Archive for Symptoms
11 Weeks Post Op Check – No Pain, No Gain
Posted by: | Comments10 minutes and it was all over. Quickest consult ever and I got all my questions answered lol
Overall Mr. R. is pleased with my progress which made my day. I had been worried that it was going a bit slow but he assured me that it is still early days.
The swelling could hang around for another couple of months but he didn’t seem concerned about it. In the past week I’ve had a little snapping on the outside of my hip when i straighten up from bending over which I never had before. This apparently is due to the IT band. I guess while the swelling is still present this is a little irritated but he told me that as my gluts etc. get stronger this should improve. Come on buns of steel!
The residual pain and limited flexion is due to scar tissue from the capsulotomy. He wants me to push through this pain now, taking pain killers as needed (and assured me I won’t do any damage) to break down the scar tissue and prevent more forming. If this doesn’t get better he said he can do a steroid injection to help things along. I have a follow up appointment in six weeks time so it could be a long six weeks! Not at all keen on the injection though, remembering the flare it caused in my wrist.
I have the OK to get a pool/gym program so his secretary is going to send a letter of approval to ACC and they will fund it!
I have no limitations, just have to use common sense with lifting etc. and avoid twisting while lifting.
So I’m a happy chicky right now. Pleased I can push things a little without worrying it will be doing any damage. Mr R says that he can’t guarantee it will ever be 100% again, but it is already better than pre op and I am certainly heading that way 
1 Day Shy of 10 Weeks
Posted by: | CommentsI had a great physio session today, a whole hour! I am so lucky to have such a caring and hard-working team looking after me.
My strength and gait have both improved since my last assessment a couple of weeks ago and my ROM is improved after a bit of a warm up. I still feel something in the joint interfering with flexion at about 70 degrees, but if I just push a little further I feel it move out of the way and I can flex to 90 degrees, maybe a rough patch of cartilage or something?
My physio had a closer look at my back today as I have had difficulty with the pelvic tilts due to low back pain. I have had this for a while and it is most likely compensatory. Standing straight it appears that my pelvis is ever so slightly crooked (with my arms hanging at my sides the gap between my body and right arm was larger than the gap on the left). The pain was more pronounced while standing and bending (forwards and backwards) than while lying on my back doing bridge exercises (very similar movement) so it is apparently caused by compression which I have been told is easier to fix. My physio did some stretches and then I got a nice massage. My ROM was immediately improved, though by the time I cooled down and put my shoes back on I was feeling sore again bending over. I was reassured this would wear off.
I have had a good couple of days pain-wise. I am back on Diclofenac 75mg (Voltaren) twice a day and have not had to take any pain killers since Friday night. The nausea from increasing another medication has settled thank goodness so I’m feeling a lot better today. I even managed a pain-free 5 minutes on my bike this morning
Working 3 hours 5 days this week, starting tonight
Pet Expo
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Boy, what an insane day today! One of my colleagues and I are helping out with the Dunkleys Pet Expo this weekend. We didn’t really know what we’d be doing until we got there.
We ended up working with VCA (Veterinary Companies of Australia) and we sold a tonne of product! From urine and stain remover to shampoo and guaranteed indestructible toys. Altogether a very successful first day and it was great to catch up with some old friends too.
I never gave any thought to how long I’d be standing in one place though…10am-5pm in practically the same spot absolutely wiped me out. I spend 6 hours a day on my feet at work normally, but it is different when you are running around doing things…surgery or going upstairs to tend to the cattery, then back to reception etc. I took some magic white pills with my lunch which helped to get me through the afternoon…tomorrow I think I’ll take some for breakfast too as we’ll be working the same hours.
I’ve been going to the gym a couple of times a week and try to swim once a week too. I have been finding it hard to get motivated lately. I did go for my first bike ride in nearly four months last Sunday and although I felt OK during the ride, just a little unconditioned, I felt awful afterward and was very sore…won’t be doing that again for a while. I’ve been getting the catching sensation in my hip again recently and also pinching in my groin on weight-bearing…the pinching is a new thing so I’m not sure if it is due to increased activity and inflammation, or whether my tear has gotten bigger. It is the same pinching I get with the anterior impingement test (flexion, adduction and internal rotation) and like the other problems comes and goes randomly. Ten days now until I see John Rietveld and I’m anxious to see what he says. I am working next weekend with a full cattery so get a short week and am also going to a fluff-themed party on Saturday night so I think the week will go fast!
Oh, we are now officially house-hunting again! Thanks to extremely generous family members we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to move out of our crappy, leaky house and start a-fresh. Though we probably won’t be able to get rid of this place we will hopefully be able to repair what is needed and rent it out for a few years.
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
Posted by: | CommentsThere is surface flooding everywhere from the huge amounts of rain we have had this week. We’ve also had gale force winds, hail, sleet and even snow. It’s not even winter yet, but you’d certainly think so!
It’s also been a bad week, pain-wise for me. Possibly because of the rain, possibly not, who knows? I’ve had awful groin pain even when just lying on the couch (as I normally do to limit hip flexion). I have been having trouble sleeping and getting comfortable in bed but am not sure if this is the reason I’ve been waking up in the wee hours of the morning recently. One night this week I must have slept with my knee flexed, I woke up twice during the night with my knee painfully locked in a flexed position, probably not related to the hip but has never happened before so I don’t know…thankfully it hasn’t happened again so I’m not worried about it being a problem.
I had a huge ‘pop’ in my hip at lunchtime today while leaning forward and to my left while sitting at the dinner table, forcing my hip into internal rotation. Not the best thing to do while sitting but for some reason this is one position I still forget not to do until it’s too late and for that I have been sore all afternoon.
I am still battling with ACC to get my flights to Auckland paid for. I have sent them all my notes and they have info from my GP and surgeon, but now want to know who said I should go to Australia and who referred me to Haemish Crawford. Well it was Mr Armour who said he could refer me to someone in Australia if I could afford to go, but it was through corresponding with the Australian surgeon and eventually trying to sort out a 3D CT scan at Ascott Radiology in Auckland that I got in contact with the head radiologist who suggested I see Haemish Crawford. I organised the appointment and referral myself. I’m beginning to think it will be easier to just pay for the flights myself…so long as they pay for the appointment.
We are having car trouble again! After Hamish spending $900 on his car a few weeks ago (ignition and electrics) he has sprung two leaks in or around the radiator and it requires another $700 spent on it for a new one! This time we have decided that enough is enough, the car is old and not worth much so we are looking to purchase a new vehicle.
The lawyer has been paid this week, so everything should start moving soon!
Hope everyone is keeping wrapped up warm!
TTFN