Well, I know its been a few weeks since my last post......honestly, it hasn't been a very good few weeks. In fact, it really has been the first time Ive had a set back since the surgery. After months of steady improvement, all of the sudden something strange happened and every time I turned or tried to take a full stride there has been alot of really painful pulling/sticking in my joint. It actually happened right after my last post. I had a doctors appointment that same week and he discussed how it could be 1 of 2 things; either movement of scar tissue or a torn implant. I won't lie, after the pain of the surgery I was pretty devastated thinking about future surgeries or a torn implant. Whatever IT was that happened, I was only able to walk at about half the speed I had worked up to and was back to using the cane about half the time, with an extreme amount of pain in the morning and after sitting for any extended amount of time. The therapist has spent the last 3 weeks focused on a large ridge of scar tissue on the inside of my patella- coming from the surgery where they lifted and flipped/moved my knee cap. It has been extremely painful....I don't mean to scare anyone but it has been pretty tough.
On the upside, today at therapy (3 weeks since the setback) I was able to walk at 2.0.....which is the fastest Ive been able to walk in weeks. I am definitely much, MUCH stronger and that part feels good! In therapy I am riding on level 3 for 10 minutes, 5 wall sits for 1.20, 4 sets of 10 calf raises, 4 sets of 10 on the balance board (forward and back), treadmill for 10 minutes on 2.0, total gym squats 4 sets of 10, small arc leg lifts with a 1lb weight 4 sets of 10, leg lifts 4 sets of 10, and 5 single leg stance for 30 seconds each. On my days away from therapy, I am still riding 10 mile a day (30 minutes) and completing a 30 minute Pilates level II dvd. Overall, this is the first time in weeks I have started feeling like there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
Ive got a doctors appointment next week.....will post the update!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
One More Thing
I forgot to share how fast and how much Im riding.....I am up to riding 20 miles an hour and other than PT I ride 10 miles 5 times a week.....Pretty cool huh?
Recovery Weeks 11, 12, and 13
Recovery during weeks 11, 12, and 13 has been much of the same. However, I am starting to show some significant improvement in muscle strength and have been working hard in PT to add time and reps to every exercise.....we've also added a few more exercises. I am riding the bike on resistance 3 for 10 minutes, 5 wall sits for 1 min each, calf raises 4 sets of 10, balance board 4 sets of 10, single leg stance 4 sets for 30 seconds each, total gym squats 4 sets of 10, tread mill....Im up to 2 miles an hour for 10 minutes, and straight leg raises 4 sets of 10.......basically about 40 minutes of strength training. Im still unable to climb any stairs but Im sure that'll come.
I have been using the cane for about 4 weeks and am now pretty much done with it. Interesting though, if I sit for any amount of time and especially when I get up in the morning, I cannot walk without it. Once Im up and walking, I do okay without it. It's been a very tough transition....8 weeks on crutches, now 4 weeks on a cane......moving forward though.
One thing Ive also started noticing is the effect of the acute pain from PT and how that affects me emotionally. About 10 days ago the therapist was doing those stinking knee cap slides and tweaked my knee pretty good. It caught me off guard and hurt so bad I started crying......and quite honestly....was in a pretty serious funk for about 4 days after. Im not sure if its a reminder that i am not anywhere near healed and can be so easily hurt, or if it is truly a new neural pathway that has been created allowing this pain to affect my brain......whatever the case...it's been a trying few weeks.
Ive got a doctors appointment this week and we'll discuss a new round of PT......my current track is 12 weeks which will be up in another few weeks......the therapist thought the doctor would probably recommend another 12 weeks.......need to be able to get up and down the stairs someday! lol! :)
I have been using the cane for about 4 weeks and am now pretty much done with it. Interesting though, if I sit for any amount of time and especially when I get up in the morning, I cannot walk without it. Once Im up and walking, I do okay without it. It's been a very tough transition....8 weeks on crutches, now 4 weeks on a cane......moving forward though.
One thing Ive also started noticing is the effect of the acute pain from PT and how that affects me emotionally. About 10 days ago the therapist was doing those stinking knee cap slides and tweaked my knee pretty good. It caught me off guard and hurt so bad I started crying......and quite honestly....was in a pretty serious funk for about 4 days after. Im not sure if its a reminder that i am not anywhere near healed and can be so easily hurt, or if it is truly a new neural pathway that has been created allowing this pain to affect my brain......whatever the case...it's been a trying few weeks.
