My Zebra Medical Journey: 6 Weeks Post-Op

Monday, July 20, 2009

6 Weeks Post-Op

WOW! I can not believe today is 6 weeks post-op. I have been swimming and have increased my time in the pool and the therapy clinic. I feel a lot stronger, but I have to be careful as I try to ditch my crutches and use my operated leg. It does not feel to bad, but I am unsure if the bones have healed enough. I see my doc for a 6-week post-op this Wednesday and I will get to find out how well the bones are healing and whether or not I get to progress to more exercises, get to drive or hopefully ditch a crutch! That is wishful thinking and I am not trying to rush the process, but I am hoping I am healing well.

This has been very difficult and has just gotten even more difficult. My dad was just laid-off from his job at Toyota and the health insurance ends this month. I am unsure of how my therapy will continue after the next couple weeks. It is a terrifying situation to be in and I just pray for my family because this is not going to be easy. I am unsure of what this is going to bring. I just hope that I can afford the rest of the therapy needed to get back to work. The Army requires a big physical demand and I if I do not recover...I have no job and I can be released from my ROTC program as well as owe them the money from my tuition and stipends. It is a scary thought of what ifs...I am trying to stay busy and work on alternative options and sources for recovery while still helping out my family as much as I can. I know my family is worried, stressed and angry that this has happened. I just hope this is a short process and that we can get through this. I hate seeing my family hurting and would do anything to change that.

I have had a recent joy that brings happiness in this stressful situation. Her name is Chloe! She is my new mini Aussie Shepherd. She brings laughter and love to the family. Please pray for my family...I am worried...

5 comments:

JenJuly 20, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Ashley, Congrats on your 6 weeks and Chloe! I hate to hear about your dad's job, I am saying a prayer that all turns out well in the end. Just a thought - gather as much advice from PT as you can now, for what you should do on your own or expect for the weeks ahead. The water jogger belt may be a good idea now, as well. I am sure you will work something out, but it may put your mind at ease to have a longer term plan for PT. Keep your chin up! Your Hippies are rooting for you! :)
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HipRNJuly 21, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Hey Ashley,
I'm sorry to hear about your dad's job. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that it is just a blip on the radar for you and you will not have to worry about it, but Jen had some good advice for you. I'd do the same thing she is suggesting. Best of luck to you and happy healing!
Marcie
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ASpallaJuly 21, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Thanks ladies! I have talked with my therapist about the situation and she is going to make-up a long term PT plan that I can follow and progress over the next few months since I do have access to a good job and pool! It is not the first time he has been laid off, but it definitely sucks and my concerns are with my family. I appreciate the support very much! It is great having the Hippies!
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MarinaJuly 23, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Definitely sucks but your dad qualifies for COBRA and under the AARA the government will subsidize 65% of the cost of COBRA premiums which will make it much more affordable.
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ASpallaJuly 24, 2009 at 9:51 AM
I have been looking into the different options and am going to do my best to find a way to pay for it all. I appreciate the advice and support, it means so much! Thank you Hippies!
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My Medical Team

Dr. Wyatt Horsley - Internist (IU Health)

Dr. Joshua Wellington - Physical Medicine/Rehab. & Pain Management Specialist (IU Health)

Dr. Alexia Torke - Palliative Care (IU Health)

Dr. Ravi Misra - Infectious Disease (IU Health)

Dr. Robert Nelson - Immunologst (IU Health)

Dr. Makram Hajj - Cardiologist (IU Health)

Dr. Michael Millis - Hip Preservation Surgeon (Children's Hospital of Boston)

Dr. Presley Swann - Hip Preservation Surgeon (Methodist Sports Medicine)

Dr. Joel Wells - Hip Preservation Surgeon (UTSW)

Dr. Brian Dierckman - Hip Preservation & Shoulder Surgeon (Elite Sports Medicine)

Dr. Todd Bertrand - Hip Surgeon (Franciscan)

Dr. Michael DiDonna - Hand Surgeon (IU Health)

Dr. Matt Horn - Chiropractor (Premier Family Chiropractic)

Noah Campbell - PT (Team Rehabilitation)

Surgeries

1. Lt. knee Lateral Release (May 2003)

2. Bilateral periosteal stripping, deep & superficial compartment releases (Porter - 26 Dec. 2006)

3. Bilateral anterior & lateral compartment releases, superficial peroneal nerve release (Porter- 18 Dec. 2007)

4. Rt. hip PAO, arthroscopy, labral debridement & ligament repair (Scheid & Maiers - 8 June 2009)

5. Lt. hip arthroscopy, iliopsoas release & labral debridement

(Maiers - 11 Feb. 2010)

6. Rt. hip arthroscopy, femoral osteochondroplasty, ilipsoas release & labral repair (Maiers- 10 Aug. 2010)

7. Rt. hip hardware removal, scar revision (Millis- 11 Jan. 2011)

8. Rt. varus femoral rotational osteotomy (Millis - 20 June 2011)

9. Rt. trochanteric transfer osteotomy and femoral blade-plate removal (Millis - 6 April 2012)

10. Lt. shoulder arthroscopy, capsulorraphy (5+ sutures), closed rotator interval, repairs (Dierckman - 17 Jan 2013)

11. Rt. trochanter/femoral hardware removal & debridement (Dierckman - 2 July 2013)

12. Rt. hip/femur infection IND (Dierckman - 14 July 2013)

13. Lt. hip arthroscopy w/anterior & posterior labral repairs, CAM & Pincer Resection, endocscopic IT band release, open capsulorraphy (Dierckman - 26 Nov 2013)

