Twelve weeks post-surgery. Happy 2009!!

I keep forgetting to update this. I can't believe that 6 weeks have passed since my last entry. I am now almost completely back to normal. I'll try and recap on when things started to fall into place.

Walking
From six weeks I tried to walk unaided in the house, but used one crutch for walking outside. I would say that after about 8-9 weeks I was walking without an aid, both indoors and outdoors, but my pace and stride was still a bit slower/smaller. However, by this stage (12 weeks) my stride and pace is completely back to my usual fast pace and I don't even think about my hip restricting me any more. Over the Christmas holidays I went on plenty of walks and had no problems at all. Although it feels a bit stiff I can manage perfectly well and no longer get the sharp pain I used to experience if I tread down strangely or if I put my weight on my bad hip. I also don't lie on the sofa in the evening with a throbbing pain. The worst I get is joint stiffness. It's remarkable really!!

Family Life
I am also able to look after the kids on my own without any trouble. I have been lifting and carrying my two year old for the past few weeks, and my Mum moved out in Week Ten. She hung on an extra week or so, because at that point I was unsure I would be able to cope with restraining or running after my little one if he got cross or into a dangerous situation, but in reality I was able to do most things with him by Week Nine. It is great to have the house back to normal, and the children have their own rooms again. My husband and I are back in our own room and own bed - no more sleeping on the floor for hubby, as he forfeited our bed for Mum. It is sooooo nice to be back together once more. Non matter how grateful we are to Mum (we are treating her to a spa-break as a thank-you) it is lovely to have our own space. The upside of the changes is that the children seem so much closer to each other now, having shared for ten weeks. They keep saying how much they love each other and are always cuddling and playing together. So cute!

Rehab and Exercise
My first physiotherapy session was in Week Ten, which is, in my opinion, too long to wait. The physio observed my gait and tested my mobility. She said that I had a completely aligned gait, and couldn't tell from my walk which side had been operated on. My left side muscles are also very good. I could get down to a squat and back again without assistance, which she said is usually difficult. She gave me some exercises but essentially said that everything is going really well and that I don't need much physio. I see her again in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to starting back at Pilates after the Christmas break as that will help build up all of the essential muscles and improve the hip's flexibility. I started swimming in Week Nine, and went several times a week. At first I couldn't do my usual breast stroke very well at all. My leg must have kicked out at no more than 30 degrees. By now, however, it is probably kicking out at a normal angle (about 45 degrees I guess).

Restrictions
So what causes a problem now??? Well, I get NO pain, only aches and stiffness. But I can't sit with my legs under me leaning on my left side very easily. When lying on my back, I also can't let my left side flop down completely in a sort of horizontal plie shape. I can't really run - although I haven't particularly tried this. And, when I am being lazy, I still use my hand to lift my left leg into bed or the car. At the moment, those are really my only restrictions.

I see Mr Apthorp in February for a 4-month check up. I'll update this again then. But, the new year looks so hopeful, and I feel very pleased that PAO seems, at this stage, to have been very worthwhile.