Travel is tiring

While traveling is always tiring this time it has been even more so than any other time in the past. I have tried to keep up my exercises bit have slipped a bit. My hamstring is still bothering me and the pain in my left ankle area has not gone away. The doctor said that it was a bone bruise but I am not sure why it would be bruised. I guess I will ask more questions at my next visit.

One down; one to go

We just finished the first leg of the Christmas travel. I was able to do my @ home exercises when the nieces and nephews were out at the park or the Y. We are now headed to my Dad's house. Stay tuned.

Traveling

I made it...the 9 hour car ride that is. It started out pretty miserable and after ice got better. It was very exhausting to say the least. I kept doing quad sets throughout the day to help keep blood moving around. The biggest issue was my hamstring. No matter how I sat there was no getting it completely comfortable. Oh well, I am here enjoying the nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Merry Christmas

No updates today other than wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Ice machine is on my knee after another little twist. It isstarting to get easy.

Morning therapy

My therapist could tell that I did something to my knee, not that I didn't tell him. After 10 minutes on the treadmill I was basically done. We trie stretching and that did not help. So, I got the electrical stimulation for about 20 minutes and was out. Now comes the fun...9 hours in a van tomorrow. We did go buy a 12v adapter so I can have my ice...so we'll see how that goes.

First little knee tweak

Okay, it was bound to happen...especially after my doctor warned me to be careful, I tweaked my knee tonight. While trying to get something from underneath the kitchen sink and ever so slightly twiste my knee. I don't know how or why but I did. I have been on the couch under ice ever since. Already not looking forward to therapy tomorrow morning....

Today's therapy session

Okay, I am not going to pull any punches on this one...today's therapy session absolutely sucked! The therapsit said that it was time to start working out the soreness from the adhesion popping. Based on the doctor's comments yesterday and a couple of slips of the tongue from the therapist today I am more convinced that we actually pulled my hamstring.

So, today after the treadmill, forward and backward, we did the theraband ball squeezes and squats, and then tried some stretching. Today; however, when I said "ok" as he was stretching my hamstring he stopped. I finally looked at the back of my leg and saw the bruising...wow.

I'm dreaming of a healed hamstring...

I am not sure which is more bothersome, the sore hamstring or the stiffness in my knee. Last night was the first night since the 3 after surgery that I woke up due to pain & discomfort. I woke up once laying on my right side with my left throbbing. Once I got that relieved and back asleep my hamstring woke me up thobbing.

I know, wah, wah, wah.... I just gotta complain...

4 week follow up

I went in fotr my 4 week post op doctor's visit today and all went well, for the most part. He asked me about this, his words, alleged adhesion...which sparked my curiosity. Maybe it was a sprain...who knows.. The doc also warned me that I was steal healing and to not get overconfident. He said that I could still fall and completely destroy the rebuilt ligament. So, I will continue to be overly cautious.

So, back to therapy tomorrow to prep for the travel to see the family...

No exercises yesterday

After the scaled down physical therapy session yesterday I decided to rest the remainder of the day. I went home and basically iced my hamstring and knee the remainder of the day. I woke up this morning with the same soreness and tenderness in my leg. I can't even begin to fathom what the "old" protocol would have been like of 4 weeks completely immobilized...no wonder it took 6 to 9 months of rehab.

Therapy

Well, the therapist took one look @ me getting out of my chair in the waiting room and said "you must still be sore." That is an understatement. He decided to scale back a bit until we work out the swelling and soreness from popping the adhesion. After 10 miutes on a regular stationary bike we went over to stretch and he commented on the bruising on my hamstring. So after some minor stretching, patella movements (which were quite painful today), and some electro-therapy he let me go.

I go back to the doctor tomorrow for a 4 week checkup. I am going to point out some minor tweaks that I have had the past couple of days where my knee wants to twist when I stand up, I am sure it is just weakness. We will see.

Hamstring troubles

While I want to believe my therapist that the pop in my hamstring Friday morning was one of those "adhesions" I have had an extremely sore hamstring all weekend. I have tried doing my @ home hamstring stretches with little or no luck without soreness. I have another PT session tomorrow at 11 so I will definitely explore this issue with them.

I am still doing my @ home exercises and can feel my calf muscles getting stronger. My knee is sturdy but still swells when I exercise and if I am up walking around for any length of time. I have been Christmas shopping two days in a row and both days come home with major swelling.

I learned a new word today...

Ok, so not a new word but a new definition of a word. Up until this morning I knew "adhesion" meant one thing sticking to another. What I didn't know was that it could apply to muscles and tendons.

