The week flew by so quickly that I didn't take time to record my knee progress.
I am now biking on an upright bike and using the elliptical. I am doing more challenging exercises such as squats and leg rises with weight.
My knee range is 121 so I have gained 3 degrees in four days. My other knee is 140 when I bring it real close to my chest. If I follow the same progression, I need about three weeks to reach 140 degrees. I suspect it will be more difficult to regain the last degrees than it has been to get where I am now and it is a tough reality check. Yet, three weeks is nothing compared to three months so it is somehow uplifting.
My extension is still not complete but better.
I left physical therapy yesterday with a progress report for my appointment with the surgeon on Monday. My PT is telling the surgeon that I would benefit from six more weeks of therapy.
It will bring me closer to my yearly summer departure for Maine. By then, I hope to have regained much more flexibility in my knee so I can go ahead with my own therapy.
Maine is flat and there is a walk/bike path that is conveniently located from our house. I have a bike there and I envision myself biking along the Kennebec River, feeling the wind and the sun on my skin.
I miss my knee and although I know progress is there, I am getting a little frustrated. I am doing everything I am told to do and spend so much time doing my exercises that I worry. Is everything normal?
But then I remember that patience is key and I should only compare my knee to what it was the day before.
I would then see progress and only progress.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
April 25th, 2011
A day flavored with a mix of success and disappointment.
The good news is that I can now use the upright bike instead of the recumbent bike. I am also using the elliptical for 10 minutes instead of 7 on Friday.
I am getting good at doing my squats and started to work on laterals with a resistance band above my knees.
All the other exercises are also easier to accomplish.
I spent the whole day away from home and did great compared to the way I felt only two weeks ago. I even scouted shops for my daughter who needs shoes and accessories for prom.
The disappointing news is that my flexion is 118 instead of the 120 I was shooting for.
I still limp a little due to the extension of my knee but also to the fact that I still put more weight on my right knee.
One week away from seeing Dr. Simonian so this is a week of goals even more crucial than before: improve my gait and work like crazy on the flexion and extension on this darned left knee.
The good news is that I can now use the upright bike instead of the recumbent bike. I am also using the elliptical for 10 minutes instead of 7 on Friday.
I am getting good at doing my squats and started to work on laterals with a resistance band above my knees.
All the other exercises are also easier to accomplish.
I spent the whole day away from home and did great compared to the way I felt only two weeks ago. I even scouted shops for my daughter who needs shoes and accessories for prom.
The disappointing news is that my flexion is 118 instead of the 120 I was shooting for.
I still limp a little due to the extension of my knee but also to the fact that I still put more weight on my right knee.
One week away from seeing Dr. Simonian so this is a week of goals even more crucial than before: improve my gait and work like crazy on the flexion and extension on this darned left knee.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April 24th, 2011
This last week of April is an important week for me since Friday marks my knee surgery anniversary.
Where am I, three months later?
I can bike (still stationary bike) for 30 minutes long as many times I want each day. I cover 6 miles each time. So in average I do 12 miles a day on the bike.
I started the elliptical on Friday and will use it more each time I go to therapy.
I do my set of leg exercises much better and I have added a set of 25 to each.
The flexion of my knee is more than 115 degrees, I'm sure but I will be measured tomorrow.
The extension is coming along and I when I do my hamstrings exercises I feel the pull in the back of my thigh and my knee gets stretched at the same time.
I have built more resistance when I do my squat exercises and regained some balance when I stand on my injured leg.
I still use a pillow under my injured leg at night. It helps me to sleep well although some occasional pain or discomfort wakes me up at least twice each night. Usually I fall back to sleep which is why I feel in good shape despite my injury.
I have kept the same weight which is strange considering the difference in my lifestyle. I passed from extra active to non active to medium active.
I have canceled a trip to France early June and am considering going in August instead.
It will be so good to be back for a week or two. So now I have an extra incentive to help me achieve my goal for the coming week.
Where am I, three months later?
I can bike (still stationary bike) for 30 minutes long as many times I want each day. I cover 6 miles each time. So in average I do 12 miles a day on the bike.
I started the elliptical on Friday and will use it more each time I go to therapy.
I do my set of leg exercises much better and I have added a set of 25 to each.
The flexion of my knee is more than 115 degrees, I'm sure but I will be measured tomorrow.
The extension is coming along and I when I do my hamstrings exercises I feel the pull in the back of my thigh and my knee gets stretched at the same time.
I have built more resistance when I do my squat exercises and regained some balance when I stand on my injured leg.
