The New Hip (x ray)
This is the thing I’ve been wanting for a few years - finally had installed in May - and have been in recovery for, ever since.
Recovery is a long road and will likely continue for a few more months. Visually, you can see how walking one way for nearly 40 years will take some “getting used to” in the aftermath!
Thanks to all who have been patient with me. Thanks to my coworkers who’ve had to take on additional stuff while I was away or maybe not firing on all cylinders.
Thanks to my moto social pals & the Ottawa riding community for allowing me to take five: i hope to be back with a killer event in July! STAY TUNED! 👀
At 37, I didn’t see this coming. When I was told I would require surgery, I figured it was a “down the road” thing. The arthritis pain was something I can’t accurately described but please read my blog(s) over the past few years for a basic idea. I’ve tried to document my journey to help others following the same path.
I really, really wish that I could be more public about this surgery and recovery online, however there is an account on Facebook posing as me. They screenshot my posts and captions here on Instagram and put them on Facebook in an attempt to make their scams seem more legit. Since going private, I have been able to slow down their efforts. Reporting them has done zero so I had to “go dark” (post in private).
Please share my story with anyone in your circle who may benefit. I wish I had more “young” people to talk to at various stages along my path so I would love to be that person to others.
Always keep going. Love your body & be kind to yourself.
Recovery
Oh, hi.
I decided I’d start a new blog for my recovery. If you missed the memo, I had a total hip replacement earlier this month.
So. How am I?
Rough. I’m rough. It’s a painful thing! I know it’s temporary. I know I will be better than OK when I have recovered but I’m still working on it. I’m getting used to a new structure. I’ve never had a healthy joint. How one of my surgeons explained it to me at my 2 week check-up:
“With arthritis, the joint forms as a T. With a healthy hip, the joint is more of a ⊢.” The doctor also went on to explain that the reason my leg feels a bit foreign (and sore) is because three muscles were interfered with during the operation and all of them were stretched to accommodate a proper, healthy joint structure.
Leg length discrepancy is a potential complication with a total hip replacement and I was initially worried about that. Now that I’m three weeks into my recovery, my worries are fading. I know my legs are a similar length and there is no complication there. It is a sensory trick my mind is playing on me because my muscles have been stretched.
It’s a weird feeling, feeling like I’ve been doing yoga or working out all day when I have literally been a slug! Why do my muscles feel like they’ve had a good workout? Because they have. They’ve been pulled. They’re getting used to this new, healthy structure the same way the rest of my body (including my brain) is!
I am very happy with the care I received at the Ottawa Hospital (General). I am grateful for the support I’ve received from my community! I am learning (always learning) that a total hip replacement in a hip like mine with 35 years of arthritis (OA and RA) and dysplasia means a harder recovery; a different path.
Everyone’s body is different and our abilities range. I’m thankful for all that my body has been able to do over the years, in spite of some difficult circumstances. This new hip takes away my extreme pain caused by the disease so what I have to deal with now, in the relatively ‘short term’, is recovering from the procedure. I will adapt to this new structure and I’m so excited to have a healthy joint!
I shared the image (above) recently to show off my scar. This was taken after my 2 week post op check-up where I had my staples removed. This bandage hides a large scar, where the joint went in. I shared it because I want people to see and understand that joint replacement surgeries happen to everyone at all points of life. The overrepresentation of my disease as something that only affects seniors is a huge disservice to all those who are diagnosed at a young age. I was 18 months old, so perhaps I was even born with it? I grew up with the disease AND learning how to navigate peoples ignorance.
Today, I am honoured to share my story with anyone who will listen. There are young people out there wondering what arthritis looks like OR how medical intervention can help OR what to expect with a total joint replacement. I want to be here for you and I hope sharing my experience(s) helps.