Hi my fellow ACI'ers
I hope everyone had an awesome and pain free holiday!! I thought I should give you all a quick update. So I DID have the TKR on 12/2 and so far have survived a little over 3 weeks post op. I won't lie friends, it has been extremely painful and leading up to the surgery I was getting super anxious and really did not know if I had 1 more in me, but.......I did it.......honestly, it has been surprisingly painful. The difference is there is absolutely NO pain in my joint......I will say that again because it seems utterly impossible.....there is absolutely NO pain in my joint!! Can I get a WOOHOOO!!! However.....there is serious pain.....just about everywhere else! :)
I'll also say, that my last post I talked about being in prime condition heading into the TKR.....and I absolutely followed everything I planned out. I ate super healthy, exercised and went to spin 5 days a week, and also went to acupuncture every week for the 4 weeks leading up to the surgery......there is nothing else I could have done to be better prepared. However.....I don't remember reading anywhere OR hearing anyone discuss how quickly your calf, hamstring, and quad basically clamp down and really don't want to move.....is it possible I missed this key information and was caught off guard? Oh well......moving on.... It has been pretty tough.....I'll update quickly on the exercise I'm doing and what I've done since the surgery.
The doctor recommends home PT for 2 weeks following surgery.....as you all know...I've been in therapy for so long I'll only let my favorite therapist touch my knee.......so I nixed the home therapy part and starting at PT the 5th day after surgery. In saying that......it was probably the best and the worst thing I've ever done. When I say I felt like shit, that is an understatement....however, it did give me an opportunity to leave the house. My first visit I was able to get around on the bike after a few minutes, range of motion on the ball, and flexion was 110 degrees.....which is INSANE!!!! My therapist was blown away......it was pretty cool. I haven't had much trouble with flexion, although my quad has been slow to fully turn back on.....but I digress. The following 4 appts were basically the same. I should also add, starting on day 6, I started riding my bike in the basement and the first couple tries was riding at about 4 miles an hour. Over the last couple weeks I've been riding 2x 30 minutes and am up to 7.5 miles every 1/2 hour......or riding close to 15 miles an hour and 15 miles a day. Riding's been fantastic...makes me feel better and allows my new knee to get stretched out.
This week.....therapy includes: wall sits (today I did 2 for 1 min and 1 for 30), ball range of motion, bike for 10, total gym squats 4x10, tke 4x10 with orange band, quad sets 4x10, and stretching 4x30 seconds. I'll add that today.....FOR THE FIRST TIME......I was able to get my foot off the table doing quad sets with the foam roller......basically like a short arc....seems like small potatoes but really was pretty exciting! At home I basically alternate ice and heat for pretty much the entire day and work frequently on stretching my calf and hamstring.
That's all I've got for now.......heading into the new year.......I am looking forward to continued recovery and a LONG stretch of NO surgeries!! :)
Now that I'm feeling better and am back to PT fulltime, I'll keep my progress updated!
Ralean
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
The TWO year mark!!
Hi ACI TEam!!
Well.........It'll be 2 years exactly next week!! I've said it before but it bears repeating....I can't believe I've made it this far!!
So since my last post it's been a good news/bad news couple months!! First, let's get the bad news over with. I had a dr. appt a couple days before the scheduled TKR and he decided he could not do the replacement and fix the tibia/bone graft at the same time. Initially he thought he could, but after measuring the replacement it didn't quite fit with the 2 screws needed for my tibia. Many of you have read the entire blog, so I'm sure you can imagine how upsetting and frustrating that was. In fact, I was so upset I almost felt bad for the dr. To clarify, the feeling of devastation stemmed from having to have another 2 surgeries instead of the 1 I had geared up for. Instead of the TKR I had another bone graft, you know the worst case scenario surgery I listed a couple posts ago. The one that meant screws out, debride the bone, screws back in.....YEAH....that one! So.....I've been recovering for almost 8 weeks now.......and NOW we're ready for the TKR! The bone is healing, looks good on the x-ray, wrapping up 6 weeks of PT next week.....and we're now moving on!!
