Nikki's ACLr 3/26/09

[mollyc]

Nikki: Oh my god! How awful! Must have been very scary, especially the infection! I'm so glad that they were able to treat it and that you're home recovering. Take care and go slow with the recovery. What a year you've had! Molly

[vinnic]

Thanks Vicky and Molly.  I had my post-op visit for the appendectomy today, and all is well.  I just can't do anything for another month.  I've decided to take this week off work (I had two weeks of vacation for the holidays).  I hate to do that since I'm trying to build my sick days back up since my aclr last year, but what can you do?  This'll give me another week under my belt to make sure the stomach muscles are healing properly and I don't try to bend or twist or do too much at work just yet.  I am allowed to walk though, so I've been trying to take short walks around our tiny apartment every hour or so.  Can't wait to get back on the treadmill at least for a proper walk (much too cold to walk outside at these temps right now, minus some light snow/ice).  And really can't wait until the month is up so I can start up again slowly, every so slowly...  My knee has really stiffened up, and my quads, hams, calf, and glutes are pretty shabby right now in the aclr leg.  May 2010 bring us all better luck!!!   

[clarky_vl]

Hey,
Glad the recovery is going well! Sorry your leg/knee is starting to go backwards whilst you concentrate on the appendectomy recovery, but I am sure once you can do more, it'll be back in shape soon enough. Enjoy your week off, take it easy

I was back at school this week following christmas, but due to the snow around where I live, I got sent home and I don't fancy my chances at getting in tomorrow.  Oh well, I need the time to catch up on revision and things. (already!)

Vicky

[vinnic]

Thanks Vicky.  Yeah, it is frustrating but what can you do?  Just trying to stay positive and not get too frustrated.  It's not like I had another knee setback, and appendectomies are more common that I realized.  It was just having to go for the second surgery that really through me for a loop.  I'm still unsure as to the specifics of when I can return to exercising safely without worry of harming my ab muscles or incisions.  My appendix surgeon was pretty brief and sticking to six weeks total for returning to everything, and a lot of what I've read online (there isn't much info like here at kneegeeks) says the same thing.  But then when I've found some posts on strength-training/athletic forums, others say onward of three months before doing any kind of ab work...  So, to make it easier I just scheduled an appointment with my OS for February 10 to talk about restarting my acl rehab (and will ask him specifics about my abs at that time).  He's really good about taking time to listen and answer questions, so I feel a little better about the whole thing now.  And, that'll give me more than 8 weeks off aside from daily activities like stairs, work, and walking. 

So do you get much snow usually in the winters where you are?  What a bummer you had to get sent home from school, but at least you have the time to catch up on your revisions!  We've been extremely lucky this year and have dodged nearly all the major snowstorms in the Detroit area.  Usually, we have a few feet by this time of year.  I'm loving every minute of it because it makes walking outside that much easier on my knee (less risk of slipping and sliding)!  Well, hope you're doing ok and good luck again for your appointment on the 20th! 

[clarky_vl]

Hey,
I think that was a good idea scheduling the appointment with your surgeon, just to make sure that after everything recently your leg and stomach muscles are getting the proper rehab. Lol too bad there isn't an appendix-geeks, but sounds like you've been doing lots of research so you are preparing yourself for this recovery as best you can! How are you doing now?

Usually we don't get any snow, and we haven't really had too much snow, it is just that because we don't get a lot, when we do, it is a shock and everyone starts going crazy! We might get snow once a year ish? Right now I have a fair few inches on the ground (a lot more than normal), and I ended up home from school all last week! The temperatures are really really low at the moment for the UK too, which isn't too nice. It is supposed to snow worse Sunday and Monday, so I have no idea what will be happening. It really scares me because even a normal person would slip on it loads, but with me and my knee, it is sooo bad lol! So yeah, I am hoping for no more snow! Especially as I have exams coming up in school soon and would like to be in preparing for them 

Thanks! I will update my post-op diary afterwards, I am looking forward to finalising plans and everything, but also getting nervous about it!

Anyway, hope the snow stays away for both of us! And continue getting better!!

Vicky

[vinnic]

Ten Months Post-Op...and feeling much better finally!  Never thought it’d take this long either, but six weeks it did.  For anyone in a similar situation who stumbles across this, all I can tell you is that it really sucked.  As I posted over on the cruciates board, it hasn’t been fun or easy since you use your abs for just about everything.  The first two weeks were by far the worst, with my insides feeling out of place and lots of sharp, electrical, shooting pains.  My surgeon assured me this was normal though, along with a whole host of other pains, swelling, bloating, cramping, and other sensations – all of which I had up until this past week.  If only I’d been as consistent with my core/upper body work as my knee/lower body work, maybe it would’ve been quicker or easier.  In any case, it does get better eventually so be patient and don’t worry too much (easier said than done).       