After warming up on the treadmill I moved to the table for the stretches. Instead of my therapist pushing for my hamstring stretch he elevated my leg, put my ankle in his hand, andsaid push. As soon as I did, POP, on the outside of my hamstring. He said, I'm glad we talked about adhesions....

Wow, I am sore and at work. Probably won't last all day.

Different kind of soreness

I tried, for most of the day, yesterday to go without the crutch and report that all went well. No major challenges provided you don't count the mental challenge. When I got home, and finally relaxed I realized I had a little more soreness over my entire body, I guess I was very uptight about moving around without the crutch.

Doing my @ home exercises worked out most of the soreness in my left leg. I had to do some additional stretches for my right side because I caught myself favoring that left leg and not putting weight on the left leg....that is going to take a conscience effort to not rely on the right leg.

I have physical therapy this morning...so instead of going home and icing the knee for awhile I will be going to the office. Should be fun.

First trip without crutches

On my therapist recommendation, I am doing as much as I can without crutches. I brought one with me to work today but have not been using it. I just made the roundtrip to the cafeteria, granted I ate there so I had a break, without issue. My goal is to rid of them altogether by the weekend.

Can you say wow...

Okay, the actual Physical Therapist was back today, not the PT Assistant, and did he really work over this left knee/leg. He was very pleased with the progress on my leg extension and then proceeded to start working me over. First, he wants me off the single crutch by the end of the week. While I believe in my Dr's ACL reconstruction I have 19 years of breaking bad habits and subliminally protecting this leg so getting rid of the crutch is going to be a challenge mentally...

He put me on a treadmill and steadily increased the speed to a slow/normal walk all the while prodding me to look straight ahead, extend my leg and reach out with the heel first, and let go of death grip on the protection bar. Once we walked forward for 10 minutes he decided to turn me around and walk backwards on the treadmill...was that fun. After the treadmill the real fun began:
hamstring stretches, patella movement, (he even showed me how to find the quadricep tendon so that I can start breaking up the stiffness), knee presses (pressing a work out ball in to the wall with my knee), squats (again using the work out ball), calf stretches, and then he made me stand on a little pedestal on my left leg with a theraband around both legs and extend the good leg out....boy was that fun....

So, another step in the process... The real "therapy" is going to be in my head...

Leaving Physical Therapy...

I am headed toward my afternoon physical therapy session with just a bit of trepidation. My therapist commented Monday afternoon that she was going to be adding some "new & exciting" things to my session, yeah...!? Full details to follow later today.

Stiffness and swelling

I am still having stiffness and swelling, especially after sitting for any length of time. I try to find ways to keep the leg elevated @ work but there is no way to keep it at or above my heart. I can work out the stiffness with my @ home exercises but the swelling wants to linger.

Just a little swelling today

Having a little issue with awelling today. I came home early today because of the swelling. I have the ice machine hooked up now trying reduce the swelling. I have to be at my youngest son's band concert in three hours.

Being clumsy..

Being clumsy isn't a good thing while having to get around on crutches. While attempting to turn around, I stubbed my right to on my crutch, lost my balance, banged my left leg (jarring my knee), and caught myself from falling.....quite hilarious after the fact but ultimately scary while happening.

That makes two real close calls on subsequent Monday nights at the house..... Maybe it is not me being clumsy as much as it is Monday being a bad day at the Hennessee household.

Therapy today was a @?!#

Even though I have been doing my @ home stuff today's therapy session was a tough one. We do more quad specific work that I are not on my @ home exercises and I can tell it had been 3 days since I did them last.

One such exercise I stand in front of some stairs, squat down in a "high crouch" and then shift my weight back and forth in a slalom type movement. Now, I never get quads like professional cyclist when I am riding but I do usually get pretty nice quads...but this little slalom exercise wore me out. Oh well, I have to get better.

Stay tuned....next therapy session is Wednesday...

Another new week

I am not sure if I am doing too much or not enough because the tightness/cramping behind my knee is proving difficult to get rid of for some reason. Other than venturing out for a little Christmas shopping on Saturday I've been doing my @ home stuff and still icing as directed. I will address with my therapist today.

Cramps are working me over

I can't explain it but I am struggling with cramps behind my knee tonight. I can't say that I have been on it any more today than any other day this week but something has is causing me to cramp. I am sitting on the couch with the ice machine going to see if that will help calm them down.

Morning stiffness

I woke up this morning with sore and stiff quads. My therapist had me do several quad exercises yesterday so that probably explains the stiffness. The soreness made the at home exercises a little more difficult this morning...or it could be that I didn't do any of them yesterday.