I still use a pillow under my injured leg at night. It helps me to sleep well although some occasional pain or discomfort wakes me up at least twice each night. Usually I fall back to sleep which is why I feel in good shape despite my injury.
I have kept the same weight which is strange considering the difference in my lifestyle. I passed from extra active to non active to medium active.
I have canceled a trip to France early June and am considering going in August instead.
It will be so good to be back for a week or two. So now I have an extra incentive to help me achieve my goal for the coming week.
Friday, April 22, 2011
April 22nd, 2011
Progress is definitely here and it is a good feeling to have my body back. Well, it is not yet what it used to be but I am happy with the results of my workout.
Today all of my exercises have been moved to three sets of 25 instead of two or four sets instead of three. In addition I did my bridges with a Bosu ball instead of using the rubber band. I felt just fine.
The big news of the day though was to work on the elliptical. Seven minutes doesn't look very impressive but it made me feel normal again and I stood tall and proud!
I am having three more sessions before seeing the surgeon and I already know that I will get more. My goal remains the same: improve the extension of my left knee.
The rest will come, now I am sure of it.
Today perhaps more than any other day marks a return to a better shape. I am regaining strength and it is great to feel the come back of my body. Like an old friend who had been away for a while.
Today all of my exercises have been moved to three sets of 25 instead of two or four sets instead of three. In addition I did my bridges with a Bosu ball instead of using the rubber band. I felt just fine.
The big news of the day though was to work on the elliptical. Seven minutes doesn't look very impressive but it made me feel normal again and I stood tall and proud!
I am having three more sessions before seeing the surgeon and I already know that I will get more. My goal remains the same: improve the extension of my left knee.
The rest will come, now I am sure of it.
Today perhaps more than any other day marks a return to a better shape. I am regaining strength and it is great to feel the come back of my body. Like an old friend who had been away for a while.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
April 19th, 2011
More biking and more exercises to loosen up this darned knee! It feels like it won't ever happen and yet I know it will. Eventually. If I try hard enough.
My daughter recommended me Kara Goucher's blog. I read a lot of it and she was right. Although I'm not a runner, her posts are filled with the challenges our bodies face when injured, aging or in her case giving birth.
Her blog won't fix me but will remind me that even athletes, and maybe even more they than we, plain amateurs, suffer from setbacks that slow down their performances. But they recover with will and practice.
By the way, it is time for me to return to my extension exercises which remain my weakness.
Tomorrow is a long day with a lecture to attend, a writing critique meeting, and a massage therapy.
In between, I will be scouting boutiques for a prom dress. For my daughter of course.
My daughter recommended me Kara Goucher's blog. I read a lot of it and she was right. Although I'm not a runner, her posts are filled with the challenges our bodies face when injured, aging or in her case giving birth.
Her blog won't fix me but will remind me that even athletes, and maybe even more they than we, plain amateurs, suffer from setbacks that slow down their performances. But they recover with will and practice.
By the way, it is time for me to return to my extension exercises which remain my weakness.
Tomorrow is a long day with a lecture to attend, a writing critique meeting, and a massage therapy.
In between, I will be scouting boutiques for a prom dress. For my daughter of course.
Monday, April 18, 2011
April 18th, 2011
I biked 10 minutes early morning before my 8:30 a.m. physical therapy appointment.
The good news is that I can now bike without feeling any tension when I start. My therapist told me that I will move to the treadmill this week. Yeah!
My extension has reached 115%.
I am doing great with the exercises and was told that I can basically do anything I feel like doing except challenging hikes and of course jumping, skiing and similar activities.
I am seeing the surgeon early May. I have two weeks left to work on the extension of my knee which remains my worry.
But my PT is not anxious. He is 100% sure I will be just fine. "It just takes time," he says.
By now I should have learned to be patient.
The fact is I am by nature impulsive and so far my body had never been in my way.
My daughter drove us back after a stop at Target where we visited the sport section.
It gave me an incentive to see the cool sport apparel. I will return when I can extend my knee fully.
The good news is that I can now bike without feeling any tension when I start. My therapist told me that I will move to the treadmill this week. Yeah!
My extension has reached 115%.
I am doing great with the exercises and was told that I can basically do anything I feel like doing except challenging hikes and of course jumping, skiing and similar activities.
I am seeing the surgeon early May. I have two weeks left to work on the extension of my knee which remains my worry.
But my PT is not anxious. He is 100% sure I will be just fine. "It just takes time," he says.
