The dreaded "oh no"

Two Sundays ago, I got off the elliptical after a great work out and was on top of the world. And then, later in the day I had my oh no moment. Stiffness in my bad right knee. Shake it off I told myself for over a week. But yet it persisted and began to get much worse. Oh no, oh no, oh no. This can't be happening. I'm finally back to my A game. But like a bad cold, it wouldn't let go. So off again to Rothman. And after looking at it. The doc couldn't rule out a potential cyst on the femur. Come again? And another date with an MRI, which I did today. You know you're an old pro when you can get in the machine as is, no need to change into one of those goofy doctor outfits. The tech was a runner as well and felt my pain. So when I went to leave he said pick up your report later today and I didn't see a cyst. Also, said thinks it's an IT Band issue. Could it be a ray of hope. Upon my return, two fist butts with the tech. A tight IT band. Rest and stretching. Whoo Hoo. Life is good again. And I know, most non runners think I'm crazy. But if your in the band, you get the music. My running days are more limited these days but I still like a good sweat when working out. Just happy right now nothing more serious. And now to deal with this rest issue! I'm not who that likes to sit around, but I will for now knowing that I just got lucky.

One Year Later

And what a year it has been. I successfully completed my 12 weeks of post physical therapy. What a breeze compared to my knee. The one area that I struggled with was stabilizing my leg muscle. We did a lot of one legged exercises and boy did that right leg shake to stabilize at first. But as I regained my strength, it became easier. We bought a high end elliptical to replace my everyday running. I hate to admit it, but I need a good sweat when working out and I wasn't getting that on the exercise bike. You know the kind, where you're soaked from head to toe. One year later and I'm still using the elliptical a lot. Relatively pain free, but with the occasional pain in the back hamstrings and lower abs. I have no idea if the lower ab is related to surgery. It's higher than the groin pain and there is no glut pain. And I have to admit it, I do occasionally run, but primarily if there is no other option. A few weeks ago, I logged four straight daysgot 3 to 5 miles with no pain. Would I do it again? That is a resounding yes. Life is pretty much back to normal. Do I miss running everyday? Of course. I miss the wind in my hair and the sound of pitter patter as the dogs and I make our way around the park. but I also learned to adapt. I'm still very active, but with almost no pain. Life is good

Third Week Post Surgery

Last Monday, I had my first real breakthrough with walking.  Finally, it feels like I am engaging all of my leg muscles and the hip is starting to move more freely.  Since surgery, I have struggled with an ever so slight limp, which really was a result of tightness.  This week I have made a concerted effort to engage my muscles while walking and that seems to be doing the trick.

Every day, I have continued to do my twice daily physical therapy at home.  Yesterday, I also had my second visit to my local physical therapist.  I continue to experience a slight tightness (primarily in my side and gluts), but no pain in my groin.  To be honest, in many ways the exercises seem too easy.  I know, I'm not supposed to overdo it!

This week, I also get to "up" the biking an extra 5 minutes per day with minimal resistence (yeah).  My dear husband set the bike up so that I can look out the window to our backyard and it's signs of spring life.  So, if my I close my eyes and daydream a little, it's almost like riding around the park!

  

Second Week Post Surgery

I went to a school where "Fight On" is the mantra.  I am determined to recover from this surgery....but it is tough not being super active.  Dr. Byrd's parting words:  "Don't over do it.  We don't want a set back."  His nurse also lectured that a lot of people start to feel really good at the 1 month part, but then attempt too much and are right back in pain.  So, it is a delicate balance.  The need to get better.  The want to do it immediately!

I am still pretty much pain free (yeah).  I still have stiffness and a ever so slight limp while walking.  I will say that I amazed my beautician (who is also a runner).  I walked right in and sat down.  Not until I was seated did I tell her that I had surgery last week.  She had no idea!  

Erica, the physical therapist, from Nashville has me on a 12 week plan.  I am now working on week 2 and do my exercises two times a day, 3 sets of 15.  And am still pain free---just a little stiff.    This weeks exercises include: abduction isometrics, mini squats, standing heels, different theraband exercises and superman (my personal favorite).  Happy to report that I am making progress.  Just 3-4 weeks before I can get on an elliptical (can't wait).