The good news....the TKR has now been scheduled for 12/2......a couple weeks before I turn 42 and just a little longer than 2 years from the initial ACI surgery. Seriously......I didn't think I could do another surgery.....but I'm anxious to get to a closing point and be done with this knee business for a while. I just can't believe this business has been going on for a little over 2 years.......guess the universe is teaching me I have absolutely no control? I'll spend the next 6-7 weeks working out and eating healthy to make sure I'm in a prime healing position.....I won't lie...I'm a little nervous!!
Anyhow....hope the rest of the team is doing well!! I do receive your emails.....and hope the blog helps figure out some of this crazy ACI stuff!
Well.........It'll be 2 years exactly next week!! I've said it before but it bears repeating....I can't believe I've made it this far!!
So since my last post it's been a good news/bad news couple months!! First, let's get the bad news over with. I had a dr. appt a couple days before the scheduled TKR and he decided he could not do the replacement and fix the tibia/bone graft at the same time. Initially he thought he could, but after measuring the replacement it didn't quite fit with the 2 screws needed for my tibia. Many of you have read the entire blog, so I'm sure you can imagine how upsetting and frustrating that was. In fact, I was so upset I almost felt bad for the dr. To clarify, the feeling of devastation stemmed from having to have another 2 surgeries instead of the 1 I had geared up for. Instead of the TKR I had another bone graft, you know the worst case scenario surgery I listed a couple posts ago. The one that meant screws out, debride the bone, screws back in.....YEAH....that one! So.....I've been recovering for almost 8 weeks now.......and NOW we're ready for the TKR! The bone is healing, looks good on the x-ray, wrapping up 6 weeks of PT next week.....and we're now moving on!!
The good news....the TKR has now been scheduled for 12/2......a couple weeks before I turn 42 and just a little longer than 2 years from the initial ACI surgery. Seriously......I didn't think I could do another surgery.....but I'm anxious to get to a closing point and be done with this knee business for a while. I just can't believe this business has been going on for a little over 2 years.......guess the universe is teaching me I have absolutely no control? I'll spend the next 6-7 weeks working out and eating healthy to make sure I'm in a prime healing position.....I won't lie...I'm a little nervous!!
Anyhow....hope the rest of the team is doing well!! I do receive your emails.....and hope the blog helps figure out some of this crazy ACI stuff!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Here We Go!!
Hi ACI Team!!
Wanted to quickly update......I'm having a TKR....in less than 2 weeks now....on 8/14/13. I'll post in a couple days all the juicy details.....however I will quickly say I'm scared shitless! lol! Seriously, you'd think after everything I've (and you've) been through the thought of a total knee would be a relief. Of course, there is this pesky little pain thing to deal with......and as noted in the last couple years of recovery.....it's kinda getting on my nerves!
Last year I definitely felt like a total knee was the only way to go, but the farther away I get from the ACI (or big one as I lovingly call it) I started believing I could go a few more years.
Welp......that's a no!
Anyhow, for my fellow ACI'ers who follow......wanted to update what was going on!
I'll post again before the surgery and of course will post about the recovery!! :)
Wanted to quickly update......I'm having a TKR....in less than 2 weeks now....on 8/14/13. I'll post in a couple days all the juicy details.....however I will quickly say I'm scared shitless! lol! Seriously, you'd think after everything I've (and you've) been through the thought of a total knee would be a relief. Of course, there is this pesky little pain thing to deal with......and as noted in the last couple years of recovery.....it's kinda getting on my nerves!
Last year I definitely felt like a total knee was the only way to go, but the farther away I get from the ACI (or big one as I lovingly call it) I started believing I could go a few more years.
Welp......that's a no!
Anyhow, for my fellow ACI'ers who follow......wanted to update what was going on!
I'll post again before the surgery and of course will post about the recovery!! :)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
The Un-imaginable Phase!
Hi Fellow ACI'ers!!
