2.5 years Post-Right Hip PAO Reconstructive Surgery

POST RIGHT HIP PAO:
It's been just over 2.5 years since my right hip reconstruction (PAO).  My right hip has little to no pain, and doing really well.  I am very happy with the outcome of the surgery (in regards to the hip, not so much for the complications that I had).

CRPS:
Just about 2 years ago, I was getting more Nerve Blocks for the CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) in my right foot, to prep it for the cold of the winter.  I now haven't gotten any nerve blocks in at least 1.5 years (if I can remember correctly).  I do still get the occasional spark, and I need to keep it warm to avoid discomfort, but doing really well with it!

FOOT DROP:
My Foot Drop hasn't made any improvement since my last blog in Spring.  I can raise it almost as much as my left foot, but not quite.  Also, the top of my foot and big toe are still numb(ish), feels like it's asleep especially when I rub my hand or something across my foot.  However, I was able to wear flip flops this passed Summer!  So, I was super excited about that!  Just needed to focus on my walking more when wearing them to avoid tripping.

WEIGHT LOSS:
I still need to lose about 40lbs until Dr. JS will do my left hip PAO (as he wants to reduce the risk of complications as much as possible).  Slow process, but hopefully I will be able to get my left hip done ASAP as it has been bothering me more and more .... I even have been seeing a Chiropractor since Summer to help with my hip pain.  Which honestly, seems to help for a day or so .... then the pain comes back. Need the surgery soon!

Two-Years Post PAO Surgery

It's been 2 years since my right hip reconstruction (PAO surgery). I've been struggling with my walking still, mainly because my left hip needs to be reconstructed yet and my right foot is still dropped.  I've come to terms with the fact that my right foot may never totally recover.  It is not dropped as much as 2 years ago (when I could barely lift my foot off the ground), but still does not lift as much as my left foot.

I haven't shared this yet (in my blog), but the reason I need to wait to have my left hip reconstruction is because I was told that I needed to lose 90lbs before Dr. JS will consider doing my left hip (as he wants to reduce the risk of complications as much as possible).  I've lost 25lbs so far, but have 65lbs to go.  Hoping to try and lose the weight during the next year to get my left hip done as soon as possible.

CRPS update:  I've been getting the occasional spark in my right foot, but it has been manageable.  Also, when my foot gets cold it bothers me, but as soon as I warm it up, it starts to feel better.  Heat blankets/mattress pads are my best friend!  Even though I've had some discomfort in my right foot, I haven't needed any Nerve Blocks in over a year, which is great news!  :-)

 

Happy New Year!

It's a new year and I have a new goal for total recovery of my Foot Drop.  I feel like I am still making progress, it's just so slow! The feeling of my right (dropped) foot feels almost as though I have a 'numbing cream' on it, which I don't.  My foot seems to be raising slightly more than in August (when I last posted).  But, it's still a struggle to pull back my toes.  I have to think about it really hard, and even then, I can only pull them back about half the distance of my left foot.  Overall, I still have hope and am just patiently waiting for a total recovery - estimating April 2015 (2 years post-PAO).

As for the CRPS in my right foot - I am doing wonderful!  I have not needed any "Sympathetic Nerve Block Injections" this winter (so far).  I still have moments when I get a sparking or knife stabbing feeling, but once I warm my foot up it usually goes away.