Day 167 Of My PCL Surgery And Recovery

Kind of shaky here and had to back up a little bit. Careful now, don't let that knee go over the foot. It's pretty close there.
Trusty Dagan is still right there at my side every step of the way. What a good dog.



Well today sure brought back some memories. It was almost embarrassing in physical therapy when I was handed 2 pound weights and asked to do wall squats. Before my accident I was holding 40 to 50 pounds and doing skier squats with a burn out of 25 reps at the end. Walking lunges used to be 30 paces holding 60 pounds. Now I can barely do a lunge while holding onto a rail! No worries though. I plan on working very hard and getting back to where I was before this happened. I think running is a long way off but I'll get there. I promise.

I see my OS in two weeks. I hope to surprise him with leaps and bounds! OK, how bout just leaps? My range of motion settled in at about 125 to 130. I have yet to see anything more but I will work hard to get it. More than anything I want to make my surgeon proud and glad he chose me for this special surgery. It's not exactly a cake walk but he believed I could do it and for that I am working hard to make this whole thing a success. The CPM device is still a big part of my life. I am on restrictions for sedentary work only. Last but not least I am stil icing like crazy.

Day 162 Of My PCL Surgery And Recovery

My knee looks pretty much the same these days.
I am balancing on my braced leg while catching a weighted ball. It was a lot of fun until my IT band started to ache. The Iliotibial band is a sheath of connective tissue attaching from muscles in the gluteal region to the lateral (outside) surface of the tibia or shin bone. Its purpose is to extend the knee joint (straightening it) as well as abducting the hip (moving it out sideways). It's better explained here. I was instructed to ice and massage the area to help alleviate pain. This is also known as runners knee.

Today is the beginning of week 24. I'm getting anxious to do more but it seems like when I try I get slammed back down. No worries, I won't stay down for long. I can finally start to see an end in sight to this long and painful recovery.

Anyone considering this surgery please beware of the extended time you need to invest in the recovery. I can't say that often enough. Read my blog and be sure to check out the comments. I have lots of people here that have been through or going through recovery. If you have any questions we'll do our best to get answers for you.
Drop me a line and stay tuned for more PCL fun!

Day 160 Of My PCL Surgery And Recovery

Warm up - stationary bike for 8 minutes/level 3

I'm working very hard at strengthening my muscles and practicing those stairs! My ROM seems to be about the same although I will post the numbers at next measurement. My ankles still seem to be weak so I am exercising them too. I'm still using my CPM machine three hours a day along with my tens unit. Work, work, work! Seems the worst is behind me now. I am continuing to ice day and night. No relief from the aching yet.

Today is the first day of Fall. It's official, my entire summer was spent in kneeville. Next year is definitely mine. I get pretty excited when I realize how close I am to recovery. Running can't be too far away. I wonder how you figure out how far you can push yourself. That part seems like it might be tricky. I sure wouldn't want to go through this again!

Anyone needing to get this surgery done please plan carefully. It's no picnic. You'll need a lot of help to get through it. I never would have done as well as I have without my husband to help me. Lucky for me I didn't drive him insane.

Drop me a line, let me know how you are. Thanks for all the support.

Day 150!!

See that? I'm going down my first stair!!

It's been 150 days since I had surgery. Reached 130 degrees range of motion today! That's right, 130!!!

I'm still going to rehab 3 times a week and still using my CPM device three hours a day along with my tens unit three times per day. I was fooling around with it the other day and shocked myself. ha ha, serves me right!

Stay tuned for more PCL fun! Drop me a note, it's always good to hear from you!

Day 148 Of My PCL Surgery and Recovery

Five Pound Weights!
Ride The Stationary Bike For 10 Minutes!
Mini Wall Squats!

40 Calf Raises (ouchie) Feel The Burn

Quad Strengthening

So much to do!

I'm still icing a lot. I don't have enough range of motion to go down stairs yet.

I'm using my CPM device for at least three hours a day. My tens unit three times a day too. This is a lot of work. Things like working on balance and all my exercises. This surgery takes a huge commitment. Did I say a lot of work too? Yes, it sure is.

I did leg raises at home too. This is not a part time recovery!

Doctor Visit, Day 141 Of My PCL Surgery And Recovery

See where he made that injection? Ouchie for a couple days but it'll help. I thought the flag band aid was cute. Closed Kinetic Chain exercises. Hip kicks done in all directions. Forwards backward and both sides. I have to use the chair sometimes for balance but it's getting better. Yet another mile stone! In the second picture you can see where my knee is a little bit swollen. It felt pretty tender too. Ice, Ice, and more ice.

Wow, what news I have! I hope I can remember it all.

Let's first run down the list I have from my doctor.

Yesterday was day 141 post op!

Okay:

Continue using CPM device three hours a day increasing 5 degrees ROM each week for the next six weeks. I just bumped it up to 115 degrees *range of motion* ROM (felt tight but that is to be expected) so in six weeks that puts me at 140 degrees. My goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just six more weeks. Should be Oct 15 or so.

One injection of xylocaine,macrcaine,depo-medrol and steroids. Whoa, the night and day after is big time ouchie.

Getting authorization for Orthovisc which will help with ROM/Pain. Pretty expensive stuff. 400.00 for each injection and I'll need three injections for the first round but hey, lasts for six months!

Continue rehab and concentrate on strengthening my quad muscles. I'm lagging behind here. I'll tell you what! My muscles are really getting worked these days. Lactic acid is back! LOL Sore, sore, sore!!! Feels good though. Well, lol, kind of!

Getting authorization for a TENS Unit to be used for pain management. Not to sure what to think about that. For those of you that don't want to click on the link. It's electric current. Ick, nevermind. just click the link to see, please!

I'm walking up 4 inch stairs and struggling to get up 6 inchers but progress is progress. I still have to get to where I can go down a stair. That will be a day for much celebration! I simply can not wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned for more PCL fun. LOL, yes, I still have my sense of humor! No one can take that away!!

I found the coolest web page while looking something up for our blog. Yes readers. This is becoming a place for us to share stories and ask questions. I'm am thrilled so many people have joined in. Please feel welcome to post.

So here is the page.PCL Reconstruction Protocol . This is a very interesting, explaining what you can expect regarding healing and milestones. Give it a read, you'll be glad you did.