ACL Surgery Post Op Week 5

Tomorrow is 5 weeks since surgery. I've managed to mostly walk with a normal gait with the brace. At PT, I asked if I could start leaving it off at some points so she let me during the whole therapy, which included the balance board, steps, balancing on one leg, treadmill and bike. It feels odd--kind of light and a like a rubber band is holding it--but could to do some work without it. At home, I only take off upstairs, where it is carpeted and not wooden floors. Up until Week 12, the hamstring graft is at it's most vulnerable and still needs protection.

I'm diligent on the exercises and see improvement. 128 degrees flex and full extension. It doesn't feel natural or easy to bend, but it's better.

I think I'm going to give myself approval to drive next week, at 6 weeks. I like my physical therapist but she seems uneasy giving the yes or no and would prefer the doctor does. However, I do not see him until 7 weeks and have a lot of activities coming up!

I'm trying to do a couple walks a day outside, but it was COLD today so both were only 1/2 mile.

I still ice it 3 times, at least, a day due to swelling after being up and around.

I've come to accept being home more and actually enjoy aspects of it, but will be happy to get out and about!

ACL Surgery Post Op - 4 Weeks Today

Much has happened the last week. The biggest news is that my brace is now unlocked at all times. My goal is to try to not walk like Frankenstein. I am walking with a limp but definitely getting more of a bend. I took two 30 min walks yesterday--slow, but I did it.

PT now consists of more active exercises--10 min on treadmill, 10 min on bike, balancing exercises, weights on ankles when doing side and front moves, squats, a weight machine, calf raises. So all that's good.

Still no driving approval. I have so much I would like to be doing and my kids are missing some activities due to this. My lovely friends and husband have covered so much for me, but now I want back in. But I will listen to my therapist. BTW, she gave me a Halloween bracelet today as I admired hers the other day.

Also, I am attempting to go up and down stairs correctly. And my home exercises now include bands to us.

As for pain, it comes at points, but nothing serious. Today, I felt some on the side of the knee and quad. The other thigh also is sore due to compensation!


That's the latest and greatest.

ACL Surgery Post Op Days 17 - 21

It's been awhile, but it feel like not many changes day to day, but I realize there actually have been a lot.

At my 3 PT sessions this week, I rode the bike 10 minutes each time and actually rode it--full rotations--with no problems. Zero resistance, but still.

Jodi also has me walk completely unlocked in between stations at PT.

I moved onto stairs at PT. While unlocked I go up and down concentrating on bending my knee. I still go one leg up at a time, but with bending.

I also moved onto the balance board which is a work out for me to keep balanced!

At home I can walk with it at 20 degrees and I concentrate on trying to bend the knee. I am up and about for longer periods also. I sat out for Halloween last night for over an hour with my knee bent. It got sore but great to be out.

And I've found that doing heel slides during the bath is helpful as my muscles are warm.

Still no driving, but my lovely husband got me to Starbucks this morning!

The girls and I on Halloween and my lovely husband Keith, AKA Cat in the Hat.

ACL Surgery Post Op Days 14-16

So I'm continuing to progress but of course wish it were faster! On Friday, my physical therapist, Jodi, had me walk around with the brace up to 30 degrees as opposed to locked. She had me walk with a crutch although I feel I could do it without. Also, I got to "ride" the bike. She had me rotate it 3/4 of the way and then back--not a full rotation but felt awesome to be doing something "active." That was for 7 minutes.

Friday night I ventured out to watch Hope at gymnastics and eat at our favorite Pho spot. Since I can unlock the brace to bend my knee for sitting, eating out was feasible.

My other "big" news is I can now take a bath. Ah. Luxury. And I can get in/out on my own. I still have to get in with the brace, then take it off, let the water in, and the, when done, drain the water, put brace on and get out. A pain, but I can do it on my own. 

Today I'm on my own. The girls and Keith are off to a soccer game that is 2 1/2 hours away--too far for me to sit right now.

Off to do my exercises. 

