Wata's ACL Reconstruction, 07-26-10 (Patellar Autograft,Left knee)

[wata]

Thanks, Tez. I am having a PT session tomorrow. Now that I have been walking well with both crutches, they may say anything about getting off crutches.

Day 22

I have had a lousy night sleep past few days due to my upper shoulder pain from using crutches, so I took it easy on my bed this morning. I felt better by around 11 am.

Went to school to prepare for some experiments. It was uncomfortable sitting on a chair but my knee didn't get sore. I walked to school and went home on foot. Each trip took about 15-20 minutes. Considering that it took about 40 minutes, I am able to walk a bit faster with crutches now.

I have technically my first PT session tomorrow morning, and then going to visit the hospital see my OS.   

[tez27]

Good luck with your P.T and hospital appointments let us know how the go
Take care Tez

[wata]

Day 23 Aug 18th.

So, I went to do PT this morning. The therapist was satisfied overall where I am at, but asked me to work  harder on knee flex, since I only have 40 degree or so. He gave me more exercise to do to get more flexion back.

After that, I went to a different hospital to see my orthopedic surgeon. First, I saw his assistant and seeing my walking well on crutches he said that was "miracle". Last time I saw him last week, I was still walking backward. My OS also told me to work on my knee flex aggressively, and said I didn't have to wear the big brace any more. With regard to crutches, he told me I need to gain more quad muscle before being off crutches, but it won't be too long.

Things are going great this week. Seems like I will be able to attend classes starting next monday, if things improve at this pace.

[Snowy]

That's really good news. You had a rough start, but you're definitely on the right road now - hopefully things will keep getting better from here.

[LARSknee]

Well done with the PT and surgeon,you must be feeling very happy that things are starting to improve.

Hopefully that quad muscle will start to improve and you will soon be rid of the crutches.

keep up the good work

I am looking forward to my first surgeon review tomorrow,it will be 16 days since my surgery.

Cheers

Shelli :>)

[wata]

Thanks a lot for the comments, Snowy and Shelli.

Day 24

I stayed home all day today to work on a school assignment. I tried not to use crutches at home since I have had a shoulder pain for a week or so. I am still limping at this moment, but can walk much faster than a few days ago.

I weighed myself and found that I have lost about 10 pounds since my surgery.

[wata]

Day 25

I went to have a PT session at a hospital this morning. My knee flex was measured about 40 degree. Even though the therapist did not satisfy how it was at almost 4 weeks post op, he was glad that the flex was improving. Last week it was only 12 degree.

He added some more exercise to do at home, mainly to strengthen left quad and knee flex.

I was staying home all day to work on the school assignment, hoping that would give some extra time to rest my leg.

[LARSknee]

Well done with the increase in flexion in your knee,you must be happy about the progress. :>)

To improve your limping my physio advises to take smaller steps,which really helped me,another thing i have to do when walking is to pretend you are stepping over a log with your operated leg so you lift it higher and flex it more,can look a bit funny when you are around other people or you can practise at home.

Make sure you get the shoulder pain sorted, as if you dont want to have another injury to deal with,has your PT checked your shoulder?

Keep up the good progress

Shelli :>)

[wata]

Hi Shelli, thanks for your comment. That sounds good idea to take smaller steps, and lift my operated leg longer. The knee gets sore when do that so that means that's working on flexion. The shoulder pain has been coming from around right arm, so I have been trying not to use it with my right arm. That is helping a little bit.

Day 28.   4 weeks as of Aug. 23

New semester started, and I went over to my school to take class. It was less than 15 mins walk and I used only one crutch. I didn't get tired as much as I used to.

The thing is the class seems very intense, plus I am carrying a big assignment from the summer session, which the instructor has bees super generous as to extend due date quite a bit. Now is finally the time for me to push myself on something else other than my knee, although I will take it easy at the beginning.

As far as my knee concerns, it's been improving overall although it is still much weaker. Due to recent increase in quad strength and knee flex, I can manage to walk without crutches, and started sleeping on my side more comfortable.

[wata]

Day 30

I'm now back to school, full time student. use one crutch when go to school, and at school I walk without crutches. still limping but looks closer to normal as ROM and quad muscle get better. I still take hydrocodon most of night when my leg gets sore.

Now that I'm back to school, the biggest obstacle, aside from my knee, is my stamina. I am already exhausted or get sick in the afternoon. Hopefully, stamina comes back over time. Anyway, I feel good being in school with friends and colleagues now.

[Snowy]

That's great news - sounds like things are coming on really well. Give it time and hopefully your stamina will return - you had a rough time after the op and it will take a while to get over that, but things should keep getting better from here.

[tez27]

Great news that your back at school you are doing really well considering just a couple of weeks ago you had so much pain etc, good for you. The stamina should gradually increase as time goes by but I would say just listen to your body and take a rest if you feel you need to.
Take care Tez

[BlueTopaz_ZA]

Hi there

Seems you have made excellent progress in the space of a week! Good for you!

It is great to get back to being with people and although I know you feel drained at the end of your day, you are accomplishing alot and it must feel like an achievement.

Take Care
Doreen

[wata]

Hi, thanks a lot for the kind comments.

Snowy - After my quad started to fire, things have improved a lot, really feel better emotionally. Thanks for cheering me up.

Tez - feel good to be back in school. Hopefully, I can do more things at school as time goes.

Doreen - Thanks. I amazed at the progress I have past couple of weeks considering my 1st and 2nd week.



Day 34 (Aug. 29th)

My first week at school was challenging in terms of my stamina and pain/swelling management. I had a good rest at home during weekend and reenergized for this week. I was completely off crutches at home and outside, and my walking seems close to normal as long as I walk at moderate speed.

I still have lousy night sleep now and then since my leg aches at night, but it is also improving.

[wata]

Day 35

5 weeks as of Aug 30th   



Starting this week, I go to school full time now. It has been very difficult due to lack of stamina and concentration, so made a quite rough start both in my class and the lab. I try not to blame myself because I think this is also a process of the recovery. As many people at this board say, having a positive attitude is very important  Good thing is people are still sympathetic. 

My knee aches now and then, nevertheless my knee is holding quite well. Knee flex finally got to 90 degree, it is still much smaller and weaker compared to my good leg, so I may focus on gaining more muscle on the leg.