Six Months out

So I sincerely doubt any of my family or friends are reading this anymore, but I am trying to keep putting in updates periodically for others who might be going through the same surgery and stumble across this blog. I just passed the six month mark and had an appointment with Dr. Trice, so it's a good time to take inventory of my progress.

Overall, I am doing pretty darn well. I am in much better shape than before the surgery. My knee aches sometimes, but ice and Tylenol seem to calm it down. I just reduced PT to once a week and I am in an Aqua Arthritis class twice a week. I can do straight leg raises with 2 pound weights and side leg raises with 5-7 pound weights. I still have a limp, but it is less pronounced unless I am tired. I can get through a typical day at the office with no unusual fatigue (though Mondays are still Mondays, you know?) but I do get quite fatigued if I do something unusual such as driving a long distance to and from an all-day meeting. I am definitely optimistic about my recovery, but still aware that caution is required. I'm not out of the woods yet.

I have a few new instructions from Dr. Trice as well. He approved walking outside for exercise, starting with 1/4 mile at a time for one week, then 1/2 mile at a time for a week, and so on up to one mile. So in just a few weeks I will be allowed to walk with my husband and dogs for a whole mile at a time! He said to then stay at that level for about 3 months. I am planning on trying to do one thing each day, either walking outside, PT, swimming class, or the treadmill.

Dr. Trice also said he wanted me to continue wearing my unloader brace for another 6 months (whatever, it's not that uncomfortable) and that I can now do short arc exercises (GR1 - it's just a video showing the exercise). A short arc is basically straightening the leg from a horizontal and slightly bent position while it's unsupported. It was not something that I was allowed to do before as it is apparently pretty rough on the knee. I did them in PT and was shocked by how weak I was! It was a reminder that I still have a way to go.

I have come a long way, but there is still more work to be done. I'll keep updating periodically just to note progress at various milestones. Cheers!

I can't believe I am still learning

I thought I had pretty much figured out all that I needed to know, but then this weekend happened. I have been having so much trouble with all my muscles aching and my back just all knotted up. It has been hard to get up in the morning. So, finally, I asked my PT for a recommendation for a massage therapist.

Lesson Learned: I should have gotten a massage a long time ago!

It is highly important to have the right type of massage therapist who knows how to actually heal the muscles, not just help you relax. Sports massage therapists seem to be the ticket. Anyway, a wonderful woman named Brandy took her magnificent elbows to the arch around my left shoulder blade. It was one huge knot from both the cane and how I have been compensating for my limp.  I didn't even realize until she was done that I had been restricting the motion of my left arm. She freed it.

The next day I was sore, as expected. It has made a huge difference though and I wish I had done this months ago. I am finally starting to feel closer to normal.