I had my check-up with the surgeon yesterday. I felt great that day after two wonderful days when I almost forgot about my knee.
He agreed that my knee looked good. The bruises are now gone and the swelling is very little. He recommended six more weeks of physical therapy to make sure I regain full extension and flexion of my knee. Twice a wee was a little disappointing since I was expecting only once but in the end I want to be myself again as soon as possible.
We spoke supplements for joint health and he gave me his flier about Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. This guy is widely published across the USA and has a huge reputation. His point regarding the use of such product is that there is no real studies proving their efficiency although animals taking it stopped limping.
But the reviews are mixed. Bot the glucosamine and chondroitin are derived from animal products so I have mixed feelings about it.
Now is the last stretch of the long road I've walked since early January.
Pain is gone. I have better day than bad.
Today was a so-so day with some stiffness in the legs but I've walked more recently and also been cleaning my house so it can explain.
I hope the night will be restful so tomorrow, which is busy with therapy and three meetings, will be a good day.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
September 26, 2011
The extension of my knee is now 135 degrees and the flexion is missing 5 degrees.
It is not perfect but I know I can gain the difference with more work.
My PT was very encouraging and believes that from now on, I must resume regular physical activity as much as I can.
He wants me to talk with the surgeon about the inflammation that is now very little but still present before engaging in anything strenuous.
But this afternoon I took a mile and a half long walk around our local lake and although it is a very easy path, I was in pain before the arthroscopy. Today I was fine and I did everything I could to remind myself to focus on the extension of my leg while keeping the rest of my body as relaxed as possible.
Easier to say than to do, but I managed to enjoy a very nice walk under a beautiful much cooler weather.
Tomorrow is a busy day with several appointments that will keep me in town all day.
I am taking my lunch since I plan to eat outside and my ice in case.
But I am excited to realize that I am so close to being back to normal.
It is not perfect but I know I can gain the difference with more work.
My PT was very encouraging and believes that from now on, I must resume regular physical activity as much as I can.
He wants me to talk with the surgeon about the inflammation that is now very little but still present before engaging in anything strenuous.
But this afternoon I took a mile and a half long walk around our local lake and although it is a very easy path, I was in pain before the arthroscopy. Today I was fine and I did everything I could to remind myself to focus on the extension of my leg while keeping the rest of my body as relaxed as possible.
Easier to say than to do, but I managed to enjoy a very nice walk under a beautiful much cooler weather.
Tomorrow is a busy day with several appointments that will keep me in town all day.
I am taking my lunch since I plan to eat outside and my ice in case.
But I am excited to realize that I am so close to being back to normal.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
September 25,2011
Excellent weekend for me and my knee.
Saturday in San Juan Bautista was great. Temperatures are always so much cooler there than in the valley. Fall is my favorite season and this weekend had a definite autumn flavor.
My husband and I were supposed to have lunch with our oldest daughter who lives in Santa Cruz, attending the local community college and waitressing on the harbor. But she unfortunately canceled and we had the whole day for us.
San Juan Bautista is the perfect place for anyone who wants to walk without challenge. The small town is a delight with its boutiques and the Mission offers peace and natural beauty. I walked much more than I can do at home where hills surround my home.
On Sunday, we took our two younger children to the movie and saw Contagion.
Pretty good movie with a cast of huge stars who unfortunately disappear or have smaller roles than their names. But a great topic for a movie.
Movie theaters were tough for me for a while because of the stairs. It was nice to climb easily to the very top of the theater, our favorite spot when we go to the movie.
Temperatures have dropped so much that we have turned the fans off. Perfect weather for a long hike. I can't wait!
Tomorrow I have physical therapy and the flexion and extension of my knee will be measured for my Wednesday appointment with the surgeon.
I am confident that I will get a good progress card.
Saturday in San Juan Bautista was great. Temperatures are always so much cooler there than in the valley. Fall is my favorite season and this weekend had a definite autumn flavor.
