I can't believe that it has now been more than 4 months sense the surgery. Things continue to move at a snail pace. I find myself longing to get back to some normal physical activity. Riding the stationary bike at 14 mph just isn't cutting it and I am tired of adjusting my eating for the lack of exercise.
The past week I did go and buy a new bike in hopes of riding it soon. I had to ask the bike shop to keep it on the shelf until September. Otherwise the temptation to ride would be too great...as I am still not allowed to ride outside until the fall. Below are some basic things to note:
- The knee is still swollen. I wonder how long it will take until I can see my knee cap again?
- The past week I have had some moments of sharp pain. Those moments bring enough pain that it leaves me gasping for air and causes me to lose focus on whatever I was doing. The pan doesn't last very long but it is intense when it happens. The weird thing I haven't been able to figure out what is triggering the moments.
- My left quad muscle is still squishy...really squishy. But, if you look hard enough and turn your head in to the right place you can make out some contour of my small muscles. At this point I take anything I can get.
- My limp is barely noticeable, but still present. The leg gives out randomly once or twice per day, usually for a nanosecond, and then I quickly recapture my normal walking form.
- Stairs remain problematic. I don’t have to avoid stairs, but I do need to handle them with care, especially going down.
- My ROM is still good. However, deep bending or squatting are still beyond me.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Another DOC visit
Another week...another doctor visit. At just over 14 weeks post-op...I am feeling good and I was really looking forward to talking with Dr. Tarlow to see my latest progress and to ask some big questions. Teh appointment was quick and full of exciting news. The first news I got was that my doctor has decided to drop my health care provider.
Yes...not my fault. And really I can't blame him for the challenge doctors have to face with providers these days. What does that mean for me? It means I have to go back to my old doctor that couldn't provide surgical services because the provider wouldn't cover the facility. At least...I think I can go back as long as they haven't dropped my provider too. Just another fun think to navigate through...
Back to the knee news...
1. The knee is still swollen but that isn't something that is totally abnormal at this point.
2. I have to wear my unloader brace for another 6 months and then for any periods of extended time on my feet.
3. Everything looks and feels like it is healing nicely. I do have some popping and grinding still when the knee is flexed but the Doc told me that is fairly normal at this point and over time it should go away.
4. Stationary bike is a good thing as long as I don't overdo it! Thus, I keep doing what I am doing and I actually road 5 miles yesterday. My furthest bike ride in almost a year.
5. I asked if I could eventually Mountain bike again...while keeping my fingers crossed. To which I couldn't believe my ears...the answer was YES! In 18 months I can begin to mountain bike again. That news was almost too good to hear. I can't wait to get back on a bike soon- 18 months will not come fast enough. (And yes, I will be allowed to single speed as long as it isn't a steady diet of it)
6. Dr. Tarlow, also felt that the cells are growing like weeds and that over the next 20 weeks they should begin to morph into a thicker substance that resembles the new cartilage that is to come.
Overall, the news was all good. I couldn't be more excited.
Yes...not my fault. And really I can't blame him for the challenge doctors have to face with providers these days. What does that mean for me? It means I have to go back to my old doctor that couldn't provide surgical services because the provider wouldn't cover the facility. At least...I think I can go back as long as they haven't dropped my provider too. Just another fun think to navigate through...
Back to the knee news...
1. The knee is still swollen but that isn't something that is totally abnormal at this point.
2. I have to wear my unloader brace for another 6 months and then for any periods of extended time on my feet.
3. Everything looks and feels like it is healing nicely. I do have some popping and grinding still when the knee is flexed but the Doc told me that is fairly normal at this point and over time it should go away.
4. Stationary bike is a good thing as long as I don't overdo it! Thus, I keep doing what I am doing and I actually road 5 miles yesterday. My furthest bike ride in almost a year.
5. I asked if I could eventually Mountain bike again...while keeping my fingers crossed. To which I couldn't believe my ears...the answer was YES! In 18 months I can begin to mountain bike again. That news was almost too good to hear. I can't wait to get back on a bike soon- 18 months will not come fast enough. (And yes, I will be allowed to single speed as long as it isn't a steady diet of it)
6. Dr. Tarlow, also felt that the cells are growing like weeds and that over the next 20 weeks they should begin to morph into a thicker substance that resembles the new cartilage that is to come.
