Day 48 - 6 Wks, 6 Days post surgery

Not much posting going on here... Needed an update, mostly to motivate myself, hopefully. I haven't really been pushing myself with at home exercises for the past 2 weeks or so. I keep coming up with excuses, and I think the fact that we add some exercises to my "homework," almost weekly, has discouraged me b/c there are so many to do now, or that I can do. Yesterday in PT, E.J., my physical trainer, decided that she would expect me to focus on 3 this week, instead of the 8 or 9 that we have on the list. I told her I've been having trouble doing them and she gave me a hard time about it. That's really what I needed, I think. I also believe that I haven't been progressing like I should be - E.J. thinks I should be a little further along as well. This was the first time I've been behind at a session. I have increased my flexion in my knee to about 115 deg., however that's where I was two weeks ago. I got to 115 after being forced, then last week I got to 115 on my own. This week they forced me from 115 to 120. That was seriously painful, but that's what E.J. said we must get to. She would've preferred me to be at 125 or 130 this week.

The exercises that I did tonight were extremely difficult. I was super sore after yesterday's workout. My hamstring really tightened up yesterday as well, and the back of my knee was killing me today. I took it pretty easy today with the walking around and I had a serious limp going again. I did the straight leg lifts - about 15 both ways - flex the right knee and lift and hold for 5 sec. and then the second set was with the ankle turned outward to increase difficulty. This is supposed to help straigten my leg. (Still at 3 deg. there, got to zero when they forced it). I did squats with my back against the refridgerator - 15 of those. Lastly I did the new exercise I just learned. This includes me laying in the middle of the bed facing the wall with my legs extended straight up the wall. I slide my right foot as far down as I can and then I cross my left leg over the right and let gravity and my left leg force my foot down further. (I lay close to the wall, so you get a really good bend). I think this is the most purposeful exercise I've done yet, and also the most painful. I mean I was almost crying at some points, and I'm doing it to myself. I think it should really help though. I am most concerned about the straightening of the leg though. This has to improve. In my opinion it's the top priority - b/c I think it will really improve my walking and stability as well. 3 degrees to go.

I have PT again tomorrow at 330 - I might try to move it to Friday so that I can have another good PT at home day - I think I benefit more when I visit three days apart rather than two.

I should be getting a new brace soon. They have measured me for it, however I haven't heard back about it. I don't understand the holdup. E.J. thinks I'm ready to be done with the brace and that it's only hurting me - keeping me from working on walking with a straight leg. I don't trust my knee without that brace. I mean 20 stairs in the front of the house are just begging me to take it off and try them. They're ready to laugh at me tumbling down. I think I'll hold off on that.