Comments on: Week 7

By: Trudee

Trudee — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:54:01 +0000

1) How long until you can sit in a chair normally, without your leg propped up for an hour or so? 10 days post op and I can’t do this.
2) How long until you can really drive? I can do short trips, like a mile, but I tried 15 minutes on Day 6 and I had to take Percocet after, it was bad.
3) How long until you can sit on a plane? I’m taking a short trip 2 weeks post op.
4) How long until you can go on a business trip? I have a week long business trip 4 weeks post op.
5) How long will you be on narcotics? Three days for me, didn’t really need them first 24 hrs w/nerve block. I only took half dosage (1 Percocet, then cut back to a half a pill). Critical to take anti-nausea med and colace and have food (even crackers) in my stomach w/Percocet.
6) How much Tylonel? I take 2 extra strength pills every 6 hours and 1 Aleve every 8 hours. Day 4-10 so far (I’m on day 10). I still get up in middle of night from pain when dose wears off.
7) How long are you on crutches? Day 10, I can walk with one crutch today. I made a cup holder out of duct tape on my crutch, it’s awesome for carrying coffee, cell phone, etc.
8) What to wear? Workout shorts in a size bigger then you usually wear. Helps for going to restroom (women). Heaven when my stomach was upset from pain meds.
9) Ice, ice, ice – I go through 1.5 – 2 ten pound bags a day. Make sure you have lots of ice. Snow here so I leave ice out the deck door for night time refills.
10) easy food – I’m living on burrito’s, hot pockets, etc, stuff you can hobble with (or stick in my duct tape cup holder) and doesn’t make dirty dishes.

By: yeskneecan

yeskneecan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:32:35 +0000

Hi Jane,

I must say, the first three months are the toughest. And the most important thing is to listen to your body. You’re still in a fragile state since its only been about two months, so if something hurts, don’t do it. The name of the game for you now should be working to get you back to “normal” as opposed to pushing yourself. The next time you see your PT and your doctor, be COMPLETELY honest with them. Tell them how everything hurts, where it hurts, when it hurts and get answers as to WHY it all hurts. Also, and this is great advice from Karen, another ACL blogger, don’t leave until they answer all of your questions. Make sure your PT pays close attention when you are going through the excercises. Chances are you could be doing something wrong that’s upset something else or causing misalignment. In my case, at least, the really pain only lasts about the first few weeks. As I starting walking and working out, it was more of a “stretching to over-stretching” sensation in my knee, but it’s because you are recovering from a major, major surgery. I would say stay within your comfort zone at this point and talk through your specific pain compliants with your PT and your doctor. But overall, remember that we’ve all been through it and pain is an unfortunate and reoccuring part of the process. I hope it clears up soon!

By: Jane Johnson

Jane Johnson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:33:32 +0000

Had arthoscopic surgery December 21st. Had meniscus
repair and tissue clean-up, and whatever else they do
with that surgery.
I have had PT, but it seems to hurt more. I have two more sessions, then I will continue at home. I was off
crutches by the first week. I have walked a lot, so was
wondering if I over-did it in the first month. I see my
doctor the 23rd of this month (second visit). My PT
guy told me that my petella was moving around so he
suggested a knee brace. It seems to make we walk with
a limp, and other times it makes my knee feel OK. I find
getting from a sitting position is the hardest, especially
if I had been sitting awhile. How long should that last?
Should I use a brace? It hurts around the knee and behind it. I still have trouble going down the stairs, but
going up poses no problem. Taking steps down feels like it is stretching where it hurts. I really just want to know how long should hard pain last? Thank you.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:23:43 +0000

Hi – I’m pretty much where you are now as well. Tomorrow it will be 6 wks since ACL with an allograft, a large meniscus repair, and the clipping out of my LCL. In PT 3x per wk. Walking gingerly with no crutches. Not going up my stairs yet, due to just plain being afraid.
Range of motion is great they say, and so is hyper-flexibility. It’s been a looong road, but everything now can only get better. Can’t wait to get back to tennis. They say 6-9 months, but hoping for sooner.

