tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47097509549184887852024-03-05T02:27:27.813-05:00Fixing My KneeThis is a diary of experiences and resources related to surgery and rehabilitation for injuries to the MCL, ACL, and Meniscus in the knee.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-61533268261883022982009-11-30T22:53:00.002-05:002009-11-30T22:55:36.660-05:00I played soccer tonight...finally!So...23 months after injury, 21 months after surgery, 15 months after pregnancy and 6 months after baby, I FINALLY played soccer again!!! My original recovery was delayed a bit when I got pregnant and I resumed PT post-pregnancy. It felt good tonight...although I need many thousands of touches on the ball. But, hopefully, this long knee journey is entering a new stage for a long time!!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-11287185345513240672008-08-29T16:22:00.001-04:002008-08-29T16:22:48.631-04:00Sunflower in AugustSunflowers in August, originally uploaded by MWOOD19.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-88772687912904124112008-08-29T16:18:00.003-04:002008-08-29T16:23:50.019-04:006 Months Post Surgery and CountingI've made it 6 months now and my life is becoming less about the knee and more about everything else. I'm going to "transitional" PT still which means it's me on my own at the same facility as normal PT two to three days a week. The routine:EllipticalStretchingExercises working on balancing and putting stress on the bad legBeginning agility - jogging, skipping, jump rope, running in rings of Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-32483499387566531692008-06-24T13:01:00.002-04:002008-06-24T13:07:37.430-04:00Elliptical BlissI made it through a warm-up on the elliptical machine yesterday. Some of you other ACL rehabbers may be thinking "so what?" But, I have always had elliptical issues much preferring jogging on treadmills or outside. It felt so good to be moving my whole body not just sitting on an exercise bike. And, obviously I've let go of some of the inhibitions of my awkwardness on the machine since this Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-42377890802814593602008-06-13T20:27:00.002-04:002008-06-13T20:30:12.749-04:00New Torture Today I got to try a new torture machine. It's called the Extensionater and is a replacement for the torture chair. My impression was that it was less painful - good. Maybe not quite as straight - not so good. It felt like having a blood pressure band around your leg, because it essentially blows up a balloon that holds your leg down. Variety is good - I think I will switch off between the Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-502192004481872282008-06-13T11:41:00.004-04:002008-06-13T12:10:57.602-04:003 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days: MILESTONE!Okay, if you haven't been around me in the last six months or suffered a severe knee injury you may not understand how excited I am. BUT, I'll tell you anyway. Last night I tried walking down the stairs in my house like a normal person. Not one step at a time, but one leg in front of the other. I did it! I do have to hold onto the wall for balance, and definitely need to work on control, Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-75657251419728315222008-06-10T00:25:00.001-04:002008-06-10T00:25:00.349-04:00San FranciscoTwin Peaks, originally uploaded by MWOOD19.I just got back from a business trip and weekend in San Francisco. It was a great trip...no major incidents. I got a lot of practice walking. I could definitely feel my knee and especially my hamstring and calf muscles since I was moving aroudn so much. The thing I kept thinking about was how lucky I've been that I lived in a city where you don't Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-18888737601281348352008-06-09T18:13:00.001-04:002008-06-09T18:15:58.300-04:00When I'm Back Playing SoccerBlackBeltBlues shared an excellent article regarding ACL injuries and warm-up routines for girls playing soccer. It's an important reminder for women young and old and something I will definitely incorporate into my routine if I get a chance to get back on the field.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-73075979920030071262008-06-01T19:27:00.003-04:002008-06-01T19:36:34.369-04:00A Question of Perspective?I wanted to focus on the positive this weekend. It became easier for a variety of reasons...1) Jeff's house sale became final on Friday which means we only own one house and not two. It had been on the market for over a year since six months before our wedding. 2) We saw friends we hadn't seen since before the surgery. Since they haven't seen the day-to-day recovery process, my knee wasn't onMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-18248723546297874692008-05-29T14:53:00.005-04:002008-05-29T15:55:55.326-04:00Surgery + 3 Months: MeltdownI had my 3-month post-surgery check-up yesterday and I guess I also threw my 3-month post-surgery pity-party as well. I knew it was not going to go well when I was almost in tears before the PA got into the room. I've been so frustrated with the pain I've experienced recently when walking or just standing up and the fact that my knee won't straighten. I know I'm behind schedule at this Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-38736405075076154872008-05-22T17:29:00.004-04:002008-05-22T17:41:08.025-04:002 Steps BackIt's been a little while since I've written. I have been so busy trying to get back to normal but my knee does not want to come along for the ride! Since I wrote, I've unpacked from the Bahamas and been on a business trip to Boston. I had such a good time seeing the city! I even walked for about 2 and a half hours after the sessions were over which made me feel like a real able-bodied person.