Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[Hannah]

I also wanted to mention that I do still get quite achy, stiffen up worse on the operated side, am sensitive to massage - just in case you worry as you go forward and have some of the same experience. Ice packs are still in heavy rotation. But it all continues to improve.
Hannah

[mlfoster1]

Gosh Hannah, where have you been? You're info is so valuable to me...We used the same doctor and at 4 months, I've had a few scares with scar tissue, etc. Thanks so much for the frame of reference. You sound like you've done really well and I'm happy for you! Congratulations on your return to skiing. I'm sure that over time you will feel a lot more comfortable. In my PT/gym facility, they have a device that simulates snow boarding. It forces you to balance on all sides...I see the skiiers train on it. Maybe something like that would help? Anyway, it was good to hear from you.
Michelle

[mlfoster1]

Hi Katie Perhaps call one of the sports teams doctors down there. Usually, they have the most experience with this. As you may have read several times, it is good to get the procedure done as quickly as possible, so you're wise in researching researching this in an effort to get an experienced doctor. Good luck, and keep us posted!
Michelle

[squashpain]

Hi there guys. Thanks Hannah, good advice and a nice reality check! I made it to the gym yesterday, did back and triceps without any discomfort. Felt so good. I can get around well with no crutches, but yeah I can see how the healing process is going to take a while.
Katie; yes for sure the absolute biggest thing for you is going to be to get this surgery done quickly, I think you mentioned a 6.7cm separation? That is pretty serious, the muscle is sliding each day.
Stay positive, this is a major injury, but in the grand scheme, it's a short time!

[syl]

Trisha i hope your mom is there taking good care of you. your husband sounds so much like mine in many ways. when i took my first shower after surgery i asked him to check on me and he just forgot because after all it is March Madness and the games are exciting. he has provided me with wonderful help so i cant complain too much!! i hope you are doing well.
Sylvia

[tricializ]

Hi All;
Day 3 for me post op. I had an appointment with the surgeon today that really was too much. The meds (percocet and benedryl because the percocet makes me itchy) make me really loopy and not hungry at all. So, I got really dizzy, clammy, hot and weak and came within seconds of passing out. Really too much to expect to get to the car, ride to the appointment, crutch in, up the elevator and down the hall. The receptionist took one look at me and was like, "Are you ok?" I looked at her and said, "Not really." Fortunately that got them going quickly and I was laying on a table in seconds. (would have been that or the floor). They at least got it because they practically carried me to the first exam room inside the door. haha I must have looked pretty pale. So, back to the appointment. Once horizontal with cold cloth on my forehead, I felt better. Incision looked really good they said and they took off the plastic wrap stuff (equate to getting a brazilian bikini wax!) and the one suture in there. The rest is glued. My mom was with me and is a RN and said that she couldn't believe how good the incision site looked. She said there is no bruising at all. So, she was impressed. Of course, she also thought my surgeon was handsome. haha Dr. added zophran to the med list for the nausea and also gave me a script for vicoden if that might help better without as much dizzyness. So, overall it was good. It's amazing at what will wipe you out completely. Stopped at Juice Stop on the way home for a smoothie (first thing that tasted good to me) and have spent the rest of the day in bed. So, does anyone have good hints for getting comfortable in this brace? The numbness on my rear is sort of annoying but I am, as of today, on top of the pain. So I think the healing is beginning. I go back in 3 weeks. Thanks for all the continued help on this long road.
Tricia

[mlfoster1]

Tricia-My gosh, I could have never made that trip at 3 days. I was flat on my back in the beginning. Only went back to the doc at day 10 in order to have the sutures out. You won't believe how each day is so different, much easier! PLUS, you went there on the hardest day to begin with. So now, take it easy and rest in bed. Each day you will get stronger. The numbness is from the swelling and the nerves being effected....That will improve too. ICE< ICE< ICE.....I think the brace is the hardest part. How much did he open it? That will also impact how you go to the bathroom....Rest now. let everyone take care of you. Eventually, you will want to get up. But now you need to get some rest! The brace is annoying, but you'll eventually lose it after it does it's job.....
Michelle

[I Fell]

Tricia,

The brace was the most annoying thing of this whole process for me. You just have to persevere. Sleep on your back or on the good side. At six weeks I was even able to sleep on the affected side with the brace still on. While it is a pain it protects you from yourself. It wasn't bad sitting in a reccliner. Like Michelle said it's only for a short time. It will be over before you know it. Besides while you have the brace no one will think that you are better and expect you to do things.

Heal well, Ned

[Katied]

Thanks for the encouragement, Michelle and "Squashpain." I have an appt with my original dr who is young and trained at UAB. He assisted with 2 of these surgeries during his fellowship. I have read that he is an excellent surgeon and quite a good young man. He is VERY familiar with Cohen and Bradley and was the one to give me the article. So, I will schedule it as soon as he can do it. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks from injury. He says I am still within that window of time for acute repair. Please, anyone with any suggestions about the brace and the first 2 weeks PLEASE let me know. I have read the posts and do have a bedside potty and lots of baby wipes. As far as the brace goes, is it best to wear a tshirt under it so as to not chafe you? I ordered a computer desk especially for use when laying down or being propped up in bed. I also ordered a topper mattress for my bed as I have not been able to get comfortable since the accident and know the brace will make that even harder. I am finding the humor where I can, eating right, and staying positive, but I will tell you I am VERY nervous. Thanks for all you support.
Katie (in LSU TIGER country!)

[I Fell]

Hi Katie,

Welcome but sorry you have to be here.

If your doctor is following Dr. Bradley and Dr Cohen's paper you should be in good shape. Dr. Cohen did mine two weeks after my injury and I was so lucky. I never had any pain and only took one Tylenol the whole time after the operation. I kept waiting for the pain and it never came. I just posted about the brace to Tricia. it's the one above yours. I did where a T shirt under the upper part of the brace but the doctor didn't want me to wear the brace over pants. I was able to put sweats over the brace which helped since I was recovering in November and December in PA. If you can get the brace before hand and practice with the crutches you will know what to expect when you come out of surgery. It's a pain but gives you a comfort level that you won't be tearing it while it heals. It's not as restrictive as the brace some people have had. They couldn't even sit for 6 weeks. Dr Cohen used butterfly closures instead of stitches to close the incision and I had no problem with the scar which seems to be a common complaint from many. It healed flat but my modeling career is over. LOL My surgery and rehab followed the paper and I have no problems and never give it a thought except when I visit here. Make sure that you get a good Physical Therapist as they usually don't have experience with this injury.

You will be out of the brace before you know it.

Heal well, Ned