12 Weeks and 2 Weeks Post Op

My flexibility is improving! :)

It has been 12 weeks since my right hip surgery and 2 weeks since my left hip surgery. It has been interesting to work on rehabilitating both hips at the same time. I have had to back off a little bit on the strengthening exercises on my right hip so that I do not put any unnecessary strain on my left hip. But, I have been able to really work on regaining my flexibility in my right hip. The initial weeks of recovery on my left hip have been much easier than they were for my right hip. I think that this is partially because I know what to expect. It is also very relieving to not be worrying about when the FAI in my other hip is going to become a major problem, because I don't have FAI in my other hip anymore! When this recovery period is over, I won't have to worry about another surgery any time soon!

My right hip really feels great, and I am sure that the surgery was the right decision. When I stretch and exercise my hip, it feels normal; not like there is something grinding inside of my joint. I still have a little ways to go on gaining full external rotation, but when I work on it, it doesn't feel like there is something on the inside that is blocking the movement.

I have enjoyed making ballet skirts in my free time. Below are pictures of a pink cheetah print skirt that I made. I also had fun trying a few ballet poses to model them :). I still have two more weeks until I can turn out my left leg, flex my hip past 90 degrees, and walk without crutches. But, I know from experience that the time will go by quickly, and the outcome will be well worth it.         

Some Things That I've Learned

Below are a few things that I have learned through my injury and surgeries. I hope that other athletes dealing with an injury are able to learn something through my experience.


1. See a specialist and get a second opinion.
One local doctor that I went to for my hip felt that it would be unlikely that I would ever twirl or dance at a high level again. He found my labral tear but did not diagnose the FAI (the cause of the labral tear). We had heard very good reviews of Thomas Byrd, MD, in Nashville, who specializes in hip arthroscopy in athletes, so we decided to get his opinion. He found the source of my problems, and offered a treatment regimen that is intended to get me back to where I want to be.


2. Don't be scared of surgery if it is the best option for you.
Many athletes, including myself at first, seem to think that all surgeries are career ending. The purpose of surgery is to heal and protect your body, not to end your ability to perform. Talk to your doctor and ask very specific questions. If he or she thinks that a surgery is the best course of treatment, trust the doctor. If you follow your protocol, and fully trust your surgeon, you should have nothing to worry about.


3. Treat your physical therapy as your training.
You go to physical therapy for the same reason that you go to practice-to get better! I know that doing hundreds of bridges and heel raises isn't as fun as flying across the floor in grande allegro or reaching out to catch a triple illusion, but for right now, it is what you need. Make a schedule for your exercises, just like you would for your practices. I am even guilty of occasionally wearing a leotard and tights to do my at home exercises, but hey, whatever works :).


4. Don't compare yourself to how you were before you were injured.
A few days before my recent left hip surgery but about 10 weeks after my right hip surgery, I decided to try to do the splits. Panic set in when I was not able to go all the way down. I had been able to do the splits since I was 6 years old! That is when I realized that my splits were a lot better than they would have been if I had tried them immediately after my surgery. Now, if I find myself struggling with something that used to come easy, I think, "Well, I still have a ways to go, but it is a lot better than it was when I tried it a few weeks ago." It is not fair to compare yourself to how you were in full health.


5. Try new things.
How many twirlers with a full training schedule have time to make scrapbooks? Not very many I would guess! Use this opportunity to explore your other interests and make time for things that may have been overlooked when you had a full training schedule. For example, before I got hurt I always intended to spend a set amount of time every day doing Theraband foot exercises, but I never seemed to be able to make time. Now I am able to do all the foot exercises I want and really work to fill in that gap in my training.


6. Know that you are not alone.
Do your research! I have found many websites about dancers with hip injuries. There is even a series of videos on Youtube where a person with my same surgery posts about his progress nearly everyday! I enjoy going to physical therapy in Nashville because most of the other people there are athletic and also had a hip arthroscopy. It is nice to know that many other people have had the exact same thing that I have and that I am right on track with my recovery.

Twins! :)

The Other Side

I went to my orthopedic surgeon to get a check up on my right hip. He said that it looks great and is progressing perfectly. I informed the doctor that my left hip had been bothering me more for the past few weeks. I had left hip pain prior to my right hip surgery, but the right hip was worse. The doctor ordered an MRI on my left hip. It was found that my left hip has a labral tear in addition to the FAI. The doctor said that it will need surgery and will continue to worsen. The doctor and nurse asked when I would like to get the surgery and I jokingly said "Tomorrow!" They left the room for a while. When they returned they said that the person in the room next to us had just cancelled his surgery for tomorrow and that we could have the time slot. I will be getting an arthroscopy on my left hip tomorrow morning. I am glad that I am able to get this surgery right away. I am also glad that the recovery time of my two hips will overlap by about six weeks, which reduces my overall recovery time.