I am about to venture out into the fray....my son and I are going Christmas shopping. I am sure I will be ready for ice when I get back..

No infection and day 3 of Physical Therapy

So, the Physician's Assistant said there was no infection. She removed the bandages and said the swelling was probably scar tissue and that I should be gently massaging both sides of the incision. She suggested the tenderness could be from the dissolvable sutures creating the puffines. So, with the bandages off I'll have to update the photos later.

Wow, another day of therapy another stretch/exercise added. Luckily, the soreness and stiffness is more related to muscle weakness but there is still some tenderness behind the knee.

I finally made it home after picking up Greyson from the groomers, not without its own drama, and am icing my knee down. I'll do my at home regimen here in about an hour and ice down some more.

Now, for the drama while picking up my dog: after letting him do his business we made it to the car door. Here is the scene: miniature schauzer on leash, me on one crutch, in a parking lot with moving vehicles. I open the door and go to take a step closer to put my crutch in the vehicle and low and behold Greyson runs under my foot.....and of course gets stepped on....he yelps, I jump and land on my good foot (luckily), since I was favoring my left foot due to therapy. Oh yeah, the crutch...it falls backward. I am glad to say that Greyson and I both made it in the car and back home safely.

So, the saga continues.....

Sitting @ the doctor's office

Hopefully I don't have an infection but will soon find out.

Today was all stretching....

Therapy went well today, I think. Started with 10 minutes on the recumbent bike and then the therapist went to work. We did nothing but stretches today with a little work with one of those bands. We did hamstring, quad, and calf stretches first then using an exercise ball did some different work on my quad:
- exercise ball directly behind quad against the wall and straightening my knee back into the ball
- using the ball for balance while doing wall squats

After that we moved to the miniature set of stairs and did calf and more quad work. Once done with those 5 different little deals she had me lay down and did patella movements (most uncomfortable...). As we finished, she strongly recommended that I call the doctor because the incision area where they harvested the hamstring tendons was red, very puffy, and warmer than the rest of my leg.....possible infection. So, I called the doctor and am waiting to hear back from the office. If I have not heard anything by the a.m. I will definitely call back in and get some resolution.

All in all, I think it is going well. I am determined to be a good PT patient and keep doing my "homework".

Morning exercises

I am going to have to adjust my wake up time just a little so I can get my morning PT exercises. I can tell a difference in my flexibility and strength so I want to ensure I am doing them.

Physical Therapy @ home

I am doing my best with the at home physical therapy. After setting in meetings all day long my knee and calf were extremely tight even after doing lots of ankle flexing and knee raises. After the two rounds of the ankle flex exercises the calf loosened up quite nicely. I am supposed to do all of my exercises 3 times per day...oh yeah I posted the routine yesterday, so I did them this morning and as soon as I got home. I have one more round tonight before bed.

It was great seeing many of my old friends from the field today. The only issue is that I don't do my presentation until tomorrow so I had to explain the crutch multiple times....it's all good though.

One of the dissolving bandages/sutures came off tonight. It is amazing how modern medicine has progressed to the point we are at today. The "entry" wound looks more like a pin prick than a surgical scar. I can't wait to see how the incision from the hamstring tendon harvest when those sutures finally come off.

First "field trip" @ work

With our winter departmental meeting starting today and being down to one crutch I decided to venture out to the company cafeteria...what a journey. I think getting around on two crutches is less stressful than one but I'll adapt.

I am doing as many of my PT exercises as possible here @ work. I can do all of the stretches but the band work requires me to lay down so I will have to do those @ home 2 times tonight.

Another day...

After struggling through two more sets of the exercises last night and one this morning I feel some of the tension in my knee beginning to loosen. My calf muscles are still very tight and I am doing seated calf raises as I type. I can tell my extension is better but not where it needs to be at this point. I'll just keep working. The PT guy says I have roughly until January 8th to regain full extension....so I will ensure that does not become an issue.

First therapy session

I get to therapy and find out that the instructions I was given with the CPM to only focus on the "flex" was wrong. I should have been working on the extension just as much as the flex. Of course, had I not been rushed in/out of the surgical center without post operative instructions I would have known that.....but I am responsible because I didn't call back in and clarify.

So, the first session was a bit more unpleasant than I expected it to be since I had not been extending my leg at all for nye on 13 days. It starts as I get up to "crutch" my way back to the torture area....my therapist stops me and says, "put that heel down and put some weight on that leg". It gets better...after a brief interview I get up on the table and the torture begins.

