Glad to hear you're doing well! In addition to moving your knee a little right now - do a bunch of calf pumps and ankle rotations - it helps get the blood flowing and get the swelling down.
Have fun at PT!
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Glad to hear you're doing well! In addition to moving your knee a little right now - do a bunch of calf pumps and ankle rotations - it helps get the blood flowing and get the swelling down.
Have fun at PT!
Hit my first PT today - it was painful but I got to within 5 degrees of full extension, even though I was super stiff when I got there. They also gave me a good set of excercises that I can actually do (not ready for full straight leg raises yet, etc.) and helped me understand how much pain is okay.
Afterward though, my body went into shock - chills, nausea, dizziness - it was terrible! They said it's normal cuz the shock of messing with your knee drives your body crazy.
If anyone has recommendations on how to avoid this, I'd love them.
Other than generally eating healthy (and the PT said that this week I should eat a lot, even if I'm not active), are there any particular foods that people recommend?
Thanks a ton!
Kellie
I made sure I ate frequent balanced meals - not very big, just made sure I was eating every few hours. Personally when I'm just eating comfort food and sitting on the sofa, I need to pay attention or I don't get enough protein. And your body is rebuilding, so I figure that you need that protein or your atrophy will end up even worse. So I did a lot of chicken soup, protein smoothies with blueberries, etc.... stuff that I could make quickly but are good for my body.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellie
As far as PT misery goes... I didn't use pain pills much other than during/after PT. And I'd just come home from PT, prop my leg up and rest. It'll start feeling better soon.
kellie - i had my first PT 2 days after surgery and felt exaclty like you did. hadn't eaten much at all during that time. went in there feeling like crap. dizzy, light headed, thought i was going to pass out. you'll be feeling better every day, hang in there. i wish i could give you good advice on food but my eating habits need a ton of work.
honestly, i think the single thing that really helped me with those first couple weeks was putting an exercise bike in my living room. my brother gave me this cheap ass airdyne thing that doesn't even have much resistance at all (worthless now). just sitting on that thing and rocking the pedals back and forth slowly to get a good stretch seemed to do me good. then i would lay down on the floor and prop my leg HIGH up on a wall. the main thing that i would do different after looking back would be to elevate more and more often that first week after surgery.
btw, you never said what graft you went with? good luck!
I went with the PT graft. I pretty much had my leg raised consistently for the first 6 days (unless I was up to go to the bathroom!) per Altagirl's suggestions. Now I am sitting with it outstretched to take some load off my back and to help with extension.
I am still waiting for some crazy bruising to diminish - the PT said it's from the iodine migrating down my leg . . . did you guys experience this too? How long did this take for you guys to disappear?
Thanks for all the insight - it really helps!
Kellie, don't worry about the bruising. That is normal and it may last for some time. I have seen bruising left over for months after a surgery (mine included). if will go away and there is nothing that you need to worry about, but to disagree with your PT its not related to the iodine. It is just blood from all of the cutting, drilling and screwing done inside your knee.
Keep working on the extension. It is one of the first things that you need to accomplish. Once you have full extension and the doc lets you off the crutches you can the be able to walk without a limp.
i had some pretty crazy looking (to me) bruising, also. but at PT they said "don't show that to any other ACL'ers around here, that's nothing. looks great." i think by the end of the 3rd week it was all gone.
one thing that i had trouble with that i haven't said anything about, was the tightness that i would get sometimes when bending my knee in the patellar tendon area. the patella wasn't tracking right and would start out really tight and i could actually feel the kneecap slide over into the right groove while bending. sometimes it would pop loud and fall into place. freaky feeling for sure. i don't seem to remember that problem with my first ACL surgery. it had me pretty pissed for a few weeks and PT kept telling me to work through it. well i'm a little over 9 weeks and i can finally say that it is almost all worked out. i'm feeling stronger by the day and have started to hit some golf balls last week.
again, good luck!
Just over 3 weeks out . . . flexion is good, and I am still working on maintaining full extension . . . I can get there with prone knee hangs, etc. but can't keep it naturally. I am sooooo ready to stop limping!
I came back to CA and to work this week, which was downright exhausting, but put in some good evenings at the gym which felt great . . . I love how good the knee feels right after you get through moving it a lot!
