On 5/09 I started walking with one crutch. Pretty wobbly but I'm getting around. I also had my second physical therapy pool appointment. The pool has a treadmill under water that I walk on. I feel like I'm learning to walk all over again. It's just weird having to think, "ok, bring your heel up to your butt....don't tilt up my hip". Besides the walking, my therapist also added a floatie to my ankle and allowed the floatie to bend my leg up behind me. I also do step-ups in the water. So much easier in the water, and a lot less pain. We added bending in the water which also seemed to go better. Not sure why bending in the water hurts less, but whatever eases the pain makes me happy.
On 5/13 I bought a cane and started using the cane verses my crutches. I felt like a newborn horse with extremely shaky knees. The first two days with the cane I only used it around the house. I needed the help of walls, counters, and chairs to catch me when I almost fell. As the days went on the leg became stronger but my knee still "gives out" every now and then; having the cane helps me catch myself when this happens. I ventured outside of the house with the cane, and got groceries. Going around the store with the cart really helped, although I'm stronger, I'm still not strong enough to walk around a store with just the cane.
Also on 5/13 I had physical therapy, and we added land exercises to my routine. I use the bike and the leg press, along with bending the knee, and then I hop into the pool. The bike goes ok; it can be painful, but I'm able to push through. The leg press however, is very painful. Apparently being on my back, bending my knees and trying to move the bench really hurts. And I was only able to push 25 pounds. My legs were shaking so bad.
Once again bending is my number one issue. No excitement here. I got to 102 degrees at my last visit (5/16). I forgot to mention I came completely off pain medicine. I was taking half a vicodin for PT, but on 5/13 I spaced on taking a pill and did ok. The knee is painful on and off throughout the day, but it's tolerable and I'd rather tolerate pain than be taking such strong pain meds every six hours. I just really wanted to get off the pills.
My physical therapist gave me home exercises of which I am completely frustrated with. They have to do with bending (mainly) and building up my leg muscles. Tonight was the first night I tried these exercises and I barely got anywhere with them. I am beyond over this knee not bending; so tonight i popped a vicodin and cranked up the CPM machine. I did not want to take a vicodin, but tonight I gave in. Usually I get the CPM machine to 82 degrees. Tonight I got it to 94 degrees. Very painful and I kept moving my hip as the machine bent my knee. I tried to relax as much as I could.
The other day i met someone else who has had this surgery. First time this has happened. She had the surgery about 12 years ago, however she did not have the MPFL replacement, like I did. Also her scar was horizontal and mine is vertical. With how fast medicine changes I wonder if her osteotomy surgery was a different technique from mine. And I hope my guess is true because her knee just started dislocating again. Ahh, not what I wanted to hear! The doctor told her all she could do was work her leg muscles, no more surgery for her. Her sister also had the surgery and she also had issues bending her knee; so the doctor put her under and forced it to bend. AHHH, not what I wanted to hear. Well I'm going to try and look on the bright side; she had non dislocating knees for 12 years. At this point I don't know if the pain is worth only 12 good years. :-/
Hang in there Osteotomy Girl. 12 years ago, I tore my ACL, after having arthroscopic surgery I decided not do the the acl reconstruction, and boy was that the worst decision. 12 years later, 1 full, 4 halfs marathons, and lots of 5 k's later, my acl insufficiency has caused me to have osteo arthritis in my right knee. My Doctor tells me the only cure to knee arthritis is a total knee replacement, but because of my age (28 yrs old), and me being active, that isn't even an option for me. Then he told me about osteotomy with an acl reconstruction, and he has warmed me that it is a big surgery. I didn't realize how big it was until I started google-ing it, and now i'm scared. Especially when he said that an osteotomy normally is only good for 8-12 years.... Then what? another surgery? total knee replacement at the age of 36?
ReplyDeleteMy biggest fear however, is what if I will never be able to run again? How can I accept that when running is my love... Sometimes I wonder why I am even considering the surgery, but in the end - reality hits me and I just want a long term solution. I want to be healthy, hopefully still active and with no pain.
My surgery isn't scheduled until October. I enjoyed reading your blog, its definitely gotten me prepared for the future. Thank You for writing it. And - although fear was in this comment- you can do it. Things are going to be okay. Just give it time and lots of "not giving up" :)
Thank you so much for the comment/encouragement!! I am so sorry you've been having so much trouble with your knee! I know what you're talking about with running though; I gave that up years ago. Just hurts too bad.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so happy knowing my blog is helping someone! That was my intent from the beginning. I had a hard time finding information about my surgery/what to expect before surgery and thought If i can help someone else; then I'm going to do it. However just know my surgery sounds slightly different from yours; one of the differences being the ACL. I did not tare my ACL, but my friend who tore his makes it sound like we went through a fairly similar recovery process. My recovery has been slightly longer than his, but the amount of pain/exercises we have dealt with are somewhat similar.
My outlook has actually gotten a lot better the last couple days, and I'm currently writing about that in my next post (stay tune!:-) ). Gooooood luck with your surgery! i truly hope you get the results you are looking for, its very scary knowing it may turn out slightly different. I would suggest seeing several different doctors before surgery, if you're slightly nervous. It took me four different doctors before I finally found one i trusted. Don't be afraid to shop around, if you haven't already.
If you have any questions please ask! I'm a pretty open book. I've tired to blog about everything, but I know there can be something i forgot.