Recent ACL tear...looking for some help!

[BigSkyGirl]

Hi Rae, don't feel badly about needing help.  Don't you spend most of your time helping others so why not get some yourself from time to time.  I know it's easy to fall in that trap but it's only for a short time and you need it.

Dancer has good suggestions, maybe a neighbor can help out, just don't re-injure yourself trying to do too much.  If you must get up and move around only do what's ABSOLUTELY necessary, the rest can wait until you are better.  Help comes from the strangest places sometimes.

I'm glad to hear the pain is not bad, when is your PT appt?  You will need to begin working on extension ASAP!!  When you are sitting or lying don't put a pillow under your knee, it needs to be out straight to work on the extension, the earlier you get it the better your rehab will be.

The shower is such a morale booster and I'm sure DH was just being a clueless male, we have to educate them you know!     When you are ready to drive it will be nice to just get out of the house and see something other than the 4 walls.  Forgot where you live but here in the DC area the weather is wonderful....50 degrees today and sunny (for those of you buried under the snow.....I'm just kidding, it's not really that nice at all.... ) and I will be going for a walk later.

Today marks one year for me since my accident, so I a m celebrating with a long walk.

[blueberry09]

Hi Rae,

I'm with you on the frustration of not being able to do anything and replying on others to help, especially if you have to ask and then they say no or moan about it.  I've got young kids, and am 6 weeks post injury, but not had it fixed yet.  I was pretty immobile for the first 2 weeks after my injury, then was doing well and thinking about even being able to take the kids to school etc, then I got pneumonia and was laid up for another week, then thought about getting out again and then had uncharacteristic heavy snow (in the UK where everything stops even the schools when it snows) and it was too icy.  It's my kids I feel sorriest for when I can't do things with them. The amount of times I've had to ask friends or family to help out, and it always makes me feel bad that I can't do it myself.
From a practical point of view, in the first week when I couldn't walk I found a bath easier than showering, once I was in I was safe, and just needed help getting in and out.  Don't know if that's any easier?
But you mustn't feel bad about asking for help. Have you got friends who could cook a meal and bring it around, a babysitter you use in the evenings who could help out in the daytime or weekends, churches are a great source of support and practical help if you belong to one, put the kids in nursery for longer for a week or two, or a childminder?  I found looking after myself was hard enough, but I just couldn't manage looking after the kids too.
I also think sometimes a general anaesthetic can make people feel a bit low and depressed afterwards, and can make coping with the practical aspects more difficult than it might otherwise be, and make us more sensitive to complaints.
It won't be long until you are up and about again, so hang on in there.

[dancer49]

I think one of the keys is to get help early on, like NOW, when you really need it, and remember to look towards the horizon in situations, realizing that this is a temporary situation. Things will improve and get better!

[fritzrac]

Thank you everyone. DH decided to stay home a few more days so I am very happy about that. Today ened up being frustrating b/c I was having a hard time finding a pt. My OS has a sport medicine clinic connected with their office so I was just going to go there. Well, I'm on Worker's Comp so I have to go to drs. they use in network. Figuring they take my OS they would take the pt, I was wrong! So, I'm calling my OS in tears trying to find a pt that is reputable. I found one close to home and a friend went to look at if for me who is a pt and she said it was really nice. Everything is new and they even have a pool. So, I have an appointment tomorrow with the owner so I hope I hit it off with him. I'm just thankful I found someone. I have an appointment with OS tomorrow so I  will see my knee for the first time. I'm not sure what else he'll tell me but I know he plans on changing  the dressings. Haven't taken any pain meds since this morning and don't  feel  I need it yet. May take some before bed as  I don't want to wake up with pain. Trying not to get frustated but can feel it more and more each day. I'm am very sensitive and I hate it. I cry at everything when I was so strong before this.  Hoping after tomorrow's drs and pt visits I will feel a bit  more confortable about what I can do and can start trying  to live my life(even a little  bit) again.  And ohhh to be able to work my abs again would be great. I can't stand sitting here wacthing my belly expand as I lose muscle. I keep thinking about when I get back to work....I'm a fitness trainer and teach on stage in spandex! First time I get to teach again I'm know I'm gonna be like  when I look in the mirror!

Gotta go ice!
Rae

[BigSkyGirl]

Go ahead and get frustrated!!  While you are at it get mad and sad and scared and whatever else you want to feel, this is a very trying time and has robbed you - TEMPORARILY - of your mobility and independence.  As you may have read we have lots of pity parties here on KG and we will all attend yours.  Part of the healing process is to feel the way you do, but don't ever feel bad about feeling bad.  Just get it out and then continue to work towards your goals.