My husband and I were supposed to have lunch with our oldest daughter who lives in Santa Cruz, attending the local community college and waitressing on the harbor. But she unfortunately canceled and we had the whole day for us.
San Juan Bautista is the perfect place for anyone who wants to walk without challenge. The small town is a delight with its boutiques and the Mission offers peace and natural beauty. I walked much more than I can do at home where hills surround my home.
On Sunday, we took our two younger children to the movie and saw Contagion.
Pretty good movie with a cast of huge stars who unfortunately disappear or have smaller roles than their names. But a great topic for a movie.
Movie theaters were tough for me for a while because of the stairs. It was nice to climb easily to the very top of the theater, our favorite spot when we go to the movie.
Temperatures have dropped so much that we have turned the fans off. Perfect weather for a long hike. I can't wait!
Tomorrow I have physical therapy and the flexion and extension of my knee will be measured for my Wednesday appointment with the surgeon.
I am confident that I will get a good progress card.
Friday, September 23, 2011
September 23, 2011
Excellent physical therapy session today after a decent week. The weather here is still hot so it is hard to be outside. I do my exercises and bike inside. I can't wait for the fall and get my new bike!
Flexion of my knee is great, although I still need to work on it. Extension is still getting there too.
On Monday both will be measured before my check-up with the surgeon.
I saw one of the women who got surgery shortly before me in January and she was still in pain. I envied her back then since she was faster to recover than I've been but today she was in evident discomfort while I was fine.
Healing is so personal that it is hard for the physical therapists to tell for sure when the recovery will be perfect.
I am on the good track, I know for sure, but I want to speed up the process and discomfort gets in my way, frustrating and annoying.
I am dealing better with that, taking each progress as a milestone earned after handwork.
This weekend is less busy than last one and I plan to enjoy it with lots of exercises and good family time.
Flexion of my knee is great, although I still need to work on it. Extension is still getting there too.
On Monday both will be measured before my check-up with the surgeon.
I saw one of the women who got surgery shortly before me in January and she was still in pain. I envied her back then since she was faster to recover than I've been but today she was in evident discomfort while I was fine.
Healing is so personal that it is hard for the physical therapists to tell for sure when the recovery will be perfect.
I am on the good track, I know for sure, but I want to speed up the process and discomfort gets in my way, frustrating and annoying.
I am dealing better with that, taking each progress as a milestone earned after handwork.
This weekend is less busy than last one and I plan to enjoy it with lots of exercises and good family time.
Monday, September 19, 2011
September 19, 2011
I haven't felt as good in many months. This weekend was busy with two parties at friends' homes and some long time due house cleaning. I was full of energy and although my knee once in a while was acting up, it was a very good weekend.
Today I had physical therapy and progress is definitely here. My PT is positive that my check-up with the surgeon in 10 days will be good. He anticipates a few more weeks of therapy but only a session per week. Yeah!
I like them all, and have learned to appreciate physical therapists' job, still I'd rather walk or bike outside.
Actually, I'm thinking of asking for an early birthday gift and get a bike. Mine is old and I left it in our vacation home in Maine. A new bike to celebrate my recovery would be really nice. There are so many bike trails in my area that it would be a perfect fall and birthday gift.
I have been doing my exercises like a good student does her homework and I'm still doing them several times a day and the rewards of my patience have finally arrived.
I can't believe I am probably reaching the end of the dark long tunnel.
I know I won't climb Half Dome tomorrow but the hiking trails are getting closer and the anticipation makes me happy.
I have missed my knee so much that I hardly believe it is my own good old knee that is moving and looking better day after day.
Today I had physical therapy and progress is definitely here. My PT is positive that my check-up with the surgeon in 10 days will be good. He anticipates a few more weeks of therapy but only a session per week. Yeah!
I like them all, and have learned to appreciate physical therapists' job, still I'd rather walk or bike outside.
