KNEE +18

Physiotherapy today – massage thigh muscle, and calf muscle today.  The PT put me on the stationary bike – and lowered the seat two notches.  At first I was unable to peddle through, but after taking it very slowly I was able to go both directions.  115 degrees ROM today!

When I walked this afternoon I began to have a pain in my left ankle.  It felt much like a shin splint.  There was no obvious location of pain, just felt like tendonitis. It was very painful, even to the point that I discontinued walking.  Not sure what is going on with this event.

Continuing with exercises, elevating and icing – this never stops!

KNEE +17

Today is my first follow-up visit with the Orthopedic Surgeon.  He said everything looked great.  They removed all bandages, he told me I could use only one or no crutches, he gave permission to drive, and I can now take a shower (getting the wound wet).  Next appointment is in about a month.

     

KNEE +16

Today was a good day!  I had an appointment with the PT.  Of course she massaged my thigh muscle – YIKES!  I was able to pedal through the stationary bike in both directions, and my ROM was 110 degrees.  A good day indeed.

KNEE +12 - +15

Continuing daily with exercises, walking, elevating and icing.

I am more able to sleep though the night, not experiencing as much pain as before.  When I speak of pain I don’t believe I have ever experienced more than a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale.  Other than when the PT massages my thigh muscle!  But it is not long lasting, and the benefits certainly out-weigh the pain.

KNEE +11

I visited the Orthopedic Surgeon’s office today in order to get the bandage changed on my knee.  The wound is looking really good.

After having the dressing changed I had an appointment with the PT.  She spent a long time massaging my thigh muscle.  Again, this was SO painful.  I believe I could have cried if I let myself!  She gave me two new exercises – sitting hamstring stretch and standing hamstring stretch.  I was able to make a backward round on the stationary bike today, but not a forward round.  My ROM has increased to 105 degrees.

As soon as we returned home I slept for over two hours.  I was exhausted!  When I awoke I did my exercises and walked.  Then elevate and ice.

KNEE +10

Today we were visited by a couple of our missionary colleagues.  They are stationed in West Africa, but were in the Johannesburg area for holiday.  They drove to Pretoria to see us.  We sat at a local restaurant, had breakfast and visited for several hours.  It was very enjoyable, but I paid a price for it later.

I discovered that sitting in one place too long brought a more pronounced level of pain.  My knee throbbed and ached for several hours – even with elevation and icing.  I am not as strong as I would like to think that I am!

KNEE +9

Today is my second visit to the physiotherapist.  The PT massaged my calf muscle because of the tightness.  This was the most pain I have felt since the beginning.  She performed a deep massage and tried to work out all the tightness.  After the massage she used a suction cup to draw blood to the tissue in my calf.

I flexed on a stationary bike, not able to pedal a full round either forward or backward.  ROM today remains at 90 degrees. 

The PT taped my leg in an effort to eliminate the bruising. Surprisingly, this worked really well.  Within 2 days the bruising was gone where the tape was.