Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Slow And Easy Is The Best Way To Go










My rehab team. Thanks guys, I'll miss you both! We worked rehabilitating my knee three times a week for 33 weeks. 99 Sessions!

I saw my doctor today! Next week marks 8 months post op recovery of this long journey. I'm thrilled with the skill and care given to me by my doctor. I'm beyond words on how to describe how determined, skilled and caring he is.

I'll do another month of quad strengthening but it will be at home. Also no prolong standing at work is permitted. I'm totally on board with that.

So next month I should be reaching maximum medical improvement. I'll be measured at that time. I'll keep working hard. Stay tuned for more PCL fun.


See That Ice Pack? I searched for a long time and finally found one. This is the one I use. I think they come in like 7 sizes but I bought the giant one. Sure did make a big difference.


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What are you going to do with all your free time;-)

I'm 13+ months post-op, two years post-injury. My knee feels great. It's a little loose, but I'm OK with that. I am learning to live with its limitations. Climbing and descending stairs isn't normal and may never be. I can walk for several miles without complaint, I can ride 20-30 miles without additional pain or swelling, and I have very little residual pain and tenderness. I calculate my recovery at 90% of pre-injury function. It's not the same as it was, but it's pretty darn good.

Skinnygurl said...

Hey there Molly,

Good to hear from you! 13 plus months post op for you. Wow, time is really going fast. I can't get over that just next week marks my eighth month. I am glad to know you're doing so well. I haven't reached MMI just yet so stay tuned for more updates. Keep me posted on what's going on with you cutie.

hamlet said...

hello skinnygirl, glad to see u update again. tomorrow marks 3 weeks post-op. I met the doctor and thought i can already start my physio session. but it's just too early.

I saw ur brace and crutches. lol we are using the same type.

really cant wait to get back to the field but i guess this op requires sacrifices.

take care and hope everyone will be good.

p/s: molly, I had my injury 2 years ago but the pain came in recently. so that explains the late surgery. :P

Skinnygurl said...

Devil!
Good to see you! 3 weeks huh? You're a baby! LOL, as you know it's going to be a long road. Main thing to remember is take is slow and please don't try to rush anything. Not only will it hurt like you know what but you don't want to back slide. Use this time to your advantage.
Please stop back in to let me know how you're doing.
How do ya like that brace?
Best of luck to you but really, you don't need luck. It's all up to you, take it slow and easy. Do exactly what your doctor says.

Anonymous said...

Devil:

Ditto on everything skinnygurl says. We're all here for you. Here's wishing you an uneventful and (relatively) pain-free recovery and rehab. Enjoy the pain meds, they'll help you get through the first few weeks.

hamlet said...

hey, just wanna ask something. Is it normal that I feel a lil bit numb on my skin around the incisions? I found it very hard to manage the area since I cant really tell what I am feeling. it has been 3 weeks but the numb feeling still wont go away. Did it happen to u all b4?

Anonymous said...

One side of my MCL incision is still a bit numb, 13+ months post-op. The remaining numbness is on the immediate skin surface. So, it's getting better. My OS said it was normal. One good thing about the numbness is that it makes it less creepy to massage your scars.

I hope your recovery is progressing smoothly. Take care to not fall.

hamlet said...

molly - peewwhh, thank you. the thought of having the numbness problem alone is scary though. im just glad that it's normal.

skinnygirl - hey, besides of the price i hav to pay, the brace serve it purpose very well. and becoz of it's sleek and nice design, i am not ashamed to wear it for a walk. lol
how r u doing? have u started running again? what about u molly?

Unknown said...

Hello everyone, I just had my triple ligament surgery on Sat. So I'm just 4 days post-op. Surgery took 7 hours. Hobbling along on crutches pretty well even navigating stairs, albit sloowly, But I 'm going up/down pretty good.
Friday, go back for a dressing change, then the 24th staples come out. Otherwise its leg up, rest, no weight bearing for 4 weeks. Oh joy...I can't believe I signed up for this! LOL

Devil - Good luck! After 3 weeks you were able to walk?! with or w/o crutches?

Molly and Skinnygurl - You ladies already went thru the worst of it. I'm glad things have worked out for you both so far. I look foward to getting to that 8 month to one year marker.

Well, its pouring here in SoCal..good day to stay in..

hamlet said...

hello backoffu!
I will be on crutches until the doctor said I can or after i did my physio.

4 weeks is just too early. Need to see the OS again after 6 weeks.

U becareful there. dun fall like any of us would advice.

Jadey said...

Hey gorgeous - So good to see things are coming along for you finally. I hope you have had a marry Christmas and a fantastic 2009.

How are things going?

Anonymous said...

Hey skinnygurl:

How are you and your knee doing in this fabulous New Year? Have the two of you taken a run around the block yet? After eating and drinking way too much over the holidays, I've started back up with my 3x weekly indoor cycling classes, bought some new Pearl Izumi knickers, and plan to ride outdoors next weekend (weather permitting). Happy New Year, everybody!

hamlet said...

