My December 15 Denovo NT with TTT

[kasia_ny]

Last few days I felt really good.  I did a lot of walking in the city the other day and I must say, it was more than I could do before the surgery!  I was swollen afterwards, but in less pain in the knee than before the surgery.  The spot under the kneecap that was causing me pain is not doing it anymore. 

I saw my OS on Tuesday and he was very happy with my ROM (138 degrees now).  He said he expects that it will come back entirely, eventually (other leg is 148).  He actually saw me after the whole walking in the city I did, and said that the swelling is not bad at all.  He said that it will take 2-3 months more for me to be comfortable in my daily routines.  He says my gait is really even and good, which makes me happy, because I still feel like I am walking like a robot!

I am changing PTs.  I was going to one in the suburbs as I was staying there with family most of the time since the surgery, but it is time to get back to the city full time.  So I am starting in the knew place next Thursday.   My OS recommended that place, so hopefully I will like them.  I had my last appointment with my current PT and I a little sad I will not see him anymore.  I really like him and I feel like we've been through so much together.  Now I will only go to PT once a week and go to the gym on my own.  I have 22 appointments left with my insurance for the year and I need them to last for a while.

And, I am less cold now :-)  Maybe it is the weather, or the fact that I am generally doing much better

[kasia_ny]

I saw my new PT on Thursday.  The place has a totally different approach.  In my old place, there was my PT and an assistant and the PT had 2-3 patients at the same time and the assistant was supervising the exercises, so one session took 1-1.5 h.  In the new place there are no assistants and I get 30 min with the PT one-on-one, I can come early to do the bike and the stim and icing will be after the session.  I got my new exercise protocol which is easier than what I was doing... buy 2-3 times a day as opposed to one time.  She really wants me to work on my glutes to help with the stairs.

Overall I am doing well.  The pain comes and goes during the day.  Yesterday the knee started making this strange popping thing as I bend it and I am a little worried.  When I bend it while walking there is this moment of "pop" that feels like something shifts in the knee - hard to describe with words.  Does not hurt, just feels weird.

[Countess]

Way to go Kasia!!! I am so happy for you and that you are doing so well!! 

My knee makes strange popping noises too and weird shifts while walking or riding the recumbent bike. It has been doing that off and on. It doesn't hurt or anything. My therapist says it's scar tissue breaking up. Sometimes the pop is really loud!

I have noticed that every therapist treats differently. Hopefully you will like the new therapist and their approach.

I do have a question for you...how long did it take you to get back your gait after the MUA and are you still walking slower than others? Other people walk so much faster than me...it seems as though the world just flies by!

[kasia_ny]

Countess, how are you doing?? How's the pain?

I still walk slower than most people... does not help that I live in New York City - people are always in a rush here.  Also now, it is harder for people to tell that there is something wrong with me as my gait is pretty good so they get angry with me... Other problem is that it is still hard for me to move to the side or backwards quickly, for example on the elevator.  And the revolving doors... terrifying!

The gait improved about 3 weeks after the MUA and it is improving still.  I am not limping at all, the only thing is that I walk slower and in a slightly "robotic" way.

The popping thing is still there and now the knee hurts me more.  I think it is because I have this new exercise from the new PT - I am supposed to lift the whole leg being on my side, and the leg is bent at 60 degrees.  I really do not like this one - I used to do the lifts on the side before all the time, but with the knee straight.  I was doing this 3 times a day for the last few days and now bending hurts more. 

[Countess]

Hi Kasia!!

I am doing better and the pain is better...not constant like it was. It lets me know it's still there when I try to do something my knee is just not ready for yet. I did want to share with you that this past Monday I got to 133 flexion!! My therapist almost cried...I almost cried. Then she told me that this is what therapy is supposed to be about...celebrating milestones...and this was a BIG one.  My gait is improving daily and it is easier to get around.

I can understand about revolving doors and the elevator. My OS's office is on the 2nd floor if this highrise building so I have to take the elevator. Most folks here in Denver are pretty understanding and patient but I am sure that will fade once my gait comes back to normal. I couldn't imagine trying to live in New York City. I watch that show "Selling New York" and my God...people are everywhere and it's so fast paced. I would be terrified!!! But it is a beautiful place and I have always wanted to visit there.

How is the popping and the new protocol going? Are you still having issues? How is the pain level on your flexion? I hope everything is subsiding and you are continuing to progress. 

[kasia_ny]

5 months and 11 days

Countess,
I already popped in your thread today and read about your wonderful accomplishments    Way to go, girl!  I think it is time to update my thread too. 

I haven't had time for KG recently, as I was busy having finals.  This semester was so tough, during most classes I was just struggling with the knee pain  and trying hard not to move to much or moan  so finals were somewhat a challenge.  Now it is somewhat over; I "just" have the term papers left to write and I can go on vacation... probably in the middle of July.

I was having the IT band problems for a while now, it seems to get better with exercise though.  I have been working on my quads all the time and I think I have made some good progress in terms of strengthening.  The leg looks a little "thicker" above the knee now. It used to look like a bug leg now it resembles a human leg.  Still quite shapeless though. 

Popping is sometimes there, but taping the knee helps - my therapist tapes it every time now.  My flexion is good, but I have not measured it in a while.  Active flexion still hurts me - if I lay on my back and bend the knee actively, it hurts.  My gait is very good, according to my PT, it gets worse when I get tired.  I can be on my feet for about an hour at a time.  After that, I have to sit and ice. 

On Saturday we went to a house party at out friend's friend place.  Nobody knew me there and nobody knew about my knee problems. Nobody noticed anything (place was small and it was dark:-)) and I felt normal for a little while. I had such a good time!



 

[Melissa S]

Hey Kasia:
Sounds like you are doing well.  I haven't been on here for a long time but just checked in.  I have a question about the taping that you were talking about to help alleviate popping.  Can I ask how they tape your knee to help?

Melissa

[kasia_ny]

Hi Melissa,

The popping is caused by the kneecap being pulled by the IT band to the outside and because the quad muscle that counterbalances that pulling normally is weak, the kneecap does not track properly.  They tape the knee from side to side, starting from the outside, so that the kneecap is being held more to the inside.   I will post the photos tomorrow for you to see - I took the tape off this morning (it holds for about 3 days), but the PT will tape it again tomorrow so I will document how she does it. 

It also has been getting better and I do not have IT band pain anymore , but there is still some popping from time to time.  I am not allowed on the stationary bike until it is resolved.  Otherwise I am very diligently doing my exercises 2 times a day and it seems to be paying off.  Flexion also improved - My ROM is over 145 now.  It is still not the same as the healthy leg, but gets close!

How are you?  Do you have popping issues as well?
Best,
Kasia

[scmba]

Kasia

I read most of your diary.  How are you doing now?  Almost 1 year since your DeNovo/TTT.  Just want to see if you feel any pain, how the lesion filled or any new problems?  Can you do any exercises besides walking now?

I'm meeting a 2nd OS to talk about DeNovo in January here in SF.  Hope you're doing well.

Thanks
Gary