annab@azure.UUCP (A Beaver) (03/21/85)
Okay, so I guess that it's not all that bad.
I mean, they could have covered both legs.
For those who don't know, (I have been writing to a few people) on about
the 10th of November 1984, I injured the ligaments which hold the back of
the pelvis in place and prevent it from moving too far forward. My original
injury to the gluteal area caused a lot of pain in my right hip area, as
well as my right leg. I had no initial back pain. The doctor told me to go
home and stay off of it. (it was too sore to sit on)
Over a few weeks time, it got worse. I was told to try heat and cold on it
and to stay off of it.(that was fine with me, as it hurt quite a bit.) They
did ultra-sound and electrical stimulation. They took x-rays, which showed
nothing broken. I didn't know enough to realize that my pelvis was over an
inch out of place. (tipped forwards and in)
My pelvis was out of place for about 2 months before they realized it and
showed me some things to do to put it back into a propperly aligned position.
It wouldn't stay in place when we fixed it. Not for any more than a few
minutes anyway.
So, here I am. 4 months later. Still off work.
I have spent the most part of the last 2 months putting my pelvis back into
place. (about every 15 minutes or so) The rest of the time I try to ignore
it and study. I tried doing some exercises which the doctor said should
should strengthen the area, but they just made it sore and swollen. It also
makes the pelvis move quite a ways out of place. More repositioning..
I sure hope that this works. The doctor put it off because he isn't too
convinced that it will help, but he didn't have anything better to suggest
and I'm pretty desperate. It is not getting better and I have to do some-
thing.
The only reason that my leg hasn't been hurting much lately, is because I
keep doing what they call the Thompson (sp) maneuver. That's this thing where
you pull your leg up at a 45 degree angle to the body in an effort to push
the bone up and out. The action of the bones rubbing against each other,
causes quite a bit of discomfort in the lower back. Pulling the leg up also
stretches the injured ligaments. So I have had the choice of either allowing
my leg to hurt when I didn't realign things, or I could put it back in place
and continue to pull on the sore area, or they could put me into this body
cast and KEEP my leg and lower back from moving around much.
I was sort of skeptical about being able to get the cast to hold me into the
propper position long enough to set. (Things drift out of place pretty fast)
I had them reenforce the stomach area so that it would have a better chance
to stay snug. (if I'm gonna do this, I only want to have to do it once)
Fortunately, I am slender so the cast has a better chance to hold the bones
firmly. It seens that all I have to do, if I feel that it has moved some,
is to lean into the cast and relax that way and I can feel it move back.
Oh, the cast.. It goes from about 2 inches below the breast to just above
my right knee, with my pelvis tipped forward at the bottom and my leg bent
slightly. It is cut up to about mid hip on the left so that I can use the
leg still. They gave me a crutch to get around with.
I find that if I pile up some pillows and lay on my stomach, I can at least
type. If a friend hadn't lent me this terminal so that I could log into my
account, I would not be in such good spirits, I think.
I had two reasons for writing this. One, I would like to see if anyone has
any other constructive suggestions for me. I would like to get this healed
up a little faster than it has been doing. We hope that keeping the ligaments
from moving around much, they will have a better chance to heal.
I sure hope this works....
Oh, reason two...
Anyone want to start a comedy team?
I'd make a great straight man. (person?) (whatever)
~l
/l
/5l\
/ 0l \
Annadiana Beaver / 5 l \
A Beaver@Tektronix /____l___\
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"I'd rather be sailing" wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwapteryx@ucbvax.ARPA (Brian Peterson) (03/23/85)
> For those who don't know, (I have been writing to a few people) on about > the 10th of November 1984, I injured the ligaments which hold the back of > the pelvis in place and prevent it from moving too far forward. My original > injury to the gluteal area caused a lot of pain in my right hip area, as > well as my right leg. I had no initial back pain. The doctor told me to go > home and stay off of it. (it was too sore to sit on) ..... > I had two reasons for writing this. One, I would like to see if anyone has > any other constructive suggestions for me. I would like to get this healed > up a little faster than it has been doing. We hope that keepingtheligaments ..... Is there any such thing as flotation therapy, at least for really serious injuries? Floating in water was the first thing that came to my mind, though I don't know how practical it would be to live in water. It could be saline, to prevent all those wrinkles, and maybe add buoyancy. (So the next question: Is there such a beast as a water-proof terminal :-) Brian Peterson ...!ucbvax!brianp