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! :)