It's been 12 weeks since surgery for me and I am back in Vail for my follow-up. I have been having some problems with my left adductor and I was confident that it would be solved or at least identified while I was here. I was correct, of course. The problem really is that I have an IT band that is so tight, you could almost play it like a guitar string. It's painful tight. This is causing my adductor to become prickly and the pain manifests itself in the adductor. Lindsay tried to resolve the tightness with a deep tissue massage and stretching. I thought I was going to cry. In fact, I am pretty sure that tears did come to my eyes and I might have said a bad word or two. Whew!! It was intense. The good news -- after she did some intensive stretching and massage, the adductor felt better.
I saw Dr. Philippon this morning and he confirmed the same. He felt my IT band and grimaced. Ok, it's really that bad. BUT he is very pleased with my progress and has given me a complete release to go live my life. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!! He also caveated it by telling me that I can't go out and do everything at full speed all at once (does he know me???). I have to work up to it but I have no restrictions. He was pleased and impressed at my strength scores (especially for a 50 year old) and said the IT band tightness and adductor issue is extremely common at this point in my recovery. I am quite pleased with myself today.
I have stretching exercises to do along with strict instructions to ice and buy a foam roller to use on my IT band. Painful . . ouch . . . dang . . . but ok. It should clear up in 3 to 4 weeks and I will be good to go. It's really my only issue. How cool is that????
I see him again in April, 2010 for my 1 year check up but other than that, I am free to go (have I heard those words somewhere before?) :-) Seriously, I feel like I have been released from jail in lots of ways and am so happy to have this mostly behind me. A few tweaks in my pt protocol and I am good to go.
He also looked at my ankle and said the feeling should come back in my foot in about 6 months or so. The swelling is definitely better so I am encouraged by that too.
I don't think I have said it in a while so I will say it again -- Dr. Philippon is my hero!! I don't think he will ever realize what he has done for me and giving me a pain free life back. And, thanks to Lindsay, Laurie, Sharon and Kathy for the very important part they have played in getting me back in shape, strong and flexible. I couldn't have done it without all of you!!
5 comments:
April,
I am so happy for you-congratulations-you worked hard for it and coupled with the right surgeon and therapy and you are on your way. So-you can do EVERYTHING now? As long as you work up to it-run, tennis, anything? Did I hear you right? How cool!
HI there, reading your blog is a great source of hope thank you. I am way behind you I am 3 weeks post scope for FAI and labral detachment and praying I get stronger and better.
If you want a trip down memory lane, visit the slow progress that this is on
myfaihippain.blogspot.com
Well done, Louisa
April - Very informative blog. I am dealing with hip issues and it is really difficult to find layman's terms on the various treatments for a torn labrum. Your recap has certainly opened my eyes to the major recovery that is involved in surgery. Glad to hear you are getting close to 100%. Should I go down the path of surgery, I will be spending a great deal of time reading all of your posts.
Thanks, JD
JD --
Best of luck!! Hip pain is miserable. I cannot stress enough the importance of a good orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist. They are lifesavers!! I would be happy to talk with you if you have questions.
april
Hi April - Paul here (left comments in June). Saw my OS today
(Dr. Guanche @ SCOI in LA) for followup with MRI in hip (I hear he is also a good OS). Anyway, need
scoping and have questions for you.
1-Did Dr. P. do repair or debridement on your hip?
2-What grade type tear did you have (I, II, or III)?
3-except for the ocassional pain in hip from my injury, I don't have any stiffness in joints or muscles after waking up in morning. Now 12+ weeks postop, do you have any stiffness or pain first thing when you wake up that wasn't there before?
Your answers will help me better understand what to expect.
Thanks!
Paul
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