I refer to my two primary physical therapists as "Good Cop" and "Bad Cop". This has nothing to do with their abilities (both outstanding) or personalities (both cool), but there is a distinct difference between their methods. You know with BC that you're going to be pushed to the brink on most days and with GC the process is more conservative. I think they both do a great job and it's a good combination to have the two working together.
Yesterday was a prime Good Cop vs. Bad Cop encounter. GC walked me in and got me going with the usual Exercise Bike for 10 minutes and I followed with the normal stretches. Then, I asked him what was next. I was scheduled with BC and he checked with him. No surprise that I then was given the sentence of 10 minutes with the leg hang. I laid on my belly on the table with a (heavy) heating pad on the leg and a weight on the ankle. Everything from just above the knee down was hanging off the table. GC told me there would be no Quad Stim to accompany this therapy. I was so thanking the heavens that it was a GC day!
Two minutes later, BC came by to let me know that I was not getting off that easy. He attached the Quad Stim, and proceeded to ramp up the voltage to the usual excruciating muscle cramp. 10 seconds on - 30 seconds off. Not only did I get added discomfort, I got to start my time over!
When the buzzer went off "Time's Up!", GC started to walk over to release me from the weights and wires and all that good stuff. I'm usually unable to do much more than a very feeble army crawl at this point anyway. Unfortunately, though, BC spoke from across the room, "Hold up!" I got to wait an extra minute till he finished with the other patient and slowly came over. My 10-minute easy leg hang had turned into another torturous session with extra minutes added on!
I will thank them both when this is all over because they've been great in helping me, but I won't soon forget who's good cop and who's bad cop.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Surgery + 7 Weeks & 2 Days: Are you sure it was your hamstring?
When Jeff and I visited his parents this weekend, I got a question that has been in the back of my mind, too. Jeff's dad, a physician himself, wondered why my major incision was below my leg if the graft was from my hamstring. I really didn't do a lot of reading about what goes on during the surgery because I'm squeamish. But, my curiousity is now peaked and since I'm post-surgery I'm more comfortable figuring out what's happened.
Anyway, the hamstring connects to the tibia and that is the portion that gets removed. I found a website that is great about explaining the surgery and the picture below helps to explain the positioning of the scar.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Surgery + 7 Weeks and a Day: Peaks and Valleys
Things have been good for the most part this week.
Somehow my PT seems to last more than 2.5 hours but not be nearly as painful and actually almost feels like a workout. Things I'm doing...bike, walking backwards on treadmill, some stair-like motions, balancing on one leg with actions, weights (3 or 4 machines per session - I'm @ 145 lbs for leg press w/ both and 70 with one and given my history of wimpiness this feels like a lot), the normal stretches, calf raises including on one leg, and practicing walking. I haven't returned to the "torture chair" in a week but do have two things I really dislike...therapist pulling and pushing the leg straight (kind of massage with a medieval torture theme) and prone hang off a table with the added benefit of quad stimulator at the same time. Today the full 10 minutes was unbearable and I give myself kudos for not screaming.
Through all this though, I realize that the PT and value of the trainers is worth every blessed insurance penny they get paid. They do great work and push me much harder than I would be able to push myself. This brings me to a big concern. I haven't gotten an answer back yet as to whether my insurance benefits have been extended for physical therapy. Given the fact that I'm not jogging yet, I'm really concerned with my progress if I'm left to my own devices.
The other bummer is that outdoor soccer season is starting. Well, I should probably revise the term "bummer". I'm really happy my friends that do get to play, but I am going to be a green-eyed monster. I've spent countless hours this winter working on the board of directors of my local adult soccer association to get our organization ready to have spring, summer, and fall leagues. It's ironic that during my first term on the board I'm not likely to play in a single game. I plan to practice some sports photography as my back-up hobby while I'm out, but will miss the exhileration of kicking the ball just right where it feels perfect coming off my foot and the general camaraderie of playing with different people which always keeps it interesting.
Alas, I guess it could be worse. Spring seems to have arrived (finally) and after a long Michigan winter this is a time where it's very hard not to feel a sense of wonder and happiness.
Somehow my PT seems to last more than 2.5 hours but not be nearly as painful and actually almost feels like a workout. Things I'm doing...bike, walking backwards on treadmill, some stair-like motions, balancing on one leg with actions, weights (3 or 4 machines per session - I'm @ 145 lbs for leg press w/ both and 70 with one and given my history of wimpiness this feels like a lot), the normal stretches, calf raises including on one leg, and practicing walking. I haven't returned to the "torture chair" in a week but do have two things I really dislike...therapist pulling and pushing the leg straight (kind of massage with a medieval torture theme) and prone hang off a table with the added benefit of quad stimulator at the same time. Today the full 10 minutes was unbearable and I give myself kudos for not screaming.