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I love to run.  There is nothing like coming home from work and heading to the park across the street to decompress.  The doctor laughed when I asked would I able to run again.  His comment was that he would never be crazy enough to tell a runner that they shouldn't run---because he knows what they'll do.  And yes, I will be able to run again, but the question becomes should I.  I've been doing a lot of thinking in this regard.    

First Week Post Surgery

When I awoke from surgery, I found out that I was very lucky.  A sliver of my labrum was causing all of my pain. The doctor trimmed that area and preserved as much of the labrum as possible.  I also did not have a bone issue and no arthritis.  We went back to the hotel and plugged in my rented Game Changer (an ice and compression machine), that I highly recommend.

The next morning I had a physical therapy session and post-op meeting with the doctor.  I was shocked to find that I could actually walk and take a shower.  I have three small incisions on my right side, where the doctor entered to perform surgery.  And the wonderful part, I no longer had my groin pain.  I was more stiff than in pain.  Basically, it feels like someone punched me in my side.  I was told to use a crutch for a week or until I felt stable.  By day two, I ditched the crutches (I am not a good patient), but to be honest I did not walk far to overextend myself.

I mentioned the Game Changer earlier.  It is a must.  The cold feel and compression have really kept my swelling to a minimum.  For the first week, I used it 24-7, which was hard because at night you get very cold.  With the start of week 2, I began using throughout the day and then unplugging around 9:30pm.  I just had a hard time sleeping with it.

The first week I have been religious about the physical therapy.  The focus primarily has been building my glut muscle and starting to work on range of motion.  By day three, I was allowed on the bike for 10 minutes.  I do my exercises two times a day.  The good news:  it is pain free.



  

Week of Surgery

A whirlwind.  We landed in Nashville on a Monday night.  I had an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday morning early.  There is a certain calmness to Dr. Byrd.  He explained that yes I have a torn hip labrum.  He listened to how it happened and explained that potentially I also have an FAI bone issue.  He was very honest that he could not guarantee the long-term consequences of the surgery, but thought I had a good chance for a very positive outcome.  In other words, he didn't sugar coat it.

As we walked around Vanderbilt University, I pondered my future.  I was on a collision course with surgery and there was no way around it.  On the positive side, I was in the hands of a top surgeon.  As night fell, I'm not going to lie I was scared.  Luckily, I have an incredible family that talked me off the ledge.  My brother summed it up the best: what is the worse case possibility--a hip replacement.  That isn't so bad. There are people around the world facing a life or death battle.  And, he was right.

The next morning, we woke early and headed to surgery.  After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor came to see me and said they were ready.  My life was about to change.

The one thing that I would say for anyone contemplating surgery is to do your homework.  I did a lot of research (on the procedure, doctors and post physical therapy) and had a list of questions for the doctor.  I also did a lot of lurking on other websites of people who had been through surgery.  Surgery is definitely not for everyone.  Trust me, I did everything that I could to avoid it.  But in the end, I just could not live life without being my active self.

Nashville Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center

I did a lot of research on doctors and there are a handful of very skilled ones throughout the country.  But something kept drawing me to Dr. Byrd.  His name kept coming up with runners who had been through surgery with him.  So, I mustered up the courage to contact his office and inquire about getting an appointment.  I was immediately in contact with a wonderful staff that is both caring and helpful.

Step 1:  I had to send all of my records to the doctor for review.  I then waited for a consultation with his staff.  On a early Monday morning, I received the call.  During the next hour, his nurse talked with me about the surgery.  And I asked her all kinds of questions.  Dr. Byrd has a 10 year study of his patients and hip arthoscopy.  The one thing that struck me was the positive outcome for patients that don't have arthritis.  I didn't think I had it, but who really knows based on my age and activity level.  Her final question to me---are you ready to come down to Tennessee when an appointment becomes available.  Yes.

Step 2:  Leaving for Tennessee.  A week later I received a call from the doctor's staff that there was a cancellation and could I be down there by next Monday.  Shock, because it was Thursday and that only left me a precious few days to wrap my brain around it!  So, off my husband and I went.