Well......just had another dr. appt on Friday and we are heading toward what I like to call the un-imaginable phase! Seriously......it doesn't seem possible!! So......still no bone growing on the tibia and it's clear my knee now needs to be "cleaned out". What to do? I have to say I love my dr. and he does try to offer alternatives....but we are now down to 2. Here's where we stand: he's going to talk with the dr. who is eventually going to do my knee replacement and see if I can go ahead and have a knee replacement with the bone like it is and they can bone graft more bone in there while they do it (sounds a wee risky) OR if that answer is no, we'll need to do this more invasive bone graft where the screws (I have many) need to be removed, the area debrided and a larger bone graft implanted, then everything screwed back together. During this surgery, he'd also take a couple minutes and "clean out" my knee......so it can move.
The dr. is touching base with my (now) other dr and he should be calling me by tomorrow. I normally try to stay positive......but you know......this business is getting kinda old! :)
I'll let you all know how it goes........
Well......just had another dr. appt on Friday and we are heading toward what I like to call the un-imaginable phase! Seriously......it doesn't seem possible!! So......still no bone growing on the tibia and it's clear my knee now needs to be "cleaned out". What to do? I have to say I love my dr. and he does try to offer alternatives....but we are now down to 2. Here's where we stand: he's going to talk with the dr. who is eventually going to do my knee replacement and see if I can go ahead and have a knee replacement with the bone like it is and they can bone graft more bone in there while they do it (sounds a wee risky) OR if that answer is no, we'll need to do this more invasive bone graft where the screws (I have many) need to be removed, the area debrided and a larger bone graft implanted, then everything screwed back together. During this surgery, he'd also take a couple minutes and "clean out" my knee......so it can move.
The dr. is touching base with my (now) other dr and he should be calling me by tomorrow. I normally try to stay positive......but you know......this business is getting kinda old! :)
I'll let you all know how it goes........
Monday, May 20, 2013
Dr. Update......and Other Stuff!!
Hi Fellow ACI'ers!!
Wanted to update you on my latest dr. appt from Friday. Basically, we did more x-rays and still nothing showing as far as bone growth. Interesting, I think my dr. was a little concerned except I'm feeling pretty good, so maybe something's happening and it's just not visible yet! :)......Anyway, that's my hope. We did have a discussion about what would need to happen surgically if something happens and bone in fact doesnt grow or I start to not feel so great.......I've got to say this surgical option makes me sick to my stomach. You all know this is my 4th surgery in less than 2 years......to now discuss removing all screws completely and rescrewing everything back together after adding more bone.......well......it's just un-imaginable!! In fact, I told my dr. that made me sick to my stomach and he said it made him a little queasy too......it made me laugh!! :)
On a good note....I'm still riding and the last couple weeks have ridden quite a bit!! In fact, my husband and I just rode in an event yesterday morning......30 miles!! YEAH!!! Funny, for a minute I kind of beat myself up because I have trouble climbing hills, I have to stop occasionally because my hips and back hurts, and am just kind of generally slow on these longer distances......I swear it's a battle to keep the mind in check!! However.....I effing finished it.....and not too shabby either......we finished 2:45!!! I've had so much trouble since "the surgery" trying to get back to pre-injury form.....when I ride I have to constantly check and adjust my form otherwise I hurt my shoulders, neck, ankle, hips, wrists, back, etc........it's really ridiculous actually. All this time I always think my family knows what I'm talking about and yesterday my husband mentioned on our way home that he never thinks about the "right" riding form, he just gets on his bike and rides. Funny, I remember pre-injury just hopping on my bike and going for a ride.....never thinking about proper riding form and nothing EVER hurt. Oh well.......guess it's just part of my now life.......nothing to get down about. I just keep on.......well keeping on!! I'll keep riding, trying to continue building back up so none of my other parts hurt so bad or carry the load and of course I'll keep spinning....