Actually, I'm thinking of asking for an early birthday gift and get a bike. Mine is old and I left it in our vacation home in Maine. A new bike to celebrate my recovery would be really nice. There are so many bike trails in my area that it would be a perfect fall and birthday gift.
I have been doing my exercises like a good student does her homework and I'm still doing them several times a day and the rewards of my patience have finally arrived.
I can't believe I am probably reaching the end of the dark long tunnel.
I know I won't climb Half Dome tomorrow but the hiking trails are getting closer and the anticipation makes me happy.
I have missed my knee so much that I hardly believe it is my own good old knee that is moving and looking better day after day.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 14, 2011
Progress is really on its way explaining why I have been away from my blog.
Physical therapy has resumed with my regular PT but under the supervision or I should say with collaboration with the PT who took care of me for three sessions.
He is the one who thought of heat to soften the tissues. He realized that my issue was not mechanical since the ligaments are doing well now. The heat showed improvement in the flexibility of my leg, proving that the muscles and tissues were tight and needed relief.
Yesterday was a great day after a busy Monday where I was on my feet and driving from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Today starts as another great day too and I feel like reaching the end of the tunnel will happen sooner that I expected.
I have physical therapy on Friday and my goal is to get great numbers when my flexion and extension will be measured.
Physical therapy has resumed with my regular PT but under the supervision or I should say with collaboration with the PT who took care of me for three sessions.
He is the one who thought of heat to soften the tissues. He realized that my issue was not mechanical since the ligaments are doing well now. The heat showed improvement in the flexibility of my leg, proving that the muscles and tissues were tight and needed relief.
Yesterday was a great day after a busy Monday where I was on my feet and driving from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Today starts as another great day too and I feel like reaching the end of the tunnel will happen sooner that I expected.
I have physical therapy on Friday and my goal is to get great numbers when my flexion and extension will be measured.
Monday, September 5, 2011
September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
September 4, 2011
I had physical therapy with a different therapist on Friday. As I was beginning my routine exercises, he asked an aide to start with some heat. I had no idea what the treatment would be all about since ice has always been used after the hour and half of exercises.
The aide slid a blanket that reminded me of a grey fleece blanket we have at home under my legs. It covered from my ankles to the lower part of my thighs. Immediately I felt warmth and then extreme warmth to the point of burning along my legs but especially on my calves. I asked if it was normal and the aide slipped a towel between the blanket and my skin. It was a little more bearable and reminded me of the only facial I ever had in my life a few years ago. Now that I had adjusted to the heat, I could feel my legs relaxing as if the tissues inside were melting. After 15 minutes the aide removed the blanket and I did 3 sets of 25 repetitions on a bizarre piece of equipment that has one right and one left stairs. The heel of my injured left leg was placed on the right stair while my right leg was resting on a low stool beside the equipment. The goal was to extend my left leg as much as possible without shifting my hip and moving forward. This is an exercise I was asked to do months ago when nobody knew what was wrong with my healing process. At that time I couldn't do the exercise properly, the reason being the difficult extension of my knee. Now after the 15 minutes of heat, my leg seemed supple and I had no difficulties to perform the exercise.
Then the therapist worked on my knee and leg a lot, massaging with cream, manipulating the entire leg in different positions, stretching the leg and hip. He told me that using the heat was an idea he had as he was thinking of my issue. He figured that either something was wrong with the mechanics of the knee or my muscles were tensing for whatever reason. Since the heat had relaxed my leg, he was happy to inform me that nothing was wrong with the knee itself since heat would not have helped. He went on with more physical manipulations and encouraged me with enthusiastic comments, "Good job! Good firing of the quad! Perfect!"
It's funny how simple words go a long way when the body has been miserable for months. I felt a burst of energy and hope that reminded me of who I was before. I realized I was still the same woman full of energy and hope. Eight months since the accident, seven since my first surgery have kept my left knee and leg inactive in a way that had never happened before.
