Life After ACL Reconstruction - Page 5

not saying my pt was better but we literally started on day 4 walking heel to toe to prevent the bad muscle memory. the limp is more habit than anything else. once you can let yourself walk and stop your mind from getting in the way, you will find you won't need to limp. its not easy. you limp to protect your knee.  Correcting that muscle memory once it sets up is not easy so you have to be aware of your gate and correct it whenever you catch yourself  I had my wife tell me anytime she saw me not walking heel to toe. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

not saying my pt was better but we literally started on day 4 walking heel to toe to prevent the bad muscle memory. the limp is more habit than anything else. once you can let yourself walk and stop your mind from getting in the way, you will find you won't need to limp. its not easy. you limp to protect your knee.  Correcting that muscle memory once it sets up is not easy so you have to be aware of your gate and correct it whenever you catch yourself  I had my wife tell me anytime she saw me not walking heel to toe. 

 Lies.

Nope! And I apologize if I gave that impression; however, we are just posting up what protocols and such are used and what Doctors orders are, so I can only say what I have been told or how I was rehabbed and what worked; I didn't create or think this stuff up. I have seen other protocols used that have been as or even more effective than my own. Mike's for instance was extremely effective; he was way ahead of me and there's another guy over on TGR that is way ahead of me too. I think a lot has to do with the patients pre-surgery conditioning and mental status and their willingness to endure; I have had some real mental issues that I hope I have learned from. I have also learned how doctors treat this is all over the place; with nearly no consistency. What's right?  No idea; I do think they are overly cautious (including my own). And I will say I am extremely pleased with the surgery methodology and PT protocol I received (in CO). It is my opinion that their approach to aggressively rehabbing range of movement and normal gate very early has been very effective in reducing swelling, pain and making the strengthening process later on easier. Beyond that,  I cannot say their treatment has been any more effective.  

In the end, all successful surgeries and rehabs result in the same thing: a return to your previous life.  To each their own and I hope everyone has a full and complete recovery. I would not want to do this again. It has not been a whole lot of fun; especially in comparisons to some of my other surgeries.  Heal on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

In the end, all successful surgeries and rehabs result in the same thing: a return to your previous life.  To each their own and I hope everyone has a full and complete recovery. I would not want to do this again. It has not been a whole lot of fun; especially in comparisons to some of my other surgeries.  Heal on!

you rock!

quick update:  4 months. I had to do a one-leg plyo jump test this week. Standing on one foot, I had to leap forward and then they compare that to my uninjured leg. They do a one jump test, then a 3 hop leap.  They wanted to see similar distances. I passed the test which means I am cleared to start mild plyo and up my activity levels. I am cleared to ride single track on mild non-technical terrain and of course, no clipless.   A slight problem in that I pulled my abdominal muscle on the side where I had the repair a few years back but I think it will heal up in a few days. 

I am up at Steamboat and have been hiking everyday 6-8 miles per day and its been great! 

I put on my ski boots yesterday for the 1st time since December. it was good to have them back on. They fit well but the ankle got sore after about 5 minutes but I have time for it to heal up more.

Finndog you are really ripping right along. I asked my PT about the jump test and he said that is not yet in his rehab schedule. He said if I was younger (and then said of course not that I am old, but I am ) or more into the racing venue that might be appropriate but not in this case. Here again different programs depending on who and where. I feel really good about the progress, make a 12 mile dirt roads ride at least twice a week and still enjoy going to the rehab for gym work at least twice a week. Not paying for rehab work right now, just ongoing with excercises my PT has given me. I see the doctor again in August or September and will be doing general work out stuff for ski season by then. Actually I may be in better shape that ever before by the time this season starts. Usually just some biking and a few hikes through the summer (and a PSIA race camp and a few ski days at Hood) to keep in shape, first time I have really had a program to work with.

Always good to hear you (and everyone else here) is doing well. The ski boot shot is awesome, I'll just have to pull mine out and see if they still fit. I am hoping that Hood will re-open in October like last year (actually they opened the last weekend of September and ran into October). That puts me 9 months after surgery and I know i can take it easy, not as far to go as Chile.

Keep healing everyone, the days are getting shorter and I can almost smell snow in the air (actually 102 here yesterday, summer sucks)

So, I've been quiet for a while. Mainly, I've been busy and haven't been on the computer much. Not a bad reason to be quiet, I guess.

I am almost at 2 months. PT is going well - I have been able to pedal on the bike for a few weeks now (I can't remember when I started doing full rotations . . . maybe at 5 weeks out?) and have been doing some balance work. Today that got upped to balancing on the "bad" leg on a trampoline while catching a ball. Of course, this is all in addition to the other PT stuff - mult-hip machine, leg press, leg curl ,wobble board, etc. So, all good progress. I am curious about the jump test - I'll ask my PT next week if it's in her protocol.