14. Lt. hip superficial infection IND (Dierckman - 21 Dec 2013)

15. Rt. shoulder arthroscopy, labral repair & capsulorraphy (~4-5 sutures), repairs (Dierckman - 31 Dec 2013)

16. Rt. hip arthroscopy, labral repair, Pincer resection, femoroplasty, capsulorraphy, gluteus medius repair, open femoral trochanteric revision (Domb - 8 Aug 2014)

17. Spinal Cord Neurostimulator Implant (Wellington - 21 Oct 2014)

18. Rt. shoulder arthoscopy, capsulorraphy (6+ anchors), labral repair (Dierckman - 20 Nov 2014)

19. Spinal Cord Neurostimulator pocket revision (Wellington - 20 Jan 2015)

20. Emergency Surgery for Spinal Cord Explant for Infection IND (Wellington - 21 Jan 2015)

21. Spinal Cord Neurostimulator Re-Implant (Wellington - 4 March 2015)

22. Lt. shoulder arthroscopy, capsulorraphy, labral repair (Badman - 29 Sept. 2015)

23. Lt. hip open surgical dislocation, labral reconstruction w/allograft, femoral osteochondroplasty, acetabuloplasty & LPAO (Swann - 8 Dec. 2015)

24. Lt. hip wound closure IND (Swann - 4 Jan. 2016)

25. Venous Access port (TIVAD) placement (Halum - 26 April 2016)

26. Rt. Total Hip Total Arthroplasty (Swann - 22 Nov. 2016)

27. Rt. Hip post-THA infection IND (Swann - 13 Jan. 2017)

28. Venous Access port explant (Halum - 18 April 2017)

29. Rt. THA Explant Spacer placement for infection (Swann - 21 April 2017)

30. Rt. THA Spacer explant, femoral osteotomy (Ongwijitwat- 29 June 2017)

31. Rt. Hip, Femur surgical bone biopsy & hip aspiration (Ongwijitwat - 25 April 2018)

32. Lt. Hip Hardware removal (Ongwijitwat - 29 May 2018)

33. Rt. Carpal tunnel release & De Quervain’s release (DiDonna - (5 Feb 2019)

34. Lt. Carpal tunnel release & De Quervain’s release (DiDonna - 28 March 2019)

35. Rt. Hip hardware removal & abx spacer implant (Swann - 26 Aug 2019)

36. Rt. Hip spacer explant, IND, bone resection (Swann - 14 Oct 2019)

37. Rt. Hip IND, bone resection - emergency (Bertrand - 25 March 2020)

38. Venous Access port (TIVAD) placement (Halum - 20 May 2020)

39. Venous Access port explant (Pyko - 28 May 2020)

40. Rt Hip IND, bone resection, complex closure (Wells - 12 June 2020)

41. Lt Hip endoscopic IT Band release, bursectomy (Dierckman - 3 March 2021)

42. Lt. Hip PAO hardware removal (Bertrand - 4 Nov. 2021)

EDS, Hip Dysplasia and Other Basics...

EDS: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders. There are 6 subtypes. I have Classical - Type 1. Classical EDS affects 2 to 5 in 100,000. Connective tissues are made up of proteins that support skin, bones, blood vessels, and other organs. They make up about 80% of the human body. Classical EDS patients have significant skin involvement, abnormal and poor wound healing, abnormal scarring, wounds and skin that tear open and the skin is soft and velvety to the touch. Patients can also present with an unusually large range of joint movement. The loose joints are unstable and prone to dislocation, chronic pain, and early-onset arthritis. There is no cure and treatment plans are individualized.

There are secondary conditions that are caused by EDS like dysautonomia which effects the autonomic nervous system. In my case I have severe burning nerve pain and a harder ability to control my BP, etc. Raynaud's syndrome is another disorder that branches off EDS that makes you very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and effects circulation.

Hip Dysplasia: is a congenital condition in which the ball and socket joint don't fit together the way they should. In my case, the socket is too shallow, which causes uneven pressure on the joint, a premature breakdown of cartilage and early osteoarthritis.

PAO Surgery: A periacetabular osteotomy is a surgery in which the hip socket or acetabulum is cut at 3 different spots, so that the acetabulum can be repositioned for better alighnment. By re-positioning the acetabulum you are able to reach the coverage that is needed. Once the acetabulum has been shifted to its new position titanium pins and screws will be used to fixate the fractures until they heal.

FO: A Femoral Derotational Osteotomy is a surgery in which the femur is cut through the bone or a wedge is cut out so that the femur can be rotated into the correctly aligned position. Then they will use either a blade-plate or a titanium rod and screws to fixate the femur in its new position until the fracture heals.

CRPS: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome CRPS is a chronic and progressive (nerve) pain disorder. CRPS is marked by intense burning or aching pain. Patients may also experience swelling, skin discoloration, altered temperature, abnormal sweating, and hypersensitivity in the affected area. The cause is unknown although most cases occur after trauma to the body (surgery, fractures, etc) and there is no cure. It can spread to other parts of the body. Treatment focuses on relieving the pain. There are 2 classifications for CRPS which are: CRPS Type-1 which was known as RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and CRPS Type-2 which was known as Causalgia or sympathetically mediated pain. Both Types have the same symptoms, but in Type-2 there is a known damaged nerve.

It is believed to be connected to EDS