6-12 week "danger period"

[Alla]

Hey there

I went back to the PT for the first time in a fortnight (hes been away).  Since I last saw him I've ditched the crutches (although still using one for the really long distances) and can do straight leg raises (yay.... big achievement now that Im 7 weeks in!).  He was mildly impressed although he said when I walk it looks like Im dragging a tree stump. Then I frustrated the bejeezus out of him because I couldnt work out how to bend my knee to walk without a limp, even with him giving demos and trying really hard to explain it.  It is all good... can't have it being too easy for him!!  Hee hee.  I have gotten to a 125 degree flex now too... which suprised him.... and me...suffering from swelling at the moment. 

I've entered into the "danger period" too.... although he tells me that I entered that long ago... literature apparently says that day 10 to 6 months is pretty dangerous (good old me... dealt with day 10 by falling down stairs!) So he says to keep going how I am... and do more of what Im doing.  Yay.   

I still have a very swollen ankle.... it is quit impressive, but if I try to constrict the fliud, it stays in my knee and makes it a living hell trying to do exercises.  I guess it is better in ther ankle then in the knee... although I think that my akle is running out of spots to put the fluid now!! (just kidding)  We checked it out for DVT... no pain so we think it is ok.

So all is ok at the moment..... just going to slowly for me to cope!!  (I think I expected to jog out of surgery...just quietly!)

Alla

[BubblyC]

Hi Alla,

You have no idea how useful/amusing this thread has been.  I am just about to go into surgery - two weeks away (July 6) and was beginning to wonder how long after surgery things took to happen.  My OS has said that I will need six weeks off work and I was thinking that that seemed a little long, but I guess like you I have this illusion that I will be up and about in no time once I have an "ACL" back!   

Having read this however I will now keep in mind that it will take time and I will need to be patient - uurgh   don't really do patient well!!  But I will also take note of all the suggested exercises so that I can make sure that my physio and I do what is right at the right time.  I have been doing my exercises religiously for the last 10 or so weeks and am pretty happy with my muscle bulk so far, so hopefully this will work in my favour for post surgery exercises.

Keep up the hard work and don't give up, just keep thinking positive!  I know what helps me heaps is knowing that I am not the only one who has this problem - you guys really make this experience tolerable.

Good luck with your continued success.

[Alla]

HI bubbly,

Yeah, I was so focused on the surgery itself that I hadnt even considered the aftermath.  For all its frustrating moments, there are feelings of exhilleration when you finally do something that you havent been able to for ages.  I've learnt alot about myself through all this and am also apeciative of the people at this site.  Im getting more and more confident in my knee.... and while I have moments of wanting to cut my leg off above the knee... they really are few and far between.  Im sure that because you have done some work on your muscles before surgery that you will have a better time of it then me.... make sure you keep us posted on your progress.  We all have different experiences and adding yours to the list as well will help someone else along the way.  Good luck with your surgery, I hope all goes well.

Alla

[Orava]

Hi all
Good to be back - have had so many visitors and being working via email so much at home have not had much time. But this thread continues to be inspiring! Thanks all.

Unlike most of you - I did not know I was going to have an ACL recon when I went in there and so it has been a big shock these last weeks! I was totally unprepared for this. But I've adjusted. Emotionally it has been a bit of a rollercoaster too.

But I am 5 weeks post-op now and down to one crutch!! The rediscovered "freedom" of being able to walk around with a hand free to carry things has been a tremendous mental boost. I have taken a few tentative unaided steps but the knee is very weak. My calf muscles still swell when inactive for a while where the haematoma is and I have a lot of burning sensations round the ankle which wake me at night.

But I keep on with all the exercises and am looking forward to starting water walking - hopefully next week - which will get me more confident in flexing the leg as I walk.

Good luck Bubbly C! Hope all goes well for you!

Orava

[Alla]

Hey there Orava,

You'll love the water walking!  I found it great..I'm actually allowed to jog in the water now....Yay!!.. you can get a good long session and not have the same impact as if you tried on the bike or on land... I'm terrible.... I go off to the hyropool.... do 40 mins of exercise and then flounce around enjoying the hot "bath" like water for another 20-30 minutes.  I find it so hard to get out of the water.....I love that being in the water takes enough weight off to be able to feel normal as far as the knee goes!  I wouldnt recommend visiting the hydro pool when there is a water aerobics class in the pool next door though.... I got all frustrated watching them doing their pool exercises and Im stuck in the hydro doing lamo pool walking and squats!  I wanted to run across and dive in their pool and join their fun! (repress the athelete within!!)