By: Diana Lee

Diana Lee — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:16:52 +0000

Had my ACL graft, lateral and medial meniscus repair June 30. Twenty days into rehab. The doc was pleased with extension and flexion last Wednesday for my first post-op appointment. The doc said I could WBAT (weight bear as tolerated) from day one, with crutches for balance. The first week or so was mostly just moving from bathroom to recliner to kitchen to recliner to bed. Elevated my leg nearly all night and that really helped with the swelling. I was so excited to hear that the leg was further along than a lot of the doc’s younger patients (I’m 53) that I overdid walking around, being on my feet, and taking stairs (up) the following day. By that evening, the knee was stiff and swollen, and the ankle was “poofy” as well. Took it easy yesterday and stayed off of it quite a bit and this morning it was back to feeling “better” (that’s a relative term). Going to my first physical therapy this afternoon. Excited to be moving ahead. Going to be a long haul but being mentally prepared for that is half the battle. Thanks very much for your blog. I just bookmarked it and will be following along.

By: yeskneecan

yeskneecan — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:36:03 +0000

Hi Dave,

I also hurt my knee playing soccer with the guys! But of course, just an off-turn was all it took. First of all, I wish your daughther the best in the recovery process, and would love to hear how she progresses. Secondly, if she does need meniscus repairs, it will only help her in the long run–one surgery, two stones. In terms of my recovery from the ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscuc repair, my time almost doubled (in regards to the crutch and brace use) because of that little meniscus. I know it’s hard to hear at first, but trust me, you want to make sure your daughther doesn’t “come back” too soon. Good thing she’s doing it in the summer, even though she may disagree. By my estimates, she’ll be back on her feet walking by Labor Day for sure. She can enter the school year ready to get back to any sports, and maybe she’ll try a new sport. Myself, I’m looking into indiviudal sports, no boys required.

By: Dave Wray

Dave Wray — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:39:53 +0000

Hi,

My daughter, Mary is having an ACL recon surgery tomorrow, Wed. July 15th at 7:45 am.

She might have some meniscus to repair, as you mentioned you did. (I understand that means you have to limit the weight on the knee if the meniscus is repaired.

How much did that slow down your rehab or timetable to recovering movement and doing the scheduled rehab?

Do you have an outline of what happened. I just found your information. Oh, I forgot to mention Mary is 17 years old and 9 months and hurt her knee playing soccer with guys.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Dave

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:07:51 +0000

It’s good to hear I am not crazy..It like the commercial for the Volkswagon where he has the car on his forehead..Don’t know if you ever saw that one…LOL
Its always on my mind. I can’t wait until it is not somehting I have to think about.

I know the “pop” you mention. It’s like cracking your knuckles. No pain..just sensation and sound.

Keep up the good work.

By: yeskneecan

yeskneecan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:30:03 +0000

Hi, Diana!
In terms feeling a pull or ache and worrying about it not being fixed, I know exactly what you mean. It’s a weird balance between trying to push yourself and hesistating because you can easily feel pulls, even mistake them for slight tears–because everything is so stiff and tight. I remember the first time my “new” knee popped. IT didn’t hurt, but the sound and what I could actually feel scared the heck out of me. I was walking in my kitchen and it stopped me in my tracks. Then I checked everything out, made sure I could still bend/walk, and it was fine.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:42:34 +0000

Wow..that is great. I am about 2 weeks behind you and at week 5. Week 4 of physical therapy(twice per week). I also had lateral meniscus damage.

I am just starting to walk with my brace on a setting of a bend. So, I have been learning to walk again heel toe and to bend the knee.

I appologize if you have noted this somewhere. But have you ever had hesitancy when you feel a pull or ache that the knee is not fixed? I am petrified that the wrong step will undo everything. I think it is from years of babying it and always worrying it was going to give out. I probably should disclose that I tore my ACL about 10 years ago and lived with it. So that feeling has always been there for a long time.

I look to your progress to help me see what is around the corner.

It also seems like you are seeing your doctor more often than I. I saw him week 1 and not again until 2 weeks from now.