tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47097509549184887852011-07-31T02:23:53.802-04:00This is a diary of experiences and resources related to surgery and rehabilitation for injuries to the MCL, ACL, and Meniscus in the knee.Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-61533268261883022982009-11-30T22:53:00.002-05:002009-11-30T22:55:36.660-05:00

So...23 months after injury, 21 months after surgery, 15 months after pregnancy and 6 months after baby, I FINALLY played soccer again!!! My original recovery was delayed a bit when I got pregnant and I resumed PT post-pregnancy. It felt good tonight...although I need many thousands of touches on the ball. But, hopefully, this long knee journey is entering a new stage for a long time!!

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-11287185345513240672008-08-29T16:22:00.001-04:002008-08-29T16:22:48.631-04:00

Sunflowers in August, originally uploaded by MWOOD19.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-88772687912904124112008-08-29T16:18:00.003-04:002008-08-29T16:23:50.019-04:00

I've made it 6 months now and my life is becoming less about the knee and more about everything else. I'm going to "transitional" PT still which means it's me on my own at the same facility as normal PT two to three days a week. The routine:EllipticalStretchingExercises working on balancing and putting stress on the bad legBeginning agility - jogging, skipping, jump rope, running in rings of

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-32483499387566531692008-06-24T13:01:00.002-04:002008-06-24T13:07:37.430-04:00

I made it through a warm-up on the elliptical machine yesterday. Some of you other ACL rehabbers may be thinking "so what?" But, I have always had elliptical issues much preferring jogging on treadmills or outside. It felt so good to be moving my whole body not just sitting on an exercise bike. And, obviously I've let go of some of the inhibitions of my awkwardness on the machine since this

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-42377890802814593602008-06-13T20:27:00.002-04:002008-06-13T20:30:12.749-04:00

Today I got to try a new torture machine. It's called the Extensionater and is a replacement for the torture chair. My impression was that it was less painful - good. Maybe not quite as straight - not so good. It felt like having a blood pressure band around your leg, because it essentially blows up a balloon that holds your leg down. Variety is good - I think I will switch off between the

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-502192004481872282008-06-13T11:41:00.004-04:002008-06-13T12:10:57.602-04:00

Okay, if you haven't been around me in the last six months or suffered a severe knee injury you may not understand how excited I am. BUT, I'll tell you anyway. Last night I tried walking down the stairs in my house like a normal person. Not one step at a time, but one leg in front of the other. I did it! I do have to hold onto the wall for balance, and definitely need to work on control,

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-75657251419728315222008-06-10T00:25:00.001-04:002008-06-10T00:25:00.349-04:00

Twin Peaks, originally uploaded by MWOOD19.I just got back from a business trip and weekend in San Francisco. It was a great trip...no major incidents. I got a lot of practice walking. I could definitely feel my knee and especially my hamstring and calf muscles since I was moving aroudn so much. The thing I kept thinking about was how lucky I've been that I lived in a city where you don't

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-18888737601281348352008-06-09T18:13:00.001-04:002008-06-09T18:15:58.300-04:00

BlackBeltBlues shared an excellent article regarding ACL injuries and warm-up routines for girls playing soccer. It's an important reminder for women young and old and something I will definitely incorporate into my routine if I get a chance to get back on the field.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-73075979920030071262008-06-01T19:27:00.003-04:002008-06-01T19:36:34.369-04:00

I wanted to focus on the positive this weekend. It became easier for a variety of reasons...1) Jeff's house sale became final on Friday which means we only own one house and not two. It had been on the market for over a year since six months before our wedding. 2) We saw friends we hadn't seen since before the surgery. Since they haven't seen the day-to-day recovery process, my knee wasn't on

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-18248723546297874692008-05-29T14:53:00.005-04:002008-05-29T15:55:55.326-04:00

I had my 3-month post-surgery check-up yesterday and I guess I also threw my 3-month post-surgery pity-party as well. I knew it was not going to go well when I was almost in tears before the PA got into the room. I've been so frustrated with the pain I've experienced recently when walking or just standing up and the fact that my knee won't straighten. I know I'm behind schedule at this

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-38736405075076154872008-05-22T17:29:00.004-04:002008-05-22T17:41:08.025-04:00

It's been a little while since I've written. I have been so busy trying to get back to normal but my knee does not want to come along for the ride! Since I wrote, I've unpacked from the Bahamas and been on a business trip to Boston. I had such a good time seeing the city! I even walked for about 2 and a half hours after the sessions were over which made me feel like a real able-bodied person.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-72186712194322711312008-05-08T23:32:00.002-04:002008-05-08T23:35:09.171-04:00

I have spent the past 10 days sailing in the Bahamas Abaco Islands. My knee held up on and off the boat onto docks and dinghies. It is still stiff but I think the vacation did me some good!

