Hamstring Avulsion (complete tear from pelvis)

[DaveE]

I had surgery last Friday night. I injured myself Nov 26th so I was getting to the edge of the best time to fix the avulsion. Surgeon admitted me to hospital upon seeing me and surgery happened 3 days later. Two teams worked on me---one for the ortho issues---eg. reconnecting the hamstring---the other team was there to protect and repair the nerve. I can't really sit and live more than an hour from the hospital, so I took an ambulance ride home last night.

the pain is low--which is great. As others have said doing daily life things is a bit difficult. An elevated toilette is a must. I'm being waiting on hand and foot by my wife----I am using up any brownies points that I had accumulated.

So far I am really happy that I had the surgery done.

I go back friday to see surgeon and to receive the brace which restricts waist movement. It wasn't ready when I left the hospital---so we will see how restrictive that is. I can toe touch when I walk. I have crutches and a walker. I find that it's easier to get around right now with the walker---something that I didnt' think that I would ever use for a number of years.

it's great to be out of hospital and that the narcotics for pain relief have been significantly reduced.

I'm hoping the recovery continues the way it has for the last 4 days.

[mlfoster1]

Hi Dave It sounds like you really did the right thing by acting quickly. It's amazing that you can touch your toes! There was much too much tension on my incision line for me to do that. My doctor gave me 20 degrees on the brace, which really helped me in the bathroom issues, as well as walking. I started with the walker, but they told me that I should not be putting much pressure on the leg in the beginning, so I went to crutches. I am REALLY feeling good at this point, with no pain and so excited to see the doc on Monday. I'm hoping that I can start PT. Sounds like your wife is a great lady. My husband has been busy food shopping, picking up kids and still doing all his work! He admitted to me that he is looking forward to my full return to mobility. After all this time, I guess I can't blame him.

How are you keeping yourself busy? Can you work from home? I thought I was going to have such a problem with so much idle time, since I am usully so active. But I've been catching up on my reading, become quite familiar with HBO programing (which has now cycled three times). I hope your recovery continues on the path it's going. Go easy, take your time, and dont' forget to stay positive!
Michelle

[DaveE]

sorry ---I was unclear. I can touch the toe to the floor when I walk with crutches or walker---my doctor called that toe touching----not the bend over touch your toe kind---that isn't possible. i must keep my knee partially bent when walking and in bed. The brace will also restrict hip bending.

Fortunately I can work from home and I am starting to do that. I've only been home since last night---so plenty of time to get bored, watch tv, surf and do some work

I suspect that the rehab time will be stressful because of its length.

[mlfoster1]

See if the doc with give you that 20 degree agree at the hip. It makes ALL the difference! Be well!

[BallCoach]

Hi all,

It has been 5 weeks since my repair and I'm still in the hip brace and on crutches. Today I had a new pain which concerns me - I'm wondering if any of you had the same symptoms this far out? I have pain down the outside of the back of my hamstring which feels like a tight/tearing feeling. It is an area about 6 to 8 inches long and is fairly intense when I move the wrong way. Does anyone have any thoughts?

I see the surgeon Monday, but wondered if any of you had had similar pain this far out?

Thanks for your input!

BallCoach

[DaveE]

Well I saw the surgeon today---7 days after the surgery. The great news is that the wound had healed well enough that the staples were removed. I can shower in a couple of days. I also received the hip brace. He suggests that I wear it for 3 weeks, but acknowledges that it's not necessary to wear it provided I take things slowly. He also wants me to partial weight bear---says there is more pressure put on the hip from holding leg up if toe doesn't touch the ground .

Being out was tough. It still hurts like crazy at the site of the incision when I walk whether with crutches or a walker. Not sure if it's the pressure from being vertical or not. I felt like I would pass out after navigating thru the hospital halls. I'm even in pain lying down several hours afterwards---I guess that it's a gradual progression thing.

As others have said, this site is awesome with respect to the information that it provides and the comfort one gets from reading about other's situations.

[merrybaker]

i'm only two weeks post op, and had a hamstring tendon reconstruction, so I have a long incision down the back of my leg, but I do have a pulling/tight feeling in the back of my leg that increases if I move the leg the wrong way. All kinds of things start to happen when the leg starts to wake up.

[DaveE]

Last night and this morning have been difficult ones.

Has anyone else experienced spasming around the wound site. The pain comes in waves and is not tied to any position or activity. I tried cold, increased pain medication, muscle relaxant, but found that pressure from my hand reduced the pain best. Eventually I fell asleep, but upon waking experienced the same thing again.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?----I am 8 days post surgery and yesterday travelled one hour to hospital. My staples were removed and I received the hip brace. Perhaps the activity has awakend the friendly giant?

[merrybaker]

Funny that you posted about muscle spasms I had them all day yesterday in my butt. mine also stopped when I put my hand on them. i put a heating pad near the site. seemed to help. I also was massaging the areas I could reach. mine weren't too painful, just felt weird.

[mlfoster1]

I wrote another reply and it didn't seem to post. I apologize for a duplicate one. I'm five weeks out know and I've had every single symptom that you have all mentioned. I've tried to be so positive, but every once in a while, I worry that my hamstring is sitting at the bottom of my leg near my knee! I think that the nerves are all regenerating, so you get some funky feelings. It is scary though. I go to the doctor on Monday with hopes that I will lose the brace. I think that is also causing back spasms.
I'm really glad I checked in to the site today. I was starting to worry. I have a feeling that this is all part of the healing process. I hope you all are resting well, and feeling better!