By now I should have learned to be patient.
The fact is I am by nature impulsive and so far my body had never been in my way.
My daughter drove us back after a stop at Target where we visited the sport section.
It gave me an incentive to see the cool sport apparel. I will return when I can extend my knee fully.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
April 17th, 2011
Progress can be measured in many different ways.
Years ago, when I wasn't fluent in English yet, I measured my improvements testing my skills with more challenging books, more complex movies and of course the best (and most honest) way was through conversations with native speakers.
Later, after ten years spent raising young children, I returned to daily exercise and worked at building my resistance, strength and flexibility again.
When I started serious hiking, my body was an immediate response to my training. Muscle pain was quite excruciating when I hiked Half Dome the first time. For a few days I walked like a horseback rider who would have spent days on her horse.
My first Half Dome marked the beginning of a regimen of daily walks in my very hilly neighborhood. I covered an average of 5 daily miles not counting the miles on a stationary bike.
And that's how I quit having muscular pain after hiking Half Dome three more times, Upper Yosemite Falls, every hike in the Valley of Yosemite and then a couple in the high country including the magnificent Clouds Rest.
Now that I am recovering from ACL reconstruction, partial MCL reconstruction, and minimal repair of the menisci, I am back to my training starting part.
I have lost my usual long gait, I have lost muscle mass and I have to re-conquier both. I have also lost the mobility of my left knee and I am working at regaining flexion and extension.
It feels discouraging and almost impossible to do it again.
Yet, it seems like I have a couple of advantages compared to someone facing the same post surgery therapy.
I know that pushing my body will be necessary and painful. In the exact same way training for a big hike is necessary and painful.
Knowing that, I decided to spend most of the weekend focusing on my decision.
Yesterday, I drove with my family to San Juan Bautista, a lovely small town less than an hour away from Santa Cruz where my oldest daughter lives. There was a craft fair in San Juan and I walked through town with my kids, exploring the many booths and even climbing some stairs. It was hard work but I wasn't really in pain. It was more an effort that I had forgotten all about. My calves were cramping but it was bearable.
Then I walked again in Santa Cruz for a small hour and I felt again the push in my legs but my knee was fine.
I brought my ice cuff and iced my knee on the way home but actually it was't warm or swollen. I felt more calf tension that anything.
This morning, I woke up a little stiff but I biked for 20 minutes and did my leg exercises.
As I said: Necessary and Painful.
Goals for the week: smoother gait and better extension.
Both necessary and no doubt painful.
I will be keeping in mind that I am back to the starting point. Except that I know what to expect.
And I find the knowledge helpful.
Years ago, when I wasn't fluent in English yet, I measured my improvements testing my skills with more challenging books, more complex movies and of course the best (and most honest) way was through conversations with native speakers.
Later, after ten years spent raising young children, I returned to daily exercise and worked at building my resistance, strength and flexibility again.
When I started serious hiking, my body was an immediate response to my training. Muscle pain was quite excruciating when I hiked Half Dome the first time. For a few days I walked like a horseback rider who would have spent days on her horse.
My first Half Dome marked the beginning of a regimen of daily walks in my very hilly neighborhood. I covered an average of 5 daily miles not counting the miles on a stationary bike.
And that's how I quit having muscular pain after hiking Half Dome three more times, Upper Yosemite Falls, every hike in the Valley of Yosemite and then a couple in the high country including the magnificent Clouds Rest.
Now that I am recovering from ACL reconstruction, partial MCL reconstruction, and minimal repair of the menisci, I am back to my training starting part.
I have lost my usual long gait, I have lost muscle mass and I have to re-conquier both. I have also lost the mobility of my left knee and I am working at regaining flexion and extension.
It feels discouraging and almost impossible to do it again.
Yet, it seems like I have a couple of advantages compared to someone facing the same post surgery therapy.
I know that pushing my body will be necessary and painful. In the exact same way training for a big hike is necessary and painful.
Knowing that, I decided to spend most of the weekend focusing on my decision.
Yesterday, I drove with my family to San Juan Bautista, a lovely small town less than an hour away from Santa Cruz where my oldest daughter lives. There was a craft fair in San Juan and I walked through town with my kids, exploring the many booths and even climbing some stairs. It was hard work but I wasn't really in pain. It was more an effort that I had forgotten all about. My calves were cramping but it was bearable.
Then I walked again in Santa Cruz for a small hour and I felt again the push in my legs but my knee was fine.
I brought my ice cuff and iced my knee on the way home but actually it was't warm or swollen. I felt more calf tension that anything.
