POD#23

Physical therapy this morning. No more CPM machine. Allowed to flex 90 degrees, which means I may sit in a normal chair. Now I am doing exercises against gravity.

My first post-op visit with the orthropod is next Tuesday, and I am hoping I will be able to bear more weight at that time. Additionally my incision will be healed (infection cleared) by then, so that I may return to the pool. My left leg is strong. I think I will be able to walk. It will be wobbly initially but the majority of the muscles are ready to go. I will also ask when I can bike, I imagine a recumbent stationary bicycle would be the first step.

It has been so long since I have exercised. Months. 2007 was pretty much a wash.

2006 was my best year:
Swam 128,925 yards (78 miles)
Bike 378 miles
Run 282 miles

So this is the time for firsts again. Like yesterday, my first email to my PI (research mentor). Sent off an outline of my grant proposal. Time to start writing.

Next week first day back in the pool.

Maybe the following week back to work. Followed by treadmill, cath lab. All in good time.

Flabby butt sydrome

It is an epidemic.

"You see your real problem is that your butt muscles are weak," the diagnosis from 4 independent physical therapists! Describing four different butts mind you.

Subject #1. Early 30's. Previous gymnast, excellent swimmer. Serious running and biking. Chronic knee pain, eventual hip pain.

Subject #2. Early 40's. Serious biker for years, leading to hip pain.

Subject #3. Mid 20's. Running, biking, swimming. Back pain.

Subject #4. 33 year old (me). High school volleyball and basketball. College volleyball. Recreational athlete in 20s. Triathlon training in 30s. Running up to 6 miles, biking 100+ miles a week, swimming 5+ miles/week. Hip pain, femoral acetabular impingement, the rest is in the blog.

A coincidence that PT evaluation revealed weak gluts in all of us? Is it the biking? Is it the running? We are in shape, exercising to be/stay healthy.

Is there something else we should we be doing?

Cortisone--left hip

Last year I was a triathlete. Standing on a podium I received a medal. With my training I was often surprised to find what I could actually do. It peeled away in layers. No running. No biking. No walking. No swimming. At first I asked what exercise, stretch could I do to recover. Now I ask what can I do to prevent surgery. There is no easy way back from here. Three months away from work to recover from hip re constructive surgery. I sought an ortho consultation, he circled a piece of my bone that shouldn't be there. Deformed hips- present all of my life. Do I ask how could this happen to me? Or do I rejoice for the 33 active years I enjoyed. Orthopedic surgery was the ONLY rotation I hated in med school. Funny. Something about the bone saw- never set well with me. PM&R seemed like a silly specialty when selecting a career. Now I go to see one, for a cortisone shot, for a cure.