Overall, the news was all good. I couldn't be more excited.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
12 week update
Wow...almost three months have now passed by. There have been lots of ups and plenty of downs. The biggest change is that I am finally off the crutches. My fun, out of the house, conversational piece is now out of my hands. Honestly, I feel like a new person and yet, I look like a baby colt trying to walk for the first time.
Walking feels great because I like having the freedom to get things on my own and the freedom to pick up my kids and walk around the house. Those are the few things I have found I really took for granted. Overall, the pain is doing ok. When I am on my feet for an extended period of time the pain increases. As long I have time to rest and sit down things stay pretty manageable. Sunday was Easter and as a result I was on my feet a long time...that meant by the evening time I actually had to take a Vicodin to help me recover and sleep. I hadn't had to do that for weeks.
Physical Therapy is slowly coming along. I have reached full range of motion on the stationary bike with the seat fully lowered. That means that I can now slowly begin to increase a no resistance spin for 30 min every other day. That feels good to finally get to this point. I am really looking forward to my doctor visit at the end of the month to see what he has to say about my chances and timing to ride outside again.
At this point I am getting really comfortable with the unloader brace. It really helps manage the pain and gives me great support when getting around. In the evenings I walk around the house without it and that isn't necessarily a pretty thing.
I am also getting to do 45 degree wall sits. I hate wall sits...I have always hated wall sits...but I guess it is one thing that is good to help develop the muscles around my knee. 45 degrees is better than 90...but I still hate doing them.
Overall, the knee feels good and I look forward to my next doctor appointment.
Walking feels great because I like having the freedom to get things on my own and the freedom to pick up my kids and walk around the house. Those are the few things I have found I really took for granted. Overall, the pain is doing ok. When I am on my feet for an extended period of time the pain increases. As long I have time to rest and sit down things stay pretty manageable. Sunday was Easter and as a result I was on my feet a long time...that meant by the evening time I actually had to take a Vicodin to help me recover and sleep. I hadn't had to do that for weeks.
Physical Therapy is slowly coming along. I have reached full range of motion on the stationary bike with the seat fully lowered. That means that I can now slowly begin to increase a no resistance spin for 30 min every other day. That feels good to finally get to this point. I am really looking forward to my doctor visit at the end of the month to see what he has to say about my chances and timing to ride outside again.
At this point I am getting really comfortable with the unloader brace. It really helps manage the pain and gives me great support when getting around. In the evenings I walk around the house without it and that isn't necessarily a pretty thing.
I am also getting to do 45 degree wall sits. I hate wall sits...I have always hated wall sits...but I guess it is one thing that is good to help develop the muscles around my knee. 45 degrees is better than 90...but I still hate doing them.
Overall, the knee feels good and I look forward to my next doctor appointment.
Friday, March 30, 2012
5 Thoughts on Loss and Pain
My goal is not to be a “Debby Downer” today. Actually, my desire is to do the complete opposite. I hope some of my reflections inspire you and even encourage you in some of the challenges you face. One thing is for sure...life is full of challenges.
Over the past ten months I have faced every emotion I can think of. At least, I think so...but now we are getting into some deep philosophy that probably only interests me...so let me get back to where I was. The last six years I have experienced some great moments of joy and at the same time have walked in seasons of pain and hardship. The season of pain has been eerily marked by six different surgeries. Each surgery provided its own unique challenges and unique recoveries. The latest of which has been the most difficult.
My ACI surgery (coupled with the Fulkerson Osteotomy) has not been the easiest surgery to recover from by any means. The 5 weeks spent in bed and the hours spent sitting in my chair has been challenging physically, but also emotionally. Knowing that life will have a new normal is part of the problem. However, the time down has given me great time to ponder the implications of pain, loss, and grief. Here are five things that I have learned, pondered, and even come to appreciate.
1. Balance - Pain, illness, injury...whatever you want to call it is exhausting. I have regularly found myself feeling or wishing that I could do more to handle the demands of life, to help around the house, to play with the kids. However, I have come to understand that even some of the most simple and mundane things become quite difficult when dealing with the stress of pain and illness. Not only does the physical pain see-saw back and forth...so do your emotions. I found it normal to watch my emotions go back and forth from negative thoughts to positive thoughts and back again in a matter of minutes.
