Hi Smarties! You are talking to a much more relaxed, slowly recovering Kneebie this afternoon; yay! My PT session was interesting, because I expressed my fears with regard to my stubborn flexion, and we had an in-depth conversation that allayed those fears. Basically, he thinks I'm doing just fine for the state I'm in at the 9 week, post-op point. My apologies in advance for the length of this post, but I feel it may just help some other "SLOW BENDERS." For the rest of the day and night, I promise, I'll stick with one-liners.
He showed me the difference between 85 degrees flexion and 90 and it's about 1/4 inch! Really, it's very small indeed. He assured me that my OS is not one who pushes MUA's unless absolutely, 100% necessary. Apparently, he doesn't do them because he wants to buy a new boat; good to know. However, if, for instance, I was only at 50 degrees flexion at this point in time and was not making ANY forward progress, he would probably suggest it. Or, if I had poor extension, ditto. I basically knew that, but it was great to have it confirmed by a professional I trust who actually knows and respects my surgeon.
He also reiterated all the positives: I walk with a *normal* gait, (rather amazing to me!) tie my shoes, go up stairs foot-over-foot, maintain great balance (a gift methinks, possibly from a lifetime of skiing and boating) have zero extension, and perform pirouettes. Ok, that last isn't quite true, but I like the image.
When I mentioned that so many here who had surgery at around the same time as me or after *gasp* have so much more flexion, I got the "Don't compare," lecture, but with an insider's knowledge and compassion. Of course, I try not to, and really do see the futility of doing so, but...well...you know, it can be a bit discouraging or frustrating at times to feel like the only "kid in the class not grasping Algebra," lol. I mean, I'm surrounded here by so many SuperStars! And I enjoy the stories of great progress, I honestly do, but....I would like to taste a bit of that myself now.
*Now* is the operative word here.
Bottom line? He insisted I will reach my very basic goals of swimming, riding a bike, walking down the stairs without sticking my bum out in an ungainly fashion, sustaining a walk for an hour without developing "jello-leg," and not falling asleep in stores when DH goes missing. When, is of course the variable, but he doesn't feel it will take a year. He did tell me to think more in terms of 6 months and said this is a very reasonable time frame for what I want to achieve. He also felt I'd probably end up with between 110-120 degrees flexion in 12 months. I showed him how far my other leg goes (very, very far, I think he said 140? Heel touches bum without difficulty) and he told me to just *fuggedaboutit,* hahaha! Ok, I guess can accept that.
In other breaking news, (literally) I have two stitches that have popped through. I knew that blasted scar was irritated, but just thought it was simply that. He said to cover with a band-aid and they should just work themselves out. Thankfully, there's no redness or swelling.
Last, but certainly not least, he asked me to lie down flat, grab my leg behind the knee and bring it towards my face slowly as far as I could go comfortably, with no forcing. He measured it and it was *ahem* 96 degrees! Naturally, the
prone heel -slide is still stuck at 85, but....I just don't care after our chat and neither did he.
Belgium
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