Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[mlfoster1]

Dave-MANY congratulations on such a wonderful recovery. Now you're REALLY on your way. You'll see, with each week you will turn another corner! All worth it right????!!!

[tricializ]

Question to those who had sciatica when going in for surgery. Did it help that? The surgeon says that he will go in and free up the sciatic nerve and then re-attach the hamstring. He said it should handle the problem but that there could be nerve damage afterwards that would take a long time if ever to come back. So, wondering what all of your experience has been. Thanks.
Tricia

[DaveE]

tricializ

I had nerve pain, but it was restricted to the upper part of my leg. For my surgery there was a plastic surgeon who protected the nerve that is often damaged as the incision is first made and then he cleaned up the sciatic nerve which had scaring. Then the orthopedic guys took over and did the re-attachment.

I have had no nerve paid since the operation.

[mlfoster1]

I had a different surgeon do the sciatic piece, removing the scar tissue. It really helped. The hamstring is responding well, so I don't think there was damage The doctor that did the sciatic surgery was actually a hand surgeon that does microscopic work. My ortho doc works with him all the time....

[Pedal on]

Dave E

Thanks for the info about energy level form your MD friend. That has been one of my biggest frustrations. I can't believe how tired I've been particularly with returning to work. It's felt like life is work and sleep. As soon as I get home I take a 2-3 hour nap and then force myself to get up for several hours before it's back to bed. The afternoon I didn't nap I was asleep at 7:30.

[sunluver]

Hi All, Just a quick update. Yesterday had my stitches removed, not so bad after all! Now there are steri strips on and I still can't take a hot bubble bath...I sooo miss those. I have 4 more weeks of crutches, I was honest though and confessed i don't use them in the house. It was so great to get out and see the regular world again though, but I have to agree about the lack of energy thing we all have mentioned, I am a lot more tired too. I also noticed i spent less because I couldnt carry more than maybe 4 or 5 dresses in my hand holding the crutch. I did buy 3 though in spite of it. Ladies we may have a big ol scar on our butt, but we still have to look pretty! For the men here, it just makes you look tougher!

[jimjb]

Just an update from the 69++ crowd. 24 days post-op and walking with a cane; full weight on the operative leg but no backward flexion. Feels good to have some muscle tone come back to the leg. I had posted previously about a Medicare cap of $1820 for rehab this year. When setting up my PT they informed me that because they are affiliated with a hospital this cap does not apply to them. They said they had checked into it and coverage was OK'd. One of the few pluses of being over 65 I guess.

Thanks for the info on being tired - I was beginning to wonder.

Best to all, Jim

[tricializ]

Sounds like all is going really well for both of you (Jim and Sunluver). That is great to hear. I am wrapping up my St. Patrick's Day season (i teach Irish Dance) and after Wednesday will start to really prepare the house for me to be out of commission. I am 12 days from surgery and the reality of this is starting to set in. Good to see some good news from all of you and that things are going so well. Keep up the good work.
Tricia

[merrybaker]

Tricia,
My doc freed up the sciatic nerve and took off the scar tissue. I still have alot of pain in the same spot I did prior to surgery. The pain before surgery was mostly when I sat, now it is just about constnat. I think that is due to the fact that my doctor felt the need to have me working and sitting three days a week 8 hours a day for the past few weeks. They had not seen the scar tissue on the sciatic nerve on the MRI's, so did not know it was there. Go to see the surgeon in the morning, hope I can do something other than sit at work!

[sunluver]

Merrybaker, sitting at work for those long hours sounds Horrible! Of all the things i see lasting the longest it's the pain of sitting. You find yourself sitting on one side and then that in turn torques your whole back which leads to other problems. I have found that one of those neck pillows made of very small soft beads that is shaped like a C works the very best. sit on it with your good side which leaves the bad side a little higher, hence not compressed. Tricia, The suggestions on this site were life savers. Slip on slippers have been ideal as I still can't put on my shoes myself. The raised toilet seat is a must(ugly though!). Make some meals ahead of time and freeze. Now's the time to show everyone how to do the laundry and dishwasher and all the stuff you always took over because no one does it very well...they still won't But, it will at least look decent. Set up an area by the bed that can hold your telephone and personal items such as the Gopher(grabber) and kleenex and water bottle and books etc. You will pretty much live there for a long time. I am 2 and a half weeks past surgery and things are going pretty well...I am surprised though every morning I wake up that I still hurt but I guess I better get used to it. I have read from others that it takes till about week 5 to really see a difference so I'm looking forward to that! Since you are a dance teacher your body will have a very big head start in getting stronger than would a couch potato. I have hand weights by my bed that I use for upper body, more mental than anything I think.
Stay in touch as your time gets closer.
Jamie