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!

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.