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.