PT Appt #2

Today was my second Phyiscal Therapy appointment. We started off pretty aggressive, I was allowed to "toe touch". This meant that I could walk using the crutches and put my right leg down on the floor as if I was walking on egg shells without breaking the shells. Needless to say it was akward and nerve racking at the same time. I got better as it the farther I walked. In the next couple of weeks I'll go to 75 percent weight bearing which will get me down to one crutch.

As the appointment went on we talked about my stuggles with the heel slides. The therapist said it was likely due to scar tissue build up, normal with the amount of surgery that I had. She had me do the heel slides and stop when it felt uncomfortable, at that point she lifted my leg off the table and pushed it another 10 degrees or so and held it there and then returned it back to straight. She did this for about 10 minutes or so each time pushing my leg a little further than the last. This exercise, or torture, is designed to break up the the scar tissue and low and behold after a couple of repetitions my knee started sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies as the scar tissue broke down. I was able to increase the bend in my knee about 10 degrees from just that treatment.

Needless to say this treatment was horribly painful and all I wanted to do was stick my leg in side the Game Ready and leave it there for about 5 hours.

As I write this entry I'm still sore, probably the most sore been in weeks.

Next week I head back to work....I know I'll be wiped out by the end of the day but it will be well worth it to feel like a productive member of society.

Long Time No Post

Its been a long time since my last post. Nothing much has changed in terms of my recovery. I'm in the last week of my time off and am looking forward to heading back and attempting to being productive.

My work on the CPM has continued with gradual improvement. My focus is to continue increasing the degree gradually as I am comfortable.

The swelling in the knee has decreased significantly. Its begining to look more like a knee and less like a swollen mass from thigh to calf.

The at home phyiscal therapy has gone well so far, I've been able to do straight leg raises on my own and the heel slides are begining to get easier.

All I can do is just keep plugging away and get a little better everyday.

Rehab #1

Today I had my first Rehab appointment. They took some initial measurements and had me do light exercising. We focused on things like ankle slides, quad squeezes, and straight leg raises that would strenghten the quad muscle. Overall nothing was too strenuous but its amazing how when you don't use a set of muscles for weeks on end how hard something so simple would be.

Next week I'll be able to do some light toe touching exercises...my first steps to being able to walk again.

Post Op 2

I went for my second post op appointment yesterday it was very good. I got the incision stiches out and am now able to shower freely. The doctor looked over the knee and said the lack of swelling was good and that the soreness around the ACI site is normal since they did so much in there. The PA also said that if there was swelling in the site or if anything I did had a shearing effect on the area then I would have something to worry about.

In other news I've been able to hit 90 on the CPM machine and now have been given the go ahead to move farther.

Tomorrow I start PT...which I am not looking forward to. I'll be going 2 times a week for a long time.

The topic of returning to work did come up and they said I should be able to go back soon for a few hours each day....that's something I'll need to work out with my boss..since once i go back I'll have to be back full time. More details to come.

"Viva la libertad -- A Friend."

Visit from Cleveland

Today I had a visit from my buddy from Cleveland. We hung out and watched the World Baseball Classic and had Sonic. Normally I would enjoy Sonic but lateley all heavy food has made me nauseous...no doubt thanks to all the meds I am on.

I've made it up to 85 on the CPM getting slowly closer to the 90 I need to reach. Each 5 degree increment comes with its own levels of discomfort. Usually I work my way up to the next highest setting buy going a couple of degrees down to start.

I had to reschedule my second post op that was supposed to be on Friday. Suzanne has come down sick and was unable to take me. After a couple of days of rest she's feeling better, so Monday I'll be able to have that appt.

I had a bit of scare last night, I made my way upstairs to take a shower and I had a sudden cringing pain near the area of the ACI. I paniced a bit and had a bit of a melt down thinking I had somehow destroyed all that work that had just been done. After calming down I finished my shower and went to sleep. Today while in the CPM I had no pain at that site so things look ok. I'll be sure to cover it with the Dr on Monday.

Not Much Change...

The last couple of days have been status quo. The pain level has evened out at about 5-6 but flairs up to around 8 when the meds start to wear off. The pain has gone from the piercing pain that I have been having to more waves of pain. Its more tolerable on a day to day basis.

The area where the Osteonomy is has begun aching more and more as I spend time in the CPM machine. I've never had a broken leg, but i assume this is normal from the increase stress put on the leg from the machine.

Tomorrow I have my second follow up with the doctor. We'll talk about my recovery, get the stitches taken out, and get a better feel for when I can return to work and when I can start putting slight weight down on the leg. Physical Therapy starts next week...not really looking forward to that.

Normality Cont

Today I was Mr Popular. I got a couple of calls from friends as well as a couple of people calling me for work related questions. It was good to answer those questions...I actually miss being at work. That must show how much the meds are effecting me. LOL.

I was able to get upstairs and sit at my desk and play bills tonight with limited discomfort. Once I head back to work I'm going to need something to prop my leg up on...I'll have to work on some ideas for that.

Tomorrow I get to sit home alone for most of the day. Suzanne has a work related event at Sports Ohio from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Lets see how I can fend for myself. YIkes!

Normal Day

Today was the first somewhat normal day I've had since the surgery. I was able to play some video games, watch tv and catch up on some reading. The only real issue I am having is some increased pain near the ACI site which I attribute to the reduced swelling in the leg. Swelling protects those areas and now that its coming down those areas are a bit more sensitive. It makes it a little hard to get comfortable but the pain in and of its self is close to the level I had before the surgery.

I'm hoping to have a couple more of these days this week. My buddy Jeremy is coming down on Saturday (weather permitting ...though not supposed to be a problem) and we're hoping to catch a movie or something.

Update

Yesterday was a bad day for Suz and I. The stress of our situation is starting to weigh on us. She's having to carry a full 40 hours a week at work, take care of me, plus she is in school taking a recertifcation class.

We're working through it.

Yesterday and today the pain has been about the same averaging out to about 7 or so. The muscle spams continue, especially as I am drifting off to sleep. I'm able to get up and down and use the bathroom without a shadow which is relief for me. Waking Suz up and 300 am to help me get up was no fun...

Worked my way up to 70 on the CPM today. I should be able to hit the 90 required by the doctor by the time I go back on Friday to have my other stitches taken out. I also start PT soon, 24 weeks of it.

Wish me luck as I enter into week 3 of recovery....