Today is 6 weeks for me and I’m feeling good about my recovery. Earlier I struggled with tendinitis in both patellar and quadriceps tendon...probably a tendency of mine aggravated by trying to be too “good” of a patient both in the hospital and my one home PT visit at one week post op.
But I love my outpatient PT! He practices the McKenzie Method of mechanical diagnosis therepy (MDT). Work to discomfort, never pain, stays with me the whole time wanting feedback about how what I’m doing feels and will modify if any part of a movement hurts. I do a stretch where I put my foot on a chair with arms and just lean forward to the point it becomes uncomfortable. Because of the tendonitits other stretches just made me feel worse, but this one doesn’t activate my muscles and I’m completely in control, it’s been really beneficial.
My leg is weak and visibly much smaller than the other one, so just yesterday was given a simple strengthening exercise that doesn’t load the tendons too much, and warned not to do more or do foot over foot stairs yet (though I’m able to going up) as it will prolong tendon healing. I feel like this approach has really helped me, very different than any other PT I’ve had, and I’ll be more knowledgeable as far as handling my own rehab when I’m discharged!
So, the stats...0/125 ROM, slight to moderate swelling, stopped percocette 2 weeks ago, now just take Aleve at bedtime. Walking without a limp but if I’m up to much it gets tight, and it buckles sometimes due to weakness. Still get tired so easy, and still not sleeping well at night. Can pedal all the way around on the bike! I think things are going great and the gains between weeks 5 and 6 have made me feel so much better!
Thank you for asking!