So goes it........got to thinking too.....it's been almost exactly 2 years since "the injury".....lol!! 2 years Memorial Day Weekend........I'm loving these little anniversaries of mine!! :)
Cause for a drink I suspect....... :)
Wanted to update you on my latest dr. appt from Friday. Basically, we did more x-rays and still nothing showing as far as bone growth. Interesting, I think my dr. was a little concerned except I'm feeling pretty good, so maybe something's happening and it's just not visible yet! :)......Anyway, that's my hope. We did have a discussion about what would need to happen surgically if something happens and bone in fact doesnt grow or I start to not feel so great.......I've got to say this surgical option makes me sick to my stomach. You all know this is my 4th surgery in less than 2 years......to now discuss removing all screws completely and rescrewing everything back together after adding more bone.......well......it's just un-imaginable!! In fact, I told my dr. that made me sick to my stomach and he said it made him a little queasy too......it made me laugh!! :)
On a good note....I'm still riding and the last couple weeks have ridden quite a bit!! In fact, my husband and I just rode in an event yesterday morning......30 miles!! YEAH!!! Funny, for a minute I kind of beat myself up because I have trouble climbing hills, I have to stop occasionally because my hips and back hurts, and am just kind of generally slow on these longer distances......I swear it's a battle to keep the mind in check!! However.....I effing finished it.....and not too shabby either......we finished 2:45!!! I've had so much trouble since "the surgery" trying to get back to pre-injury form.....when I ride I have to constantly check and adjust my form otherwise I hurt my shoulders, neck, ankle, hips, wrists, back, etc........it's really ridiculous actually. All this time I always think my family knows what I'm talking about and yesterday my husband mentioned on our way home that he never thinks about the "right" riding form, he just gets on his bike and rides. Funny, I remember pre-injury just hopping on my bike and going for a ride.....never thinking about proper riding form and nothing EVER hurt. Oh well.......guess it's just part of my now life.......nothing to get down about. I just keep on.......well keeping on!! I'll keep riding, trying to continue building back up so none of my other parts hurt so bad or carry the load and of course I'll keep spinning....
So goes it........got to thinking too.....it's been almost exactly 2 years since "the injury".....lol!! 2 years Memorial Day Weekend........I'm loving these little anniversaries of mine!! :)
Cause for a drink I suspect....... :)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Endorphin high?.........Why Yes!!
Hi fellow ACI-ers!!
I'm am feeling really good today!! Went to spin this morning and am riding this endorphin high!!
Wanted to provide a couple updates!!
The first is I had x-rays done on that dr. appt on 4/10 and he couldn't see much bone growing. In fact, as I was leaving that day he reminded me to think positive thoughts. It kind of amused me......my technical orthopedic surgeon telling me to think positive thoughts. At this point in the game......I'm thinking positive thoughts, carrying a rabbits foots, and got everything crossed! lol!
The second update........only someone who's had this type of injury or surgery will understand.....but I rode STANDING up in spin class....TWICE last week. Yes I know, sounds like small potatoes for a person with a healthy knee.......but for me this was some serious stuff!! In fact, my husband and I went riding outside yesterday and I stood up for a tiny bit too. It's seriously harder to stand and ride outside, and my back and knee were seriously sore last night. However, I felt good this morning, went to mega-spin, and rode STANDING up!! YEAH....I haven't been able to do this since before the injury.....almost 2 years ago!!
The last update........I am actually ALMOST able to get down the stairs.....you know, that whole step down thing. It's kind of a funny thing for people who've never had our type of injury or surgery.......I mean just walk down the stairs.......it is like the last frontier!! However, it is quite a feat......my PT would be proud.......I am proud.......it's been a long time!! :)
I've got another dr. appt in another 1 1/2 weeks to take more xrays (seems excessive I know) to see if that bone is growing. I FEEL like it's growing.......now looking for some proof!!
Talk to you all then.........
I'm am feeling really good today!! Went to spin this morning and am riding this endorphin high!!
Wanted to provide a couple updates!!