Just to update!  I think that the crutches are officially ditched as of today!  Just checking out the knee earlier today... the knee joint itself is not swollen today.... looks almost like the good knee!  But my ankle and calf is huge..... hee hee.  If I push down on my ankle with my thumb I leave an indentation.... its good for freaking out work mates.... hee hee.  I think the move to unaided walk has been a bit of a shock to the knee and he's had a bit of a swell and drain.

Alla

[J.press-on]

hey alla, here's a huge tip that has majorly increased my muscle bulk and strength- ask your PT for a bungie rope (there's a bunch of variations of resistance that as you become stronger can get a tighter rope).  tie a loop in which to place your foot and hold the opposite end of the bungie. with the bungie, you can to get assistance for leg lifts, hamstring pulls and other stuff.  really, i've jsut been creative and have used it as a force i am resisting in multiple excersizes and as an assistant in many that are new or that i am not yet strong enough for.  i began using the bungie when i could barely lift my leg alone and now i rarely use it except in cases with i resist the pull of the rope to continue to strengthen my hamstrings and quads!

[Alla]

Hi there

I'd thought about this, but I wasnt sure if it was an open or closed chain exercise and havent gotten around to asking the PT.  I will do that though.... did yo uhave any issues with doing this exercise?? 

Alla   

[Orava]

Hi Alla and all
Congrats on ditching the crutches! I aim to do that next week if possible - have to if I am to get to the pool!
Are you driving? I couldn't manage the brake yet - hopefully in a week perhaps.

I'm a long way off doing wall slides - hurts at the thought and I haven't been told to try yet- maybe that's to come still. But I like the sound of the bungie rope - will bear that one in mind for when  I start with my new PT. It's not always easy here as my own language is English and I don't know all these terms in Finnish and the PTs don't know them in English - hence fab thread with lots of good tips.

I have just slept quite well for 2 nights - the first time since the op - and I notice the difference it makes. So I'm hoping for  speedier progress now.

You'll be back to netball Alla!  I know how bad it is watching all those fitties roller blading, cycling or jogging past my window. I don't ever remember being so inactive in my life! One consolation though  - I got a good upper body workout being on crutches for so long - so am keeping it up with weights. Aim to look and feel better at the end of summer in all respects - come what may!!

Midsummer greetings all from the land of the midnight sun

Orava

[Alla]

HI Orava and everyone,

Sounds like you have some positive plans!  Ditching the crutches was the best feeling.  ALthough I wsa still using one when I started swimming.  I found that I was tired in the knee when I finished and needed help to get out.  Every day I can go further and further... it is great.  I am still wary of getting complacent though.  I went down to one crutch for a week or two then to none on short trips and then bit the bullet and refused to take it to work.  Forced myself to go without.  The first day was tough, and I had a bit of swelling but I think all is ok now.  I walked down to the end of the street this moning and back.... fantastic!   

I am driving..... I have an automatic car, but I find that moving my foot between pedals is a bit painful..... my "recovering" knee is the driving leg.  So I have been using both feet to drive if I have to go far.  A bad habit to get in to I guess but anyhow. 

I struggle with the wall slides.  I cheat.... without meaning too.... I keep puting all my weight on the good side. I try not too but it is very automatic.  I find lunges a bit better because I do them right and my quads wobble and quiver so I know they are getting a work out there.

I've been told by my PT that I look like Im dragging a tree stump when I walk.  I've forgotten when I need to bend my knee in the process of walking.  Im walking from my hips and not my knees apparently.  It is really weird because I think that Im bending my knee, but when I look down it is still straight.  I really have to focus on walking properly and it frustrated not only me, but my PT.... he was really making me laugh at the last visit, and it was really hard.  I was so focused on my knee that it was affecting my ability to walk normally, even when he gave my exercises designed to take my mind off my knee (waling backwards is apparently supposed to do that!), he could tell I was still thinking about my knee.  I'm getting more knee pain at the moment too... but I guess I expect that given that I've started using it again after so long. It isnt too bad.... I've been used to no pain, so getting a little bit I can cope with.  I've been pool walking, and started pool running this week.... fantastic.... I have sore calves at the moment.... but it is that good sore when you know that you have worked the muscles hard....  Good stuff.

I'm beginning to realise how much of this is to do with your head though.  My knee seems to function really well... but I lack confidence in it.  I was in a shop yesterday and stood at the base of the esculators too scared to get on because I wasnt sure if I could get off again. I was lucky that a work mate came along and said she'd help if I got stuck.... I didnt need her in the end, but it was really tough to get over the fear of not trusting my knee.  I think even my limp is a product of my mind.... it is all really weird.  I had a friend tell me that she had a real mindset to get over when she was ready to start running after her reco.... she apparently talked herself into it for 15 minutes at the track side beflre she could do it.  I laughed when she told me but I can see what she means now....       

