Poconos!

I just got back from an overnight trip to the Poconos with my friend. It was really nice to take a "vacation" (as we called it) and finally get out of my house and do something fun. I definitely needed it. It was absolutely gorgeous and the weather, although slightly chilly, was perfect as well. I think the best part was being able to enjoy myself and not worry too much about my knee or hips. They didn't bother me at all and I am so happy that I am finally able to take a big step forward in this long and exhausting recovery!

I hope everyone has a great Halloween!

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Post-op Appointment

I just got back from my 2 week post-op appointment with Dr. Shiple. My incisions look great and the swelling has gone down dramatically. I am officially allowed to weight-bear as tolerated. Unfortunately because I have ZERO quad function/strength I will be on crutches for quite awhile. Once my quad strength is back I will be allowed to wean off crutches. At that time we will have to have my elbows evaluated to check for any nerve entrapment issues. The brace has been unlocked to 40 degrees of flexion and I no longer have to sleep with the brace. I am technically allowed to bend my knee to 60 degrees but that was a bit much at this point (first time I experienced post-op pain). I have therapy tomorrow so maybe I will be able to add some more flexion after that session. I am excited to start back at Excel with Cam! I am ready to put my left leg behind me!

Overall, the appointment went very well! I seem to be doing as well as you can expect given the circumstances. I am not a "normal" patient, and my recovery will never be "standard." I just have to take it one day at a time and not push myself too much! Laxity will always be a problem so I need to be smart and careful. Thankfully, I have a wonderful surgeon, sports medicine doctor and therapist to help get me back to living as pain-free as possible---until the right hip that is ; )

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Big Week!

Tomorrow is my first post-op from my reconstructive knee surgery (2 weeks post-op). As always I will be seeing Dr. Shiple instead of traveling back to Boston. I will probably see my surgeon at about 6-8 weeks post-op. If everything looks good, I can unlock the brace to 60 degrees of flexion. I can't even begin to express how exciting that sounds. I am sick of my knee being fully extended. It's awkward. I can also start sleeping without the brace. YAY!

All of my steri-strips have fallen off and my incisions look very nice. You literally cannot even see the 2 arthroscopic incisions, and the longer ones are very neat and once they are fully healed they won't be obvious.

I also start PT with Cam again on Wednesday. One of our biggest concerns was how to manage knee therapy if I was still experiencing groin pain. Well, as of right now (and since my screws were removed) I have had ZERO groin pain. I hope that continues because that will make my life, and Cam's job a lot easier.

My knee seems to be doing well! I get sharp ripping pains when my knee is in certain positions in the brace. I really can't stand the brace! Other than that my knee doesn't hurt! I have managed to take a couple walking steps here and there but it's a bit scary because I have no control over my leg. I might as well not even have quad muscles. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we can get the quad muscles activated and I can ditch the crutches for the first time in almost 6 months. My elbows really can't stand them much longer and I don't want to end up in a wheelchair.

**Side note: Congrats to Shane's HS Varsity soccer team for winning the league 2 years in a row! District playoffs begin this week and I am excited. Since the World Series is going to be boring this year (I won't be watching) at least I still have some more soccer to watch.

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Screw-less

During my knee surgery, my surgeon also removed my PAO screws!

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Incisions!

Here is a picture of my incisions (post-op day 4)! I managed to attend my brothers soccer game today and had very little pain. Getting in and out of bed and standing up is still painful but it is getting much easier. You don't realize what muscles are active when doing basic everyday movements, until they aren't working properly. I still have not taken any narcotics which I am proud of : )

I am also happy to say that I have had ZERO groin pain since the surgery! Words cannot even begin to describe how amazing that feels. Hopefully having the screws removed took care of my left hip pain!

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Post-op Brace

Here is a picture of my leg in the massive post-op knee brace. It is currently locked at 0 degrees--which means I cannot bend it.

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Surgery Update

I had my left knee surgery today! My surgeon performed a scope, lateral release and MPFL reconstruction. He said my kneecap was sitting way out of place, but feels very good about the surgery. GREAT NEWS! He also removed all 3 of my screws. I am screw-less..at least in terms of my hips and of course until my RPAO this winter.

I have close to no pain, and if all goes according to plan I should be getting out of here tomorrow. I just have to pass PT and eat solid food. Piece of cake : )

I have to wear a post-op brace for 6 weeks. It will be locked for a couple weeks and I will gradually be allowed to bend the knee more. I should be able to start therapy in about 2 weeks. Because my screws were removed, I was given partial weight-bearing restrictions. Once the bones have filled the screw holes, I will be allowed to weight-bear as tolerated. I should expect to be on crutches for about 4 weeks.

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Surgery Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the BIG day--I can finally put my knee behind me and focus on recovery without constantly worrying about my kneecap dislocating. If all goes according to plan I will be admitted for 1-2 nights. I am hoping to be home by Friday!

Today was my pre-op appointment. It was crazy and exhausting. My mom and I were there all day and I didn't even get to see my surgeon (he was at the other location today). I did however see a NP who was able to get a hold of him to have some of my major questions answered. He is 99% sure that I will be able to have my screws removed. YAY! I had an x-ray of my pelvis today, so that will ultimately be the deciding factor. I also had x-rays of my knee--I believe as a standard pre-op protocol. My surgery is in the morning--which is great! I have requested to have nurse Chris. Hopefully he is working tomorrow.

I will post an update when I can! I am very sensitive to anesthesia and usually feel very sick after surgery!

I am ready!

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Senior Night!

Tonight was Senior Recognition Night for Shane's HS varsity soccer team! I can't believe he is a senior already, it just doesn't seem real. It was a very exciting (yet nail biting) game and fortunately Shane's team won--in overtime! What a great way to celebrate Senior Night!! It was a HUGE win! They are currently undefeated in the league.

Congratulations Shane!

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Now what?

Less than a week until knee surgery in Boston. My mom and I are planning on heading out on Friday to stay with family! Definitely ready to put my knee behind me and refocus on my hips.

I have been experiencing elbow issues lately. When I extend my arm (straighten it) I feel as if something is popping and my elbow literally gets stuck. It's been happening more frequently and is a very uncomfortable feeling..not to mention painful. Cam says it is most likely elbow synovitis which is basically a build up of inflammation and synovial fluid in the joint. The only way to avoid the pain and locking is by keeping my arms flexed--as if that's easy. I am on crutches and my elbows hyperextend as it is, so most of the time I don't even realize when they are "straight." Frustrating!

Hopefully my elbows calm down so that I don't have to spend most of my recovery in a wheelchair!

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Countdown Begins!

10 days until knee surgery--so ready to get this over with!

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