On an up note, my follow up with my family doctor went well this week.  My steristrips are off now, my incisions look great, the pain is subsiding, and I never have to worry about a gangrene, ruptured appendix again!  I’ve been extremely conscientious on eating and lost another twelve pounds not moving around that much (and to think I used to laugh at my dad for eating Fiber One and taking Metamucil).  As far as returning to exercise safely, my doctor really helped.  Technically, I can probably do anything since they send construction workers back to work after six weeks.  Erring on the side of caution and peace of mind though, he advised me to wait another two weeks before stepping on the treadmill for a flat, leisurely stroll.  Once that feels fine, then slowly and gently add the bike, elliptical, swimming, and the easier strengthening exercises such as stairs, slrs, ham curls, and calf raises.  However, wait on any heavier stuff including leg press, squats, wall sits, lunges, floor/ball bridges, and core/upper body work.  Don’t have an exact timeline for those, but I'll know more at my next visit this spring.  And in light of that, I’m going to push my next OS visit off until then as well since my knee hasn’t been giving me any trouble lately and I’m not in a rush for any rigorous activities or sports.  The jumps, jogs, and Townsend brace talk will just have to wait a little longer.   
 
On a side note, I passed that teaching exam for full cert in CA (the reqs are different in all states); we’ve hardly had any snow or ice this winter (great for not being able to work my knee lately); and we just booked another visit to France in early April (the prices for this summer are outrageous).   

[vinnic]

Eleven Months Post-Op...and rebuilding once again.  Going to the gym never felt so good.  :-)  Have been back about two weeks now, warming up on the bike, using the cross-trainer/elliptical, walking on the treadmill with inclines, and even using the leg weight machines (including the leg press).  All weights are low of course, but so far so good.  Haven't attempted any real ab exercises yet, even though I'm dying to give them a go.  Will probably do soon since nothing hurts anymore.  Back to step-ups, squats, seated leg curls, calf raises, etc. at home as well - and yes, slow of course.  Even tried some two-legged box jumps with no problems.  Can't wait to get back to where I was pre-appendix stage.  I really have my eye on a Townsend brace for my next and probably final post-op visit with my OS in May/June (the DonJoy simply isn't working out for me).  Other than that, all is well - just waiting for a little sunshine and those longer summer days...  At least I'll get an earlier spring in France versus Detroit this year - if the weather there cooperates, that is.  We'll see in a month's time!   

[clarky_vl]

Hi Nikki,
Glad to see things are getting back to normal with the knee rehab after the appendix! Hope the ab stuff goes as well when you start that too!

What was wrong with the DonJoy brace (I am sorry I can't remember!) ? Sorry that didn't work out, but hopefully your surgeon will let you have the brace you're more comfortable with.

Have a great time in France! My parents booked ferry tickets for beginning of April (easter holidays!) but I haven't yet decided if i want to go at that time... Hopefully it'll be nice and warm for you when you go 

Vicky

[vinnic]

One Year Post-Op...and have never been better!!!  Can run, jump, hop, kneel, twist, turn, pivot, dance, wear heels, and just about everything else imaginable.  I'm careful, of course, and have the occasional pain or pop, but am in the best shape of my life (minus a weak spot in my ab along the long incision - which pilates should resolve soon enough)!  So, needless to say, slow and steady win the race.  Be patient, positive, and proactive, and you will reach your goals.  Here's to an incredible journey and a remarkable ending...beginning?!  One year ago I was undergoing aclr...and one year later I'm off to La Belle France and then that California sunlight...  Best of luck all!   

[vinnic]

Two Years Post-Op...and all is well knee-wise!   

[ouch09]

Nikki,

Good to hear from another veteran of the Cruciate Ligament forum and glad to hear that your knee is doing well.

Sorry I can't remember how you injured your knee. have you returned to the sport that caused your ACL rupture ?

cheers,

Deepak

[clarky_vl]

Hey Nikki,

Glad to hear it- can;t believe it has been 2 years for you already! Hope the knee continues to be this good for you!
Vicky

[vinnic]

Three Years Post-Op and counting...  The knee is better than ever!