This morning, I woke up a little stiff but I biked for 20 minutes and did my leg exercises.
As I said: Necessary and Painful.
Goals for the week: smoother gait and better extension.
Both necessary and no doubt painful.
I will be keeping in mind that I am back to the starting point. Except that I know what to expect.
And I find the knowledge helpful.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
April 14th, 2011
Biking gets easier. For the first time today, I didn't notice the 30 first seconds that were so hard so far.
This morning I biked for 30 minutes and covered 5 miles. I know, I know, it is mediocre since I did the same in half time before the accident. But after the biking and my leg raise and bridges and so forth, I cleaned my room and my son's room. Very thoroughly! Vacuuming, dusting, putting things away take time but moreover energy and I did it fine.
I suppose I was encouraged and prepped by my masseuse. I got a great massage yesterday afternoon and came home in great shape and spirits. She saw improvement and it gave me hope and renewed strength. Thrive team is really amazing. I would recommend them to anyone seeking care and encouragement. They provide a good mix of compassion, professionalism and challenging work with the ultimate goal being the return to full activity for their patients.
The combo physical therapy/therapeutic massage works for me as it gives me the right balance of strength and relaxation. I am considering keeping massages as a new health routine. Maybe once a month to keep my body on the right tracks.
It is too bad that traditional physicians never recommend it to their patients. I believe most active people would benefit from a sport massage once in a while.
So today feels like a great day. I am making plans for next week which is spring break for two of my children. I am looking forward to a short walk if the weather remains cool and sunny.
Life is good.
This morning I biked for 30 minutes and covered 5 miles. I know, I know, it is mediocre since I did the same in half time before the accident. But after the biking and my leg raise and bridges and so forth, I cleaned my room and my son's room. Very thoroughly! Vacuuming, dusting, putting things away take time but moreover energy and I did it fine.
I suppose I was encouraged and prepped by my masseuse. I got a great massage yesterday afternoon and came home in great shape and spirits. She saw improvement and it gave me hope and renewed strength. Thrive team is really amazing. I would recommend them to anyone seeking care and encouragement. They provide a good mix of compassion, professionalism and challenging work with the ultimate goal being the return to full activity for their patients.
The combo physical therapy/therapeutic massage works for me as it gives me the right balance of strength and relaxation. I am considering keeping massages as a new health routine. Maybe once a month to keep my body on the right tracks.
It is too bad that traditional physicians never recommend it to their patients. I believe most active people would benefit from a sport massage once in a while.
So today feels like a great day. I am making plans for next week which is spring break for two of my children. I am looking forward to a short walk if the weather remains cool and sunny.
Life is good.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
April 13, 2011
I think I finally understand what my physical therapist has been asking me for days now.
I have found my gait. Not the one I had before. Not yet. But he insisted that if I took smaller steps, I would loose my limp. And I think he is right. Mu usual stride is bigger and it blocked me to fully decompose the different stages of a smooth gait.
I did 30 minutes of biking and my leg raise and bridges exercises and it felt easy and good. I iced my knee twice in anticipation of a car drive to my favorite little cafe down in Fresno where I'll meet my husband for lunch. Then I have a writing meeting with one of my friends.
And the best way to end a nice day will be an hour therapeutic massage. I expect some improvement and I can't wait for my next physical therapy.
I am still stiff early morning but less today than usual. Yesterday I met one of my acquaintances and she mentioned my limping. I was offended since I know it is common before reaching three months post surgery.
Maybe it was good though since it has pushed me to noticeable progress.
I have found my gait. Not the one I had before. Not yet. But he insisted that if I took smaller steps, I would loose my limp. And I think he is right. Mu usual stride is bigger and it blocked me to fully decompose the different stages of a smooth gait.
I did 30 minutes of biking and my leg raise and bridges exercises and it felt easy and good. I iced my knee twice in anticipation of a car drive to my favorite little cafe down in Fresno where I'll meet my husband for lunch. Then I have a writing meeting with one of my friends.
And the best way to end a nice day will be an hour therapeutic massage. I expect some improvement and I can't wait for my next physical therapy.
I am still stiff early morning but less today than usual. Yesterday I met one of my acquaintances and she mentioned my limping. I was offended since I know it is common before reaching three months post surgery.
Maybe it was good though since it has pushed me to noticeable progress.
Monday, April 11, 2011
APRIL 12th, 2011
I spent the weekend biking on the stationary bike and doing my exercises. Last night, I could appreciate the results of my work.
