proximal hamstring avulsion Surgery

@upgirl2013
I was trying to picture what your braces look like at a 90 degree angle. Are both knees in a brace? How long do you need to wear them? Is there a chance to have someone help move everything you need to one floor to avoid using stairs as much as possible?

I started to picture myself, if I was in your situation, going down stairs on my knees and stomach while holding the railing on one side. Going up, not sure how easy it would be to navigate stairs on my knees and stomach pulling myself up. 😉

It is only the left leg that has the brace.
I watched a lot of YouTube videos on how to use crutches on stairs. I am still amazed how hard it is not to put my toe down. I uploaded a picture of what my knee looks like lying down. Of course the non surgical leg/hip is quite sore from holding up my body weight.
I cannot sit in low places to use the scooch method. I think I just need the confidence to hop forward and not land on the surgical leg.
I will be in this brace at various degrees for at least 12 weeks. The total recovery is 6 months.

@upgirl2013
Thank you for sharing your picture of your brace! That is quite a significant brace and now see the limitations. It is also good to know you aren’t in braces on both legs. I was once in a similar brace when I injured my knee (while dancing) and getting around was very difficult. My thigh muscle atrophied very quickly which was a pretty scary thing to watch but it came back over time.

It is hard not to get sore when depending on one side/hip/leg but hopefully after your 6 months of healing and physical therapy, you will be able to get back your strength and balance/flexibility.

Take good care of yourself and try not to overdo anything so you don’t injure anything on either side.

YIKES!
I had a hamstring debridement and repair- not the "full monty" that you had.
This might seem counterintuitive BUT, is there a reason why you cannot stay on one floor of the house? It seems very challenging to navigate the stairs!
I had a single anchor and did not need the brace and was moving at six weeks. NO crutches and the walker was minimal.
Hopefully you get full heal and get on those legs actively!

Thank you for the kind wishes. I am using an arthritis rub on my standing hip and taking time to stretch it when I am lying down.
Yes, atrophy is a concern of mine. I have a great physical therapist and feel that he will get strength back as soon as possible.

I can stay on one level inside the house. It is getting out of the house is the issue.
There is one significant step to go down into the entryway. I am going to set an armless chair at the tread and then step down with the crutches from that.
My husband has mild cognitive impairment with early onset Alzheimers and he gets anxious easily. A friend is going to stop by foe my first try at getting out of the house. I have help until Sat(day 7 post op) and will assess if I need to call our local aging advocacy center.l early next week.
Thank you for your support and positive thoughts.

Take care of yourself. You do have some responsibilities! Now is the time to minimalize what could make your recovery slow or fail. Falling would not be a good thing. Best!

Three week post surgery update:
My two week post op check up
went well. The anchors are still in place and the incision looked good. My brace was moved to 60 degrees. I can slightly toe touch with no pressure on the leg at all. Crutches for at least 8 more weeks.
I started PT on Monday and amazed on quickly my quads atrophied. Still no exercises just massage and hip manipulation.
I am getting used to the crutches and still have not figured out how to get comfortable on the knee scooter. The PT adjusted my brace and it feels so much better. I uploaded a picture of how the brave should look like on. Sleeping with it on is still very uncomfortable. My nights are a series of naps.
To get out of the house I am using an armless chair to scoot off on to a landing. It feels good to get fresh air for a bit each day. I am surprise how easy it is to use crutches on grass.
Our kitchen is tiny and I am able to make myself a bowl of breakfast and eat at the counter.
I still cannot carry open liquid containers or food to a table, even with one crutch. I am using a day sling bag to transfer my book, food, water bottle etc… from my bed to around house.
A person came from an in home care agency today and changes my sheets, did my laundry(my husband can do his own) and cleaned the bathroom.
My husband has limited capacity to multitask. I have to breakdown each chore into steps and constantly remind him to stay on task.
It seems my accident has triggered his MCI symptoms.
As I feel better each day, I am finding myself able to do a bit more. I can now concentrate and am finally reading all the books I said I would.
I am starting to miss bicycling, playing tennis, going on walks and swimming. Once the brace is off, I can “exercise in the pool”. It may October before I can swim laps.
The steri strips fell off at day 16 and the incision area is not as sore.
The pain is minimal and it is like a dull ache in my tush.
I appreciate any ideas, suggestions on how to get around with the brace and crutches. Thank you to all who read this information(rambling) and I hope it is helpful to someone in a similar position.

Hi Katy, I did the exact same thing you did to my hamstring on June 16, I had surgery July 15.
I couldn't manage the crutches at home. So my insurance covered a walker alot more stable for me. I am not doing stairs as I already fell twice. ugh.
I also got a toilet seat riser for making going to the bathroom easier. I have been sponge bathing daily. my daughter washes my hair for me.
My brace is set at 90% they said but the paperwork said 75%.
we are not supposed to use our injured leg at all. I purchased chucks pads for my bed ( they help to slide to off bed easier)and I wear a moo- moo. I bought some cute ones off amazon.So much easier than clothes. I'm not sure how to upload pictures but I can next time if someone needs to see.
I was on oxycodone for pain but off that
I do have alot of nerve pain. does anyone else? I am taking lyrica and tylenol for that it seems to work.
open to any information on a timeline if healing process from anyone.
this is the worse injury ever. the pain when I first did it was as bad as labor to me. I am glad that pain is gone and now just dealing with healing pains.

hi upgirl
we are twins. my brace is the same. very heavy on my left leg. I use a walker in the house. my walker is awesome. so much more stable than the crutches. I have only gone out one time as I already fell so it is scary. I use a toilet riser seat. which is awesome. I have my 3 week appointment. did they tell you how long you would be in the brace?
take care.