In these moments it is helpful and very important to manage your energy well. Knowing that the stress of injury, illness, or pain drains your energy tank is a critical piece to the puzzle. Thus, you have to manage your energy wisely. Find things or people that bring you energy and avoid tasks and even people that drain energy. Make sure you to-do list is reasonable and don’t push your self beyond your energy level or you will pay for it!
2. Don’t let your injury or pain win - There have been moments that I have felt like succumbing to the pain or my identity as the guy with knee issues. Even spending time with good friends the conversation easily moves towards talking about my issues, my recovery, my pain as though there is nothing else to talk about. Don’t allow this to be come the new normal. Focus your conversations and help lead others to talk about the many other interesting things that help make you.
3. Talk with others who have been there before - Even with six surgeries over the past six years I had never gone through a prolonged season of being in pain. If you are anything like me...you probably haven’t either. In preparation for my last surgery knowing that the pain would be tremendous and the time laid up would be lengthy I sought out several people that had walked through similar hardships. These people gave me great information, understanding, advice, and ecnouragement. All of these things helped create for a foundation that would help me persevere through the challenges of surgery and rehab. The shared experiences showed me I wasn’t alone in this journey...which trust me is a nice reminder.
4. Don’t isolate yourself - When I am in pain and nursing an injury I find it easy to isolate myself from activity, people, etc. Bed rest also made it extremely easy to isolate myself and to spend time watching TV (not mentioning the pain meds). I think part of this is normal based on circumstances. However, fight through it. Ask people to visit and to bring your favorite milk shake from time to time (Mexican food was helpful too). Watch things that are uplifting and that don’t add weight to your already shaken emotions. And when possible...get out of the house. Going to church and even a restaurant helped me feel normal again.
5. See the bigger picture - I have come to recognize that without pain and hardship I would never come to know God as my Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1, tells us that in times of trial and in times of hardship, when we turn to God for answers and help He will be there and will be our Comforter. If we were to live life without pain, then we would never get to fully experience God for all that He is; without pain there is no need to be comforted. If this be true, then for us to truly mature and to become Christ like we must have periods of pain in our life! Thus, pain in the long run really is a blessing, because it is in our pain that we get to see and experience God.
Over the past ten months I have faced every emotion I can think of. At least, I think so...but now we are getting into some deep philosophy that probably only interests me...so let me get back to where I was. The last six years I have experienced some great moments of joy and at the same time have walked in seasons of pain and hardship. The season of pain has been eerily marked by six different surgeries. Each surgery provided its own unique challenges and unique recoveries. The latest of which has been the most difficult.
My ACI surgery (coupled with the Fulkerson Osteotomy) has not been the easiest surgery to recover from by any means. The 5 weeks spent in bed and the hours spent sitting in my chair has been challenging physically, but also emotionally. Knowing that life will have a new normal is part of the problem. However, the time down has given me great time to ponder the implications of pain, loss, and grief. Here are five things that I have learned, pondered, and even come to appreciate.
1. Balance - Pain, illness, injury...whatever you want to call it is exhausting. I have regularly found myself feeling or wishing that I could do more to handle the demands of life, to help around the house, to play with the kids. However, I have come to understand that even some of the most simple and mundane things become quite difficult when dealing with the stress of pain and illness. Not only does the physical pain see-saw back and forth...so do your emotions. I found it normal to watch my emotions go back and forth from negative thoughts to positive thoughts and back again in a matter of minutes.
In these moments it is helpful and very important to manage your energy well. Knowing that the stress of injury, illness, or pain drains your energy tank is a critical piece to the puzzle. Thus, you have to manage your energy wisely. Find things or people that bring you energy and avoid tasks and even people that drain energy. Make sure you to-do list is reasonable and don’t push your self beyond your energy level or you will pay for it!
2. Don’t let your injury or pain win - There have been moments that I have felt like succumbing to the pain or my identity as the guy with knee issues. Even spending time with good friends the conversation easily moves towards talking about my issues, my recovery, my pain as though there is nothing else to talk about. Don’t allow this to be come the new normal. Focus your conversations and help lead others to talk about the many other interesting things that help make you.