Ive got a doctors appointment this week and we'll discuss a new round of PT......my current track is 12 weeks which will be up in another few weeks......the therapist thought the doctor would probably recommend another 12 weeks.......need to be able to get up and down the stairs someday! lol! :)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
One More Week 10 Point....
One more thing I should have mentioned. This weekend is new years eve and I should say I am grateful for having the opportunity to have this surgery this year and cannot wait to fully recover in 2012. Physically, 2011 has been a tough year and Im ready to put it behind me!!!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Recovery Weeks 9 and 10
So Ive made it to the 2 1/2 month mark.......lol!
Anyhow, weeks 9 and 10 have been relatively uneventful. Still going to PT 2 times a week and doing the same exercises: riding on the bike, balance block, calf raises, and quad sets. I am now able to flex to 120 degrees but still having trouble getting back flat to zero or even -1. The last dr appt he said he thought I would be able to walk without any appliances by the next appt in 3 weeks. That appointment happens this Friday and this may be the first milestone I am cant meet. I have been able to get rid of the brace.....which of course is great news! yeah!!! However, I still need the cane to walk sometimes. There are times when I feel strong and am pretty sure I can get around without it. Then there are times, especially when Ive been sitting for a while, when I cant walk at all. I know it just takes time.....and of course Im getting there! :)
I am also still exercising on my own on the days Im not in therapy and definitely feel this is how my muscle is coming back. I ride the bike (with resistance) for 30 minutes and then do a pilates workout for another 30. Riding the bike makes my knee feel pretty good and the pilates workout is definitely helping my quad and hamstring gain strength.....plus it makes me feel like Im not turning into a vegetable......lol! The first few times I rode the bike I was only able to ride about 1 mile an hour and I am very happy that I am up to 15 miles an hour.......some serious progress!
Overall.......feeling pretty good these last 2 weeks......and continuing to make progress!!!
Anyhow, weeks 9 and 10 have been relatively uneventful. Still going to PT 2 times a week and doing the same exercises: riding on the bike, balance block, calf raises, and quad sets. I am now able to flex to 120 degrees but still having trouble getting back flat to zero or even -1. The last dr appt he said he thought I would be able to walk without any appliances by the next appt in 3 weeks. That appointment happens this Friday and this may be the first milestone I am cant meet. I have been able to get rid of the brace.....which of course is great news! yeah!!! However, I still need the cane to walk sometimes. There are times when I feel strong and am pretty sure I can get around without it. Then there are times, especially when Ive been sitting for a while, when I cant walk at all. I know it just takes time.....and of course Im getting there! :)
I am also still exercising on my own on the days Im not in therapy and definitely feel this is how my muscle is coming back. I ride the bike (with resistance) for 30 minutes and then do a pilates workout for another 30. Riding the bike makes my knee feel pretty good and the pilates workout is definitely helping my quad and hamstring gain strength.....plus it makes me feel like Im not turning into a vegetable......lol! The first few times I rode the bike I was only able to ride about 1 mile an hour and I am very happy that I am up to 15 miles an hour.......some serious progress!
Overall.......feeling pretty good these last 2 weeks......and continuing to make progress!!!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Recovery week 8
Week 8.......feeling like Im on a roll!! :)
This week has been a huge transition week and quite honestly the first week Ive begun feeling like myself since the surgery. I had a doctors appointment this week and he is very happy with the progress so far. The doctor said I am able to put down 100% of my weight and suggested transitioning to a cane and my next appoitment is not for another 3 weeks.....seems like an eternity! Of course, still in therapy twice a week and I am definitely getting stronger. This scar tissue/incision business is extremely painful and the first appointment this week was really tough......in fact I was in a funk for a couple days after....I believe it has something to do with being in so much pain. However, the second appointment of the week was manageable and I survived. In therapy, we practiced walking with a cane and Ive been using it now for about 4 days. I have to say it is much harder than I would expect and I can see why it strengthens more than 1 crutch. Walking on a single crutch allows you to lean with more weight on the crutch, you're not really forced to attempt to walk upright. With the cane, there is far more balance involved and there's not as much leverage and you're forced to engage the quad, butt, and calf to steady yourself. The first couple days I was extremely fatigued just using the cane up and down the stairs and to and from the kitchen. However, today I feel much stronger and am able to walk a little ways.
