September 2009
5 posts
8 tags
gradumaction! and farewell!
Haha I like making up words. Anyway, today was my last PT visit! *tear* In the last 14 months (yes 14!) I have graduated from physical therapy TWICE! Yikes! I went to PT last year for 5 months because I started a week after my surgery. I didn’t start going to PT right away this time because 1) my doctor really wanted my lateral meniscus to heal and 2) I knew the exercises I’d need...
4 tags
this blog will self destruct in t-2 days!
Hahaha ok not really, but I only have 1….1 PT visit left!! I’ve come a LONG way since April - I’ve had my surgery, not walked for 6 weeks, partially walked for 2 weeks, walked with crutches, walked without crutches, got into business school @ Stern part-time :), boxed up an apartment on the ground floor and moved to a new apartment on a 4 floor walk up, walked the hills of San...
7 tags
hello again
Hi blog world, I haven’t forgotten about you, just been very busy. Let’s see, last post was after I played softball…I’ve done a fair amount of exercising since then. Took the bike out for a spin over the long weekend - I really need to go for a long trail ride soon! The knee felt good, although I would like to start going to spin to gain the strength to stand and pedal. ...
3 tags
this kid played softball
So 5 months ago I was supposed to be playing my first softball game of the season; however, I tore my ACL three days prior. 5 months later, and after many hours of PT, I played last night! Knee was a little stiff after sitting all day at work, but felt good to be out on the field. Fielding was good - no problems. Batting was fine, except for the fact that I went 0 for 2. First at bat was a...
5 tags
18 weeks!
So today is the 18 week mark and I feel AWESOME! My left knee is much MUCH further along at 18 weeks than my right knee was at 18 weeks last year! I did another interval workout last night at the gym - 1.5 miles in 18 minutes. This is slow BUT it is an interval workout so walk/jog takes longer. I told my PT about my progress and she wants me to try jogging for 3-4 minutes and walking for 1...
August 2009
10 posts
4 tags
gym + jogging = AWESOME!
As promised, an update on my jogging experience. I joined a new gym on Saturday (I love it there…must go tomorrow…US open tonight :) ). I warmed up the knee on the elliptical because I didn’t see the upright bike until after I started. After warming up and stretching a bit, I hopped on the treadmill and did a 12 minute interval. 2 minutes jogging @ 5.7 mph and 1 minute...
7 tags
soreness
I haven’t worked out 3 days in a row…in more months than I can remember. But Monday I went to the gym, Tuesday I had a personal trainer session, and Wednesday I had PT. Can we say body is SORE (in a good way!). My triceps are super sore because I must have ton a trillion pull downs and dips on Tuesday. Why the trainer had me doing so much? I have no idea. Anyway, the trainer was...
3 tags
gym-i-knee (cricket)!
Corny…I know, but I am so deal with it. I went to a gym last night - first time since previous post on 4/28/09. I did the elliptical for 10 minutes (first time in over 5 months since I did not use that machine once I hurt my knee). The knee felt fine for the most part - there is a muscle that comes down your leg and wraps around your calf (I believe it is the ends of your hamstring...
1 tag
clear sailing!
My doctor cleared me for all activities! YAY! He said take it slow getting back into things, and “have a nice life!”. haha. I really really hope to never see him in the context of his office, but wouldn’t mind running into him at church or around town at somepoint. (I’ve known him for a very long time and played soccer with his daughter growing up)
I’ll continue...
3 tags
progress!
127 degrees!!! thats where I’m at…just 3 away from being equal to my right leg. woohoo! Had PT this morning and everything felt really good. After this week, cutting down to 2 times a week. The wheels are in a motion towards a full recovery. Obviously not about to go run a marathon, but I’m making good progress! :)
Oh, and I did go for a 20 minute bike ride yesterday before...
6 tags
Back to flat land :)
So my achilles was bothering me a bit towards the end of the trip from all the walking up hills. That should subside now that I’m back on flat land and my desk job. Haha. Hamstrings were getting tight/sore as well from all the hills - I stretched those out yesterday and today. I’ve only returned this morning from the West coast and already did a pool workout. Go me! Will do some...
6 tags
The Hills!
No, not the TV show (although I will admit I was fan of the show…was b/c I have very little hope for the upcoming season with Kristen as the lead character). Anyway, I’m in San Francisco for vacation and have a few minutes to update my blog. As anyone who’s ever been to SF or watched Full House knows, there are TONS of hills. So suffice to say, we’ve been walking up them...
4 tags
thanks for the compliments
I’ve been getting a lot of compliments lately with how well I’m walking and getting around now with my knee, and just wanted to say thanks to those people (even tho I’m pretty sure none of them read my blog). I even got a compliment that I looked really toned (special shout out to my PT who has me doing planks and other “core” exercises). So my goal is to keep it...
5 tags
toe tapper
Added a new exercise this morning at PT. Did some toe taps on the bose ball (think of tapping your feet on the top of a soccer ball). I did the exercise while remaining stationary and then while moving clockwise and then counter-clockwise. It felt good to do some more sports-related agility exercises. I feel my knee getting stronger, and feeling more stabile with these exercises. I also felt...
4 tags
Forgive me, for I have failed to blog!
Last week was crazy busy - moving, birthday festivities, more moving, and yes more moving! So needless to say, I didn’t really have time nor want to stare at my computer screen after doing the stair-master (3 flights of stairs) the last couple days. However, the knee is feeling pretty good. We measured my range of motion at PT today. Goal was 125 again. I was able to get to 125 a little...
