Six weeks later
It's six weeks ago today that I came out of surgery. I'm walking without a cane, and have stopped taking pain meds - mostly. I still waddle a bit when I walk, but it's getting better all the time. I'm feeling great, full of energy, and ready to take up my life! There are so many things I've been held back from because of my hip pain. I'm excited!
GP Visit
I saw my GP earlier in the week, and she said I'm doing great! I asked for her approval for me to drive. She asked what I thought. 'I'm fine.' I countered. So I'm driving again, which makes getting around much easier!
My GP, Vanessa, showed me before and after X-rays. It was strange to see the x-ray of my hip and leg with the prosthesis in it. It was like looking at a picture of someone else. Vanessa showed me the X-ray of my hip before the surgery. You could see there was no space. It was, as they say, bone on bone. She asked me to describe the difference between the pain before, and now.
The quality of pain
I remember it was sharp, I could feel the lack of cartilage. The amount of pain increased directly with the amount of heavy lifting I did - or walking on a hard surface. This pain is different. Rather than in the joint, I feel it in the muscle. It feels like if I could do a looooong held pigeon pose, it would feel much better. Exactly what I can't do right now, with my 3 precautions.
Not the left hip too??
I also saw the x-ray of the other hip, and Vanessa checked its range of motion. She says I'll need to get the left hip done too, but to wait a bit. I have some ideas around that. I'll share them with you in another post. Can you say 'Lectins'?
Physio
At my physio visit yesterday, John manipulated my right leg. He says there's old stuff from the years of pain mixed up with trauma from the surgery and recovery. But he assures me plenty of movement in the future.
John asked me to stand, then tuck my pelvis under a lot. He had me stand up taller, then untuck two thirds. When I walked forward, I felt taller, and there was less pain. He also had me walk backwards a bit, which was uncomfortable, but switched things up so when I walked forward again it felt smoother. As suggested by John, when I remember to, I float forward from my lumbar, which smooths it out.
Surgeon
All in all, I'm very pleased with my recovery so far. Today I drove down to the hospital to get x-rays for the surgeon to look at before our meeting next Thursday. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Second Physio Visit
Second Physio Visit
I saw a physio here in Sooke yesterday. Having practiced physiotherapy and acupuncture for 20-some years, John is compassionate and knowledgeable. An unassuming man with the soul of a healer and a monk-like, puckish grin.
John asked me about the history of my hip, noticing that I sat with my weight on the left. After a few gentle questions, I found my eyes tearing up. I remembered an ex-dancer in his early 50's who told me of his grieving following his double hip replacement. He'd waited until he could barely walk before getting surgery. John mentioned holding space for a natural grieving process. I realize it's a necessary part of my healing. I don't like having to live with a porcelain hip. I liked my body just fine as it was - before the pain. I think I need to play me some cryin' tunes.
The MyoFascial Web
John placed me in front of a mirror and looked at my posture. He asked me to notice how my pelvis was shifted to the left, my ribs and shoulders to the right. John described the fascia as a net that weaves through all the tissues of the body. Put your fingers into the net, and twist it. The twist will carry through the rest of the net, creating pulls in other places.
Symmetry, symmetry, symmetry!
To correct my posture, John asked me to root through my feet, still allowing my right foot to rotate outwards about 45 degrees. Then to do a Kegel (like yoga's Mula Bandha) and engage my core (Samanha Vayu), keeping the upper abdominals soft. He encouraged me to lengthen, to reach up through the crown of my head. Through creating length in the spine, taking the slack out, everything slid into alignment.
My hip flexors have been shortening, and my lumbar curve deepening. John recommended that rather than a walker, I use crutches. These will enable me to walk evenly as well as continue to lengthen instead of leaning forward over the walker. Crutches for a bit, then a cane. I'll be walking unaided in no time.
Fears
I was already feeling impatient with 3 - 6 months of precautions. When John said 12 - 18 months for total recovery, I almost burst into tears. I realize he means until everything's all aligned, no limp, etc., but that's a long time!!!
He asked me what I am afraid of. These are my fears:
It's about the journey
How often do I have to be reminded?? John suggested I enjoy this process of healing. Which started me thinking that it's kind of like a reverse pregnancy. My surgery could (with much less required from me) be likened to the trauma of childbirth. I need to spend more than nine months caring well for my body. Each month will bring more ease, rather than less. My work is accepting each day for the challenges it brings, and having faith in the process.
Being reborn into a body that moves fluidly, painfree - I think that's worth waiting for. For that, I can do my best to live each day consciously. To eat well, move well and rest well. To care for my spirit and my soul, opening space for emotions to flow. I can choose patience, with that shining light at the end of the tunnel.
I saw a physio here in Sooke yesterday. Having practiced physiotherapy and acupuncture for 20-some years, John is compassionate and knowledgeable. An unassuming man with the soul of a healer and a monk-like, puckish grin.