We are all here for you so go ahead and rant, we can take it!!   

[fritzrac]

Hi guys...I'm heading to the OS in a bit but quick question.. Did any of you have swelling in the ankle? Mine started the morning after surgery, which is when the dr. saw it and wasn't concerned. It's about the same, maybe just a little worse, and I of course have myself in a panic that it's a clot. skin is normal color, nothing looks weird...Any ideas or experiences?
Thanks,
Rae

[blueberry09]

i had ankle and foot swelling after my initial knee injury.  so much that i could hardly get my shoe on that foot, so it's entirely possible it is just from the knee trauma of the op.  but obviously your os will want to rule out a dvt / blood clot.  good you are seeming him later.  hope it goes well.

[dancer49]

fritz-Rae,
I get swelling from time to time- the less I ice, or the more I sit at my computer or spend the day walking around, my ankle swells up and takes a day or two to recover- by rest, ice and elevation of course!

Great on the meds there! I started weaning myself off during the day as well, and like you said took them in the evenings...good plan here. After 10 days though, I still had 1 full day of de-toxing, so watchout for that at the end as well. (nausea, irritability, sweats)

You spa teachers, spin class teachers, gym coaches...are the most restless ones on the board here! 
If you go to far too fast, you will take 1 step forward and 3 steps back if you push too much.

Very good news about the hubby tho! 

[fritzrac]

Back from a busy day! Went to the OS and no worries about my ankle. He doesn't feel theswelling is  anything to be concerned with.I was taken back by my incisions as I didn't know they were going to be so big. I thought I was just gonna have the little ones since I had an allograft but b/c he had to go lower to place the bone block and also the meniscus repair, Ihave 2 incisions that are about 2-3  inches  long and then a couple of the real small ones. I think he told my dh this stuff but clearly i didn't remember it! So, I don't have to wear the  imbollizer all the time and can shower, blah blah blah. Go back next week for stitch removal.

Now for pt...guess it was ok, pretty uneventful. PT said my protocol was agressive and seemed surprisedby it. Idon't really know much about this stuff so I can't comment but as long as it's safe, Idon't really mind. I was dissapointed in my extesion. It was 15. According to my protocol, it must be at 0 within 2 weeks. So, guess I will keep working  on that. Trying to  not get defeated already! My flexion was 68 and it needs to be 90 within 2 weeks. ok i guess. So,  he went over my excercises...heal slides w/ towel, quad sets, straight legraises on all planes, and massaging the patella. I think that's it. So, I will start them tonight.  My protocol calls for prong hang but he doesn't want me to do that yet. Don't know why.

So,  it's been a long day.  Trying to not feel overwhelmed and defeated like I said. I will spend more time thinking about it tomorrow! For now I just want to relax and enjoy my family. Just thinking  I'm one day closer to being better!

Thanks everyone...rae

[dancer49]

Whew! I'm tired from just reading about your day! 

Work on your extension now.
I know I kinda pushed mine the first time...within the first 5 days...it's important.
My PT says you will always get the bend, but if you don't do it quickly, you may never get the full extension. Of course, do it slowly and safely.

I didn't start PT until 14 days out. But after the first post op check, 6 days out, he told me to use my other leg to pull back on the 'hurt leg' to pull it back to a minimum of 90 degrees 4x a day. This simple plan worked well for me. I had a 5 degree extension at 6 days, and practiced it all the time- still do!

You will not be defeated unless you want to. Hang in there. We are here to help cheer you on!

[BigSkyGirl]

Glad the visit went well.  Extension, extension, extension.......you will get sick of hearing it from us and the PT.  The sooner you get it the better things will go for you and the rehab process.  The prone hang is best but if the OS said wait then wait......with these injuries it is more of what you don't know will hurt you kind of thing.  Just follow the PTs - as long as you trust them - and things will be fine.

Don't put anything under your knee while sitting or lying down.  If you don't get full extension you will have lots of trouble later.  The flexion will come along by itself.  The PTs are going to be all over you for that as well but just remember that extension is more important.  Heel slides will help with the flexion or get a skateboard or anything with wheels to help with them.

The ankle swelling is probably just a nice side effect from the surgery, it's my understanding that a tourniquet is used so that causes all kinds of swelling and bruising.  You should see some spectacular colors during the next week or so.

Sounds like everything is going well, you will be fine and I am looking forward to reading about your progress.