Today I went to therapy and my flexion is much better. I am still at 110% but it is a more relaxed flexion. I don't need to stretch as much as I did so far to reach the flexion. Also I am now biking with the seat as close as it is possible to the handlebars.
I am still having the regular leg raise exercises, bridges with a rubber band to maintain resistance between my knees, exercises with a wedge for the back of my calf, tiptoes exercises and quad exercises. Quad exercises are the most difficult because I tend to bear more weight on my right leg which is hard on my right knee. I need to focus on balancing my weight. I also have a smoother gait and I'm glad since it is my goal to get rid of my slight limping.
I had coffee with a friend to celebrate my accomplishments and I will return to more exercises this afternoon.
I have massage on Wednesday and therapy again on Friday. If the progress is as great in the next few days, I see the end of the tunnel with more clarity.
Hooray!
Today I went to therapy and my flexion is much better. I am still at 110% but it is a more relaxed flexion. I don't need to stretch as much as I did so far to reach the flexion. Also I am now biking with the seat as close as it is possible to the handlebars.
I am still having the regular leg raise exercises, bridges with a rubber band to maintain resistance between my knees, exercises with a wedge for the back of my calf, tiptoes exercises and quad exercises. Quad exercises are the most difficult because I tend to bear more weight on my right leg which is hard on my right knee. I need to focus on balancing my weight. I also have a smoother gait and I'm glad since it is my goal to get rid of my slight limping.
I had coffee with a friend to celebrate my accomplishments and I will return to more exercises this afternoon.
I have massage on Wednesday and therapy again on Friday. If the progress is as great in the next few days, I see the end of the tunnel with more clarity.
Hooray!
Friday, April 8, 2011
April 8th, 2011
Intensive physical therapy today with new exercises that makes the therapy room looks almost like a normal gym.
These therapists guys do an amazing job at putting us, injured, back on track and it is truly something to observe the care and encouragement they provide to all of us.
I am now biking for 20 minutes and doing more quad exercises. One is with a big ball that I wish I had at home. The ball is placed against a wall and my back against the ball. I have to squat while keeping my hips aligned. Something I would have done in a blink only three months ago, but takes energy and focus when one knee is still throbbing or trembling under the effort.
But I was happy and even happier when I came home and found out that UPS had delivered the stationary bike my husband purchased for me.
We will set it up tonight after dinner with the kids and tomorrow I will bike like crazy!
Summer, here I come!
These therapists guys do an amazing job at putting us, injured, back on track and it is truly something to observe the care and encouragement they provide to all of us.
I am now biking for 20 minutes and doing more quad exercises. One is with a big ball that I wish I had at home. The ball is placed against a wall and my back against the ball. I have to squat while keeping my hips aligned. Something I would have done in a blink only three months ago, but takes energy and focus when one knee is still throbbing or trembling under the effort.
But I was happy and even happier when I came home and found out that UPS had delivered the stationary bike my husband purchased for me.
We will set it up tonight after dinner with the kids and tomorrow I will bike like crazy!
Summer, here I come!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
April 7th, 2011
I just got my very first ever therapy massage and although it looks like health care is the last thing on the mind of our government, it would do wonders on our tired, stressed population.
My masseuse is licensed in sports massage so she works with athletes but also people like me who are physically active (used to!) and the hour long massage isn't a frilly beauty massage. It's a deep muscle massage completed with stretching exercises. Some parts were almost painful but in the end when I stood up from the massage table, I felt lighter and more fluid. I will get one once a week as long as I haven't regained full mobility of my left knee.
The masseuse confirmed what the physical therapist told me: too much tension in the muscles due to the bad habits I took when I injured my knee and to the fear to hurt it again. Both combined make it harder for my gait to retrieve its natural fluidity. I can't wait for my physical therapy session tomorrow. Hopefully I will see the results of this amazing massage that I wish everyone could get once in a while.
My masseuse is licensed in sports massage so she works with athletes but also people like me who are physically active (used to!) and the hour long massage isn't a frilly beauty massage. It's a deep muscle massage completed with stretching exercises. Some parts were almost painful but in the end when I stood up from the massage table, I felt lighter and more fluid. I will get one once a week as long as I haven't regained full mobility of my left knee.
