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!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
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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