Through all this though, I realize that the PT and value of the trainers is worth every blessed insurance penny they get paid. They do great work and push me much harder than I would be able to push myself. This brings me to a big concern. I haven't gotten an answer back yet as to whether my insurance benefits have been extended for physical therapy. Given the fact that I'm not jogging yet, I'm really concerned with my progress if I'm left to my own devices.
The other bummer is that outdoor soccer season is starting. Well, I should probably revise the term "bummer". I'm really happy my friends that do get to play, but I am going to be a green-eyed monster. I've spent countless hours this winter working on the board of directors of my local adult soccer association to get our organization ready to have spring, summer, and fall leagues. It's ironic that during my first term on the board I'm not likely to play in a single game. I plan to practice some sports photography as my back-up hobby while I'm out, but will miss the exhileration of kicking the ball just right where it feels perfect coming off my foot and the general camaraderie of playing with different people which always keeps it interesting.
Alas, I guess it could be worse. Spring seems to have arrived (finally) and after a long Michigan winter this is a time where it's very hard not to feel a sense of wonder and happiness.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Surgery + 6 Weeks & 3 Days: Much Better Than Yesterday!
Sometimes it's good to feel really low because just about anything is sunshine from a relative perspective. Today felt good in spite of the fact that between PT and doctor's visit I was there over three hours!
- At PT, they ran out of time to perform the "torture chair". I know I will have to tangle with it again soon but a one-day reprieve is very welcome!
- 116 degrees Range of Motion (an improvement)
- I was able to make it through 45 reps of one-leg super press at 60 pounds with the bad leg - progress!
- I saw the Doctor and his PA and they both said I'm on track for 6-weeks out. X-rays look good, I still have difficulty with strength in my quad and there's some swelling but overall better progress report than I'd expected.
- I'm free to ditch the brace - a fashion coup! The only thing I'm concerned about is when I had the brace people knew I had an injury or something. Now people are just going to think I've a serious ambulation problem. It's funny how going through the awkwardness and ugliness of this injury makes me care very little about this. I just give people a knowing smile when they stare like "I know...it's not pretty...I'm aware I look funny and it's okay."
Today there was a girl in therapy who was 2 months post-surgery and still on crutches. Her leg is perfectly straight. It reminded me that every person's experiences are different and we each have our crosses to bear as we try to get back to normal.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
6 Weeks + 2 Days: I'm Getting Sick of This!
I have not progressed as well as I would like to. I have said goodbye to my crutches but still am encumbered by the 3 pound brace...this is not on the spring fashion must-have list.
More importantly, I'm still lacking the critical ability to use my quad to straighten my knee. This leaves my PT sessions seeming less like a workout and more like torture with 10 minutes spent in the "torture chair" (this moniker was given by the therapists, not by me) and another 10 minutes spent with the knee hanging off a table while I'm on my stomach weighted by an ankle weight and giant hot pad. And an additional 10 minutes with the trainer straightening my leg for me. This is exhausting after the other 90 minutes of knee-focused work.
My apologies to those that have been brought down by my tears during their PT sessions as it's hard to hide the pain after a while. I'm recording this now so that one day I can look back and realize how far I've come as I'm sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon...there's got to be!
2 weeks until the Bahamas...hopefully I'll be seaworthy by then!
More importantly, I'm still lacking the critical ability to use my quad to straighten my knee. This leaves my PT sessions seeming less like a workout and more like torture with 10 minutes spent in the "torture chair" (this moniker was given by the therapists, not by me) and another 10 minutes spent with the knee hanging off a table while I'm on my stomach weighted by an ankle weight and giant hot pad. And an additional 10 minutes with the trainer straightening my leg for me. This is exhausting after the other 90 minutes of knee-focused work.
My apologies to those that have been brought down by my tears during their PT sessions as it's hard to hide the pain after a while. I'm recording this now so that one day I can look back and realize how far I've come as I'm sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon...there's got to be!
2 weeks until the Bahamas...hopefully I'll be seaworthy by then!
Monday, April 7, 2008
My ACL Hero
Just when I needed some extra rehab inspiration, Brandon Rush and my team KANSAS are playing for the National Championship tonight. Last year, Brandon declared for the NBA after a stellar sophomore season. While training prior to the draft in late May (or hire of an agent) he tore his ACL. He was back playing in November and has been playing without a brace since February.
There is a great article chronicling his recovery (and tears shed along the way). I'm glad I'm not the only one! Extra bonus points for the picture to the right towering over "Psycho T" :-)
ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS!!!
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