Wow, 11 months post ACL reconstruction as of yesterday. It's hard to believe I made it winter to winter and still have a long way go, but there is a very slow improvement. I'd say I'm still 35-40% of normal. I try to be grateful for a long list of things everyday, even if it's as simple as being grateful I can drive myself anywhere I want.
The taping still helps with daily function. I finally feel like I'm on a right track with my new rehab from a tendon research clinician from a sports and exercise medicine research center in Australia. We're getting my knee structures built up before I do much else. I guess she will help me until I have no pain and can resume normal ACL rehab in my town? I'm not positive. Trying to not get ahead of myself! At 11 months, I can jog a few painful steps. I can go up stairs two at a time (I think that is getting stronger). I don't have a fast response on my feet. I feel like I lack those reflex movements (although I was quick enough to help a mother at the store who's cart flipped forward with a baby in it!). Like when my old dog is slowly getting ready to fall (it's usually a slow mo thing), I cannot initiate that fast push off at all! I certainly cannot do any single leg forward hopping. Tripping and saving myself with the operative leg still hurts in the joint and my heart always skips a beat! I can get out of a chair with one leg with some concentration. I can't do a real full squat without pain. Uneven surfaces for hiking will cause flare ups so I avoid them for now. I can bike outside, but hills are tough and standing to pedal is pretty weak sauce and uncomfy on the knee, but I can do it and not have major pain consequences. Yesterday was a gym day. I added some weight to my standing calf raising move (went up to the next kettlebell size). It felt fine during, but I think after it caused my tibial screw area on the shin to become quite sore. Walking around the grocery store afterwards was pretty difficult. That lasted about 24 hours of not feeling great. The Australian tendon research clinician said I'm doing great, and that I could try the Smith machine, leg extension machine or squat rack for the seated calf raises (I was using weighted plates on my lap). Also I can start from flat foot on the ground (no need for a toe step). I asked about platelet rich plasma injections because my surgical team keeps pushing it (still not sure I'm going to ever return to them). She said it's not of use for what I have. She is very nice to be helping me, still blows my mind that she is willing to! I'm quickly coming up on my one year anniversary of the injury (January 29) and the surgery (February 14). I feel like I need to celebrate/honor/do something for the one year surgery mark. I have an idea (a few things will depend on whether it can happen - old doggie status, how the knee feels, the weather). It involves mountain biking on a mountainous desert island with free ranging buffalo. The trails are normally dry year round and it has some easy mountain biking I can do. I think that'd be a great day. Trails where I am are too icy and snowy for me to venture out on. If there weren't snow on the trails, I'd probably be out mountain biking right now. Of course I need some back up ideas in case that doesn't pan out. Flexibility is key!
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AuthorA 45 year old active female who tore her ACL in January 2017 (at the age of 40). Reconstructive surgery in February 2017 with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Archives
November 2022
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