I also went to my first PT appt. in CA and it was TERRIBLE (15 minutes long - just measured my flexion/extension with no warmup, and then moved my joints a bit and sent me on my way)!!!! I unfortuneatly have an HMO insurance company who puts little value on PT - their metric/goal is to get patients out in 4 visits or less and get them to "own" their own injury. It also takes about 2 weeks to get an appointment. I am all about doing rehab on my own, but I also feel like this is an injury that needs some guidance to make good progress that will set me up for a lifetime of activity.
So, in fighting with the insurance company, it looks like I have an appt. next week and can hopefully have one/week after that. But, I have little confidence in their expertise and feel like I want a clearer picture of what to expect as I progress, and what are the things I should make sure I get at PT, because I can't do them on my own (i.e. e-stim, etc.).
Also, I'd love perspective on whether once/week is enough . . . I am kind of stressed out about it because my paradigm (largely developed on this board) is that PT early and hard really pays off. I don't want to push things too early or too hard, but I do want to heal to the point that I can be enjoying some activity and re-discovering my almost nonexistant quad. And, more importantly, I want to come back from this injury 100% - I will hate myself forever if I can't heal it well.
Thanks for the insight!
Kellie
[QUOTE=Kellie
Also, I'd love perspective on whether once/week is enough . . . [/QUOTE]
A once a week PT visit is OK and by OK I mean not as good as 2-3x/week. However. If you are comfortable with the exercises they have given you and are consistent in doing them, 1x a week can be good enough to basically go in have them give you new stuff and do some extra stuff as well as monitor your progress. With that being said you should be doing something for your knee everyday as i'm sure you are.
I'm on the bike 20-30 minutes 1-2 times/day, as well as lots of leg raises (ad/abduction, stomach, and straight), at least 30 minutes (in 10 min. increments) of prone knee hangs, as well as some closed-chain weights (i.e. leg presses) and yoga once/week. I am trying to motivate for some pool time, but haven't been able to force myself yet . . .
I am going to try for 2x/week, but I may have to take what I can get . . .
12 days out here and totally jealous. Watch your back cuz I'm gunning for you. :biggrin:
Feel free to pass me - this is one game I'll be happy to see my friends do well in!
Keep on keepin' on!
Stiff upper lip ol gal,you're gonna make it.I'm coming up on a month of limping ,I can relate!
Today it felt like I didn't have to limp,but I couldn't stop limping anyway!I must retrain my body!
Just over 4 weeks out . . . went on my first outdoor bike ride on Saturday and have hit the pool a couple of times for some pulling and light swimming. It sure does feel good to be outside!!! I am freaked out about just about everything, and have been working at not working the left leg too much. I am amazed at how tired my body gets though - I was WORKED after my ride. But I suppose that's part of the game.
I can get full extension more regularly now, though I can't keep it, and still have a limp. Flexion is good - good enough to ride a bike with no cheating, so I am not pushing it.
The big headache and stress is that my insurance doesn't seem to value PT - I have been to 2 appts. since being back in CA and neither has involved therapy. It's so frustrating and totallly robs me of any mental energy. So, I guess I'm just gonna "buck up" and pay out of pocket, because it seems worth it.
Anyhow, just another sleepless night, so I thought I'd update - I am going to get worked tomorrow at work with minimal shuteye . . . should be fun. :frown:
i hear your frustrations kellie. try and keep the head up. i think getting the PT situation settled will help.
is it that your theropist would give you treatment (stim, massage, ultrasound, ect.) but your insurance doesn't specificly cover those treatments? or is it that your theropist doesn't recomend treatment?
PT's are pretty much like any profesion. Some of em really care and enjoy what they do, and others just show up go through the motions and collect their paychecks. My better 1/2 is the former rather than the latter. Dealing with comp fakers and hyprocondracs wears on her, but people who want to get back to their favorite athletic endevours make her day.We have a portable Tens/stim unit. About the size of an old school walkman. Will ask her for info when she gets off work tonight. Feel free to ask any other rehab questions and I will get her to answer. I am a herbal self medicator and it works for me, but may not be your cup of tea. Rehab hard and get well soon. Insurance companies "suck large cow balls" as we like to say in the roofing bidness anyway, but thats another rant.