The masseuse confirmed what the physical therapist told me: too much tension in the muscles due to the bad habits I took when I injured my knee and to the fear to hurt it again. Both combined make it harder for my gait to retrieve its natural fluidity. I can't wait for my physical therapy session tomorrow. Hopefully I will see the results of this amazing massage that I wish everyone could get once in a while.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April 5th, 2011
I was so scared when my physical therapist told me yesterday that in my case returning to my previous life style as soon as possible was the best way to regain more mobility that I spent the entire evening flexing and extending my leg.
To measure my progress, as I slide my leg to bring it closer to me, I use an oversized picture book that I bought a long time ago in Italy, hoping to give it one day to a child of mine. I wasn't married yet but went with my then fiancé . Our daughter was born three years later and we gave her that book, but it is so big that it stayed home when she left for college. The book comes really handy and brings back so many good memories that it helps me to focus on my progress.
Anyway, after an hour of flexions, I was getting closer and closer to the big red balloon drawn on the back cover(my point of reference since the beginning of my therapy). Good news!
The other good news is that my husband has found a stationary bike on Amazon and bought it for me so I could bike as much as I need and want from home. It will arrive on Friday.
My husband has dome so many kind and thoughtful things since my accident that I can't wait to be myself again and pay back my huge debt.
To measure my progress, as I slide my leg to bring it closer to me, I use an oversized picture book that I bought a long time ago in Italy, hoping to give it one day to a child of mine. I wasn't married yet but went with my then fiancé . Our daughter was born three years later and we gave her that book, but it is so big that it stayed home when she left for college. The book comes really handy and brings back so many good memories that it helps me to focus on my progress.
Anyway, after an hour of flexions, I was getting closer and closer to the big red balloon drawn on the back cover(my point of reference since the beginning of my therapy). Good news!
The other good news is that my husband has found a stationary bike on Amazon and bought it for me so I could bike as much as I need and want from home. It will arrive on Friday.
My husband has dome so many kind and thoughtful things since my accident that I can't wait to be myself again and pay back my huge debt.
Monday, April 4, 2011
April 4th, 2011
Back from an intense physical therapy session. I've quit doing the basic stretching movements last week in favor of more biking and leg presses. Also working on my gait.
My muscles feel better but I still have an hour massage with one of the therapists on Wednesday and I expect a lot from it. My regular PT believes that the resistance in my knee that makes it hard to move above 110% (the other knee is 135%) is a mix of tension in my muscles and mental fear.
Hard to believe when I was the one who was always in favor of a challenging hike.
I am encouraged to return to more normal physical activities which is hard since I live in a very hilly area and I still need to avoid uphills and downhills. Also my MCL kind of hurts if I do too much and I should be careful not to twist my knee because of the torn MCL.
I will check my old gym and see if some of the equipment fits my needs.
Time flies and I WANT to get my knee back!
My muscles feel better but I still have an hour massage with one of the therapists on Wednesday and I expect a lot from it. My regular PT believes that the resistance in my knee that makes it hard to move above 110% (the other knee is 135%) is a mix of tension in my muscles and mental fear.
Hard to believe when I was the one who was always in favor of a challenging hike.
I am encouraged to return to more normal physical activities which is hard since I live in a very hilly area and I still need to avoid uphills and downhills. Also my MCL kind of hurts if I do too much and I should be careful not to twist my knee because of the torn MCL.
I will check my old gym and see if some of the equipment fits my needs.
Time flies and I WANT to get my knee back!
Friday, April 1, 2011
April 1st, 2011
I biked for 10 minutes and then 10 more before icing my knee.
This is cool!
I booked a massage with one of the therapists since my muscles are sore and affect my progress, according to the guy who follows me.
I came home with new exercises, designed to help the return of a natural gait. Since my stride is long, I have to focus on decreasing it in order to concentrate on the flexion and extension of the knee. Easy to say!
But all together, my knee is better. I panic when I see the calendar but then relax when I know I still have five weeks before seeing the surgeon and another seven before our official summer vacation.
Thinking of the beaches of Maine keep me going. And of course the California sun that feels so good after all the rainy days we got.
Progress is there and full recovery closer every week.
This is cool!
I booked a massage with one of the therapists since my muscles are sore and affect my progress, according to the guy who follows me.
I came home with new exercises, designed to help the return of a natural gait. Since my stride is long, I have to focus on decreasing it in order to concentrate on the flexion and extension of the knee. Easy to say!
But all together, my knee is better. I panic when I see the calendar but then relax when I know I still have five weeks before seeing the surgeon and another seven before our official summer vacation.
Thinking of the beaches of Maine keep me going. And of course the California sun that feels so good after all the rainy days we got.
Progress is there and full recovery closer every week.
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