ACL Surgery Post Op Day 13 : Sutures Out

Day 13 was a day of much activity as I got out of the house. First, there was an appointment with my surgeon. He didn't do much, just asked questions and said that I was a model patient because I'm motivated and follow all exercises. Being the teacher's pet that I am, that made me happy. Seriously though, he said all looked good and that he'd see me in 4 weeks. He expected me to be walking without crutches or brace by then--up to the physical therapist in when I can do things and others like drive. Still, for the next week he still want be locked at 0 except for sittings because he wants to protect the graft.

The sutures are out and that feels better. The skin doesn't look so bad--a little puckery.

He said the "bubble" I feel is scar tissue and I need to work it out. Fun.

Then off to physical therapy I went. A few new exercises--hip lifts to strengthen the calves, some inner thigh exercises. Leg lifts without the brace. And she said that on Friday we'd try the stationary bike and standing!!

So all is progressing, but the process can be draining. I stood outside yesterday to watch the girls play for awhile, then did some household chores, then my exercises and my knee got swollen. I know it's only been two weeks but sometimes it's hard to imagine being "normal" again.

Doing a quad flex. Notice my right leg has a bit of muscle flex now.

ACL Surgery Post Op Day 11 and 12 : 108 degrees!

Yesterday was great at pt--I was able to achieve an 108 degree bend with my knee! Used the bands to help, but did it. And the therapist said to unlock the brace a few times a day while sitting to get my knee bent again.  PT was relatively easy--same exercises with a few more thrown in. My quads are getting stronger and the calves don't hurt as much. I'm hoping for some new challenges on Wed.  I do love that they warm my knee when I first get there. Feels great!


So today, day 12,  was like my other days. Do some chores around the house. Do my exercises. Ice. Repeat.

I can definitely bend further now, which is great. However, when I first start it's almost like there is a bubble in my knee preventing the bend. If I keep bending it subsides and is not there for the rest of the bends. Until I stop then come back to the bending later. Then the bubble is back. The physical therapist said it was because the muscle there is straight most of the day and then has to get back in use. Still, I'm going to ask my doctor tomorrow.

I'm not sure I should keep reading other ACL blogs. Actually, that's not true. Some are very positive--realistic about recovery time, but ultimately have had good results. Back in sports, albeit more carefully and prone to more soreness, and leading active lives. However, some are in a much more painful state even a year out having trouble with steps, walking, etc. I find all these worrisome.

But, I have to focus on the fact that without the surgery I'd have an unstable knee and either would have to lead an less active life or submit myself to more injuries and subsequent knee surgeries anyway.

It's getting a little lonely here during the day. A friend stopped by with lunch so that was lovely. Grace just came home and went before soccer. Love to have her hear, but unfortunately we ended up arguing about homework. Sigh. Homework wars are not fun! She's a bright girl and hard worker but has a limited focus time and when she's done, it's not pretty if there is more work to do!

Second post op tomorrow. Sutures coming out. They have been giving me some pain. Hoping all looks good to the doc!

ACL Surgery Post Op Day 10 - An Outing!

I'm writing this a day late because I was tired yesterday, but for a good reason! Finally, I got out! I ventured to Grace's soccer game. We had to take my car because I can use the entire middle seat for me and "The Knee." Grace and Keith are in the front and Hope is in the back row--quite the picture. Keith brought two chairs--one for me and one for the knee. I had a fabulous time watching the game--Grace played great even though they lost. Of course, I now worry that all of the girls are going to tear their ACLs!

Between that and my exercises (I think I got my knee to 90 degree--I hope-we'll see today at PT) I thought my knee would be throbbing, but it wasn't so bad. However, today it's a little sore--although that could be because I've spent on hour on my feet as Keith had to go to work early and I had to oversee the kids' morning before school. I haven't taken any meds today--trying to go to two Tylenol a day, at most.

As a note, showers are not easy. Getting into a shower, trying to sit on a floppy plastic chair that I'm afraid will give, trying to reach the shampoo, etc. in addition to actually cleaning all body parts is not relaxing. And having to get Keith to help before and after by taking then handing me the brace is a pain. I can't "just" shower. Ah well, at least I'm clean! A week ago I was still in the no shower stage.

Also, I've found some uses for my crutches. Pushing doors closed, getting clothes that fall between the washer and dryer, and pulling far away items to me.

Here I am on my adventure out:

And here I am with my knee bent to 90, or close!