It's the latter - My HMO is overwhelmingly passive. I have a standard copay, regardless of treatment, but they don't seem to see the point in any rehab beyond going to a gym and doing excercises. But even then, they don't take the time to show you the excercises, make sure you're on the right track, etc. In my experience, they don't treat the patient - they make sure they get you out the door.Quote:
Originally Posted by basom
I am so over this entire experience. Somebody please tell me that when it's all over, you get to find yourself again.
kellie, when its all over, you get to find yourself again. i promise.
remember that phone conversation we had, a week or two before your surgery, when i told you how large an impact it would have on you, and your daily life, how it could consume you and change you? i think you thought i was insane, crazy talking. i think now you can see what i was trying to explain.
there will come a time, down the road, maybe in six months, maybe in five, maybe in nine, when your mind will no longer be consumed by all of this.
i will say about your theropists lack of treatment, it doesn't seem right. but, one of the doctors on my team (the guy who helped me manage my PT, got me in with my theropist, was a resource for PT related questions) while in favor of treatment and specific excericises to re gain your leg tone, he also said it was not necessary. aparently if you are in good enough shape, and have extension, and do some minmal progession with leg wieghts and the like, you should be fine. it just takes a much longer time to get back to your sport. he didn't recomend this for me, as i was trying to get back in a certain amount of time, my goal was being on snow as soon as possible. His candid opinion was that sometimes these guys (PT's) pushed too hard, and end up not having your best intrest in mind (get em in, get em out kinda attitude). he really only thinks it compleately necessary (PT) for people with no motivation to work on it themselves. i wanted the support, and an agressive schedual, and my doc was able to pair me with an amazing theropist who really went the extra mile with me who my doc was comfortable with and works with almost exclusively. so i was lucky.
what i'm struggling to say is that even if you never get treatment, and let your knee do its thing, working slowly and diliberatley, it should come back. eventually. obviously you want to get this the fuck over with and should be on an agressive schedual, but there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel which ever schedual you are on.
*continued luck to you in this process kellie*
You do! It gets better, I promise!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellie
But you need to find a different PT. Don't pay for that crap. I know it's common for appointments to be short, but you at least need to be getting something out of it. We're so lucky to have a great PT office right by our house - where the therapists care so much that I've had many multi-hour appointments and I can stop in and ask questions without an appointment (and with no charge) whenever I need anything. It's a small place, and I think that helps a LOT - maybe that's what you need to look for. Less office management types pushing for them to hurry up and get you out. If you lived out here I'd bring you over and make sure they took care of you! :(
Damn K...bummer. You really need to get a new PT. Don't settle for anything less than what you want. who have you talked to regarding your coverage? HR? The actual insurance agency, the larger insurance company? There has to be an advocate you have not contacted yet that can get you on the right path. Squeakey wheels get the oil so start making some noise.
Gotta admit that this thread is helping me through too. I felt bad when I saw you at the Powder to the People thing at the Moose. I'm about to schedule the surgery, been doing pre op PT for about 2.5 weeks now and getting 8deg extension and 113deg flexion, with extreme pain in the process. Diagnosed with almost the same scenario except for added small meniscus tear. Totally ruptured ACL, bone bruise and slight fracture on the tibia plateau, strained hammies and MCL from the hyperextension and edema in the knee and leg.
Looks like I'm leaning towards the patellar tendon graft too. One ortho told me to go for it and one told me that I don't need surgery, talk about confused. But after extensive research on the web, talking to people about previous surgeries and lack there of, I'm almost convinced that I need to get this done and now.
Keep up with the PT, I think it helps a lot. I've got a good one, but it's on the opposite coast of you, doh! Good luck and keep pluggin! Thanks again for the updates!
B)
Thanks for the positive outlook on things . . . it really does help.
Today finally has become a better day - my knee is super sore and swollen from 20 minutes at a spin class yesterday . . . I hope it's just a temporary setback and that things are okay. I feel like it's almost better just to stay totally off the thing - although swimming and biking feel good for the head, I am always scared for the knee.
Mtn Man, best of luck with the surgery, etc. Sounds like you're pretty well setup with the process toward getting better and you should be just in time for the season :D Keep us posted on your progress :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellie
I think you're pushing too hard K. I can't believe some of the things you're able to do. Seriously, be patient and take baby steps. Keep the end goal in focus and have faith that you will get there, just not all at once. Allow your body to work it's healing magic.
Patience and strength (and the odd tantrum) get us through these trials. If you believe in trans-continental conveyance of vibes, consider a healthy dose of each sent your way. :)
Sick and ashamed and happy (and you will find your way home ),
d.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gincognito
Excellent write up. Thanks for sharing that. I've already learned that I truly despise crutches and they haven't even cut me yet :eek:
B)
Thanks for getting through it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mtn Man
Sick and ashamed and happy (and wish I had more of my writings during that time saved),
d.
Did you ever get any love from pig tails?
