whale watching in Santa Barbara, California
I’m 3-weeks post-op today and am feeling great. Still walking with one crutch but every day I wake up, I feel a little better than the day before. I can walk down every aisle in Harris Teeter now, leisurely. Now, that’s a huge accomplishment for me compared to the last time I was there (on a scooter).
Once again, I’m copying and pasting below another update from Katherine who is now in her 4th week post-op. (The update is from The ACL Repair Blog.) Katherine is one of my big inspirations to get this knee back into shape fast!
Author: Katherine
I’m 4 weeks post op today. I’m trying to remember 1990 and if this surgery really has been so much easier than the Patella graft in 1990. I actually had put my lower leg ‘on the backside’ at that time. That is, I was lying on my face in the dirt and my foot/calf from the knee was rotated out and my foot was pointing to the sky.
At that time, I had a Dr. who set me back – prior to getting on the right track – and getting the meniscus repaired and all the ligaments. So, the initial injury was much more traumatic and painful. The injury itself was a lot worse than this right knee injury I did in May. However, I know in 1990, I walked with crutches only for support the day of the surgery, and the second day, they had me go up and down stairs in PT. I definitely had more pain w/ the patella graft, but it was tolerable w/o pain meds most of the time after 3 days.
Anyway, funny how we forget pain and recovery….
I walked my dog today and forgot to wear my brace, which I just got back yesterday, after having it refitted. I walked for two miles just for fun – and because my poor dog hasn’t been walked enough. I didn’t think much about my knee. I did weigh myself today. I’ve lost 6 pounds since July 19 (my surgery was July 23), and I am SURE the weight loss is all muscle. Mostly in my leg. I am still doing yoga with no twisting moves. I’m walking up and down stairs alternating legs like normal people walk. I’m just waiting for the release to begin weight lifting on Aug. 31. Weight-lifting is my favorite exercise. Not fun sport – like horseback riding – but my favorite exercise. I just hope a year from now this cadaver graft is as wonderful as my patella graft was after 1 year. And 15 years. And 19 3/4 years……
I still have a very long way to go. I was trying to get to my phone quickly at work – and I cannot run. Found that out! :(
Thank you Katherine for sharing with us your 4-week post-op status! You’re an inspiration!
Posted by Katherine on September 2, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Sarah, no posts from you? Whatcha been doing? Getting caught up on work? Or, did you forget the little knee surgery already?
I forget it sometimes and then if helps me remember…….oh well.
Posted by Sarahdippity on September 4, 2009 at 10:22 am
hi katherine!
thanks for reminding me to post! many times i wanted to but things have been so busy lately … i haven’t had a chance. but thanks to you, i made time and reported yesterday! no way can i forget the “little knee surgery”! my knee is still reminding me every other 5 minutes or so that it still needs lots and lots of TLC!
please pop in once in a while and let us know how you’re doing, katherine!
happy labor day weekend!
Posted by Karen on September 16, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Hi Sarah & Katherine,
Thank you for your wonderful posts regarding your acl surgery and post surgery progress. I blew out my ACL 3 weeks ago. My surgery is scheduled for November. I’m bummed about the whole thing but your positive attitudes and straight forward information help. I found you in my search of trying to figure out which way to go; autograph or allographt. I’m leaning toward the later. I will be following your progress closely and will revisit as I start my process of recuperation to help me through it. I wish you both a speedy recovery.
Sincerely,
Karen
Posted by Sarahdippity on October 23, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hi Karen!
Sorry it took me so long to reply to your comment. I guess now that the knee is in somewhat better shape, I’ve neglected to post regularly being so busy with life and work and the normal swing of things. Your surgery is coming up soon! Are you nervous or excited? I’m glad I took the allograft route. It’s the right one for me. So far, the recovery is going along nicely. I try not to push my knee too hard afraid something may set it back, but at the same time I walk everywhere and have my normal life back! I love it!
Good luck with your surgery! Have you decided which graft to use? Don’t worry too much because either way things will work out fine, Karen. And your knee will get better post-op. That’s a given! Though the first 2-week period is the hardest on you. Just pamper yourself with everything you need nearby and stock up lots of DVDs and books to keep you company. Do you have an ice machine or ice packs ready? That helps a lot, perhaps more mentally than physically though.
Keep us posted!
Sarah