Im also now able to use some resistance on the bike, which is awesome!! Im also able to get on the pilates machine and have been working out my arms and core this week. Its nice to feel productive!
I turn 40 tomorrow and while I dont feel I look 40, this year has been tough physically.....I definitely feel 40. The good news is since the rehab appears slightly faster than originally anticipated, Ive got a bike race on my calendar......I'd be ecstatic if I could be ready in time! At least it gives me something to look forward to!
This week has been a huge transition week and quite honestly the first week Ive begun feeling like myself since the surgery. I had a doctors appointment this week and he is very happy with the progress so far. The doctor said I am able to put down 100% of my weight and suggested transitioning to a cane and my next appoitment is not for another 3 weeks.....seems like an eternity! Of course, still in therapy twice a week and I am definitely getting stronger. This scar tissue/incision business is extremely painful and the first appointment this week was really tough......in fact I was in a funk for a couple days after....I believe it has something to do with being in so much pain. However, the second appointment of the week was manageable and I survived. In therapy, we practiced walking with a cane and Ive been using it now for about 4 days. I have to say it is much harder than I would expect and I can see why it strengthens more than 1 crutch. Walking on a single crutch allows you to lean with more weight on the crutch, you're not really forced to attempt to walk upright. With the cane, there is far more balance involved and there's not as much leverage and you're forced to engage the quad, butt, and calf to steady yourself. The first couple days I was extremely fatigued just using the cane up and down the stairs and to and from the kitchen. However, today I feel much stronger and am able to walk a little ways.
Im also now able to use some resistance on the bike, which is awesome!! Im also able to get on the pilates machine and have been working out my arms and core this week. Its nice to feel productive!
I turn 40 tomorrow and while I dont feel I look 40, this year has been tough physically.....I definitely feel 40. The good news is since the rehab appears slightly faster than originally anticipated, Ive got a bike race on my calendar......I'd be ecstatic if I could be ready in time! At least it gives me something to look forward to!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Recovery weeks 6 and 7!
Weeks 6 and 7 have been pretty good and most importantly LESS pain!!!
Week 6 I had a doctors appt and he said he thought I was doing really well. He released the brace so I could have 80 degrees of movement and am allowed to have 75% of my body weight. Of course, this is easier said than done because I have lost a tremendous amount of muscle and have quite a bit of scar tissue in and around the joint. Ive been going to PT twice a week....so far so good!
Week 7 in PT we've added a few exercises. Ive been having a lot of trouble with cramps in my legs so weve added some calf stretchs on the balance board. Im also riding the bike for 10 minutes, wall sits 3 for 1min each (although not very low), straight leg raises and quad sets (which hurt because Im so weak), and balancing on the board (holding on). Overall, feels pretty good to be doing something at least! Im also riding on my bike at home...am up to an hour with no resistance. Ive got a dr. appt coming up next week and Im hoping to be able to add a little bit of resistance. In PT we also started practicing walking on 1 crutch.....I should be getting around with only 1 by next week.
Im beginning to feel stronger.....yeah!!
Week 6 I had a doctors appt and he said he thought I was doing really well. He released the brace so I could have 80 degrees of movement and am allowed to have 75% of my body weight. Of course, this is easier said than done because I have lost a tremendous amount of muscle and have quite a bit of scar tissue in and around the joint. Ive been going to PT twice a week....so far so good!
Week 7 in PT we've added a few exercises. Ive been having a lot of trouble with cramps in my legs so weve added some calf stretchs on the balance board. Im also riding the bike for 10 minutes, wall sits 3 for 1min each (although not very low), straight leg raises and quad sets (which hurt because Im so weak), and balancing on the board (holding on). Overall, feels pretty good to be doing something at least! Im also riding on my bike at home...am up to an hour with no resistance. Ive got a dr. appt coming up next week and Im hoping to be able to add a little bit of resistance. In PT we also started practicing walking on 1 crutch.....I should be getting around with only 1 by next week.
Im beginning to feel stronger.....yeah!!
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