No PT yet. I have an appt. on Wedensday a.m., but that may fall through now as well. This is the headache that never ends. I am hoping it works out though, cuz I feel like my progress really isn't that good and, in the absence of "coaching" am probably not doing nearly enough for the knee. I was reading back over what TS and AG were doing at this point, and am extremely jealous! It's been about a month now since real PT.
Oh well, I suppose. Until then, it's intermittent spinning and light swimming/pulling with a couple hundred leg lifts in between . . .
FWIW, I can tell you what I'm looking at in PT.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellie
Step ups: With the affected leg step up onto a 4" ledge and go for full extension via quad flexion then control the negative and repeat.
Slide press: Kinda like a "Total Gym" in that you are laying down with little or no resistance and basically doing a leg press. Use both legs.
Leg raises in 3 positions lying down with increasing weight attached at the knee.
Bike: I'm still working on the full forward rotation. Got the backwards so it should not be much longer.
Quad flexes...so lame.
Leg hangs...even more lame.
Stretching the hammys and calfs...I'm so tight post op it's scary.
That's really all I've got going, but that should change here soon. There is talk of mini squats and some other nonsense starting wed. I know you're further along than I am and will add to this as new fun is added to my regiment.
Assuming that was directed at me, let's just say we helped each other get through the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by truth
SaAaH (and that is that),
d.
Let me give my report from my Sat PT (Three weeks, post allograft). And Kellie, she told me that Patellar Tendon can get stretched if you push too fast, BUT allograft is much more fragile. She said in 15 years, she has only seen 1 ACL get stretched....and that was an Allograft and the guy was driving an stick and just barely avoided an accident (but stretched his new ligament).
----What have other PT graftees heard about the risk of stretching that graft (in the first couple months).
PT Report:
-lots of 1 legged balancing: balance boards, the disc things, etc. Doing slight dips while balancing.
-The sled thing (could do on a leg press). 2 legged, 1 legged, and with a ball under my foot (makes the balance a lot tougher).
-walking around with bent knees (the Groucho walk), both forwards and backwards.
-Standing on a 4 inch box with the bad leg and lowering the other heal to the ground.
-Just got approved to get on an exercise bike. I did a few rotations last night, but definately not RIDING, per say.
Hang in there Kel....hope you get some PT figured out soon.
---For the record though, when I asked my Doc about PT he said, "Oh, do you want to go to PT....we can just give you exercises to do at home." I thought it was very odd, but they just didnt seem to concerned with it. Their moto to me was, "take it easy, take it easy, take it easy". (but I am an Allografter).
I went to PT today!!!!
And it was great. We didn't do much, but it was nice to have a real assessment of where I'm at . . . I'm doing well as it turns out, and was glad to hear that things are on track (or ahead). I have some new activities, but even better a new focus, and some direction.
Until I can get benefits figured out, I'm on the once/week plan, but I'll take what I can get!
Wahoo!!!!
:yourock:
SaAaH (and keepin' it short (and real)),
d.
Nice Kellie....I am sure that is a reassuring feeling. I am glad they gave you a good report. :)
Personally I think once a week is plenty. My benefits cover more, but I am sticking with my Sat visit only. We really all know enough to get it done by ourselves.....the PT really just gives assurance and some fun new exercises.
So, when do we get to have a Tour D' Gimp? I am starting my exercise bike this week, and hoping to hit the road a week from Sat.
Tour de Gimp? Sometime in the middle of May - you two should come down and visit summer. It's quite a nice season :)
Plus, there is certainly nothing that is actually flat in Tahoe . . .
i'm kinda disappointed in 'gimp central' here. where's the gnar?!?
really though, i've found that finding a good pt is a pain. and honestly, you can do 99.9% of your therapy on your own. i just e-mail my therapist (who is the shiznit), get some workouts, and hit the gym. i get a better workout and don't have to pay out the booty to do stretches and leg workouts.
This is great news. Psyched for ya K.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kellie
Hmm...I can see that once full ROM is established, but for me right now having my leg manipuilted and being pushed is the only way to get through the discomfort of the last few degrees of extension. It's truly painful and totally uncomfortable. I'm pretty masochistic when it comes to training and I have my doubts about being able to really get at this as hard as I need to alone right now. Plus, it's nice to have a room full of (mostly ACL's) peeps on your path to motivate you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huckwheat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeedashbo
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...040405_004.jpg
You're just reading the wrong threads.
congrats kellie!
i'm not sure how i would have done if i didn't get addicted to that awsome stim machine! turn it up till you scream and pulse out http://www.tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif