Yippee!!!

 

I feel like turning cartwheels! Last week had PT twice – Monday with Luke and Wednesday with Drew. Drew said Luke (owner of Trinity Wellness) is the best he’s ever seen at “fiddling” to find out the most effective way to come at a PT “problem.” Maybe those weren’t his exact words, but that’s the gist of it.

Luke decided to come at my range of motion from a different perspective. Started out with calf and quad stretches. Then on my stomach I did three sets of the following: one minute prone hang (knees at edge and legs hanging off table), 10 hamstring curls, and knee flexion stretch held for 30 seconds, using a belt to pull my foot toward my bottom end. Threw in total knee extensions using the green stretchy band. Then heel slides while on my back. . . sliding my leg toward my bottom as far as I could stretch it. With no pushing from Luke, it measured 115 degrees! Yes! Majorly exciting!

On Wednesday Drew and I followed this routine. Again, with no pushing from Drew (the torture method), I was able to pull my leg to 115 degrees. The PTs like for the range to be 120. Luke said I could run at 120 ROM. Thought to myself only running I intend to do is if I’m hiking and see a bear! Then I remembered you don’t run from bears. I think you stand as tall as you can and back off.

I have one more PT session scheduled. Then I’m on my own to stretch and strengthen daily. Calves got LOTS of stretching this weekend. Gardened at a flower bed at the church and then at home in my front yard. Love this respite of warm days.

3 months, 2 weeks out

Ahhh…sitting inside watching the snow falling. Looks like at least 3” on the deck. That’s my lavender bush covered with snow.

Went into PT last Wednesday with leg muscles to the right of and behind my knee so painful I could hardly walk on my leg. So PT wasn’t super productive. I think Drew is a bit frustrated with me. But it is what it is.  Not sure what was going on. He asked the owner, Luke, if he would see me for a session just for another set of eyes. (I saw Luke off and on for three years a couple years ago.)

Between now and then, I’m daily exercising, though I took 3 days off except for gentle stretching, so my leg could recover! Have also started back with Advil for possible inflammation (one in morning and one at night), and have been massaging the muscles every morning.

Am just into the the beginning of long term recovery – 3-6 month period. Just read that a positive attitude is everything.  And that I should be prepared for diligent work, some pain (more deeper, achy kind), and an expectation that the future is going to be bright!

Think I’ll put in a call to a friend who had both his knees done a few weeks apart a year or two ago. A support network of folks who’ve  been through this experience is super helpful.

It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela