It is time for another knee update
March 21st, 2012Its been three weeks since the surgery. Last week I started real weight bearing exercises, so balancing for short periods of time on just my left leg and what I call baby squats (squats where you only bend about 20-30 degrees). Yesterday I got several more strength exercises added.(Yea! – stairs work)
A couple of big changes, I'm using the cane less now and will often take off to-do something and forget it. Yesterday I walked into the PT without it and didn't realize it until I was half way into the building. I also walked to lunch without it. By the end of the day, I realized I hadn't use it at all. I was the typical sore when I got home, but not any worst then normal.
I still don't quite have the full range of motion back, but I think that is more due to the swelling. It is very close now and more importantly I can bend it there without help of a towel. Last night I was finishing my stretching and noticed my calf and thigh touching a little bit.
Right now I say the swelling is my biggest problem. I actually have days where my entire lower leg swells up, which is really annoying. I think there has only been one 'bad day' so far, meaning that it felt worst then the day before. On Monday, I woke up and my whole leg was really sore and swollen. I couldn't finish my morning stretches because it hurt to much. I ended up using the cane the entire day and did zero PT when I got home. I iced it for nearly three hours before finally going to bed. The strange thing is that when I woke up Tuesday, it felt great.
So far, I've hit all my personal goals. I really wanted to be walking normally by the end of the third week and I wanted to have some of my balance back. By the end of the fourth week, I hope the stairs are no longer a big issue.
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