ACL injury, surgery, rehab, etc. log

[lerops]

PT kicked my butt today. Much harder than the pool session. Started out with about 10 mins on an exercise bike. Then did hamstring exercises with a big yoga ball, squats on a (bosu?) balancing board, wall sliders again with the yoga ball, and finally the hardest was doing this walking thing with a tension cord around my feet. The whole time I was thinking what great exercises these are for skiing! :sad: Finished up with some stretching and my knee in this cooling pressure wrap. Really feeling it in my quads tonight.

The side step with the theraband was my favorite exercise. You will probably do it with squats as well. That's even better.

I loved the pre-op rehab. I am starting post-op rehab tomorrow, which I am looking forward to. I just want the first few days to be over so that I can move around comfortably.

 

[Paul]

Patellar tendon autograph is rough. Mine was a year ago last Thursday, and its still not 100%. The hamstring must be much easier in that my leg was in an immobilizer for 2 weeks (actually, much longer, but I was able to start moving slightly at about that point) I had not only the nerve-block for surgery, but also morphine. I was on an oxycontin and Vicodin cocktail for about 10 days, then almost a month of Vikes. Didn't get the CPM either, but that's mostly due to having to stay immobile for awhile. There was a lot of atrophy and its still not quite back yet, despite doing some pretty heavy lifting at least once a week.

 

[lerops]

Thanks Paul.

Hamstring seems to have less pain than patellar tendon, on the flip side, you are on crutches for a lot longer. I guess we'll all be well in the long term.

I did my first PT today, but not a lot really. Basic stuff. Generally she said I am doing fine. Measured extension at 8 degrees and flexion at 70 unassisted and 80 assisted. Will keep working on range of motion. Quad strength seems to be very good. All the pre-op PT seems to be paying off.

It was a lot of exercise going out with the crutches though.

 

[Paul]

Wow, that's pretty good. You'll have normal ROM in no time.

PT is great, but its amazing how it wears you right out. An hour of fairly simple activity, and wham, want to lie-down, NOW! :lol:

I'm pretty sure I still have some protocols around for after insurance no-longer covers your PT. PM me if you want them, I think they're in .pdf format.

 

[wa-loaf]

The side step with the theraband was my favorite exercise. You will probably do it with squats as well. That's even better.

That's the thing! I liked the land based PT. I'm going to do the pool again on Thursday, but if it's like last week I think I'll switch the rest to land.

 

[lerops]

I have 90 days of PT from my wife's generous insurance policy, so I will probably be fine; but still interested in those protocols. Will PM you. Thanks!

 

[lerops]

Finally, some hope here. My kneecap appeared out of this big baloon I call my knee these days. :beer:

 

[severine]

Started PT today. Luckily, the pain level was pretty low to begin with (though my knee hurts now post-PT). I was shown some pilates-like movements and stretches to do. Did stationary bike for 5 min. Was told if I could access one, it would be great to do at home (but alas,I do not have access to one). Walking on flat level ground was advised. Nothing too crazy. I did use a fitter with the flat board for one foot, back-and-forth and side-to-side. Slow movements.

Go back Monday for my next session. I have 9 of them lined up (10 including today) before my follow-up with the orthopedist on April 29th.

Oh yeah, and I did learn that my orthopedist has told someone before with a blown ACL that if he physically could do it, he could ski the rest of the season and he (the orthopedist) would see him in the spring for surgery. :lol: The therapist I saw today, though, seemed like he wasn't sure if it was a good idea for me to be trying some turns. But I did tell him I'm going Friday if Sundown is open.

 

[wa-loaf]

My pool sessions are Tuesday not Thurs. doh! Anyway hit the pool again yesterday and complained a little about it not being hard enough, oops! They had me put on some resistance cuffs on my feet and worked me out pretty good. Still didn't feel that tough in the pool, but my legs were jello all afternoon. :-D

 

[Mildcat]

Did stationary bike for 5 min. Was told if I could access one, it would be great to do at home (but alas,I do not have access to one).

I have one sitting in my basement not doing anything. If you want it it's yours. I'm sure as hell not using it.

 

[severine]

I have one sitting in my basement not doing anything. If you want it it's yours. I'm sure as hell not using it.

Thanks for the offer! I tried asking if I could just ride my bike, but that's a no-no right now. I may be joining the YMCA and if I do, that will solve that problem.

 

[Paul]

Thanks for the offer! I tried asking if I could just ride my bike, but that's a no-no right now. I may be joining the YMCA and if I do, that will solve that problem.

Brain's the cowboy, right?

 

[severine]

Nah, he's the guy in the leather.

 

[bvibert]

Nah, he's the guy in the leather.

 

[lerops]

Did the stationary bike yesterday, I was really surprised being asked to hop on it one week after my surgery. I did not do full circles though, It's cycling in both ways until point of discomfort. It definitely beats heel slides!

 

[lerops]

I had a post-op appointment on Tuesday, ~ 2 weeks out of surgery.

Stiches removed. Pretty much ditched the brace, down to one crutch but another couple of weeks before ditching them (I hate crutches). ROM at 0-120. Docotr said I am doing very well. Felt good to hear even if he is just saying it.

Doing ROM and strength exercises mostly at OT. Also doing the stationary bike twice a day for about an hour total.

How is everbody else doing?

 

[drjeff]

I had a post-op appointment on Tuesday, ~ 2 weeks out of surgery.

Stiches removed. Pretty much ditched the brace, down to one crutch but another couple of weeks before ditching them (I hate crutches). ROM at 0-120. Docotr said I am doing very well. Felt good to hear even if he is just saying it.

Doing ROM and strength exercises mostly at OT. Also doing the stationary bike twice a day for about an hour total.

How is everbody else doing?

Nice to hear that the post surg PT is working very well!

 

[Hawkshot99]

Start PT tomorrow again. I have been off crutches since Last week, but still wear my brace when i go out. I do not wear it around the house though.
Had the 2 week appointment on Tues. yesterday as well and got clearance to drive. ROM is around 0-105 with using only the bad leg, and around 120 helping with the other leg.

 

[lerops]

Thanks drjeff.

HS, good to hear you are doing well. Great that your doctor is not crutch-obsessed. Mine initially said 4-6 weeks, but looks like he will let me off the hook with 4. I am starting work on Monday, will wear the brace for the first day and see how it goes. The doctor asked me to be careful about twisting the knee.

 

[Hawkshot99]

He told me that if I did not want to use crutches at all that I never needed them. I used them for about a week. My guy is really a fan of the brace though...:-? He said I should be able to get rid of it in 2 weeks. At home I can be more cautious and dont really wear it, but out in public it is nice to have that little bit of protection.
I went back to work after 1 week, but it was just a part time job, and I mainly relied on the other guy to run the store.