Six Week Check-Up Goes Well!

Well, I saw Mr Apthorp on Friday for my Six Week Check-Up. Had an x-ray and then went through. He wiggled my leg about a bit and then asked me to stand on my good leg and lift the left leg up. I did this. I knew what was coming next though as I had read Laura's blog (she had her PAOs with Mr Apthorp too - see my recommended list). And, as predicted, Mr Apthorp then asked me to stand on the left leg and lift my right leg. It felt so weird and scary, but I did it. It was completely solid! And it felt brilliant to know it had healed so well.

Next, I was asked to try and walk the length of the room with just one crutch. I did this quite easily. Mr Apthorp then asked me to hold his hand and walk with no crutch. I did so tentatively! He then asked me to do it again, without holding his hand at all. I couldn't believe it, but I actually managed to walk, unaided up and down the consulting room several times. It was stiff and strange but I was perfectly strong.

When we sat down for the consultation we saw the X-rays of my new hip and it was amazing. Not only do I have a proper socket now, with a good horizontal coverage, but I could also see the screws, which are HUGE!. The hip is totally fused now, although it will apparently take up to a year to be fully 'finished'. I could also see the part of the pelvis that was cut to perform the rotation, and it is still cut. This will again take about a year or so to reconnect, but it is in a non-weight bearing place and will cause me no problems.

So, I was told that I am no longer 'precious'! I can try and do whatever I want, my hip is completely solid and can bear my weight. It can even bear Mr Apthorp's weight as he leaned on me with all of his strength and nothing moved. I can let my kids climb on me, and can practise walking without aids as much as possible (although it is recommended I use a crutch outside for stability). It was stressed that I need to ensure good posture, not to run before I can walk, or I will be teaching my muscles to heal in the wrong way if I am wobbling about. I will be getting physio and possibly hydrotherapy, presumably in the next couple of weeks, now that I am 'healed'. It is a huge relief to know that my hip is now strong enough not to worry about it. I don't mind if I get some muscle pain, the main thing is that anything I do can't harm the new joint now.

Mr Apthorp seemed very pleased with how the joint had healed and was very positive about me never needing a hip replacement now because of my condition. It's pretty hard to take that in. Having a dodgy hip has been part of me since I was born. It seems so odd to think that I am no longer that person, restricted by her body. It seems that in its new position my hip is quite 'cup shaped' as I had a natural curve in the pelvis which means my surgery has been even more successful than some, who even after PAO have a more 'saucer' shaped anatomy. Apparently anatomy does differ significantly between people. I didn't know that. For example, my nerve that feeds my quad muscle was nowhere to be seen when Mr Apthorp opened me up, which must be why I still have full feeling there! Mr Apthorp also goes in to operate through the pelvis to avoid cutting into major nerves and muscles as much as possible. As such, my quad muscle is also in tact. I guess this is why I feel so much better after my surgery, especially when I compare this experience with that of some patients, whose blogs I have read, in USA and Australia. I feel very, very lucky and grateful to have been referred to Mr Apthorp.

Anyway, after our appointment I spent the next day out with the family, walking round a National Trust, mainly with one crutch. I must have done about 2K walking. I couldn't believe it! My muscles ached the next day - but - MY JOINT DIDN'T. I've got the feeling, this is really going to be lifechanging. I'll keep you posted!