Thursday, May 15, 2014

2.5 Months Post-Op

This morning everything hurts from my waist down...except my hip joint!  However, it's all a good muscular hurt.  I had a very productive PT appointment yesterday.  My PT decided that I'm ready to drop all double leg exercises and move onto only single leg exercises.  My program now includes lunges (ouch), a split squat with my operated leg doing all the work and my right leg rest on a chair, a squat and touch back from an elevated step, and drills with an agility ladder.  The agility ladder reminded me of playing high school soccer.  However, it was good to start to progress to some "light impact" activities.  She seemed pleased with my progression.  I asked her how long PT typically continued after this surgery and she said that we would probably be working together until September or so, but that my visits would eventually drop down to once a month.  In her words, "We don't just get you running a 5K again and then abandon you."  That was good to hear.  We talked briefly about my return to running and she dismissed my idea of not running until August.  She said that since I was doing so well, I would probably get to start a run/walk program in about 4 weeks.  I still plan on being very conservative with running in the beginning.  I am in no rush.  Like I told her, after you've been injured for 2 years, another month or two just doesn't matter.  But...RUNNING!

Last weekend I spent all day Saturday at my favorite race, the Ice Age Trail 50 mile/50K.  Being there felt a bit like having to spend the day with an ex who you still have feelings for, but it was a beautiful and sunny day; perfect for spectating and spending time with friends.  My hip held up well.  I walked around a bunch, stood, sat comfortably in camp chairs, and didn't have any issues aside from sitting on the grass for a little too long.  Last year I volunteered, but I didn't sign up this year because I was worried about being post-op.  My worries were unnecessary; it definitely wouldn't have been a problem.  I'll be back next year, of course, but hopefully with a number pinned on my shirt. 


Max King winning the Ice Age Trail 50 Mile with a new course record
Me and my friend George.  Sunburn in full affect.


So far I am incredibly happy that I had this surgery.  I won't hesitate to do it again if my right hip decides to fail.  I think it's so important to put information about this out there on the web, since you tend to find a lot of negative experiences from The Almighty Google.  Recovery has been so much easier than I anticipated.  The reason I am keeping this blog is to hopefully give others a different perspective of this surgery.  I think it is important to note that I am young(ish), an athlete, and my body has proven to be fairly resilient over the course of my life, so I can't deny that does give me a leg up in terms of recovery. 

I am not sure if it would benefit anyone for me to keep posting my weekly walking/biking miles.  I have been walking about 20-25 miles a week at this point.  I feel like I am getting close to approaching unlimited walking.  I have started hiking again as well.  The first hike was a little shaky with some weird muscular twinges, but that soon disappeared after a few more times out.  So far the furthest I've gone has been almost 5 miles carrying an 18 pound pack.  However, if I can hike 5 miles, why not 6?  If I can do 6 miles, why not 7?  (And so on.)  So I feel like from here, it's just a game of getting my muscles up to speed and used to pushing the distances again.  It struck me as I was walking the other day that I don't have groin pain anymore.  I can vividly recall visiting a friend in Chicago over the winter and feeling that steady ache as we walked to dinner.  It's almost strange to not feel the pain anymore.  Amazing, but strange.

Hiking on a grassy open field

Hiking amongst the new wildflowers on my Ice Age Trail

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Week Nine Post-Op

I can't believe it's already been two months. Time has gone by so much faster after surgery, rather than waiting anxiously for surgery to arrive.  That said, I was in a bit of a funk this week.  Every day was cloudy, rainy, and cold; it's May.  Where did you go, Spring?  I also think that I've become used to my normal routine again.  Everything is normal, yet it's not.  I still can't run and am limited in my walking/biking.  I am just trying my best to keep up with my dog's never ending energy.  I am amazed at how well my hip is holding up with the increased walking.  I've also walked a few times on some gentle trails without problems.  (Aside from taking a small digger after getting my ankle caught in a hole.  Yeah, I went totally down.)  I am not sure what my limits are with walking yet.  I am trying my best to increase slowly and not hit a point where I've gone too far.  So far so good, although toward the end of the week I was quite tired and had a few minor twinges in my hip flexor on the operated side.  It has since settled down without issue.

Monday: 2 mile walk
Tuesday: 3.4 mile walk
Wednesday: 1.8 mile walk (Dog park)
Thursday: 3.2 mile walk
Friday: 1.8 mile walk (Dog park)
Saturday: 2.5 miles a.m. + 3 miles p.m.
Sunday: 2.5 miles a.m. + 11 mile bike ride + 1.2 miles p.m.

At PT this week I was bumped from once a week down to once every other week.  I was surprised that happened so fast, but I suppose it makes sense given that I do most of the work at home.  My PT said that soon I'll be able to start light impact and agility stuff like jumping, skipping, ladders, etc.  That sounds scary to me at this point, even though I tentatively tried jumping the other day and I felt no pain.  I'm still doing a lot of squatting exercises at PT.  He seemed very pleased with my progress this week -- we did a lot of me balancing on my operated leg in a squat position while I played catch with the PT from different directions.  Right now I feel like I am just biding my time until June or so.  I am anxiously looking forward to longer bike rides and some real hikes.  Next time I see Dr. Keene is later this month at almost 12 weeks!

Walking with the crazy girl.