proximal hamstring avulsion Surgery

Meant to say falling off ladder.
Once again, thank you for your comments and support!

It looks like your new brace allows for weight bearing with both feet on the ground. The hip range of motion will take some time to get used to. My PT did a better job adjusting my brace than the surgeons office.
The goal is to not put any pressure on yiur hamstrings at all.
You will get through the recovery process and will be surprise how strong mentally and physically you are.
Keep resting, icing and taking care of yourself.

At what point in time were you able to sit comfortably? I can’t seem to find any sitting position that is comfortable. I have been laying in bed or propped up with pillows in bed, or laying in a lounge chair on the deck. I eat propped up on pillows or standing on one leg at the kitchen counter.
Not being able to sit up has been my biggest frustration. I am now managing pain with Tylenol & Advil, so feel I am making progress.

It took at least three weeks for me to be able to sit with both cheeks on a chair. I sat with my surgical side propped up on a pillow or on a rolled towel for many weeks. I was pretty much chair(recliner) or bed bound for the first month. Once my daughters left, I ate quite a few meals standing at the counter. Eating at the dining room table was painful and took too much effort. I am glad to hear that you able to get outside and your pain is subsiding. Extra strength Tylenol works well for me.

@upgirl2013

@tamb

@tamb
Just wondering how your progress is going at this point. Have you increased walking time and distance?
I had my 2 week post op appointment last Friday. The doctor gave me approval to start PT, but there wasn’t much I could start doing.
I still have swelling on my surgery leg thigh. This Friday will be 3 weeks after surgery. Does that sound normal? How long did it take for the swelling to disappear for you?
I still can’t sit properly, and have not even attempted stairs.
Just wanting to connect and hopefully hear you
Walking more comfortably.
TAB

@tamb Hi, It is good to hear from you.
The swelling is normal and will continue for a bit. I am 12 weeks today and still have swelling when I do too much. I made the mistake of not icing twice a day for a few weeks. My PT orders mention icing 2ce a day for sixteen weeks. Sitting properly will not be available to you until week 10. I still carry a small hand towel when I go out. I never know what type of chair I will be sitting in. I staring using an heating pad at night before bed and rub Palmers Cocoa Butter on the scar after my first check up. It worked well on my knee replacement scar. The heat helps me get comfortable so I could fall asleep.
I did not even attempt stairs until week 7 when my brace was fully straight and I could figure out how to use crutches going up. I started using every other leg last week and when my leg is tired I go back to using one leg at a time.
I am back to walking, cooking and baking, but still get waves of exhaustion. Bending, squatting are both very painful and I am too stubborn to wait for someone to assist me to get things out of the dryer, lower cabinet, dishwasher rack or oven, etc… I just adjust my leg in a position where I do not feel the pull. The pain from the pull is real and you need to listen to it.
I am able to walk for a few miles on flat roads. My pace is very slow. Hills are tortuous and I try to go very slow up them. I also say the “heel toe, heel toe, eyes 5 feet a head” mantra in my head when I start getting tired.
Three weeks is way too early to walk any farther than 10 mins. I would set my timer for 5 mins and then turn around.
PT seems fruitless, but it is a way to have someone look at the scar, massage the muscles and track your progress. I try to do the exercises three to four times a day. My PT constantly reminds me that this rehab is all about progression and getting all the leg muscles strong again. You will get on the exercise bike at PT around 6 weeks and you will feel like that is one major victory. I have been away from home for the past two weeks and am anxious to get back to therapy.

Embrace the good moments and give into the frustrating ones. I still have low moments and feel better once they are over.
When the brain fog from the trauma lifts, you will know it and have an “ah ha moment”. I woke one morning, at about 5 weeks, and all the little things that bug me were back. I knew then that I was on the road to recovery.
Going from being very active and independent to a sudden halt is one of the hardest things that I have ever experienced.
How much longer will you need your hip brace? Are you still sleeping with it on?
Keep in touch.

@upgirl2013
Thank you for the continued information on your progress and recovery experiences. This connection has helped me considerably!
The expectation is that I will wear the brace for 3 more weeks, for a total of 6 weeks. And yes, I am still sleeping with the brace set @ 30. It has been a challenge trying to get a good night sleep. Not only the discomfort of the brace, but getting out of bed to use the bathroom at night takes a lot of energy and mindfulness.
I know this will pass, but this recovery has been more difficult than I anticipated. The surgeon suggested I would be back to full capacity in 2-3 months. I have already lowered that expectation as not being realistic for someone my age! Perhaps if I was 21, but I can tell my body has weakened from lack of exercise.
I am glad to hear you are walking and increasing your distance. I miss my daily hikes, and look forward to getting outside again. I have 13 stairs that I have to navigate to get to our main living area. My husband has to currently support me going up and down, so I am trapped on 1 floor, and rarely go out.
Right now, I am fearful of any stairs, so this will be a roadblock in my recovery progress.
Thanks again for your continued information and advice! —TAB

@tamb
Every time I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I allowed myself to have a few tears. Every morning I sighed looking at my crutches. You will not take doing the simplest tasks for granted again. Try to figure out how to get out of the house. I think I took my car ride that was not doctor related at 4 weeks. I watched a few YouTube videos on how to crutches. Can a Physical Therapist come to your house to work on stairs with you? I had to pay out of pocket for someone to help me figure out a few tasks.
Be careful to not too much movement yet. Sitting around is boring and depressing but it will be worth it around week 8. I was so bored that I did the PT assigned exercises three times a day. I still hate doing them on a bed or couch.
I had my 12 week check up today. Every thing is healing on schedule. The PA told me that swollen legs, including ankles is normal. My knee looks bloated.🤪 She said that my tushy may have the dull ache for the rest of my life. Ugh, No swimming or yoga for a few more weeks. No floor exercises at all. I started crying when the PA told me that. I can now carry up to 20 pounds. After Friday’s PT I can use the bikes at the Y and do a low impact, 30 min peloton ride. The PA reminded me that this a long recovery and I need to be patient. She said this injury is more severe than I realize and want to acknowledge. She reminded me that I am not ready to take clothes out of the dryer, load or unload the dishwasher, basically anything that requires bending over.
I have a 16 week check up in November. I was hoping that this was my last visit until the six month one. I live 100 miles from the surgeon’s office. It is a pain in the tushy to go.
My doctor said this a six month recovery and a year to be able to perform any pre injury tasks.
My husband and I just got back from our trip and I need to start eating better. I think that makes a difference with pain management.
Are you keeping up with your protein intake? The PA told me to add turmeric to my smoothies everyday.
You are only at three weeks. Give your self grace. I hope you found some good shows to watch and keep your mind off of your pain and inconvenient injury. Once your brace is set for straight leg, which will be soon, it will be easier.
Reach out to people and let them know you are thinking of them and see if they can stop by and visit with you.
Keep reaching out, it is always great to hear from you.