The first is I had x-rays done on that dr. appt on 4/10 and he couldn't see much bone growing. In fact, as I was leaving that day he reminded me to think positive thoughts. It kind of amused me......my technical orthopedic surgeon telling me to think positive thoughts. At this point in the game......I'm thinking positive thoughts, carrying a rabbits foots, and got everything crossed! lol!
The second update........only someone who's had this type of injury or surgery will understand.....but I rode STANDING up in spin class....TWICE last week. Yes I know, sounds like small potatoes for a person with a healthy knee.......but for me this was some serious stuff!! In fact, my husband and I went riding outside yesterday and I stood up for a tiny bit too. It's seriously harder to stand and ride outside, and my back and knee were seriously sore last night. However, I felt good this morning, went to mega-spin, and rode STANDING up!! YEAH....I haven't been able to do this since before the injury.....almost 2 years ago!!
The last update........I am actually ALMOST able to get down the stairs.....you know, that whole step down thing. It's kind of a funny thing for people who've never had our type of injury or surgery.......I mean just walk down the stairs.......it is like the last frontier!! However, it is quite a feat......my PT would be proud.......I am proud.......it's been a long time!! :)
I've got another dr. appt in another 1 1/2 weeks to take more xrays (seems excessive I know) to see if that bone is growing. I FEEL like it's growing.......now looking for some proof!!
Talk to you all then.........
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Hold On....I've made it to the 17 month mark!!!
Hi fellow ACI'ers!!
I've decided that's our new name....ACI'ers......and only we can understand how difficult the journey is!!
AHHH.....it's been a whirlwind these last few months, I can't believe I haven't posted since November. So, I had the Sinvisc (sp) in November and it only lasted until Christmas...seriously......by the time Christmas hit I was back in pain and actually more depressed as I'd had a few weeks of NO pain.....I had forgotten what that felt like!! I'll walk you through the next steps!!
- After the surgery in Sept where we found out 1 of the implants didn't work my dr. suggested a partial replacement
- I chatted with my physical therapist after the new year and she gave me a couple names to get another opinion. I have to say, I've loved my doctor....to get another opinion felt very dis-loyal...but I did it anyway..
- I saw this new dr. the beginning of Jan 2013 and he said I need a total knee.....but said I needed to wait another 10 years until I was over 50. WHAT? This dude, I mean dr. thinks I should suffer with this crap for another 10 years.....he even said I should have it injected every few months and scoped once a year......honestly.......this is crap and needless to say I didn't go back to him!!
- I called my dr. and told him what the other opinion was, he suggested I see another dr. in his same practice who specializes in replacements on younger patients and keeps as much bone as possible for future revisions. Btw, he definitely doesn't think I need to wait another 10 crappy years! :)
- The beginning of Feb 2013 I saw a new dr. in the same practice. He was super nice, we did new x-rays.....and wait....we cannot discuss a knee replacement because the bone from the tibial tubercle osteotomy never healed. WAIT.....back up.....the bone never healed? At this point it had been like 14 months since the "big one" and the bone never healed. Basically, my knee cap is being held down by screws....it was the most devastating news I'd heard in a long time!!
- After I had time to drink/smoke/feel sorry for myself/ then get back to being healthy........I talked with my dr. and we scheduled a bone graft on my tibia. Lets be clear.....I can't have a knee replacement if that bone is not secure.
- I had ANOTHER surgery the beginning of March.....I have to say.....no where near the type of pain we're all used to because it wasn't in my joint but was right below it. It still hurt, don't get me wrong....but it was much more manageable than I had feared.
- TODAY.....it's been 4 weeks since that surgery and I've got an appt on Friday to take new x-rays and see if the bone graft is working. I'm just sick.....seriously sick........but keeping my fingers crossed.....I'm sure it worked!