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-16768693698078324322008-05-08T16:24:00.004-04:002008-05-08T16:39:30.413-04:00

I just read this very interesting NYTimes article about ACL and injuries in general and female athletes. I was so fortunate during my competitive playing years that I never suffered a major injury and missed very few games in spite of averaging probably 40-70 games a year for my competitive years from about age 12 to 18. Today, I'm recovering from the major surgery as a woman over 30. I've played

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-45063720214903200532008-04-22T18:55:00.003-04:002008-04-22T19:08:38.240-04:00

I refer to my two primary physical therapists as "Good Cop" and "Bad Cop". This has nothing to do with their abilities (both outstanding) or personalities (both cool), but there is a distinct difference between their methods. You know with BC that you're going to be pushed to the brink on most days and with GC the process is more conservative. I think they both do a great job and it's a good

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-31864014522423443042008-04-17T15:04:00.005-04:002008-04-17T16:17:06.984-04:00

When Jeff and I visited his parents this weekend, I got a question that has been in the back of my mind, too. Jeff's dad, a physician himself, wondered why my major incision was below my leg if the graft was from my hamstring. I really didn't do a lot of reading about what goes on during the surgery because I'm squeamish. But, my curiousity is now peaked and since I'm post-surgery I'm more

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-20486535433946139752008-04-16T11:52:00.006-04:002008-04-17T17:17:40.473-04:00

Things have been good for the most part this week.Somehow my PT seems to last more than 2.5 hours but not be nearly as painful and actually almost feels like a workout. Things I'm doing...bike, walking backwards on treadmill, some stair-like motions, balancing on one leg with actions, weights (3 or 4 machines per session - I'm @ 145 lbs for leg press w/ both and 70 with one and given my history

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-32255683658946603712008-04-11T12:44:00.005-04:002008-04-11T12:54:14.812-04:00

Sometimes it's good to feel really low because just about anything is sunshine from a relative perspective. Today felt good in spite of the fact that between PT and doctor's visit I was there over three hours!At PT, they ran out of time to perform the "torture chair". I know I will have to tangle with it again soon but a one-day reprieve is very welcome!116 degrees Range of Motion (an improvement

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-42576559111055906472008-04-10T11:16:00.002-04:002008-04-10T11:22:27.234-04:00

I have not progressed as well as I would like to. I have said goodbye to my crutches but still am encumbered by the 3 pound brace...this is not on the spring fashion must-have list. More importantly, I'm still lacking the critical ability to use my quad to straighten my knee. This leaves my PT sessions seeming less like a workout and more like torture with 10 minutes spent in the "torture chair

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-89384902045517341122008-04-07T14:30:00.006-04:002008-04-16T16:05:29.983-04:00

Just when I needed some extra rehab inspiration, Brandon Rush and my team KANSAS are playing for the National Championship tonight. Last year, Brandon declared for the NBA after a stellar sophomore season. While training prior to the draft in late May (or hire of an agent) he tore his ACL. He was back playing in November and has been playing without a brace since February.There is a great article

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-92008799787794898042008-03-24T16:27:00.000-04:002008-03-24T16:29:16.499-04:00

Things are going well. The most exciting news is that I got the okay to start driving and have made a "full-time" return to work. So far so good on that front with today, Monday, as my first day back. I'm still on crutches, though, and hope to be off of them this week or next.PT has also evolved, as well. I no longer have 20 minutes of quad stem which is hooking up the quad to electrodes. This

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-78484284257400939472008-03-16T23:56:00.003-04:002008-03-17T00:03:13.109-04:00

My St. Patty's Day Weekend was pretty low key. I spent a lot of time getting work done around the house and also for my 2nd day back at the office tomorrow. Also, I devoted time to "fixing this knee". I feel like I've hit a pretty low point because I don't see a lot of progress in getting my knee straighter. I'm going to try to take a picture comparing my right and left leg sometime this week.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-22992269534573140422008-03-14T17:18:00.003-04:002008-03-24T16:29:16.500-04:00

It's funny how the warmth and sun of Florida makes everything feel better! I was so glad I made the trip. However, I returned to therapy Thursday after five days off and could definitely tell I'd taken a break.The main focus (nothing new) is straightening and range of motion. I continue to have difficulty getting my leg to the right degree of straight, maybe five degrees away. The things I'm

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-54858166540027390422008-03-11T11:36:00.004-04:002008-03-17T00:05:16.137-04:00

While I haven't really gotten to enjoy the full beauty of Florida sunshine after four months of Michigan winter, just seeing light out my hotel room window is great. So far so good on my trip to the conference. I had one slip - or maybe I'll call it a slide - which hurt my knee. I didn't actually fall down. I don't think there was permanent damage. A highlight, though, was a trip on a roller

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-36423291341123530872008-03-08T23:43:00.004-05:002008-03-08T23:50:41.929-05:00

I've accomplished a lot in the last few days. I had a full day of work Thursday thanks to Jen who graciously chauffered. I got my stitches out as well. The knee looks much better than last week. There is one hole that I'm working on closing up, but otherwise very good. Tomorrow I venture to Orlando for a work conference. It's the most work I'll be able to do for a couple weeks because I'm still