First: basic leg extension trying to get back to flattening my leg out. Like any good Catholic school nun he takes his little plastic measuring device and places it between the back of my leg and the table...and proceeds to let me know just how much room there is by "swatting" the back of my leg. The goal, he says, is to not have any space so he can't swing his little plastic measuring device.

Second: he places an triangle of foam under my knee and has me extend my leg as flat as I can while keeping my knee on the foam....boy did that get my attention. 3 sets of 10 of those and I was ready to call it a day....but no... Next he takes an exercise band, which I am told is the lightest resistance and that he usually only uses this on little old ladies, and hooks it over my foot and hands me the knot. This time I have to keep my knee on the foam but push the foam and extend my foot...3 sets of 15 of these babies. As if that weren't enough he then takes the knot and begins pulling my foot away from my body and I have to pull it back in....all with my knee on the foam extended..... If I weren't hurting so much I would have kicked him with my good leg.

After this insidious little session, I get up and get "runway modeling" instructions with one crutch....yes down to one crutch...as long as I fully extend my left leg, let my heel hit the ground first, and keep my head up while walking. After several "runway" walks he takes me to an available recumbent stationary bike. 10 minutes of the bike at no resistance felt like climbing up Grey Road in Davidson on my Trek for the first time....

Finally, he shows me two stretches to do and gives me a homework assignment complete with take home work sheets that have to be turned in at the next visit (which is Thursday). I have to do everything but the bike at home at least 3 times a day and my wonderful wife can't wait to help....!!

Thus ends the first PT session. In case anyone is interested and would like to Google the exercises here are the "technical" names of each one:
Dorsiflexion: Resisted 3 sets of 15 @ 3 times per day
Plantar Flexion Resisted: 3 sets of 15 @ 3 times per day
Terminal Knee Extension (Supine): 3 sets of 15 @ 3 times per day
Knee Extension (Sitting) 3 sets of 15 @ 3 times per day
Sitting Hamstring Stretch: 3 sets of 5 (held for 30 seconds) @ 3 times per day with a note to do these as much as possible
Gastroc Stretch: 3 sets of 5 (held for 30 seconds) @ 3 times per day

First day of PT

Well, after 13 days of the CPM I have my first day of physical therapy this morning. I am at work right now and will plan on working at home after...anticipating a lot of soreness.

I did drive today so that felt really good. I don't like not being mobile.

First day back @ work (redux)

First, let me say that I work with some of the most awesome people in the world. From the time I arrived until the time I left everyone in the office was asking how they could help, if I needed anything, welcome backs, and just all around best wishes. Thanks to the entire office team!!

The day went better than I anticipated. The toughest part of the day was having to get from point A to point B on crutches. One definitely gets a new perspective trying to carry out daily activities while using crutches. Getting around the house was relatively easy but today was a different story. Even though my wonderful wife drove me to work this morning that simple little walk from the front drive of our companies campus to my office was quite a chore. I was completely drained by the time I got to my office. The only time I had to venture out was restroom breaks and our departmental meeting.

I have a new found respect for anyone that deals with modern America with permanent disablities! From getting through doors on self closing hinges to negotiating narrow passages within the work environment the day was an eye opening experience.

First day back @ work

Well, I made it back in to work this morning. Right now I am just a bit exhausted and have that dull nagging pain in my knee. I am going to try and make it all day, if possible, but am not making any promises. My wonderful wife drove me in this morning but I am ready to get back behind the wheel.

Finished with CPM

Okay, I just finished with my CPM sessions since I start therapy on Tuesday. I might use it again tomorrow afternoon after work if my leg is knee is real tight. I was able to get my flex up to 105 degrees with a 5 second pause at the top of the flex. What is puzzling is as soon as I get out of the CPM and try to get that much flex in my knee myself I can't get there. It is probably subliminal since I know I am doing it and not the machine. Ice machine now for about 30 minutes....

I am going to attempt to go back to work tomorrow. The doctor said I could go start driving, since I drive an automatic transmission, and go back to work and work at my discretion. We have a major company wide meeting with all of our field staff Wednesday through Friday so I am going to pace myself. The great thing about that is I have a great boss and work for a great company and if I need to work from home that will not be a problem.

Muscle cramps and spasms

Fought through muscle cramps and spasms throughout the night. Still fighting through some mild twitches this morning hopefully lots of water will help.

Could not maintain 90 degrees flex

I might have over done it this afternoon during my CPM session. Even though I left the ice machine on for nearly 30 minutes after the CPM session (where I got to 90 degrees twice) I had quite a bit of soreness and swelling. When I got back in to the CPM after dinner I could not get back to 90 degrees as it was very uncomfortably tight. So, I backed off to 70 degrees for most of the session and moved up to 85 degrees toward the end (for 3 cycles).