Happy New Year everyone!

hamlet said...

hi guys, I met my surgeon last wednesday. The result is i can already walk with to leg and one crutch. but what surprised me, my therapy session is due one month! So i need to catch up real hard to get my flexion back.

-d3vilst3ch

Dubb said...

Hi All,
I am the last person in the world to actually leave comments on things. but to tell you the truth i go in on March 9th for my PCL recon surgery and well i am really nervous about it all. i was first advised to have surgery about 5 years ago but have not done it. now the pain and sloppiness of the injury has made me change my mind if you guys have some words of encouragement it would be much appreciated lol.

Skinnygurl said...

Welcome everyone!
It's so good to see everyone here. I hope to keep getting updates from you all. This is such a great support group!

I am seeing another doctor on Monday and plan to do another update. I know! The supspense must be killing you! ha ha ha

DUBB
Take time to read my older posts on this blog. It will help you to know what you're going to be dealing with. No worries, you'll bell just fine. Keep posting!

HAMLET!!
You're on your way now!! I remember those first therapy sessions. Please let us know how you are doing! We're all pulling for you!

BACKOFFU!!

You did it!!!! Way to go, I'm so glad the hard part is behind you. Let us know how you're doing!!!! For sure!!!

JADEY
Thanks a million for stopping in and leaving a note! It's always good to see you girl! Stop in anytime!!! Join the party! LOL

MOLLY,
As always, thank you for dropping in and helping with the advice.
Keep it coming!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Dubb:

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. You have every right to be nervous - but it really is a do-able surgery and recovery. Make sure you have plenty of help during the first few weeks.

I have a log detailing my surgical preparations and the course of my recoveries. I would be happy to send it to you. If you want it, email me at molly dot hickman at comcast dot net.

At the very least, strengthen your upper body in preparation for using crutches (get some cycling gloves to cushion your hands), get your bathroom ready (raised toilet seat, shower transfer bench, hand-held shower), get a disabled parking permit, get signed up for your local disabled transit service, get your wheelchair-crutches-walker in place. If you are really ambitious and handy, install hand-rails on both sides of the stairs.

I had great success with the non-ice cooling unit - you don't have to keep loading it with ice and you can keep it on continuously for the first couple of weeks. I can help you locate one of those units if your OS doesn't know about it.

Hope to hear from you - and best of luck with your surgery. Email me anytime.

Molly

Anonymous said...

Backoffu:

I hope all is well with you. You're coming up on two months post-op now - how is it all going? Are you weight-bearing yet? How much flexion have you obtained?

Molly

Unknown said...

Hi Molly,
All is doing well, thanks for asking. I am weight-bearing "as tolerated", I can put most of my weight on the leg. So far I'm at 90degrees flexion, zero degress extension. Down to using just one crutch. At PT we started exercises to strengthen the leg and walking w/o crutches too. So far so good.
Things are moving along okay. Like skinnygurl(and my OS) says.."slow and easy"

- Dubb, good luck with the surgery. Ask Molly for her log, she has some good ideas. You'll want a bit of help for the first couple weeks for sure. Take care.

Chris..

Anonymous said...

Backoffu Chris:

I am so glad to hear about your progress. Your positive attitude will serve you well. You may find that some days are not as good as others - just remember that it is a two-steps-forward, one-step back effort at times. Don't get discouraged!

Molly

Anonymous said...

I am so excited. I just ordered 10 bracelets, like the Livestrong bracelets. In neon green:"I survived PCL reconstruction (no markup)." If you want one, just let me know. $4.

Molly

Skinnygurl said...

I'm in. Let me give you my address on e-mail.
Thanks Molly!!

hamlet said...

im reaching more than 90deg now and that's on 2nd day of therapy only!

The cycling session was a real pain. I barely completed one cycle but i survived through the 10 mins. It's pain but when I stop, I still want more.

REsult of the bicycle is impressive. Im making progress. hope to reach maximum flexion in 2 months.

Anonymous said...

The bracelets are a no-show. I can't even get hold of the company I ordered them from. I still like the idea, so I'll research it some more.

tory said...

my boyfriend gets PCL surgery next tuesday.. the 8th after a motorcycle accident back in August. I did not realize it was this intense.

Skinnygurl said...

Welcome to my blog Tory,
I encourage you and your boyfriend to read my blog from the beginning. There he will see the small milestones and compare where he is with my progress. Reading further along with comments he can see journeys of others all over the world. I wish him the best of luck. It would be helpful for you to skim so you know what he's up against. He'll need lots of understanding, support and help. The recovery is the hardest. Please keep us posted on his progress and when his journey is over,I would be glad to feature him on my blog.
Thanks so much.
Backoffu (Chris) can give him advice since he too had a motorcycle accident. I'll let him know you're here. Molly has great advice as well.
Skinnygurl