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-72186712194322711312008-05-08T23:32:00.002-04:002008-05-08T23:35:09.171-04:00ACL in ParadiseI have spent the past 10 days sailing in the Bahamas Abaco Islands. My knee held up on and off the boat onto docks and dinghies. It is still stiff but I think the vacation did me some good!Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-16768693698078324322008-05-08T16:24:00.004-04:002008-05-08T16:39:30.413-04:00Must Read for Soccer GirlsI just read this very interesting NYTimes article about ACL and injuries in general and female athletes. I was so fortunate during my competitive playing years that I never suffered a major injury and missed very few games in spite of averaging probably 40-70 games a year for my competitive years from about age 12 to 18. Today, I'm recovering from the major surgery as a woman over 30. I've playedMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-45063720214903200532008-04-22T18:55:00.003-04:002008-04-22T19:08:38.240-04:00Surgery + 8 Weeks: Good Cop - Bad CopI 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 Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-31864014522423443042008-04-17T15:04:00.005-04:002008-04-17T16:17:06.984-04:00Surgery + 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 Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-20486535433946139752008-04-16T11:52:00.006-04:002008-04-17T17:17:40.473-04:00Surgery + 7 Weeks and a Day: Peaks and ValleysThings 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 Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-32255683658946603712008-04-11T12:44:00.005-04:002008-04-11T12:54:14.812-04:00Surgery + 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 improvementMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-42576559111055906472008-04-10T11:16:00.002-04:002008-04-10T11:22:27.234-04:006 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 chairMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-89384902045517341122008-04-07T14:30:00.006-04:002008-04-16T16:05:29.983-04:00My ACL HeroJust 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 articleMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-92008799787794898042008-03-24T16:27:00.000-04:002008-03-24T16:29:16.499-04:00Surgery + 27 Days: License to DriveThings are going well. The most exciting news is that I got the okay to start driving and have made a "full-time" return to work. So far so good on that front with today, Monday, as my first day back. I'm still on crutches, though, and hope to be off of them this week or next.PT has also evolved, as well. I no longer have 20 minutes of quad stem which is hooking up the quad to electrodes. This Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-78484284257400939472008-03-16T23:56:00.003-04:002008-03-17T00:03:13.109-04:00Surgery + 20 Days: A Long WeekendMy St. Patty's Day Weekend was pretty low key. I spent a lot of time getting work done around the house and also for my 2nd day back at the office tomorrow. Also, I devoted time to "fixing this knee". I feel like I've hit a pretty low point because I don't see a lot of progress in getting my knee straighter. I'm going to try to take a picture comparing my right and left leg sometime this week. Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-22992269534573140422008-03-14T17:18:00.003-04:002008-03-24T16:29:16.500-04:00Surgery + 17 Days: Back to the GrindIt's funny how the warmth and sun of Florida makes everything feel better! I was so glad I made the trip. However, I returned to therapy Thursday after five days off and could definitely tell I'd taken a break.The main focus (nothing new) is straightening and range of motion. I continue to have difficulty getting my leg to the right degree of straight, maybe five degrees away. The things I'mMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-54858166540027390422008-03-11T11:36:00.004-04:002008-03-17T00:05:16.137-04:00Surgery + 2 Weeks: Here Comes the Sun!While I haven't really gotten to enjoy the full beauty of Florida sunshine after four months of Michigan winter, just seeing light out my hotel room window is great. So far so good on my trip to the conference. I had one slip - or maybe I'll call it a slide - which hurt my knee. I didn't actually fall down. I don't think there was permanent damage. A highlight, though, was a trip on a roller Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-36423291341123530872008-03-08T23:43:00.004-05:002008-03-08T23:50:41.929-05:00Surgery + 9 to 11 Days: Back to WorkI've accomplished a lot in the last few days. I had a full day of work Thursday thanks to Jen who graciously chauffered. I got my stitches out as well. The knee looks much better than last week. There is one hole that I'm working on closing up, but otherwise very good. Tomorrow I venture to Orlando for a work conference. It's the most work I'll be able to do for a couple weeks because I'm still Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-27744207554146159512008-03-05T17:07:00.006-05:002008-03-05T17:17:32.314-05:00Surgery + 8 Days: Wisdom Inside Dark ChocolateI found today's inspiration inside the Dove Dark Chocolate my friend Gerri gave me. Here's the wrapper: What a great reason to eat chocolate!! Anyway, I would say today was a very good day.Therapy was quite challenging and we made it on time in spite of six more inches of snow we were blessed with overnight. I swear that it has snowed 90% of the days I've had 7 a.m. therapy and with salt suppliesMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0