weeks after scope #1 which finally resulted in a PAO), it's kind of nice to have someone draw attention to this problem so people have a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Temporary Reprieve from Kickboxing Retirement

One of the gyms that I teach at was in desperate need of a kickboxing sub, and after mulling it over for a few hours I committed to teaching it. Was this a good idea? Would I be able to do it? Could I teach without jumping around? Would I pay dearly for it? It's been 13 months since I taught kickboxing. Heck, it's been 13 months since I taught anything in-studio. But I wanted to do it just to prove to myself that I could. I was a little nervous, hoping people would understand why I was modifying my moves and hoping they would still make the most out of their workout. So often participants follow EXACTLY what the instructor does. I mean to the point if I stopped to tie my shoe, they would, too--LOL.

It was awesome how everything came back to me. There were a couple times I found myself wanting to jump and go with the adrenaline rush, but my mind & body were very much aware that jumping around isn't in my best interest. I did however surprise myself with the ease and height of my kicks at times. It just felt natural.

It was good to see some of my former participants. Some have been with me since 2002! I had a great time, I felt great, and I couldn't believe how fast the hour went. I sure hope everyone enjoyed it! They gave me a little round of applause at the end, that made me feel really good. So even though I won't be taking over any kickboxing class, I can sneak a couple classes in a year and get my fix that way!

What's Up Good Hip?

Since when do I have a cranky good hip?! The last couple weeks it's been aggravated. I thought it was from over compensating, or tweaking my back a bit, or maybe the ligaments are irritated from the elliptical? But I really think I've been in denial that something more is going on. It hurts deep in the buttocks, and that is not a good sign. It hurts so bad today that I'm considering bringing out the crutches to take some weight off of it. I am not going through all this again, please let this be temporary. I have to get on with my lift! Ugh.

PAO Video

I was reading another fellow PAO patient's blog and stumbled upon this video of a PAO surgery. Although it wasn't that graphic, I'm glad I didn't watch it before hand. I just don't have a stomach for blood and hammering and bone sawing noises. None-the-less, I think it's worth posting. I'm still very jealous of all the people that got to use a walker, I think it would have made life so much easier than the dang crutches right after surgey. Yes, I'm still holding a grudge about that!

6 Month Check Up

January 19th was my official 6 month post-PAO date, and today was my 6 month follow-up appointment. Things went well. I told him I feel about 75% but have no regrets on having the surgery. As of late I have been having some weird pains when I pivot my foot (like when I step away from a counter), and there has been a couple occasions where I go to stand up and walk only to feel something that stops me in my tracks. It's almost like it wants to stick or lock but then works its way out. He said these things usually work their way out, but he also thinks my gluteus maximus tendon is irritated, possibly from the elliptical. But mostly I say I'm 75% because there is no way I could jump around or run right now, if ever. My son darted off in a parking lot recently and it took everything I had to chase him down. Let me tell ya, there was nothing graceful about my running style. It's like a step-hop-step-hop, and I look ridiculous!

We also discussed screw removal. At last visit he mentioned I could do it under local anesthetic, and remain awake. This time he said he would advise against local and just go for the general. I guess he recently removed screws using local from a double PAO patient who he described her personality as "hard as nails", and she was in extreme pain (she described it as way worse than natural child birth.) Yeah, last thing I want is to be pinned down screaming my head off with the doc standing over me with a drill. I wouldn't want to rattle him while he works, I think I'll take the general. Good news is that it's a quick procedure and only a small incision.

I am also gearing up to return to teaching fitness this Spring. I've started attending some classes to prep my body, but the truth is that you work so much harder as an instructor, so no matter what I'm gonna be sore after I start teaching again. Oh well, it will be a good and welcome kind of soreness.