Recovery Update 5/12/2010
OK. Now for an update on my recovery. Believe it or not, I have had requests to post what is going on.
I went to see my orthopedic surgeon yesterday. The day before, I had my x-rays done. The x-ray report showed no healing, but no change in placement of hardware, etc. I was (to say the least) disappointed. I had been convinced that there would be good callous formation and that I would be able to start therapy to strengthen the bone, hopefully progressing to walking without assistance (crutches, walker, scooter, etc.). My balloon was popped Monday afternoon. I had to spend a few hours depressed and wallowing in self-pity. Deep down, I knew everything would work out, that there is a purpose in this, and that I just needed to be patient.
I went to the appointment yesterday fully prepared to schedule bone grafting. This would mean another surgery (taking bone from my hip and placing it in my leg), more time away from patients, more time for recovery, and more burden on my family. When Dr. Conner came in to talk to us, he said that he thinks he sees a little bit of bone growth (though not nearly as much as he expected or hoped for) and wants to hold on bone grafting if possible. He has set me up to get a bone stimulator- a device that wraps around my leg at night that sends electromagnetic current through the bone to stimulate growth. He also wants me to start trying to put up to half of my body weight on the leg to try to stimulate the growth.
My emotions went on a 24-hour roller coaster ride. I had expectations of bone growth, therapy, and an end in sight. After my x-ray, I expected another surgery and became quite frustrated. Then, I was given some hope that the stimulator and exercise will encourage growth to the point that another surgery (at least for now) is not necessary.
So... today, I start trying to bear weight. I get my stimulator later this week (pending insurance approval). I can start swimming to get some exercise. We go back in 6 weeks.
I went to see my orthopedic surgeon yesterday. The day before, I had my x-rays done. The x-ray report showed no healing, but no change in placement of hardware, etc. I was (to say the least) disappointed. I had been convinced that there would be good callous formation and that I would be able to start therapy to strengthen the bone, hopefully progressing to walking without assistance (crutches, walker, scooter, etc.). My balloon was popped Monday afternoon. I had to spend a few hours depressed and wallowing in self-pity. Deep down, I knew everything would work out, that there is a purpose in this, and that I just needed to be patient.
I went to the appointment yesterday fully prepared to schedule bone grafting. This would mean another surgery (taking bone from my hip and placing it in my leg), more time away from patients, more time for recovery, and more burden on my family. When Dr. Conner came in to talk to us, he said that he thinks he sees a little bit of bone growth (though not nearly as much as he expected or hoped for) and wants to hold on bone grafting if possible. He has set me up to get a bone stimulator- a device that wraps around my leg at night that sends electromagnetic current through the bone to stimulate growth. He also wants me to start trying to put up to half of my body weight on the leg to try to stimulate the growth.
My emotions went on a 24-hour roller coaster ride. I had expectations of bone growth, therapy, and an end in sight. After my x-ray, I expected another surgery and became quite frustrated. Then, I was given some hope that the stimulator and exercise will encourage growth to the point that another surgery (at least for now) is not necessary.
So... today, I start trying to bear weight. I get my stimulator later this week (pending insurance approval). I can start swimming to get some exercise. We go back in 6 weeks.
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