3. Talk with others who have been there before - Even with six surgeries over the past six years I had never gone through a prolonged season of being in pain. If you are anything like me...you probably haven’t either. In preparation for my last surgery knowing that the pain would be tremendous and the time laid up would be lengthy I sought out several people that had walked through similar hardships. These people gave me great information, understanding, advice, and ecnouragement. All of these things helped create for a foundation that would help me persevere through the challenges of surgery and rehab. The shared experiences showed me I wasn’t alone in this journey...which trust me is a nice reminder.
4. Don’t isolate yourself - When I am in pain and nursing an injury I find it easy to isolate myself from activity, people, etc. Bed rest also made it extremely easy to isolate myself and to spend time watching TV (not mentioning the pain meds). I think part of this is normal based on circumstances. However, fight through it. Ask people to visit and to bring your favorite milk shake from time to time (Mexican food was helpful too). Watch things that are uplifting and that don’t add weight to your already shaken emotions. And when possible...get out of the house. Going to church and even a restaurant helped me feel normal again.
5. See the bigger picture - I have come to recognize that without pain and hardship I would never come to know God as my Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1, tells us that in times of trial and in times of hardship, when we turn to God for answers and help He will be there and will be our Comforter. If we were to live life without pain, then we would never get to fully experience God for all that He is; without pain there is no need to be comforted. If this be true, then for us to truly mature and to become Christ like we must have periods of pain in our life! Thus, pain in the long run really is a blessing, because it is in our pain that we get to see and experience God.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Another Random Update
Today, I am at 9.5 weeks post-op. I have been a little hesitant to post anything lately because the progress is very slow. The knee is still a little swollen, the scar is healing nicely, my pain is manageable, and I am still in need of crutches to get around.
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When it comes to the pain...I would never classify the knee as feeling awesome, but it does feel a lot better than it use to. If I am honest, my progress seems to be moving at a glacial pace...the small increases in my ROM seems hardly enough material to write a blog about. However, for your own boredom I will keep on keeping on!!!
Yesterday, brought some more progress. I have slowly lowered the seat on the bike to help increase my range of motion. I only have three more notches until my seat is all the way down. I road for another 15 minutes yesterday. It did take a few minutes until the knee warmed up so that I could actually make a full revolution. Over the entire 15 minutes I set a new record for distance traveled. I rode bike a total of .59 miles over 15 minutes. Being a former competitive rider...It is hard to believe that I am celebrating such a small milestone on the bike...but you have to look at the little things.
I am getting more use to the brace everyday. I did try to take a step around the car door this week with out the use of my crutches. It was such a small distance I decided to give it a go. Let's just say that if it wasn't for the brace and the car being so close to me I would have been flat on my face. I am still not ready to walk unassisted yet. Monday brings some more changes and more to share.
.JPG)
When it comes to the pain...I would never classify the knee as feeling awesome, but it does feel a lot better than it use to. If I am honest, my progress seems to be moving at a glacial pace...the small increases in my ROM seems hardly enough material to write a blog about. However, for your own boredom I will keep on keeping on!!!
Yesterday, brought some more progress. I have slowly lowered the seat on the bike to help increase my range of motion. I only have three more notches until my seat is all the way down. I road for another 15 minutes yesterday. It did take a few minutes until the knee warmed up so that I could actually make a full revolution. Over the entire 15 minutes I set a new record for distance traveled. I rode bike a total of .59 miles over 15 minutes. Being a former competitive rider...It is hard to believe that I am celebrating such a small milestone on the bike...but you have to look at the little things.
I am getting more use to the brace everyday. I did try to take a step around the car door this week with out the use of my crutches. It was such a small distance I decided to give it a go. Let's just say that if it wasn't for the brace and the car being so close to me I would have been flat on my face. I am still not ready to walk unassisted yet. Monday brings some more changes and more to share.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Stylin in my new brace!
This week has been a real test for the knee (8.5 weeks). I attended a conference for the last three days which meant a lot of time on my feet and walking from session to session. The time out of the house and the new routine proved to bring some great relief to the soul but a little more pain to the knee. I also got really good at giving the short and modified story of what happened to everyone that had the nerve to ask me why I was on crutches. Even though the extended time on my feet brought pain...it was all worth it!!!
