The State of the Left Leg

As you know, I had surgery to revise the hip replacement in my left leg on Tuesday, 1st April 2025.

This was the third time it had been necessary to open the joint for adjustment because of several dislocations, movement of the joint and pain.  The outcome of this third surgery was less than ideal, resulting in damage to my sciatic nerve.

Google tells me
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, extending from the lower back down through the hips, buttocks, and into each leg. It is responsible for transmitting sensory and motor signals between the spinal cord and the lower limbs. This nerve plays a critical role in enabling movement, balance, and sensation in the legs and feet. Damage to the sciatic nerve can lead to severe and sometimes permanent impairments, affecting a person’s mobility and quality of life.

This has indeed been the case.  After spending 10 weeks in the hospital, I was allowed home with a structured program of rehabilitation. However, the nerve in my leg is still damaged, resulting in fairly extreme pain.  You may know that I have Complex Regional Pain in the left leg, which is bad enough, but this has now been exacerbated by the pain resulting from the damage to the nerve.  The nerve damage has had a profound effect on my mobility, meaning that I am still unable to walk without the assistance of a Forearm Support Walker whilst at home, and I rely on a wheelchair when I am out and about.

Over the past couple of months, I have received several invitations that I have had to refuse because of the difficulty of access to particular venues.  For instance, I cannot negotiate the wheelchair anywhere where there is stairs or indeed small steps.  Venue owners are more than willing to quickly confirm the venue is accessible when, indeed, there are barriers to access.   Similarly, visiting a doctor or anywhere there is a reception desk can be difficult due to the height of said reception desk. I find myself sitting in the chair whilst Terry has a conversation with the receptionist.  Some however are helpful in assisting with opening the door when we are leaving

Family has been great through this in terms of providing help and assistance and some friends have rallied  in response to  providing a level of social inclusion.  I am still have not received the OK to drive despite the fact that I drive an automatic car and the nerve damage is in my left leg.  

I have found concentration difficult over the past few months but I am hoping to maintain some mental clarity over the next little while in order to explore some family history research the outcome of which I will share on blog.

cheers 

Anne