Thursday, June 26, 2014

The 3 Month Mark

Pardon my inactivity in the last month, but I've had several things going on.

This:
Getting my Master's- finally!

And this:
Road trip home

And getting to see this view again, too:

Hence, the lack of posts! There also hasn't been that much news to report. However, here a few new things:

First, I finally lost my last crutch (only after 10 weeks!). When I returned from CO, my physical therapist was on vacation, so I saw one of his colleagues. I was a little apprehensive about it, but now I'm really glad I saw someone different. First, it wasn't as much torture, and getting some space from my normal routine really helped. The other therapist also showed me how to use a foam roller to massage my legs. I had been looking into myofascial release therapy to help loosen my muscles and make bending easier. However, at $80 per session, that's just not happening. But, the foam roller has been a great alternative, especially working my quads, and I've noticed that's really helped with the bending. 

Second, I got to go back on the elliptical last week, as well as leg weights at the gym. I'm up to about 20 minutes of cardio (10 on the bike + 10 on the elliptical) as well as leg extensions (12 reps x 3 sets at 45 lbs); hamstring curls (12 reps x 3 sets); and leg presses (12 reps x 6 sets) doing both legs and one leg. My quads will probably take another 6 months to get back to where they were, so using these machines is a great step forward to help strengthen my muscles. 

Finally, bending. My nemesis. I try not to focus on it too much because I then forget about everything I have accomplished in the last 12 weeks (including walking normally). However, I face the very real possibility of my knee surgeon deciding to do a manipulation in the next few weeks. Knee manipulation is a fancy term for knocking me out, and bending my knee all the way, since I cannot do that on my own. Then in the 3 days that follow, I go to PT every day and have it snapped continuously for half an hour. All this without hardcore painkillers. Yet, it may be what I need to snap out of my mental block that's preventing me from bending my knee and get my full range of motion back. The longer I take, the more I risk permanent stiffness and inability to bend my knee, which I do not want. I know I have improved- I can get to 130 degrees and can rest relatively comfortably at 120-125 degrees, but it's not good enough. I see my surgeon on Tuesday, so I'll know more then!

12 comments:

  1. Hello,

    I'm curious to know where you are at almost a year past your surgery. I am currently almost 4 weeks out from MPFL reconstuction /meniscus repair surgery. Your website is very encouraging to me as I am also grappling with issues of getting ROM back. Thanks for sharing your story!!!!

    Erik in Colorado/Indonesia

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    1. Hi,

      I am so sorry I haven't responded until now. I am doing very well! It's actually one year today, so I thought of updating this and saw your comment. I would say I'm pretty close to 100% and definitely a lot stronger than I was prior to surgery. The last 5-6 months have definitely been a lot easier so I wouldn't get too discouraged.

      How are you doing now? You must be close to 3 months out, right? How's the ROM coming? My doctor and therapist told me that sometimes some people just take longer. I ended up being close to 4-5 months to get it all back, but I got it, and can stretch as much as before- I don't think I lost any flexibility.

      I am so glad this can help you! I read another blog before my surgery and it really helped me, so I am happy to return the favor!

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  2. Teresa,

    Thank you so much for writing your blog. I'm 6 weeks postop from my left patella realignment and mpfl reconstruction surgery. It is the first surgery I have ever had and I don't think I was prepared for how difficult and long the recover would be. I have been struggling significantly with ROM; only able to get 65 degrees without assistance. I know I am trying my hardest, trying to work through the pain, but how do you break through a brick wall?!?! Reading your blog was as if you were in my head; everything you were feeling, the ups and downs, highs and lows, is exactly how I feel right now. I hate thinking that I still have so far to go. The doctor told me if I can't get 90 degrees in two weeks he's going to do a knee manipulation surgery which I am terrified of, but after reading your blog maybe it's better than the "natural break" happening without drugs at PT. I'd love to know how your progress continued and where you feel you are now. Thanks again for sharing! Lauren

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  3. Hi Lauren,

    Thanks so much for writing. I am so happy that my blog has helped you. I read a similar blog prior to my surgery and even though it was my 3rd, it still helped me know what to expect, which made things easier.