Suddenly I could feel the results of the second surgery and the use of the heat.
The therapist told me that he was modifying my program with more exercises focusing on the extension of the leg than the flexion since it was my number 1 problem.
The hour went fast and I left after being iced, happy and confident. I will have the same therapist again on Tuesday since mine is away for a week of vacation. I wonder if I should ask to keep the one who has been doing a wonderful job. How can I ask properly for a change? Would have mine thought of changing my exercises or using heat to relax my muscles? I like the PT I have but it is pretty clear now that he missed something last winter.
Yesterday was a busy afternoon with a birthday party for my daughter and some errands. I was so ecstatic to walk faster and better that I finished the decoration of the upstairs bathroom that my husband repainted in the spring. While my daughter attended her party, I went to an old fashioned ice cream parlor in town where I got coffee ice cream and iced tea. I wrote for a couple of hours and walked through town, visiting three antique shops.
I felt ME!
I know I'm not fully recovered but the peeks of the mountains surrounding my home seem more than ever reachable.
The aide slid a blanket that reminded me of a grey fleece blanket we have at home under my legs. It covered from my ankles to the lower part of my thighs. Immediately I felt warmth and then extreme warmth to the point of burning along my legs but especially on my calves. I asked if it was normal and the aide slipped a towel between the blanket and my skin. It was a little more bearable and reminded me of the only facial I ever had in my life a few years ago. Now that I had adjusted to the heat, I could feel my legs relaxing as if the tissues inside were melting. After 15 minutes the aide removed the blanket and I did 3 sets of 25 repetitions on a bizarre piece of equipment that has one right and one left stairs. The heel of my injured left leg was placed on the right stair while my right leg was resting on a low stool beside the equipment. The goal was to extend my left leg as much as possible without shifting my hip and moving forward. This is an exercise I was asked to do months ago when nobody knew what was wrong with my healing process. At that time I couldn't do the exercise properly, the reason being the difficult extension of my knee. Now after the 15 minutes of heat, my leg seemed supple and I had no difficulties to perform the exercise.
Then the therapist worked on my knee and leg a lot, massaging with cream, manipulating the entire leg in different positions, stretching the leg and hip. He told me that using the heat was an idea he had as he was thinking of my issue. He figured that either something was wrong with the mechanics of the knee or my muscles were tensing for whatever reason. Since the heat had relaxed my leg, he was happy to inform me that nothing was wrong with the knee itself since heat would not have helped. He went on with more physical manipulations and encouraged me with enthusiastic comments, "Good job! Good firing of the quad! Perfect!"
It's funny how simple words go a long way when the body has been miserable for months. I felt a burst of energy and hope that reminded me of who I was before. I realized I was still the same woman full of energy and hope. Eight months since the accident, seven since my first surgery have kept my left knee and leg inactive in a way that had never happened before.
Suddenly I could feel the results of the second surgery and the use of the heat.
The therapist told me that he was modifying my program with more exercises focusing on the extension of the leg than the flexion since it was my number 1 problem.
The hour went fast and I left after being iced, happy and confident. I will have the same therapist again on Tuesday since mine is away for a week of vacation. I wonder if I should ask to keep the one who has been doing a wonderful job. How can I ask properly for a change? Would have mine thought of changing my exercises or using heat to relax my muscles? I like the PT I have but it is pretty clear now that he missed something last winter.
Yesterday was a busy afternoon with a birthday party for my daughter and some errands. I was so ecstatic to walk faster and better that I finished the decoration of the upstairs bathroom that my husband repainted in the spring. While my daughter attended her party, I went to an old fashioned ice cream parlor in town where I got coffee ice cream and iced tea. I wrote for a couple of hours and walked through town, visiting three antique shops.
I felt ME!
I know I'm not fully recovered but the peeks of the mountains surrounding my home seem more than ever reachable.
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