To end my super cool 17 month post......I will sound like a broken record and say again....I CAN'T believe I've made it this far. The last couple months I've actually been thinking I can just get used to this pain because the thought of another surgery just makes me sick. However, I want good parts...and if it's a total knee......then that's the way it'll be!! :)
I'll also update on my exercise stuff.......I quit going to PT right before the surgery in March....she was afraid to keep working on me with the knee cap and tibia situation. However...you know I've been continuing to work it on my own!! I'm still going to spin class 2 or 3 times a week and have started lifting more weights about 2x a week. The last couple weeks it's been warm enough to start riding outside, so I've added that also. Honestly, the last couple weeks I've been in a funk......I seriously think it has something to do with all this anesthesia and pain killer crap.....but I'm back on it. Spin 2x a week, outside rides (16-20 miles) 2x a week, and weights (including many PT exercises) 2x a week.
Hope all my fellow ACI'ers are doing well and most importantly I hope my blog helps in some way!!!
I've decided that's our new name....ACI'ers......and only we can understand how difficult the journey is!!
AHHH.....it's been a whirlwind these last few months, I can't believe I haven't posted since November. So, I had the Sinvisc (sp) in November and it only lasted until Christmas...seriously......by the time Christmas hit I was back in pain and actually more depressed as I'd had a few weeks of NO pain.....I had forgotten what that felt like!! I'll walk you through the next steps!!
- After the surgery in Sept where we found out 1 of the implants didn't work my dr. suggested a partial replacement
- I chatted with my physical therapist after the new year and she gave me a couple names to get another opinion. I have to say, I've loved my doctor....to get another opinion felt very dis-loyal...but I did it anyway..
- I saw this new dr. the beginning of Jan 2013 and he said I need a total knee.....but said I needed to wait another 10 years until I was over 50. WHAT? This dude, I mean dr. thinks I should suffer with this crap for another 10 years.....he even said I should have it injected every few months and scoped once a year......honestly.......this is crap and needless to say I didn't go back to him!!
- I called my dr. and told him what the other opinion was, he suggested I see another dr. in his same practice who specializes in replacements on younger patients and keeps as much bone as possible for future revisions. Btw, he definitely doesn't think I need to wait another 10 crappy years! :)
- The beginning of Feb 2013 I saw a new dr. in the same practice. He was super nice, we did new x-rays.....and wait....we cannot discuss a knee replacement because the bone from the tibial tubercle osteotomy never healed. WAIT.....back up.....the bone never healed? At this point it had been like 14 months since the "big one" and the bone never healed. Basically, my knee cap is being held down by screws....it was the most devastating news I'd heard in a long time!!
- After I had time to drink/smoke/feel sorry for myself/ then get back to being healthy........I talked with my dr. and we scheduled a bone graft on my tibia. Lets be clear.....I can't have a knee replacement if that bone is not secure.
- I had ANOTHER surgery the beginning of March.....I have to say.....no where near the type of pain we're all used to because it wasn't in my joint but was right below it. It still hurt, don't get me wrong....but it was much more manageable than I had feared.
- TODAY.....it's been 4 weeks since that surgery and I've got an appt on Friday to take new x-rays and see if the bone graft is working. I'm just sick.....seriously sick........but keeping my fingers crossed.....I'm sure it worked!
To end my super cool 17 month post......I will sound like a broken record and say again....I CAN'T believe I've made it this far. The last couple months I've actually been thinking I can just get used to this pain because the thought of another surgery just makes me sick. However, I want good parts...and if it's a total knee......then that's the way it'll be!! :)
I'll also update on my exercise stuff.......I quit going to PT right before the surgery in March....she was afraid to keep working on me with the knee cap and tibia situation. However...you know I've been continuing to work it on my own!! I'm still going to spin class 2 or 3 times a week and have started lifting more weights about 2x a week. The last couple weeks it's been warm enough to start riding outside, so I've added that also. Honestly, the last couple weeks I've been in a funk......I seriously think it has something to do with all this anesthesia and pain killer crap.....but I'm back on it. Spin 2x a week, outside rides (16-20 miles) 2x a week, and weights (including many PT exercises) 2x a week.
Hope all my fellow ACI'ers are doing well and most importantly I hope my blog helps in some way!!!
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