Alla       

[Shenagh]

Hey Alla,

Gees I laughed when you mentioned the escalators!! I remember when I was braced and on crutches having to negotiate them at the cinema. It took me about 10 mins to build up the courage to get on the darn things - gees it was funny though!!

Isn't it sad - I'm up here in Brisvegas on hols still logging on to see what everyone is up to! Anyway, off to enjoy the sunshine...good to hear your progressing with your exercises, esp the water running, pretty soon you'll be on the treadmill.

Take care.

Shen.

[Alla]

Hey Shen,

Was wondering what you were doing here!!!  Glad you are still thinking of the community here while you are on hols... I hope that you are enjoying yourself though...

I had my first ride on the road bike this afternoon.  It is freezing here at the moment.... very gloomy day, but since it didnt rain it was ok to ride in.  I was a bit worried at first... didnt quite know how I was going to put my feet down to stop.... but it was ok in the end.  Im still badly favouring thou..... I guess that will happen for a little while.  The top of my Quads and Hammys are sore thou.... too much that they werent used to.  Rode for about 10 mins then stopped in case it was too much.  Will see how I pull up tomorrow.... all is ok right now.... but tomorrow will tell.  Swelling has gone down over the weekend.....thats great.... it feels good at the moment.

Alla   

[Shenagh]

I am so jealous - I'm still not allowed on my road bike yet in case I fall off and injure my knee (coz of last op 5 weeks ago)....that is so unfair !! I'm clipped in to my bike on a wind trainer at home but not allowed on the busy bayside roads yet. But I am so happy for you though, that is great!! Don't forget to ice too. Did you do the whole clip-in to yer pedals? How'd you go? My clip in/out foot is my injured leg which sucks but will have to learn to use my right now.

Hope you pull up okay tomorrow, I'm sure all will be good though. Wow, you must be excited that you're starting to get back out & about exercising...not long now 'til the netball pitch calls you back!

[Alla]

Hey there Shen...

Didnt mean to make you jealous about the bike thing.... I was just happy to have been able to do it.  I dont clip in my feet.... so I made sure that I took it easy.  My OS's instructions say that it is ok to ride a bike after 8 weeks as long as Im careful not to fall.... so I stuck to solid ground and quiet roads.  We have a nice bike path around a park that I do some volunteer work in so it as a good way to get a look at how things are going there since I've not been there for 8 weeks.  The other thing Im noticing is that I can see some of my muscle returning now.... Im looking forward to measuring up tomorrow at the PT's to see if I've made a dent in that 9 cms! 

Oh, and Im not sure if I have written this yet..... I watched my ACL reco operation video through last week.  It wasnt that bad.... a few bits where I had to turn away.  One of my work mates who is pretty good with multi media condensed it down into a 2.5 minute DVD and put music to it.... we actually had a little competition to determine what song should go on the DVD..... the winner was "Scar Tissue"...... there were a few fantastic suggestions..... yes,.... we are bored at work at times.... it was good for a laugh thou.   I also have some still pictures now too.... they are pretty cool...

Alla

 

[Orava]

Hi Alla, Shen and others

Great to hear Alla you're on your bike! Must feel fantastic!

I am now into the 6 week zone and have ditched the crutches! I did some water walking last week which felt like pure heaven the first time I got into the water. But my legs were like jelly afterwards and I had to use a crutch to get round the side of the pool the first two times. Saw my OS on Friday and he's pleased with the knee- says the haematoma is disappearing but there is still blood there and will be for a few more weeks - so no flying or long car journeys for a while longer.

Today I "swam" in a lake in the sunshine - with kids looking at me like I was some beginner. As I limped out to the shore they all stared at the knee - although the scars have healed well. I felt like some kind of Frankenstein!

Tomorrow morning I meet my new PT and like you had Alla - I have an elephant leg that does not bend. So no doubt I will get some advice on that. And then I'm going shopping in biggest department store in Scandanavia which just happens to be opposite the PT's. May take the lifts if I don't fancy my luck on the escalators. Whatever- some serious retail therapy is called for to make up for the lack of it in the past 6 weeks.

No way would you catch me watching a video of my recon. But I don't think they do that anyway here. Sounds like you had a blast though at work which is good for the spirits!

Anyone watch Live8 last night? I "danced" on one leg to some

Cheers

Orava

[Alla]

Glad that it sounds like you are coming along well..... Isnt it such a slow process!!  the jelly legs after swimming I had that too.... but after a while it goes... at least it isnt so bad anyway.  It is a bit of a shock to the knees to get all your weight back after being in the water.  I was told that it is easier on your joints and harder on your muscles doing the water work... which for me was what I needed. 

PT For me tonight..... measuring up I hope!!

Alla