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-27744207554146159512008-03-05T17:07:00.006-05:002008-03-05T17:17:32.314-05:00

I found today's inspiration inside the Dove Dark Chocolate my friend Gerri gave me. Here's the wrapper: What a great reason to eat chocolate!! Anyway, I would say today was a very good day.Therapy was quite challenging and we made it on time in spite of six more inches of snow we were blessed with overnight. I swear that it has snowed 90% of the days I've had 7 a.m. therapy and with salt supplies

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-58806176307214312512008-03-04T17:21:00.003-05:002008-03-05T17:07:28.088-05:00

That title is at the suggestion of new mom Laura - probably my only loyal blog reader :-)I don't know how much it has to do with the post. My knee did take a stand overnight and thwarted my first attempt to return to work. I was tossing and turning until about 3 am when I gave in to take a ramped up pain pill hence throwing off my plans to hitch a ride to work today and actually be at the office.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-1254566778239575332008-03-03T16:46:00.005-05:002008-03-03T17:21:06.900-05:00

I've finally got cabin fever which means it must be time to take the next step and start getting out of the house! Sunday was a long day. I've still been staying on the couch as much as possible trying to focus on staying elevated. I did PT exercises twice on Sunday (I had done them three times on Saturday). I think I'm at about 45 degrees on ROM although when I sit up and let gravity do the

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-19699729239620328562008-03-01T14:24:00.003-05:002008-03-01T14:46:33.556-05:00

One of the unfortunate side effects of PT is the pain that comes with it. I know I'm making progress just in 24 hours of exercises. It's already easier to do PT today than yesterday. Heel slides are currently my nemesis. I had about 125 degrees Range of Motion (ROM) pre-surgery. I would be surprised if I was at 40 degrees today. I need to get to 90 degrees ASAP!Anyway, the PAIN part! All of the

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-67588614123400202982008-02-29T15:35:00.004-05:002008-02-29T17:43:02.282-05:00

Today was my first post-operative appointment as well as PT. As with over half of my pre-surgery appointments, the weather was snowy and icy and it was rough getting to the appointment. I didn't want to deal with changing so I still wore shorts and a t-shirt as this is what I had to wear to the appt and it was a short crutch to get inside. When we arrived, my regular physical therapist was there

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-45478751627178300152008-02-29T11:40:00.004-05:002008-02-29T17:38:02.032-05:00

The day after surgery was a little rough. In the afternoon, I got uncomfortable and didn't feel relaxed again for four or five hours. I think my leg started to feel uncomfortable in its elevated state. It wasn't really my knee that was complaining but more the quad and calf.Eventually, the painkillers took over and I was able to calm down. I have been taking the painkiller every four hours and so

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-83847877221328382062008-02-28T14:26:00.003-05:002008-02-28T14:45:23.027-05:00

When I made it home I was tired - the pain pills I'd been given made the ride home mercifully fuzzy. We had a wheelchair to get me in the house which was good. I went straight to bed and was out for about three hours.We had the living room made into a "recovery room" with a pullout couch and lots of pillows. I would definitely suggest trying to get a sick room set up on the first floor of your

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-82473517704791055642008-02-27T14:04:00.002-05:002008-02-27T14:06:34.324-05:00

The day for surgery finally arrived. I would say I was more nervous on Monday, the day before, than on Tuesday when I went "under the knife". We pulled out the couch in the recovery room (aka my living room) before we left to go to the Ambulatory Surgery Center. We arrived early (a rare occurence for me) and when we went into the brand new facility I could tell that at least Jeff would be

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-73910915768468974612008-02-21T17:37:00.000-05:002008-02-21T17:35:45.104-05:00

I have a list of instructions to follow before surgery:Take crutches with me to the surgeryWear losse comfortable clothing to the surgeryUse an antibacterial scrub the evening before and the day of the surgery around the leg - this was provided by the doctorNo food after midnight on the day priorNo aspirin, Vitamin E, or herbal medications 10 days prior to the surgeryNo NSAIDS including Aspirin

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-347801208531370092008-02-20T21:37:00.005-05:002008-02-20T22:03:38.520-05:00

Two months seems like forever ago. But here's how it happened. It was the day after Christmas and we were skiing for the holiday in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I am neither experienced nor enthusiastic about skiing, but things were going well enough. I decided to take a lesson the last day so the next time we skied hopefully I wouldn't be such a novice.The lesson went well and I didn't fall once.

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709750954918488785.post-82963913899995925482008-02-19T15:39:00.005-05:002008-02-19T18:46:33.840-05:00

Two months ago, I tore the MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament), ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and Meniscus in my right knee. I was taking a ski lesson while on vacation with my family in Michigan's Upper Peninsula over Christmas. I am an admittedly unskilled skiier, and won't be returning to the slopes. However, I want to aggressively treat my injuries so I can get back to the sport that I love -

Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02126760629397660891noreply@blogger.com0