happy healthy hippy
A blog following my Triple Pelvic Osteotomy in January 2016
So since my last post, I had a very frustrating week, followed by a great week. I'll start with the bad week. The groin pulling I mentioned carried on and was very uncomfortable every time I walked. It was there as soon as I woke up and didn't ease off at all. It stopped me from getting back to the gym and progressing my physio. I felt fed up and my motivation lapsed.
I had physiotherapy and my physiotherapist prodded about to see what was causing the groin pain. Fortunately, my adductors, which have been a nuisance in the past were fine. It was one of my hip flexor muscles, Psoas, that was very sore. She did some trigger point release (painful!) She said it’s overactive and carrying tension. It’s common if other muscles (core and glutes - what a surprise) aren’t doing their job properly. A few weeks ago, I thought I hadn’t lost that much strength following this operation but I’ve realised now I’ve still got quite a bit of work to do to get to where I was. So onto the great week! I ramped up my reps with my exercises and feel I turned a corner, less groin pain - hooray! There’s a big difference in my glute strength - I can feel them firing up a lot more! I’ve also been working on some yoga-inspired Psoas relaxation. I think this is helping and I’m more aware of how to “let go” the tension in that area at any point in the day. I’m really into yoga philosophy and hopefully going to take it up as a more regular hobby soon! For now though, I think I need to focus on my core and get back to pilates. Another milestone was going back to work, just for a morning. I didn’t have to do a great deal but it was good just to get back in that environment. I’m doing a phased return again over 4 weeks so I’ll be eased in. Next week will be 3 half days. Now saving the best news until last. I had my 6 week follow up yesterday in Birmingham and Mr McBryde thinks I'm doing great for this stage. So great in fact that he's discharged me!! I was not expecting this! I said I've still been getting a pulling but he reminded me the extent of the surgery I have had and that it's still only 6 weeks since my last operation. He thinks it is likely muscular and that it should improve further but I may always be left with some sort of ache in my hip. At my first appointment with Mr McBryde, I remember him saying that I might always have a niggle in my hip even after the osteotomy and I remember thinking "This sounds really shit, so even with this massive surgery, I'm still going to hurt!" But now I'm on the other side and a year down the line, I'm so happy with the outcome even though it's not perfect. I'm optimistic that I've not reached my full potential yet and I believe I will just keep getting better and better! I guess if I was told this is as good as it will get I might feel a bit different! The void left in my life or the elephant in the room is definitely the fact I haven't got back to running. It might not be a big deal to everyone but it's something I've always done for exercise and worked at for my fitness. Though now, I'm realistic that pounding the pavements is probably not the best choice if I want to look after my pelvis in the long run! Mr McBryde echoed this. That said, even if I don't decide to jog on a regular basis, it's still one of my goals to physically be able to. So the past few days, I have started my training - 1 min jog then 4 min walk x 3. So an impressive 3 mins of jogging! It doesn't feel comfortable but I'm going to keep at it! Wish me luck! Andrea x
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Sorry, a bit of a delay catching up due to christmas and new year shenanigans! Although I’ve no excuse really because I didn’t do a great deal for the first couple of weeks after my op - lots of lazing around, family time, + eating anything beige or chocolatey.
I remember in recovery, Mr McBryde said the screw removal went well. The hospital stay was a bit of a faff this time round though. With it being a much smaller operation, I was last on the list which meant waiting round all day in a reception area. I had my surgery about 8pm so was only allowed to eat at 10pm, 17 hours after my early morning breakfast bar! I was very hangry and all they could offer me was toast. Fortunately Andy snuck me in a dairylea dunker and a mini quiche haha! I was discharged at 3pm the next day after more waiting around for medication and a doctors signature. Then we got stuck in Birmingham rush hour so was a long 4 hour journey home! All very frustrating, particularly as I was expecting to be a day case. A few days later, I had a little blip with my wound as it was leaking out the dressing. I had to get it checked earlier than planned and there was a tiny section of the incision that wasn’t closed, therefore was bleeding. It was a bit unsettling but the nurse reassured me this was normal as a haematoma had developed under the skin. She re-dressed it with a bit of padding and I took arnica tablets for a week to help with the bruising and swelling. Now the incision is fully healed and I have started scar massage again with my favourite beauty product - coconut oil (get it from Home &a Bargains or Aldi!) This time round, my scar seems a lot more bumpy and red so I'm back using Mepiform Silicone Dressings constantly. They were incredible for softening and fading my scar last time. Silicone dressings are the only thing which is clinically proven to help scars, besides massage (I've done my research 🤓) Physically, I’m doing absolutely fine. I used crutches for 2 weeks and now I’m trying to get back into a routine with physiotherapy exercises and working on my walking endurance/fitness. Also have been back to the gym twice to do cycling, step ups, and lunges. I’m due to go back to work in a few weeks, hopefully this is long enough to get me back to where I left off (or close to it!) I’m enjoying having the time to exercise when I want, watch Greys anatomy, and listen to Ibiza Sonica Radio! Talking of Ibiza…I’ve just booked my cousins’ hen do on the white Isle for July which I’m so excited for already! It’s difficult to tell if there’s been any benefit from having the metal out so far as my scar and groin still feels tender and sore, it pulls more than usual when I walk. Nothing I can’t handle though and I am not needing any pain killers. My hip is still quite swollen too so the frozen peas are back out! I know soft tissue healing will take 6-8 weeks (and further still for the fibres to remodel + realign) so there’s plenty of time for things to settle down further. I keep reminding myself that rest is as important as keeping mobile right now. I'm not very good at staying still and keep finding little jobs to do in the flat like re-organising my wardrobe. Psychologically, it feels amazing to know I’ve no plates or screws [or anything unnatural for that matter] in my body now. I can’t explain why, I just feel more like myself and happier :) Fingers crossed I’ll feel my best yet sometime soon. Happy New Year Hippies. Here’s to neat scars and strong glutes! Andrea x |
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