    I'm sorry to hear the ROM has been a struggle- I have yet to meet someone who didn't struggle with that. But, 65 degrees at 6 weeks is great! I think I was around 45-50! Regarding the breaking point, I wish I had an easy answer. I think what kept me going were 2 things. First, I knew that even if I had need a manipulation or didn't meet my therapist's goals, I knew I had tried my hardest and never skipped my exercises, so it was out of my control, to a degree. Second, I had an incredible support system (my mom and dad, and friends), who constantly helped me and reminded me that even if I had a manipulation, it wouldn't be my fault. So, taking that pressure off really helped me, and actually might've made the bending easier.

    In all honesty, I am very happy my bending happened naturally. I kept saying to just do the surgery, but once I heard that after the manipulation, you had to go back in every day for 5 days to get it bent again (with pain), I thought no. And, I just couldn't get the idea of not doing it myself out of my head. Also, as time passed and my knee progressed at its own pace, I found the pain decreased. I think biking a lot and getting bending in that way also helped.

    I am officially one year out and I feel great. The last 5-6 months have been really great and I have been able to forget a lot about all the pain that I went through. I hope you're doing better and I'd love to answer anything else you have or just give you moral support!!

    Teresa

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  4. Hi Teresa! I am currently 4 months post op mpfl reconstruction, and I was wondering if you had any hip pain on your operated leg?

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  5. Hi there.
    I'm about 4 weeks post op from my MPFL surgery. I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm getting fustrated. Your blog has given me some light so I thank you for that.
    I'm currently able to bend my knee with the help of my therapist at 65 degrees but it hurts like hell. I would say I can only do about 50 on my own.
    I'm worried I won't be able to walk normal again.

    Amelia

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  6. Hi there.
    I'm about 4 weeks post op from my MPFL surgery. I'm not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm getting fustrated. Your blog has given me some light so I thank you for that.
    I'm currently able to bend my knee with the help of my therapist at 65 degrees but it hurts like hell. I would say I can only do about 50 on my own.
    I'm worried I won't be able to walk normal again.

    Amelia

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  8. Amelia,
    I could not get past 60 degrees ROM for 12 weeks. I had Arthrofibrosis - which is the build up of too much scar tissue. If you have this, no physical therapist can break it up. You will need an MUA by your surgical team to break up the scar tissue. Make sure your surgeon is aware of your situation. The day after my MUA I got to 112 ROM and now I am at 125
    Erik in Denver

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  9. Amelia - The biggest thing I learned from this surgery is patience. This surgery was one of the hardest things I've ever been through, and my first ever surgery. The recovery for me was long and hard, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise. Similar to Erik, my scar tissue grew fast and at 12 weeks I had a manipulation surgery to break all of the scar tissue. Without it I couldn't get past 80 degrees. After the surgery I was at 120 within days. Now, a year after my initial surgery I would say I'm about 90% and can almost sit on my heels. I don't think about every step I take anymore, I don't feel every step I take, I don't have daily pain or the fear that my knee cap is going to dislocate walking up the stairs. I say I'm at 90% because my quad muscle and hamstrings have taken significantly longer to come back than expected. I also can't place any weight on my shin (kneel) without feeling a lot of discomfort. It almost feels like I have a permanent bruise that is super tender to the touch. The surgeon suggested I have the screws removed because the discomfort is right where they are located. He said they are no longer necessary and the longer I keep them in the more difficult it will be to get them out. I never anticipated needing a 3rd surgery related to this but from what I hear it's pretty common especially in females. Similar to you, finding this blog helped me out so much at one of my lowest points so I hope my note doesn't freak you out as to the long journey ahead, but instead helps shed some light and know that other people understand what you are going through. Best of luck, and take one day at a time it will get better. Lauren

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  10. I'm so glad I found this! I'm 9 weeks post opp, at 8 weeks I have through constant exercises gotten to 85 degrees, but then had a setback. After my last physical therapy appointment when I went home to do my exercises I felt a familiar feeling in the back of my knee. Before my knee used to go out it felt like muscle or tendon would catch or twist painfully behind my knee and it would then dislocate. I'm now constantly getting this painful feeling whenever I try bending my knee past 65 degrees. Did the surgeon miss something? Could this be a separate condition? It's incredibly painful and it makes me feel like my leg is unstable. Any advice would greatly help!

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    1. You need to bring this up with your surgeon. I ended up having to have an MUA because I could not get past 80 degrees in 10 weeks. You have a window of time to get one, if you need it. You could have something else going on, but your surgeon needs to address and figure it out..

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