John asked me about the history of my hip, noticing that I sat with my weight on the left. After a few gentle questions, I found my eyes tearing up. I remembered an ex-dancer in his early 50's who told me of his grieving following his double hip replacement. He'd waited until he could barely walk before getting surgery. John mentioned holding space for a natural grieving process. I realize it's a necessary part of my healing. I don't like having to live with a porcelain hip. I liked my body just fine as it was - before the pain. I think I need to play me some cryin' tunes.
The MyoFascial Web
John placed me in front of a mirror and looked at my posture. He asked me to notice how my pelvis was shifted to the left, my ribs and shoulders to the right. John described the fascia as a net that weaves through all the tissues of the body. Put your fingers into the net, and twist it. The twist will carry through the rest of the net, creating pulls in other places.
Symmetry, symmetry, symmetry!
To correct my posture, John asked me to root through my feet, still allowing my right foot to rotate outwards about 45 degrees. Then to do a Kegel (like yoga's Mula Bandha) and engage my core (Samanha Vayu), keeping the upper abdominals soft. He encouraged me to lengthen, to reach up through the crown of my head. Through creating length in the spine, taking the slack out, everything slid into alignment.
My hip flexors have been shortening, and my lumbar curve deepening. John recommended that rather than a walker, I use crutches. These will enable me to walk evenly as well as continue to lengthen instead of leaning forward over the walker. Crutches for a bit, then a cane. I'll be walking unaided in no time.
Fears
I was already feeling impatient with 3 - 6 months of precautions. When John said 12 - 18 months for total recovery, I almost burst into tears. I realize he means until everything's all aligned, no limp, etc., but that's a long time!!!
He asked me what I am afraid of. These are my fears:
- That I'll need to get my left hip replaced too. Johns says it's likely.
- That when it's all healed up, I'll have a squeak, or a clunk, or one leg longer than the other.
- That my range of motion continues to be very limited.
It's about the journey
How often do I have to be reminded?? John suggested I enjoy this process of healing. Which started me thinking that it's kind of like a reverse pregnancy. My surgery could (with much less required from me) be likened to the trauma of childbirth. I need to spend more than nine months caring well for my body. Each month will bring more ease, rather than less. My work is accepting each day for the challenges it brings, and having faith in the process.
Being reborn into a body that moves fluidly, painfree - I think that's worth waiting for. For that, I can do my best to live each day consciously. To eat well, move well and rest well. To care for my spirit and my soul, opening space for emotions to flow. I can choose patience, with that shining light at the end of the tunnel.
Today's quote: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Monday, May 13, 2013
Hip Replacement Video
I just found this very nicely done video of the workings of the hip joint, and what happens during a hip replacement. I love the capabilities we have we computer graphics to look inside the body for a deeper understanding of how it works.
Check it out!
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hip-replacement/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Check it out!
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Hip-replacement/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Three Weeks Post-Surgery
Friday May 3rd marked three weeks since my surgery. My time on the operating table seems so long ago, as with every day I have less pain, and more movement. I'm not so tired anymore, and am feeling able to return to giving bodywork treatments. I'd like to balance my receiving practice with offering others the health and wellness of Clearheart Bodywork. Besides, much as I love my home, it's time for me to get out in the sunshine!
Physiotherapy
I was very pleased to have my first physiotherapy session yesterday. It was a treat to have some outside input on my healing journey. It's a bit weird hanging out at home, wondering whether I'm doing things right, or not. As the physio said, they give the same 3 precautions to everyone, regardless of personal requirements. It is nice that at 50, technically middle aged, (or old, according to my step-daughter), I am in the 'young' category. Most people who've had this surgery are much older than me.
I went to the Royal Jubilee Hospital physio department. My physio, Jason, was easy-going and knowledgeable. One of his first questions was "So - about the driving thing...?"
Say 'no!' to Driving?!
A few days ago, I'd started helping drive our kids to various activities. I tossed my cushion on the driver's seat to keep my hips at less than 90 degrees, and proceded with care. At the Joint Replacement Clinic (JRC) they had said not to drive while on the heavy painkillers, which I'm long past. They also said there's a danger of clenching muscles in reaction to an intense driving situation, and perhaps do some damage. My pain is not so bad these days, and I'm pretty relaxed, so I reasoned, with a little luck, I'd be fine.
But Jason said if I have an accident, and ICBC found out I'd recently had a hip replacement, they'd have a field day. Usually you don't start driving until you get your surgeon's permission. Who knew? So, back to being chauffeured until I wangle a visit with my GP.
Jason checked my healing, and watched me take a stroll with a walker. He said I move like my surgery was two months ago, not a scant three weeks. He did recommend that I keep using the walker, to retrain my muscles effectively. He suggested a 4 wheel, rather than the 2-wheeled one the JRC told me to use. It's tough to stay behind the walker, when I can walk pretty well without it.
He says my incision looks good, and showed me some cross-fibre massage, that will keep it from adhering to the fascia. I got the definite okay to get back in the hot tub - yay! He gave me some simple exercises and stretches, which I'll incorporate in my yoga practice.