The good news of the day is that I finally got my brace. At least I think so...I mean, I think it is mine. I took Aaron with me this afternoon to have a little father/son time. As the tech assistant was opening the box holding my brace I asked Aaron what color he thought my brace would be. He thought about for a minute and shrugged his shoulders. With great enthusiasm in my voice and without hesitation, I told him it was black! That was when I heard a the little voice of the tech assistant say..."Silver."
"What?" I questioned.
"It's silver. Isn't that what you ordered?" she asked.
Evidently, the order was black, the order sheet also showed that it was suppose to be black. But what we got...was silver. I guess God thought I needed a little more bling in my life. After convincing the tech to not send it back (I can't afford another week waiting for a new brace) we finally moved on to the fitting. Here is a look at what the unloader brace looks like.
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This view of the brace shows how the unloader brace actually works. There are different numerical settings that correspond to the amount of pressure that gets placed on knee. The pressure point is placed on the opposite side of where the relief is needed (the higher the number the greater the pressure). In my case the pressure point is on the outside of my knee. I will leave it in the second position because I have damage on both sides of the knee and we don't want to damage the outside of the knee trying to unload the inside of the knee. The reason for having the brace is because the damage and the patch on the inside of my knee is so large...it should help that section of the knee have a better chance of healing.
The knee still continues to be slightly swollen- Swollen enough that I still have no real contours in the knee joint. The best part of it is that my knee no longer looks like a watermelon, but more like a grapefruit. The outside of the knee is still quite numb, but I guess that is normal. I am enjoying my time working on ROM on the stationary bike. I pretty much have no problems getting full rotation. That means tomorrow I get to lower the seat and work on getting another full circle once again. The most time I can spend on the bike is about 15 minutes before the pain gets to be too much. Besides the bike I do some straight leg raises and that is really about all. I can't wait until I hit a few more weeks and can begin walking exercises.
At least it is March Madness!!! Go Kentucky!!!
The good news of the day is that I finally got my brace. At least I think so...I mean, I think it is mine. I took Aaron with me this afternoon to have a little father/son time. As the tech assistant was opening the box holding my brace I asked Aaron what color he thought my brace would be. He thought about for a minute and shrugged his shoulders. With great enthusiasm in my voice and without hesitation, I told him it was black! That was when I heard a the little voice of the tech assistant say..."Silver."
"What?" I questioned.
"It's silver. Isn't that what you ordered?" she asked.
Evidently, the order was black, the order sheet also showed that it was suppose to be black. But what we got...was silver. I guess God thought I needed a little more bling in my life. After convincing the tech to not send it back (I can't afford another week waiting for a new brace) we finally moved on to the fitting. Here is a look at what the unloader brace looks like.
.JPG)
.JPG)
The knee still continues to be slightly swollen- Swollen enough that I still have no real contours in the knee joint. The best part of it is that my knee no longer looks like a watermelon, but more like a grapefruit. The outside of the knee is still quite numb, but I guess that is normal. I am enjoying my time working on ROM on the stationary bike. I pretty much have no problems getting full rotation. That means tomorrow I get to lower the seat and work on getting another full circle once again. The most time I can spend on the bike is about 15 minutes before the pain gets to be too much. Besides the bike I do some straight leg raises and that is really about all. I can't wait until I hit a few more weeks and can begin walking exercises.
At least it is March Madness!!! Go Kentucky!!!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Not this week...
I was planning to update everyone with my stylish looking brace today...but there is no brace. I have been waiting all week to hear back from the doctor that my brace had arrived. After waiting around until Thursday afternoon I decided to give the office a call to see what was going on. What I found out is that the brace was just ordered on Wednesday due to slow insurance approval. That means I have to wait another week to get my unloader brace. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not super excited to wear another brace for a few months. However, the brace will allow me to introduce a little more weight into the joint.
The bike work (ROM) is going well. After slowly warming up the knee I have finally made a full rotation on the bike at a speedy rate of 15sec/rotation for 15 minutes. At fifteen minutes it is time to fall off the bike and ice. That's about all right now.
The bike work (ROM) is going well. After slowly warming up the knee I have finally made a full rotation on the bike at a speedy rate of 15sec/rotation for 15 minutes. At fifteen minutes it is time to fall off the bike and ice. That's about all right now.
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