Follow Up on Andrea’s Hip Replacement Recovery Process

It has been a month since my hip replacement surgery and the progress is going well. It took nearly three weeks to finally feel like myself again, fatigue, pain and sleepless nights really wore me down. I didn’t realize how much energy it would take to recover from a surgery of this scope. I’ve had children and remember times of exhaustion, but I was blindsided by how hard this kicked my butt. I tried to resume going to work about 14 days post-op, rookie move! You would think I should know this, but I was ready to get out of the house and back to normal. After trying to go to work, I paid the price for two days following. With that in mind, the following week I started working two short days only, and I’m almost back to my full workweek now, at a month into the recovery!

My follow op visit with Dr. Rasmussen consisted of the removal of the external stitches and reviewing restrictions, driving, and recommended exercises. My X-ray looked great with that dual mobility hip, lever and two screws (see attached). I was also informed that with hip dysplasia, my left hip might last 3-5 years before it will need a replacement, I’ll be better prepared for this next one!

The goal for the next month is to continue on my mobility and strengthening, and progress with activity within restrictions as tolerated. Most important is to avoid crossing legs, internal rotation of the hip and flexion past ninety degrees. Your body immediately lets you know when you are pushing the restrictions, so the goal is to be smart, listen to your body and be diligent with the exercises daily. I’ve found that long periods of sitting make me very stiff, I call it, “crampy butt pain.” I miss skiing and actually watched this women run by my me as I slowly walked my daily loop, I though to myself about what a mess I’d be if I ran right now.

The hip muscles are still weak and my gait has a new swagger to it, but I am confident in my full recovery. I highly recommend the replacement if you’ve been thinking about have the procedure. Why wait? Why be in pain and not do what you love to do especially if you are younger. Thanks for following my story and hope I have given those of you some insight to the surgery, recovery and impact on your life. I’ve gained an appreciation for what our patients at Alpine Sports Medicine are going through, and I think the progressions in orthopedic surgery are giving people a future that can be happy and active!

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Follow Andrea as she Rehabs From Hip Replacement Surgery

My name is Andrea Terwillegar and I am the managing partner of Alpine Sports Medicine, yesterday (December 17th) I had hip replacement surgery. I’m 48 years old I had been having pain in my hip for the past few years, I finally went to see Dr. Lynn Rassmussen and he diagnosed me with hip dysplasia. I was shocked and could only think about the fact that dogs are put down for hip dysplasia.

It’s hard to believe during all my athletic years I didn’t have problems and suddenly in my late 40’s I do. Dr. Rasmussen was shocked that I’ve never dislocated, chalk it up to having strong hips. I was bone on bone and had a spur developing which caused all the achy bone pain, difficulty sleeping and some days struggled to walk up stairs. As a baby my legs were not straight and I was put in a cast and had to wear corrective shoes and braces, the Dr. felt this is why I’m having problems now possibly.

It will be hard to miss the majority of the ski season, but most disappointed about retiring from my competitive coed volleyball team. I’ve played for 20 plus years, and I’m optimistic that with a new hip I can return this summer in the sand.

My goal for documenting this process is to let everyone have a better understanding of the hip replacement procedure. I am going to document my pre-op and post-op surgery along with life at home and the physical therapy of course! Guess where I’m going for physical therapy? It’s time for the staff to take care of the boss!

I was nervous for a big surgery like this, but certainly felt like I knew what to expect. My husband, Matt, had a hip replacement last year and is doing really well. I hear patients state all the time they shouldn’t have waited so long to be pain free, and this is why I am doing this. Why be in pain when you are young and can ride your mountain bike, hike with the dogs and ski our awesome mountains.

Stay Tuned!

Alpine is First to Offer Trigger Point Dry Needling in Park City

Alpine Sports Medicine is proud to be the first Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy practice in Park City, Utah to offer  Trigger Point Dry Needling. 

Alpine Sports Medicine Hosts Physical Therapy Students

Last fall we hosted two Physical Therapy students who came to Park City and spent from 2-10 weeks at our clinic.

2013 PC Extreme Cup Soccer Tournament

It’s that time a year again,  the 10^th annual Park City Extreme Soccer Tournament will be held in Park City August 1^st-3^rd.  We at Alpine Sports Medicine are really excited to continue to provide the medical coverage and have 10 athletic trainers for 8 venues in Park City and surrounding areas.

The tournament has become very popular, not only for Utah teams, but several teams come from out-of-state to stay and play in Park City. This year not only did the tournament have to add a new venue in Heber, but we (ASM) are adding more athletic trainers to make sure we provide quality medical coverage at all the venues along with those with multiple fields and older age groups. No one wants injuries, but with a high level of competition and fatigue as the tournament progresses, injuries happen.  We treat not only athletes, but have taped up several referee’s and spectator’s.

Alpine Sports Medicine is also available for free injury assessments in the clinic for all athletes and have a list of local medical providers if further care or treatment is necessary.

It has been wonderful to be able to support the Park City Soccer Club and their tournament, along with this great community we live in. We wish all the teams good luck and a hat’s off to the Park City Soccer Club for putting on one of the best tournament’s in the state of Utah!

ASM is Proud to Support the Park City Athletic Community

One of the best parts of living in a small community is the ability we all have to be involved…to be a part of the fabric of the community.

Lana Burton Fills Shoes this Summer at Alpine Sports Medicine

Meet Lana Burton, she is the newest addition to the staff at Alpine Sports Medicine Clinic and will be filling in for Janna Mann this summer while she is on maternity leave.