It's been 9 months. I thought I'd share my experience, especially for other women in my age group because we tend to heal slowly.
At the 6 month checkup I was told the pain I was feeling in my lower right hip area was neuropathy. I had been walking 2-3 miles every day but was surprised by how weak my legs have become. The doc gave me lidocaine patches to alternate with Valtoren cream-- both of them topical only. He also recommended that I start to retrain the nerves by rubbing the area with something satin at first until I could tolerate that and switch to cloths that a increasingly abrassive. He also prescribed Physical Therapy.
For 6 months I had been VERY careful not to bend too much or twist at all. When I started PT, the therapist showed me that I could move more than I thought, but I was quite stiff and weak. I was given exercises and stretches. At my appointments I got massage of that right hip area and heat.
The exercises got progressively harder. At one point, the pain in my lower right back and hip seemed worse. The PT tried ultrasound instead of massage and it made a significant improvement.
It's been a lot of work and requires dedication (more than I think I have some days). I walk 2-3 miles every day, stretch twice a day and do the PT exercises at least once a day. I will admit to skipping something in my routine on a rare day but all in all I've been pretty committed.
Results so far? I have been happily surprised by how much I CAN do now. I don't need the grabbers anymore. The pain in my hip is improving. I have been able to get out and do almost everything, just in moderation. Before surgery I rowed 3000 meters in 30 minutes 3 times a week. I haven't been on a rowing machine yet but the therapist said I could start that again as long as I use good form. Before surgery I could sprint a mile in 12:30 and now I am pushing it do break 15 minutes but that is steadily improving. Before surgery I used to ride my bicycle with my husband a lot. Last night for the first time rode my bicycle !!! I have been afraid of falling, but it was lovely last night and we took the bikes to a flat area so I could try it out. I felt better on the bike than I expected. Now I just have to get used to that darn bike seat again (ha ha!).
One last thing -- my back is now pretty darn straight and the progressive curve has been stopped. I no longer have any sciatica. I got my waist and most of my original height back. Although I've still got a ways to go, I'm very glad I had the surgery.
Sheri
At the 6 month checkup I was told the pain I was feeling in my lower right hip area was neuropathy. I had been walking 2-3 miles every day but was surprised by how weak my legs have become. The doc gave me lidocaine patches to alternate with Valtoren cream-- both of them topical only. He also recommended that I start to retrain the nerves by rubbing the area with something satin at first until I could tolerate that and switch to cloths that a increasingly abrassive. He also prescribed Physical Therapy.
For 6 months I had been VERY careful not to bend too much or twist at all. When I started PT, the therapist showed me that I could move more than I thought, but I was quite stiff and weak. I was given exercises and stretches. At my appointments I got massage of that right hip area and heat.
The exercises got progressively harder. At one point, the pain in my lower right back and hip seemed worse. The PT tried ultrasound instead of massage and it made a significant improvement.
It's been a lot of work and requires dedication (more than I think I have some days). I walk 2-3 miles every day, stretch twice a day and do the PT exercises at least once a day. I will admit to skipping something in my routine on a rare day but all in all I've been pretty committed.
Results so far? I have been happily surprised by how much I CAN do now. I don't need the grabbers anymore. The pain in my hip is improving. I have been able to get out and do almost everything, just in moderation. Before surgery I rowed 3000 meters in 30 minutes 3 times a week. I haven't been on a rowing machine yet but the therapist said I could start that again as long as I use good form. Before surgery I could sprint a mile in 12:30 and now I am pushing it do break 15 minutes but that is steadily improving. Before surgery I used to ride my bicycle with my husband a lot. Last night for the first time rode my bicycle !!! I have been afraid of falling, but it was lovely last night and we took the bikes to a flat area so I could try it out. I felt better on the bike than I expected. Now I just have to get used to that darn bike seat again (ha ha!).
One last thing -- my back is now pretty darn straight and the progressive curve has been stopped. I no longer have any sciatica. I got my waist and most of my original height back. Although I've still got a ways to go, I'm very glad I had the surgery.
Sheri
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