August 19, 2011

Last night I removed the thick pad above my knee to find my initials and the PA's initials in blue pen on top of my bruised knee, a little tight but looking quite like a knee compared to the swollen knee that followed the ACL reconstruction.
I cleaned my skin from the antiseptic yellow lotion generously applied on and around my knee on Tuesday morning. Then I put three small water proof bandages on the three incisions made by the surgeon when he cleaned my knee.
I slept well and woke up a little sore around the stitches area and in my lower back due, I'm sure due to too much work yesterday. Although I iced my knee, I did some cooking because it was my husband's birthday and I couldn't skip the celebration while our three younger kids were home. I vacuumed and cleaned the house, the whole time carrying ice on my knee.
At physical therapy, the PT who follows me urged me to move the knee but to keep a relaxed schedule since I am recovering from surgery.
It is hard to know how to balance between too much and not enough. I need to relax my muscles as much as I can. I stayed at therapy for an hour and fifteen minutes today and came home with a new set of exercises. Knee dangles, calf stretch on wedge, hamstring stretch seated, heel slides, ball crawls.
My PT said I should do all these exercises several times a day but without being too strict. If I read, I can stretch my leg. If I watch TV, I can do heel slides. I can also stretch my calf on the wedge as I am preparing dinner.
I have an appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday morning to remove the stitches and check on my progress. I have then a physical therapy session and a new therapist will have a look at my knee to assess it. I was glad my PT suggested a second opinion. A new eye on my knee sounds good to me.
I don't want to be stuck for six more months in therapy even though everyone there is nice and caring.
So my goal for the next three days is to reach a better flexion and extension. It has always been the same goal since February but now that I am aware of the scar tissues problem, I will focus more on the passive motion than the muscle strength.
Stretching and relaxing my leg are essential to my recovery as well as Iboprufen and icing to reduce the slight inflammation I have. There is no swelling which is great.
Wish me luck!