Visit to the Surgeon
I see the surgeon in three weeks, at which I can find out more about how long I continue with the three precautions. Jason reminded me that the ligaments around the joint capsule have been cut, and since there is little blood flow in the joint, they will take a long time to heal. If I do accidentally dislocate my hip, it will dislocate easily forever after. Yuck! So no pigeon pose for me for three, maybe even six months. It's going to feel sooo good when I get there!
Since the surgeon has been up close and personal with the head of my femur and my acetabulum (hip socket), he'll be able to tell me how great my risk of dislocation is. If the femoral head sits deep in the socket, I can probably get moving sooner. If my acetabulum is on the shallow side, I'll be cultivating more a lot more patience.
I'm Doing Great!
Generally, Jason was very positive about my progress, and said I was doing great. These are the things I attribute it to:
Physiotherapy
I was very pleased to have my first physiotherapy session yesterday. It was a treat to have some outside input on my healing journey. It's a bit weird hanging out at home, wondering whether I'm doing things right, or not. As the physio said, they give the same 3 precautions to everyone, regardless of personal requirements. It is nice that at 50, technically middle aged, (or old, according to my step-daughter), I am in the 'young' category. Most people who've had this surgery are much older than me.
I went to the Royal Jubilee Hospital physio department. My physio, Jason, was easy-going and knowledgeable. One of his first questions was "So - about the driving thing...?"
Say 'no!' to Driving?!
A few days ago, I'd started helping drive our kids to various activities. I tossed my cushion on the driver's seat to keep my hips at less than 90 degrees, and proceded with care. At the Joint Replacement Clinic (JRC) they had said not to drive while on the heavy painkillers, which I'm long past. They also said there's a danger of clenching muscles in reaction to an intense driving situation, and perhaps do some damage. My pain is not so bad these days, and I'm pretty relaxed, so I reasoned, with a little luck, I'd be fine.
But Jason said if I have an accident, and ICBC found out I'd recently had a hip replacement, they'd have a field day. Usually you don't start driving until you get your surgeon's permission. Who knew? So, back to being chauffeured until I wangle a visit with my GP.
Jason checked my healing, and watched me take a stroll with a walker. He said I move like my surgery was two months ago, not a scant three weeks. He did recommend that I keep using the walker, to retrain my muscles effectively. He suggested a 4 wheel, rather than the 2-wheeled one the JRC told me to use. It's tough to stay behind the walker, when I can walk pretty well without it.
He says my incision looks good, and showed me some cross-fibre massage, that will keep it from adhering to the fascia. I got the definite okay to get back in the hot tub - yay! He gave me some simple exercises and stretches, which I'll incorporate in my yoga practice.
Visit to the Surgeon
I see the surgeon in three weeks, at which I can find out more about how long I continue with the three precautions. Jason reminded me that the ligaments around the joint capsule have been cut, and since there is little blood flow in the joint, they will take a long time to heal. If I do accidentally dislocate my hip, it will dislocate easily forever after. Yuck! So no pigeon pose for me for three, maybe even six months. It's going to feel sooo good when I get there!
Since the surgeon has been up close and personal with the head of my femur and my acetabulum (hip socket), he'll be able to tell me how great my risk of dislocation is. If the femoral head sits deep in the socket, I can probably get moving sooner. If my acetabulum is on the shallow side, I'll be cultivating more a lot more patience.
I'm Doing Great!
Generally, Jason was very positive about my progress, and said I was doing great. These are the things I attribute it to:
- healthy diet, with lots of greens, raw juices and smoothies
- Arnica, Traumeel and Vitamin C
- RESTORATIVE YOGA PRACTICE!
- Nettle Tea
- lots of water
- plenty of conscious activity and rest
- positive attitude and visualizing healing
- icepacks 3 - 4x/day
- the love and support of my family and friends!!!
Asana Practice - Standing Poses!
I busted out a few standing poses this morning, which felt wonderful. Much as I love my restorative practice, it's been a month since I've done any standing asana. I warmed up with a few modified Sun Salutations, along with some squats to bring back the strength in my quads.
For balance poses, I did a very tiny tree pose, holding a wall when I stood on my right (operated) leg. I very gently practiced Triangle pose (Trikonasana), Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana), and Intense Side Stretch (Parsvottanasana). I did a nice standing quad stretch Jason showed me, supporting the foot of the stretching leg on a cushion rather than holding it. This allows the quad to be passive, and stretch more effectively.
It was interesting and a bit of a brain twist to remember not to fold more than 90 degrees at the hip in all postures. I focused a lot on engaging my leg muscles, and especially on drawing the head of the femur into the hip socket. After a very short time, I felt the muscles in my hip had had enough.
I opened, as usual, with Supta Baddha Konasana, and closed with a variation of it. An interesting side note from Jason, is that the hip and leg can relax best when supported in a slightly bent, and outwardly rotated position. No wonder this posture feels so deeply healing.
Today's quote: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
~ Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC) This is the popular form of this quotation, a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." Rather than emphasizing the first step, Lau Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing would be "Even the longest journey must begin where you stand." [note by Michael Moncur, September 01, 2004]
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