I asked about playing volleyball last week. In theory, I should be playing indoor again by the end of the year. She said I have to do a lot of practice jumping under her supervision first, though. So, I imagine SOME jump testing will happen. We'll see.

Hey just ran my 1st mile today on a treadmill, (yeah I posted this on FB) a blazing 12 minute pace!  Its was still great to run. I took it very easy to see how the ankle and knee would feel. I ran early this AM and as of 3pm the knee is just a little achy and the ankle just feels tired. That's good!  Been doing one-legged squats, vertical and horizontal leaps, jumping off one and landing one foot drills onto a step.  Also working to stretch out internal rotation of shoulder which is really poor (20% of left shoulder)

Still working on re-learning bio-mechanics. PT has me re-learning proper gate and technque when jumping and landing. The changes are significant and really making a difference. I think bump skiing will be improved. I had a very stiff posture when jumping and landing with my knee diving to the inside so we are working on much more dynamic bending and absorbing at waist/glutes and at knee. this has resulted in more powerful leaps and much softer landings with more stability. All landings have to have to be "stuck" and held. Knee has to track properly at all times weight distributed properly.   Cool stuff.

I'm totally jealous of your jump training. Another month or so before I really get to it. Get to start jogging on my birthday. Woohooo! We'll see how it goes.

The sooner I can jump, the sooner I can get back on the court . . .

ehh, you were 2 months behind me in surgery right?  OK, I;m sure you are right on track.

I know I'm on the right track, I am just impatient by nature. My physical therapist is doing a great job.

you mean YOU are doing a great job?  they can only help you so much. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finndog 

you mean YOU are doing a great job?  they can only help you so much. 

I'll say I am doing a great job when I am down 15 - 20 pounds and going balls to the wall (er, boobs to the . . . whatever) on the court and on the snow.

hi Dsloan and Finn, I haven't been on here for ages either... busy doing exercises and getting my life back post op, I'm sure you know what I mean!  How are you guys getting on?  sounds liek its all good news.  I've been getting so frustrated as I feel ready to do more stuff but not allowed to by the Dr.  limited to 5mins a day on the exercise bike and thats about it, no swimming or anything!  actually I was allowed to start wobble board last week so thats been good.  its 12 week check up this week so really hoping I'll be allowed to do more biking after that.  happy exercises!

good to hear from you.  Hope the dr gives you clearance to get moving. Doing well, started running, plyo stuff (lots of one leg jumps) lots of trail and mountain biking.   This week is 5 months for me and I am really beginning to feel solid except for my issues with the ankle (pretty good but has lateral stability issues). Trying work now on reconstructing stride and leg movements to getting alignment. 

Quick note:  Back at the boat, past 3 days: hiked 7 miles, rode 2 days of 1200-1400 climbs over 8-12 miles and we are hiking rabbit ears pass this AM.  The knee's a bit sore at the drill location but the legs feels solid.  Ankle not where I want it to be but I still have time.  Still working on stretching out shoulder but it won't affect skiing.  

4 months post-surgery, I have a locking/catching sensation & my knee still cracks a lot :/ I ride a bike & do the elliptica , 20 mins each day & go to rehab once a week......is this normal?

more than likely its fine, not unusual at all but if in doubt see the doctor. My knee still gets a little swollen internally and is pretty achy today from the past few days. I just ice it down, stretch it, take some advil. 

had doctors visit today; got another cortisone injection in the ankle and one in the shoulder.  Hopefully, this will get the shoulder moving better and help to free up the ankle flexon as well.  

My time on the computer has been nearly non-existent lately. I guess that's a good thing. The down side is that I'm not responding to things like this thread. Sigh.

Anyway, I will be four months out in about a week-and-a-half. Things are going well. My knee is feeling pretty strong. It's actually feeling stronger than either my physical therapist or doctor would like it to feel, actually. I won't be allowed to start jogging on it until the four month mark because of the damage to my meniscus. I am in the middle of coaching high school volleyball, so, admittedly, I have jogged on it a few times on accident (no, really! it was an accident!!!). The good news is it feels good enough that I haven't noticed that I am jogging until I think about it. At least I have been smart enough not to jump (but just barely). I won't be cleared for sport-specific activity until five months. I am getting grumpy, but all feels good.

I should start with the jumping soon. We'll see.

Happy recovery, everyone!

