Need some reassurance

[Kiwi]

Hey everyone,
I'm now 4 weeks post op L scope for cam FAI and had calcified, redundant anterior labrum resected. Surgery was more involved than anticipated, but overly successful.
I have been doing super. I spent two nights in hospital on some pretty strong pain killers, but haven't had to take many since being home. I have been sleeping well and apart from a tight hip and shortened stance phase in my gait I thought I was well on track to being an early success story.
Well.......I started physio and pool exercises a week ago yesterday. My active flexion was measured by my physio as 80 degrees at that time. My pain has gradually increased to the point where I can now no longer do a straight leg raise and my active flexion is now around 50-60 degrees before it is unbearably painful (pinching). I tried out the stationary bike today for 5 mins with next to no resistance and got that all familiar pinching with every rise of my knee and yes, I had the seat as high as I could. I am only aquajogging about 200m (physio told me to cut this back to 100m but that seems pretty pathetic and not worth going to the pool for).
I am due to start back at work on the 21st Dec and being Christmas it is our busiest time of year. I am quite frankly getting very anxious for my return to work as my boss is not that understanding of my situation and I will have already had six weeks off work.
Has anyone had this happen...ie go from practically no pain to almost post op pain when starting to exercise the joint? I am using ice daily which does help with the ache, but it is the mechanical pinching that I'm feeling that has me really worried that I'm doing something wrong.
Is it a case of two steps forward, one step back? Am I overdoing it? Will I be ready for work in a week and a half?
Somebody please tell me this is normal!

[Kiwi]

Also I forgot to mention that I am still needing one crutch for walking any moderate distance...I really had hoped to be crutch-free by week 3 or 4 and am really hoping it doesn't come to me needing it at work. I haven't spent more than an hour walking at a time and I will be rostered for 6-hour shifts...anxiety levels raising!

[Vixen]

4 weeks !!!

You have way too high an expectation, I would not be expecting to do the things you are attempting at even 4 months let alone weeks.

[Kiwi]

It boggles my mind how people in the US get on a bike day 1 after surgery, it's just nuts...as for the aqua jogging I thought that would be relatively harmless...I really feel like I'm doing nothing...4 months is a long time!

[Rayray]

Hi Kiwi,

Quick reply as I shouldn't be on the forum as we are soooo busy but hey ho!!

I had an Open dislocation and debridement with lots of work done. I STILL get bad pain when I exercise and my surgeon says it is early days - expect another 12 months of this as recovery within the joint takes 18 months for Open or Arthroscopic surgery. With the Open you have to let the bone heal but after that he said recovery is the same as the work done is the same - he does both types of surgery.

Have you tried progressing onto a stick? I feel less conspicious on a stick and bought a trendy one so I didn't feel like an old dear. I can't walk more than a few yards without it but I think it exercises the joint more than a crutch would as that protects it more - I think it just lets you progress.

We are super busy over Christmas too and my boss is not understanding at all - the boss happens to be me although Hubbie likes to think it is him! Seriously though you need to talk to your boss as over doing it now could mean another 6 weeks off and that isn't going to help him either.

Good luck.

[soccermom]

kiwi:
i am in the us and i was never on a bike that quick! some surgeons put you in pt the next day and mine doesn't...he waits the 4 wks.

i know i sound like the longest broken record...but two steps forward and one back. i am now recovering off of my 4th hip scope...and i know you have had 1 already. but the boney work takes more time to heal. i was easily on 2 crutches for 4 wks and then 1 crutch for a week or two after that.

you will plateau at 3mos and that will be frustrating as well...but i really think 6 mos is the golden mark.

work will need to be patient with you. my job doesn't entail a lot of walking, etc so i was lucky. but if where you work is anything like my vet's office....you are busy and active. would they work half days with you for a week or two?

thinking of you.....
soccermom

[Kiwi]

Hi gals, thanks for the replies :-) Makes me feel better knowing that I'm just expecting too much from myself. I have to get out of the habit of comparing this surgery to my last as this one was a lot more involved and will take longer to heal...tricky when the brain says YES but the body says NO!
This might sound really vain, but I don't think I could use a stick lol I would cop so much flack! I will try to wean myself off the crutch but if I need it I will be sticking with it whether the boss hates it or not. It's just the thought of having to bring it up with her that makes me feel sick to my stomach.
I'm not doing any swimming for the rest of the week to see if this helps. Plan for a spot of shopping with a friend today but nothing strenuous :-)
Thank you all for your suggestions and opinions!

[oscarsmum]

Hi

Just to echo what everyone else has said, you are doing brilliantly,post scope I was on two crutches for 6 weeks then went to one for a couple. Just pace yourself, extra pain as you use the joint is common as long as things get gradually better then you are heading in the right direction. Try to look back on where you were a week , or two earlier, don't compare yourself on a day to day basis as it will vary a lot, but you should see improvements over a longer stretch.
Re work, can you phase in more gradually? I was told to do a week of three hour shifts, then increase each shift by an hour each week so by week 4 you should do 6 hours at a time. This seems slow, but it does really help and that way you are not too sore so you can still do physio etc as well. Work recommended I did this as they said it was better that way than to do too much too soon and go off sick again-maybe you could put this to your boss?
The main thing is to take things slowly and listen to your body, its a slow progress but you WILL get there,
Good luck
Kate x