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Hey everyone. Having a good week so far. Starting last week, I have been using the crutches less and less, especially when I am somewhere that I am familiar with. At work and home, pretty much crutch free. I return to the OS next week and have two PT appointments this week. Exercises are getting easier, but the pain the day after is horrendous. Pain at night and in the morning still a problem. Cold fronts and wet weather add to the pain I think. Pain is mainly concentrated on the upper portion of the knee cap and the quad area. I still have the feeling that my knees are going to buckle, especially when I bend both of them at the same time. I feel like I have to hyper-extend my knee to stop myself from falling. Same thing with going up stairs.PT measured the bend on Monday and at 107 left and 120 on the right. Massaging the knee caps and tendons before exercising seems to help so much. So since I have been walking without the crutches, my back has been getting sore. I would imagine that I tense up, especially when someone comes up behind me or I get unsteady. I can tell you that the braces on both legs, even though I no longer walk like Frankenstein, the braces occasionally get caught between my thighs on each other. Looking forward to seeing when the OS and PT decide that I need to start walking without the braces once and for all. Going to try a gym next week for some water exercising.Hey Carkeltom; Congradulations, I do believe you are about to be released from your braces. Its great that your ROM is improving And the hydrotherapy is wonderful....I worried about entry and exiting from the pool and arranged for a hydraulic lift but elected to try climbing up and down the pool ladders (which worked just fine). I am in Week 16 and after 8 PT visits and a complete check up by my PT Doc. My tendons have healed nicely and my muscles (though still atrophied) are becoming stronger with exercise. I am now released to continue exercising. I have been taking my PT at a VA facility, working out with young bucks half my age (needless to say I had to harass each and every soldier that was taking PT... every try kidding an airborne soldier wearing a brace? Its quite invigorating!!) My ROM is 13 0left and 135+ right. My balance is crappy, to say the least, so my PT Doc gave me instructions on improving my balance. It is just a matter of continuing this journey outside the medical community... and staying in touch with all my brothers and sisters on this site. Take care all, keep your spirits up and remember....Patience.