gavwads
11-11-2008, 04:56 AM
ey, I just had surgery for a complete hamstring avulsion (about 5 days ago). I completely tore it off the bone on Oct. 9 '08. I was on a very big motorcycle and as the bike was starting to go down (in a stationary position) I put my left foot down to push it up - it was a 1000 lb bike. I felt the RIP go up the back of my leg - I knew at that moment that I had done some serious damage (I had NEVER felt a sensation like that before).
I went to see an orthopedic doctor two days later at the SANTA MONICA ORTHOPEDIC GROUP (THE BEST!). Dr. Michael Gerhardt is the specialist that saw me - I had a major bruise on the back of my leg at this point. He muscle tested me and then sent me in for an MRI. The results were; I had a COMPLETE avulsion of my left hamstring. Dr. Gerhardt's suggestion, being that he is also an avid surfer, is to do the repair. His fear if not doing it, is that the muscles would attach improperly. He suggested that we do the procedure as soon as possible. We did it two weeks later.
The procedure was painless - That's because I was out cold.
I was informed by my physicians assistant, that recovery would be... UNCOMFORTABLE.
That truly is the best way to describe it. I saw the Dr. the next day after surgery. He informed me that the procedure went really well. He told me that it was a really good decision to get the procedure done because the hamstring was already beginning to attach itself to the sciatic nerve which would've given me MAJOR problems in the future. He also said that there was some other past damage in that area that he "cleaned" up (perhaps the reason for my back problems). He said that I will have to wear my knee brace (when you get out of surgery it's on), set at 60 degrees bent, for about two weeks and not to put much weight on that leg. He also said that the I will be surfing to my top ability (semi aggressive) in five months. Small, easy waves by three.
I am five days post op and it is still hard to sit. One must also find inventive ways to... go... well you know, number two. A bit difficult at first. But one gets the hang of it after a while.
For me, the worst part of this so far, is the immbolility - I am an active person and I hate to be sedentary.
More to follow...;)
I went to see an orthopedic doctor two days later at the SANTA MONICA ORTHOPEDIC GROUP (THE BEST!). Dr. Michael Gerhardt is the specialist that saw me - I had a major bruise on the back of my leg at this point. He muscle tested me and then sent me in for an MRI. The results were; I had a COMPLETE avulsion of my left hamstring. Dr. Gerhardt's suggestion, being that he is also an avid surfer, is to do the repair. His fear if not doing it, is that the muscles would attach improperly. He suggested that we do the procedure as soon as possible. We did it two weeks later.
The procedure was painless - That's because I was out cold.
I was informed by my physicians assistant, that recovery would be... UNCOMFORTABLE.
That truly is the best way to describe it. I saw the Dr. the next day after surgery. He informed me that the procedure went really well. He told me that it was a really good decision to get the procedure done because the hamstring was already beginning to attach itself to the sciatic nerve which would've given me MAJOR problems in the future. He also said that there was some other past damage in that area that he "cleaned" up (perhaps the reason for my back problems). He said that I will have to wear my knee brace (when you get out of surgery it's on), set at 60 degrees bent, for about two weeks and not to put much weight on that leg. He also said that the I will be surfing to my top ability (semi aggressive) in five months. Small, easy waves by three.
I am five days post op and it is still hard to sit. One must also find inventive ways to... go... well you know, number two. A bit difficult at first. But one gets the hang of it after a while.
For me, the worst part of this so far, is the immbolility - I am an active person and I hate to be sedentary.
More to follow...;)