BioBased,

I cannot say that I have recovered and have a normal gait, maybe someday I can report that. For now, I can tell you that I have gone from a walker to a cane and for the last 3 weeks I have been cane free. My gait and speed are not yet where I want them to be, but it is progress. For months I did good to get to the bathroom and kitchen. Other rooms in the house were occasional and painful. Work has a bad set up and has been unbelievably difficult. I can now go across the house and tuck my son in. I can walk on grass if its fairly even. I can also drive some. It SLOW and steady. What has worked for me is warm water pool pt and land pt, both once a week w/ daily exercises at home. The muscle mass is hard to build when you are going slow, but it happens. Hips and knees get sore and I have to pull back. My lower right side from the hip down is smaller (except for my bulging ankle), but I can feel it getting stronger too. I think we have to keep at it and accept occasional set backs. Movement seems to be essential for recovery so I just keep pushing. Celebrate your success and here's to many more days of getting out of bed without falling over.