injured
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I am 12 weeks post-accident (since getting t-boned by a car) and post-total hip replacement surgery.

The most difficult part of the rehab has been dealing with a significant leg length discrepancy (LLD). In addition to the LLD, the trauma to my femur and lower body in general, plus the consequences of surgery, has changed my gait dramatically and consequently given me knee and leg pain/swelling. I have orthotics in both shoes to minimize the problems with walking and still, it isn’t enough.

Pain and swelling in my knee and leg make it difficult to press on with my rehab and recovery – to get back as much as I can of what was lost – because the more active I am the worse it gets. I am used to recovering, you don’t ride as long as I have or even exercise in general and not know injury and its sister, recovery. I am not used to this type of injury however, I have never suffered a trauma like this nor had lasting impairments like those I have now.

I hope it all resolves – I am doing everything in my power so that it does. My physical therapist suggested I discuss it all with my surgeon at my next appointment and also get a 2nd opinion given all the issues I am having. I cannot even think about going through another surgery, but I may not fully recover without corrective surgery. I have not concerned myself with that before, for what I expect are obvious reasons, but as new problems arise in my recovery because of the LLD and femur angle, etc., I may have to.

My game plan is to do everything my physical therapist tells me, but no more. The only thing I do beyond my PT exercises here at home is to ride the spinner bike I have, also sanctioned by my PT. Cycling reduces the stiffness in my leg, helps my range of motion, and of course, my psyche too.

In addition to my PT, I am working with a couple of neuromusculoskeletal physicians the orthopedic surgeon referred me to for help with the problems mentioned above, and my PT added massage therapy to the mix yesterday. I am glad to have a team to address the various aspects of my rehab, which will all aid in my recovery.

Turns out it takes a village to recover from getting hit by a car when you were on a bike, with only your fascia and muscles to help protect your bones and joints.