The jumping is the interesting part. At first the body doesn't want to do it, but slowly it gets over the fear. I have been doing plyo stuff with the PT for about three weeks including this morning. Still have tenderness surrounding the kneecap when I overdo it, but the good thing is that it is mostly gone the next day. I have made my plane reservations for Copper in Nov. for a camp. My lingering issue is what the return to snow will be like like. Can you go five days in a row? I am planning on a half day, two full days and another half day. The ambitious part of me says three full days and two half days. I will be eight months post op. Anybody else with similar experiences?

D' congrats and great job!

Cliff and D'- jumping was totally strange! I had to work back up to remembering how to jump and more importantly, how to land. I tended to be very stiff and not absorbing with the hips. We had a lay down jumping machine that allowed you to jump with varied levels of resistance so you could work your way back into it.  I still get soreness on the drill/screw site when I push it. After riding a lot a last trip to steamboat, I was feeling it. In addition to the ankle issue, I managed to overwork my glute muscle group pretty bad from all the pedaling uphill; it pretty much shut down on me for the past week so I am working on getting that back to being functional.  So beware of your other muscles and "parts" that also need to be worked back to condition more that you think!

So for myself, pretty optimistic for the season. I have not been doing the structured PT that I did through the first half of summer but when the work showed up had to take it. I mainly bike twice a week, moderate trail riding, plus the normal wear and tear of work. I tend to have aches and pains now and then, nothing consistent though and usually go away in a few hours at the most. I figure that as long as not mind blowing agony or a suden pain that will not go away probably just healing. While I am not wearing a brace much right now, of course plan to wear it always while skiing, maybe for several more years even. .  

I figure that I will take my time at the season start, use the skiing as PT. I am hoping to get a lot of days in this year, part time work through winter so lots of ski days, so I can slowly increase my skiing intensity. I figure all full days, just stay off the harder stuff. Work on nice easy runs, not loading up the knee very much and working up slowly. Spend the first few weeks like that and then slowly start working up. Will it work? not sure but I know it is worth a try.

Hood is waiting for a bit of that first snowfall to open (I think) so might make a run in October, but Bach tries to open on 11-17 or there abouts. Of course with the possibilities of a la nino year, may not ski until January heaven forbid. (I'm more postitive than that, even la nino years are great, just mental attitude. I always say you could live in Miami)

HI Skejunky.

I'm feeling v similar to you with the exercises, cycling quite alot to work and back but struggling to find time to do lots of other exercises as well with work etc.  theres just not enough hours in the day!

Also optimistic, and a little frustrated as I'd normally be gearing up to head to the Alps in a few weeks for a load of skiing on the glacier, but am instead working in an office finding myself getting excited about frost on the ground...

I'm hoping to start skiing again in December when the main season kicks in and will try and take it steady I guess.  I live in the Alps and work on skis so really need this to go well!  re the knee brace I'm going to try without it I think, but will talk it through with the Dr before.. To be honest I don't think it does much anyway as my knee was able to keep giving way with it on.  I see a new physio on friday so will hopefully have a bit more direction and a better idea from that.  D Sloan how are you getting on?

Ali

Charan you'll get there it is a long slog sometimes but it improves steadily and you'll be back doing stuff again pretty soon.  I'm 5 months post op now, and have just got in from mountain biking all day with no pain or problems at all.  I still have a way to go but theres things you can do along the way that will get you there.

Try to keep the rest of you ticking over as much as you can and really stick to what the physio tells you re getting the knee straight/moving/ walking etc.  As soon as you can try to do other things that will help keep your core and upper body strength so that you don't lose everything.  That said I didn't really feel up to that for quite a while.

Keep positive!  Ali

hang in there!  I think you will see that the 1st 3 months are the most frustrating, after that, at the 4 month point the knee should be really starting to feel and work pretty much normally; (you will still have clicking and popping, and if you push it it will swell internally; all normal)  until that, patience is the key and you gotta' put the work in.  It ain't easy, we know. 

haven't made it to the slopes yet, snow is falling but weather not co-operating. Knee feels really good overall, just a few aches now and then, some not even in the area of the surgery.

As finndog stated, hang in there Charan and keep working on the re-hab part. Takes time but seems to have all worked out for me. The pain is all about healing, so you just have to equate it with things getting better.

Alig, have you started sliding in europe yet? what type of winter are they forecasting for you? here it may be a wet but warm cycle, but just have to wait and see what MOther brings us. :-).

Finn dog, glad to here you are doing well. Just having a bad knee was enough for me, you are fantastic to be recovering from a knee and ankle issue. congrats. Snow there in your area yet? Our projected opening date at Bach is 11-25, may be man made but it is a start.