7 Weeks Post Op

I am now able to be very active and I have very few restrictions. I am allowed full passive range of motion. Next week, I will start the advanced exercises of my physical therapy protocol. My left hip also has FAI, but it is unknown whether or not it has a labral tear. As I continue to swim, run, and do other more advanced exercises, I am being very careful to preserve my left hip. When I first saw my surgeon in Nashville he told me that my left hip will probably eventually need surgery, but he doesn't recommend it until my hip becomes a major problem. Hopefully that will be quite a ways down the road.


I'm able to twirl again!

I am very excited to begin returning to my activities. I plan to slowly return to dance classes, starting in January. I am able to do some twirling moves now, but because of all the loaded twisting movements in baton twirling, my physical therapist says it will still be a while until I can fully return to twirling.


A room I designed

It was very difficult to adjust to a less active lifestyle at first. Now, I realize that this experience gives me the opportunity to do things that I would never be able to do with a heavy training schedule. I have tried out some new, less physically demanding methods of artistic expression. I have found that I love to scrapbook and design rooms. I also have had a lot of fun learning how to do all different kinds of hair braids. I can't wait to see how some fun braid styles look when combined with a ballet bun. I've also enjoyed volunteering at a local holiday festival.

Thanks for your support! I hope everyone has a great holiday season!     



One Month Update

My surgery was one month ago. I can now walk without crutches. The restrictions of no external rotation and not greater than 90 degrees of flexion are gone. This makes putting on shoes and socks much easier! :) My physical therapist measured internal rotation on both legs. It was found that my surgical hip has almost 10 degrees more internal rotation than my nonsurgical hip. Hopefully I will see similar results in my external rotation. According to the protocol, I should have full passive range of motion in about 2 weeks. I am now able to run on the elliptical machine. It feels so great to be doing aerobic exercise for the first time since my surgery. I am headed back to Nashville soon for a checkup, and to confirm that everything is progressing smoothly. Again, thanks everyone for all of your support!

I wonder if my doctor considers this "full passive range of motion" :)

Goodbye Nashville

Today I will head home for the first time since my surgery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Nashville and am sad to be leaving such an amazing city. I am, however, looking forward to being home! I stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while in Nashville. The people at the house were very kind and generous. Every time guests walked through the front door, they were greeted with a smile. Seeing the difficulties that some of the other guests at the house have had to endure has made me truly thankful for my situation. Although my surgery has required me to take time off from some of the activities I enjoy most, I know that I will get better and I will be able to return to my normal life. Unfortunately, some of the amazing families at the Ronald McDonald House cannot say the same thing. I will continue to keep these families in my thoughts and prayers.

At the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at the Grand Ole Opry

My hip is doing great! I have been able to bike and do many upper body exercises. I have also been studying videos of ballet and baton performances. It has been nice to step out of the dance and baton world and really focus in on some details that seem to be overlooked when I am so caught up in making it to the gym or to class. I have learned to appreciate the artistry and simplicity of the two art forms, rather than only focusing on the big feature tricks.

Many exciting progressions occur next week! To list a few:

1)     I lose my crutches

2)     I can run on the elliptical machine

3)     I can swim laps

4)     I can drive

5)     I progress to “phase 2” of my physical therapy protocol

In the Parthenon by the Athena statue

 I again want to thank my family and friends for being so supportive. I would also like to thank all of the wonderful people that are part of the Nashville Sports Medicine team.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 

  

Moving in the Right Direction

Although I hate to see other athletes go through this surgery, I am pleased to say that it has been a lot better than I was anticipating. Immediately following the surgery, my hip was in intense pain. This lasted until about 10pm on the night of surgery, and then it stopped hurting, and hasn't hurt since. The day after the surgery I had physical therapy. A few things that had been painful before the surgery, simply didn't hurt anymore! I can feel that there is no longer a little bit of extra bone in front that grinds and pinches. It is amazing to me how noticable the difference is. Everyday since the surgery it has been feeling a little bit looser and less swollen. It is wonderful to finally, after 10 months, know that my hip is moving in the right direction. There are five very small wounds from the surgery that my physical therapist says will eventually be hardly visible at all. I know that I still have about 3 weeks until I can turnout or, as known in the medical field, "externally rotate" :) my leg and walk without crutches, but I can rest assured that I am moving in the right direction.