I am going to continue working toward 90 degrees and beyond as I know that will be the first goal, of many, once I start PT.

90 degrees flex

Just finished 2.5 hours in the CPM and was able to move my knee flex up to 90 degrees. My hamstring is a bit sore so I am icing it down right now. I keep the ice machine on my knee while in the CPM so it does not get too sore. After a 2 hour break will start another session.

CPM at 85

Working on gradually increasing the flex of my knee. Currently at 80 degrees and will be adding 5 degrees before the day is out. Watching college football all day!! ROLL TIDE from a die hard Tennessee Volunteer fan.

Day 1 without the brace

Well, day 1 without the brace has come and gone. I have been trying to follow doctor's orders by putting weight on my leg as much as possible while standing up. I have taken a few small steps without the crutches and found that to be more of mind over matter. As noted in yesterday's post, I have not had a great deal of confidence in my left knee in years. I was never a great athlete but enjoyed playing until the knee started giving out. That was when I started cycling. Now, maybe, I can start playing raquetball again, play softball again, join the adult basketball league.....NOT. Raquetball definitely...the other two we'll see.

As for physical therapy, I start next Tuesday. In the interim I was directed to keep using the CPM and to increase the flex as much as I can stand so that is what I will do.

Doing research...braceless rehab

The internet can be a blessing and a curse. In this case it is helping me get over the anxiety of not using the brace while going through rehab. I googled "braceless acl recovery" and have been reading through orthpedic physician sites, physical therapy sites, and blogs and it seems like bracing is falling out of favor with the exception of right after surgery. So, I have to call the rehab place and get going.

Braceless rehab

Wow, my doctor put me on a "braceless" rehab program. I am a bit concerned about that as I am battling the fears of the past. I have no confidence in this knee but I guess I will learn.

Follow up

Heading to the doctor's office for my first follow up appointment and schedule physical therapy.

Me and my guard dog..

This is me and our family pet, Greyson. He has been by my side pretty much nonstop since I came home last week. When I am using the CPM, as in this shot, he is right there by my side.

Beginning of Week 2

Here are a couple of pictures of the rainbow of colors my left leg as been displaying going in to week 2. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for a follow up and map out the next phase.

New CPM arrived

Just got the new CPM and into it properly. I was at 70 degrees yesterday and can only get to 50 degrees right now. We were really rushed last Wednesday morning and apparently didn't hear the alignment instructions correctly.

Getting a new CPM

I called the company that owns the CPM yesterday to inquire about a "tingling" sensation when using the machine. They told me that it was a nerve issue and to call my doctor...so I called the doctor and they told me it was a machine issue...then called back to rental and they said they would check back today. Basically, when I start the CPM it feels like there is a short and I am getting a low level shocking sensation. This morning the company called back and asked if I was still having the same issue so they are going to bring me a different unit. That little device really makes a difference.

I am having more pain the past two days at the point where the hamstring was harvested. I go back to the doctor tomorrow so hopefully we can get some answers about what is going on in that area.

Week 1

Wow, it has been one week. Yesterday was eventful with the doctor thinking I might have a blood clot, having the ultrasound, being relieved at not having a blood clot, and then multiple calls back and forth to the office only to be told to just take it easy and we'll see you Friday.

I asked about physical therapy and was told to keep using the CPM until Friday and we would map out a plan then....so I am sitting on the couch watching the History Channel's WWII in HD on Demand all day.

Stay tuned.....more excitement awaits when PT begins

Heard from doctor

Okay, the doctor confirmed that there was no blood clot but wants me to just relax and not do too much between now and Friday, my follow up appointment. I asked about PT and was told that we would discuss all of that on Friday.

No blood clot

Okay, no blood clot. Now just waiting on the doctor's office to call back with next steps.

Making a run to the hospital

Called the doctor and he thinks I might have a bloodclot in my leg so we are running to the hospital for an ultrasound. Will provide updates as they are available.

6 Days later

I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or not but I am in as much pain today as I was last Thursday after the surgery. I am using the CPM 4-6 hours a day, I am keeping my brace on when not in the CPM, using the cool ice wrap, and keeping my leg elevated but the back of my leg radiating down to my calf are really hurting. It is almost like muscle spasms from the hamstring area. I am going to call the doctor this morning and describe what is happening and see if there is something I can do to relieve this issue.

I also need to find out about physical therapy as I still have not heard from anyone about starting.