My ACL Surgery! Video - Page 9

Yeah . . . I dropped the ball on that this winter. I have a good excuse, though, right?

Updated injury pictures are informative but boy does the little one steal the show !!!

 

Still at 60*. I actually think I could go more than that based on my pain level, swelling, etc. However, because of the meniscal repairs, I don't think I'm allowed yet. Will discuss with PT today. Pain level is relatively low. Mostly a posterior dull ache. Like I said before, I wish I could take some ibuprofen. I feel like that would pretty much take care of the pain . . . I guess I won't know for a while yet. Also, about the pain, I tend to feel more fatigued than actual pain (if that makes any sense). I don't notice that my pain gets particularly worse throughout the day. However, I do notice that I get to the point that I just don't want to be on my feet any more.

 

In regards to the menisci, I am pretty lucky. My PT said that with major meniscal repairs, the patient often isn't allowed to bear weight for nearly 6 weeks. That BLOWS. I would be pretty bitter. Fortunately, it seems that both meniscal tears were minor and in non-weight-bearing places. So, that's good. And you're right. I can probably increase my flex. I'll as the PT today and call my dr. tomorrow if necessary . . .

I'm going twice a week because I want to stretch out the PT. I was going three times a week pre-surgery and used up a bit of my allotted PT time. So, twice a week it is AND home workouts . . .

Totally worth it!

 

Well yes, that ACL slowed you down but somehow I think if not for that you would have been skiing well into your pregnancy .

She's a cutie, all right, but you need to care for that leg, D. Monique overdid after last fall's meniscus trimming and ended up with what the surgeon called severe irritation of the knee. Delayed her recovery--and commencement of skiing for the winter--by at least a month.

I think I did three weeks of Lovenox injections (actually, Monique did the "shooting") AND wore those delightful compression stockings. But I'm old and fat, so that may explain why.

Hey Finn, I suspect that beautiful baby has a little to do with the "tired" aspect, too. 

I had a lot of bruising in the lower leg.  In fact, they had me go in for an ultrasound to ensure that I wasn't getting a blood clot.  Evidently, blood sometimes pools in the venus side of the lower leg, which I had, but fortunately, I didn't have any clots.  So, pay attention to any severe bruising in the lower leg!

 

Mike

The baby was the result of a lightly different hospital visit . . . And, yes, she definitely contributes to the fatigue (of more than my knee) and me being on my feet more than I'd like. So far, so good, though. More PT today. It's going well. There are some vague descriptions on the note from my doctor, so once that's sorted out I'll know when I can start looking at 90* and then 120*. Will let you know about my progress.

 

Re: blood clots. I've been lucky as it seems I have very little bruising and, as a result, not much pooling. There is more bruising where the blood has clearly pooled somewhat, but it's minimal. Hopefully this is a good sign. Six more days of those damned shots . . .

D shes adorable, and no wonder you're exhausted!  hows PT going?  I have my first one tomorrow. 

Another question... what shots are all you guys having?  is it for DVT and blood clots?  And do you keep the brace on all the time?

PT is going well. I enjoy it. Truth be told, it feels good to stretch out the leg. I do work outs at home, but I don't have access to things like the hip flexor machine.

 

The shots are for blood clots - not everyone has to take them. I'm at increased risk due to contraceptives. Other people have other risk factors. I keep the brace on all the time unless I am fully awake and sitting in bed/on the couch with my leg elevated. Then I take it off for brief periods to get a break. The brace irritates. I'll admit (and my doctor would hate to hear this) that I don't wear it in the shower because I don't like a wet brace. However, I end up balancing on one leg/sitting down for the majority of my shower. Finn, before you scold me, I know it's stupid because I am at an increased risk of slipping and re-injuring myself in the shower. I just try to be REALLY careful.

Ha ha it'd be horrible having a soggy bace strapped on your leg for hours after every shower!  I have to admit I haven't really worn mine that much.  I'm supposed to be for the meniscal repair but couldn't to start with as my knee was just too swollen, and then it was so uncomfy with the skin over my shin as thats where all the straps are to keep it up.  I've got it rigged now so that its ok, but just have it on when I'm going out and about, otherwise I'm just careful. my knee doesn't really feel weak or unstable with what I'm doing on it so I figure its ok.  I had a panic about it but the DR reassured me it was just a precaution so not to stress about it.  Its quite interesting seeing the slight differences in rehab etc between Drs and countries.  Eg In France they spend a month overall at a rehab centre with hours of physio every day.

Thanks Finn i spoke to the doc about it yesterday and saw physio today.  He said for him I'm on ly in the brace to help give a bit of protection to the meniscal repair and otherwise he doesn't really brace Acls and not to get too worried about it.  I know the rate that the graft settles/ recovers/ strengthens depends in part on exactly how it was harvested and which bit and how it was treated and fixed and there is one in particular that weakens alot to start with so maybe I don't have that one.  All will be revealed next week when I see him I guess.  He did say I needed to hold off driving for at least another 10 days probably.

Feeling much better tthough - its been a shocker of a few weeks and I'll be so glad to get driving again and back to full mobility.  And to leave the peas firmly in the freezer!

I was able to ditch the brace after the first week or so unless there was snow/ice in the parking lot.  Or if I had had a large unruly dog, I would've had to wear it longer.

 

Mike

It's interesting to hear how many of you were able to ditch the brace early on. I am definitely in mine for the first six weeks (on week 3 now). However, I think part of that is due to the double meniscal repairs. When I spoke to my dr last week, I was told they didn't quite have a protocol for the double repair, so they want to play it really safe. Fortunately, both meniscal tears were minor enough that I don't have to keep all weight off the knee for six weeks. I don't think I could handle that. I also think I am less apt to try moving around the house without the brace because I have 2 60+ pound dogs (who aren't necessarily unruly, but make things somewhat unpredictable) and I'm in a 3 story house. The stairs wear me out . . . especially carrying the kiddo up and down them. The brace helps with that. ALSO, I'm only allowed to flex to 60* for the first month because of the double meniscal repair. So, it's probably better to have the brace on so as not to overdo it.

 

Finn, I am driving fine. To be fair, I am still driving MrDSloan's car because I don't think the left leg is ready to operate a clutch on a regular basis.

It is interesting how various docs have differing opinions. Just goes to show it's part science but also a little art and magic mixed in. A friend with recent minor arthroscopic surgery is on crutches for six weeks and of the golf course for eight. He was walking without a limp before and after the procedure - no pain at all - but his doc wants to keep the weight off the joint for the full six weeks to improve the healing process. I've heard that hip replacement patients are a particular problem since they frequently feel better overnight and will not follow their docs instructions to take it slow.