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grnvixenHad a PT eval yesterday for a nagging problem.
Details leading up to this will be behind cut as I don't want to bore anyone, but do want to keep for my information.
Starting from when we moved the office in April, I have had increasing problems with the left hip. Naturally, first thought was the titanium parts, which could have been a mess to deal with. Problem (as in could not sit comfortably for very long) was nagging until late June. About that time a tingling sensation in the lower part of the left 'cheek' was added. Sort of like when a limb has gone to 'sleep' and is waking up, but more painful. This came and went, tingling was usually later in the day. Gradually it became a focused area of pain that when I would lay down at night would radiate the tingling pain. Only thing that seemed to relieve it was lying on my stomach. Which I really haven't done comfortably since puberty!
Resting seemed to help a little but when there was no real change by mid-June, and a good night's sleep was becoming rare, I scheduled an appt with my hip doc, which took a month to get. I was very worried now that something was wrong with the THR hip and had visions of being back on a walker or crutches for who-knew-how-long. I was very careful about my activities while waiting for this appt, cut back on a lot of things and it seemed to help, not quite to the point where I was willing to cancel the appt, but I was thinking about it. Then we went computer shopping, and I stood around on cement for over an hour, and was back to square one.
Day of the appt finally came and x-rays were ordered. Good news was the THR is in great shape! No loosening, good bone growth. Ok, so what is the problem.... The key clue seemed to be that it was lying on my stomach (and to some degree walking, but not standing, that relieved the pain. That apparently indicated something to do with the lumbar area and a PT eval was recommended. A nerve pain medication was also prescribed.
Luckly the PT appt only took a week to get. Went through a pretty through check with the PT seeing what parts moved, what didn't, and what caused pain. Not much caused immediate pain (I think sciatica was the first thing everyone wanted to eliminate), which is good. Basic diagnosis; irritation of the lumbar spine area. Bad news is, not to much that can be done about this except releive the irritation, and not cuase any more. Yeah. Right.
Long story short; the PT felt that if I could keep from bending by back for 3 days I would see significant improvement and be on the road for recovery. Now by "bending the back" he didn't mean I couldn't bend over, at the waist, to pick something up, just don't bend the back. Not even once during the 3 days. Yeah. Right.
All my life I have been a tall woman (not quite 6 ft) in an average world. not a big problem, except finding shoes, or jeans long enough, or sweaters with sleeves long enough, dealing with work chairs that were just a bit to low, desks that were never really high enough, leg room on airplanes.... so I've dealt with it. But now that I 'have' to not bend (ie; round) my back, um, not so easy to deal with. Just standing at the kitchen counter this morning making lunch for today I caught myself 'curving', and could tell the consquences. I brought a cushion to work for lumbar support but, see above. Sigh. This is going to be a lot harder to do than one might think. Oh crap, I still have some sewing to do too!
Second PT appt is next week.............
Details leading up to this will be behind cut as I don't want to bore anyone, but do want to keep for my information.
Starting from when we moved the office in April, I have had increasing problems with the left hip. Naturally, first thought was the titanium parts, which could have been a mess to deal with. Problem (as in could not sit comfortably for very long) was nagging until late June. About that time a tingling sensation in the lower part of the left 'cheek' was added. Sort of like when a limb has gone to 'sleep' and is waking up, but more painful. This came and went, tingling was usually later in the day. Gradually it became a focused area of pain that when I would lay down at night would radiate the tingling pain. Only thing that seemed to relieve it was lying on my stomach. Which I really haven't done comfortably since puberty!
Resting seemed to help a little but when there was no real change by mid-June, and a good night's sleep was becoming rare, I scheduled an appt with my hip doc, which took a month to get. I was very worried now that something was wrong with the THR hip and had visions of being back on a walker or crutches for who-knew-how-long. I was very careful about my activities while waiting for this appt, cut back on a lot of things and it seemed to help, not quite to the point where I was willing to cancel the appt, but I was thinking about it. Then we went computer shopping, and I stood around on cement for over an hour, and was back to square one.
Day of the appt finally came and x-rays were ordered. Good news was the THR is in great shape! No loosening, good bone growth. Ok, so what is the problem.... The key clue seemed to be that it was lying on my stomach (and to some degree walking, but not standing, that relieved the pain. That apparently indicated something to do with the lumbar area and a PT eval was recommended. A nerve pain medication was also prescribed.
Luckly the PT appt only took a week to get. Went through a pretty through check with the PT seeing what parts moved, what didn't, and what caused pain. Not much caused immediate pain (I think sciatica was the first thing everyone wanted to eliminate), which is good. Basic diagnosis; irritation of the lumbar spine area. Bad news is, not to much that can be done about this except releive the irritation, and not cuase any more. Yeah. Right.
Long story short; the PT felt that if I could keep from bending by back for 3 days I would see significant improvement and be on the road for recovery. Now by "bending the back" he didn't mean I couldn't bend over, at the waist, to pick something up, just don't bend the back. Not even once during the 3 days. Yeah. Right.
All my life I have been a tall woman (not quite 6 ft) in an average world. not a big problem, except finding shoes, or jeans long enough, or sweaters with sleeves long enough, dealing with work chairs that were just a bit to low, desks that were never really high enough, leg room on airplanes.... so I've dealt with it. But now that I 'have' to not bend (ie; round) my back, um, not so easy to deal with. Just standing at the kitchen counter this morning making lunch for today I caught myself 'curving', and could tell the consquences. I brought a cushion to work for lumbar support but, see above. Sigh. This is going to be a lot harder to do than one might think. Oh crap, I still have some sewing to do too!
Second PT appt is next week.............
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no subject
Date: 2008-08-27 07:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-27 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-27 08:30 pm (UTC)Notty's idea is excellent--good luck!
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 12:45 am (UTC)when I had my locked-for-6-years-vertebrates un-hooked I had to tape my back for a month or so. C would need to help you but it means you tape your back in a criss-cross pattern starting at both shoulders and down to the opposite waist. It didn't stop me from trying to slouch but it reminded me when I did as I met with resistance. It is more technical than I described as you need to position your shoulders a certain way as you are taped - but it DID make a big difference to my healing.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 01:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-28 01:30 pm (UTC)