Well, shit and Pearl

I was at PT today and had a talk with the therapist. We did some testing and it all kind of snapped into place with me. Years ago (maybe five?) I had knee problems that got worse and worse until I could hardly walk to and from my car at the store. I remember leaning on the cart as I walked around. And having to assist my entry and departure into the car by lifting my leg with my hands. After some fumbling with the knee I happened to say something about lifting my leg with my hands and the doc said, 'sounds more like your hip' which is where we got my hip replaced. Magic. No more problems.

During PT today I realized this felt exactly the same. The pain goes down to my knee but with investigation and movement tests it appears it originates with my left hip. AND I've been assisting my car entry by lifting with my hand.

I've got an ortho appointment today with an xray. We'll see where it goes. No rush. There are some hip specific exercises including biking that will help and regardless of what I do I'll want to have strong legs. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I might have avoided my knee replacement by focusing on the left hip instead. Sigh. Water over the bridge or under the dam or whatever.

Meanwhile, we were walking today and I introduced Toby to Pearl.  Pearl is in jail in her back yard but I think it was likely a misdemeanor.  They hit it off immediately and, of course, Dana is planning play dates.

Hip Shot

Great meeting with the PA Ortho doc. He's retired Air Force and were I paying attention I would have realized that the first time. He screams military and so we speak the same language. He's also really intelligent and works things through quickly. He compared my current hip issue to the one five years ago on my right side that was replaced. The right one was way worse but this one has some special issues that could account for the pain. A lot has to do with the way things were when I was born. He pointed out the formation of the hips and said this has been happening for 70 years.

We agreed that the test of whether this is knee or hip was to get a shot in my hip and see what that does. It will either give me three + months of relief or will do nothing. If the former then we know what is the problem and we'll figure it out from there. If the latter then there are decisions to make.

I'm happy to have some potential relief and answers. We made an appointment for after Issiquah.

Meanwhile, the woman I checked out with was a kindred spirit:



We bonded immediately and enjoyed not making eye contact.