[fritzrac]

New day....trying to keep a new prospecitve! I woke up and did my pt excerceises and then did my CPM. Well, the excerciese felt really good and my flexion was up to 70 on the CMP b/c of the excercises before hand. Icould feel the stretching for the extention and am following your advise BSG and just letting my leg sit straight and fall into the stretch. Maybe tomorrow my pt will let me do the prone hangs which from everything I've read here seems to really help extention. I felt strong this morning and had a really good night's sleep. I did take some pain meds before bed as my leg had a long day but this morning I still feel good and just took some advil when I woke up. Here's a question...I asked the pt how many times a day I should do my excercises and he said once until I build up. So far, after last night and this morning I feel really good. They don't seem as tough as he said they would be for me. So, do you guys think it's safe to do them morning and night  and then if that feels good, maybe 3x a day? I don't want to overdo it but I want to make sure I am getting the benefits as well. Ya know? So today, my dh went back to work so I'm waiting for my mom to come. My oldest child, my son, he's 6, is in school, and my mother is coming for a bit to help get my twins, girls, their 4,off  to preschool. They only go for a couple of hours. She can  help get them ready for school, get them lunch,  and drive them n pick them up. So, today I will be on my own more then ever but I'm notfreakin' out. I feel ok about it. So, we'll see how it all goes. I really haevn't been up much today but the knee feels  good or  at least better than it  has since surgery. Oh,here's another question...how doyou know what is safe for the graft. My OS said I didn't need the brace if I was confortable with out it but the pt says I should still use it. Now I'm afraid about not knowing what will injury the graft and don't want to chance it.  SO,  are there any daily activities that aren't safe in the begining. Can I sleep without the brace? Etc...
Thanks!
Rae

[dancer49]

Nice 'tude here girl! 

I'd do the exercises 1x a day as the PT says, but remember, you can do the extensions and flexing several times a day. Remember, you are still in the early stages here. When I hit 2 weeks after, my PT came in full force and I was doing exercises 3x a day then. This is just days away for you yet. Give your knee a break and give her time to heal.

Immobilizer...I took mine off somewhere between the 5th & 10th day...crutches too, and went to a cane only for a few weeks. Meniscus 'repairs' are a misnomer...mine was shaved, so I could stand full weight on my knee no problem. But if you've had yours 'sewn', I'd def go with what the doc says on this.

The difference between docs and PTs, is that the PT's see all the after effects and generally know how recoveries will go based on surgery, body type, age, OS instructions...so you kind of have to balance it all. For me, my doc said I could get rid of my immobilizer and crutches when ever I felt comfortable doing so, and I have not worn any brace at all since my surgery. (allograft ACL and shaved meniscus 2 sides)

The scary part about sleeping with your partner sans immobilizer, is that they can knock into your knee so very easily...which can be a bit scary. (My honey has THE boniest knees!!! lol!  ) I took my immobilizer off, and put a pillow between us near my knee and elevated my knee on a pillow while sleeping...gave me some sense of protection that way, and easier to sleep without the immobilizer.

You sound like you are doing much better! How awesome that you are doing Advil already lady! 

[BigSkyGirl]

Wow, sounds like things are going very well, I would hold off on upping the exercises like Dancer says, wait until the PT says it's ok for you to ramp up the activity.  Pretty soon you will get sick of the PT asking if you have done all your exercises and quite frankly, at one point it seemed like I was spending hours doing exercises I had such a long list.

Funny how all of the different patients here and all of the different PTs and OS' have different advice, for me I pretty much took off the immobilizer the 2nd day and hardly ever used my big brace (the one with the hinge).  I was on crutches forever tho', the PT pretty much had to wrestle me to the ground to get them away from me.  I think tho' it might have been better had I worn the brace and ditched the crutches earlier, I never felt very stable and was afraid to hurt the graft.

I would definitely wear it to bed, I know it's uncomfortable but one thing that used to happen to me was that my leg would jerk and boy it was painful and scary......the knee knock thing with DH is no fun either, even now when we knock knees I think about my knee but it's all good now.

As for the graft safety just be careful not to pivot or do what you are not supposed to do.  By that I mean ask the PT what NOT to do, I only had straight ACL so things might be different for you meniscus people.  I know they always told me to not do leg extensions and heel to butt stretching in the early days.

[dancer49]

BSG is right- I forgot about the 'leg twitch' in the early days...but mine only lasted about 4 days or so...and never happened again, so maybe I was lucky.

My doc told me my knee was stable immediately after surgery-
so when I asked if I needed a brace...he asked..."Do you want to wear one?"
I said no, and he said that if it made me feel 'more secure' - then I could go ahead and wear it, but that it wasn't necessary medically. (Again, my side ligaments and PCL were ok, so maybe this had something to do with it)

Again, call your OS and ask if you are unsure about anything.

BST- love the image of you and your PT 'wrestling' with the crutches together! LOL!!!