July 2009
19 posts
6 tags
good week :)
So I’ve posted before about how some weeks are good and others bad. Last week was bad, this week is GOOD! Despite all the stair climbing in like 100% humidity and my entire body being sore from moving boxes, the stairs are actually helping me knee. I’m not as stiff this week - so that 125 degrees is not like O-M-G my knee can’t bend that way - but more like 125 ok not soo bad...
4 tags
extra workout - stair master :-/
So I’m moving on Friday and I got the keys to my new apartment last night. I brought some kitchen items with me, and made 7 trips up and down 3 flights of stairs. Can we say my ENTIRE body is SORE! My knee was tired last night after it all - but today feels ok. The muscles in my arms and legs on the other hand are TIRED and don’t want to move! Looking forward to many more trips up...
4 tags
tumblarity: 0! :(
My tumblarity has been ZERO!?!? Granted my posts have been short, but I’ve been blogging and it’s still been zero! :(
People read!
Anywho, back to the purpose of this blog - my knee. I had that kinesiotape on all weekend, and I didn’t do too many one-legged exercises this weekend. My hamstring felt A LOT better this morning at PT - in fact, it didn’t bother me at all. ...
4 tags
weekend!
So I was up in Boston this weekend and still managed to do some knee exercises! Saturday I did a decent pool workout - the water was a tad chilly! I also did some bending and hip strengthening exercises. Throughout the weekend I did quite a bit of walking (in sneaks!) and climbed 3 flights of stairs many times. The hamstring behaved for the most part this weekend - but I’m not sure if it...
2 tags
2 tags
i
I did a 20 minute bike ride around my parent’s neighborhood tonight and it felt great! I pushed myself a little by putting up the resistence and taking on some mini hills. Go go gadget mini quad muscle! haha.
4 tags
doctor tomorrow!
Well it has been 12 weeks since I had my surgery, and I have my check up tomorrow. I think I’ve made some really good progress even though I’m sure my PT expects more. I have had my ups and downs (this week being downs because of the weather!). Yesterday, I was really not enjoying the torcher of my PT trying to get my knee to bend when my knee cap felt like it was going to pop! Not...
3 tags
the name of the game is "this weather sucks for my...
Hamstring and knee are SOOOORE due to the crappy weather outside! I am not a happy camper, and PT was hard today because of how I felt. The end. :(
2 tags
3 tags
Friiiiday!
It’s Friiiiday and I’m psyched for being mobile enough now to do things this weekend! But back to the purpose of this blog…my knee! I see my doctor next Thursday, so my PT took measurements today…eek!
First up was the “good” knee, the right knee, which was 130 degrees. We then tested out the left knee. First try: 115 degrees…(not good, my PT wanted me...
4 tags
getting dressed for work
Since my surgery, I haven’t been able to wear a lot my clothes. My mini-quad muscle makes some pairs of pants just look ridiculous, other pairs are too big because I lost like 10 pounds due to not being able to walk, and dresses/skirts were out of the question because I’ve been wearing sneakers to support my knee. Well this week I have decided to test my knee a bit and start wearing...
3 tags
11 weeks
It’s been 11 weeks since my surgery…wow! My muscles are so sore from PT on Monday and I was really sore tonight at my session. I just did some extra stretching because I feel like I can’t move. I think that is a good thing, but I desperately want a massage (or better yet a pedicure with a massage chair — that may be what I do tomorrow night).
3 tags
I swear I haven't abandoned you
This will have to be short since I have to read a case study for a class I’m in this week for work, but I didn’t want y’all to think I’d abandoned my blog. This has been yet another crazy week. a crazy MONTH! Progress on the knee is slow, but I definitely feel myself getting stronger. In fact, I’m REALLY sore all over from Monday’s PT session. My deep abs...
4 tags
body tired!
Ok so I’ve been in overdrive all week! I’ve had a lot on my plate this week and now that it’s friday my body and mind are EXHAUSTED! I need SLEEP!! Last night I was at PT for close to 2 hours! I did sooo many exercises and my therapist worked on my leg like crazy — my quad HURTS from her “massaging” it. Picture elbow deeply “massaging” a...
4 tags
trying to keep my eyes open
I’m exhausted — wayy too much walking/driving long distances the past two days. What am I doing? The answer to that question will have to wait :)
Anyway, PT was great yesterday! My therapist gave me a few new exercises, and she stretched out my hip, knee, butt?!? Hip and knee cracked, which is scary, but relieved a lot of pressure, and helped with my motion. (Think of cracking...
2 tags
knee...is...tired
After a hectic day yesterday…work, walking/driving extended distance, and then driving home, my little knee is TIRED! Soo sore today…need to work from home, but must go into the office for PT later. Another hectic day in store. This week is CRAZY!
3 tags
soreness = good!
After a lovely 4th of July weekend, I have returned my few, but loyal readers to update you on my progress. I had PT on Thursday evening and Friday morning last week. I did a lot of cool exercises to build my core muscles as well as my left leg muscles. And the result of these cool exercises…slight soreness in my butt and extreme soreness in my RIGHT calf muscle! OMG sore! I tried to do...
1 tag
resident knee expert
While I do not have my PhD in orthopedics, I have become the point of contact for friends, co-workers, and even strangers about knee injuries. My boss asked me about patella tendonitis the other day, Theo asked me if her knee looked swollen from all the running she is doing, and a soccer buddy asked me to give advice to her friend who recently tore her ACL. I am the resident knee expert around...
3 tags
Crazy go nuts!
Yesterday and today have been really busy so I haven’t had a chance to update y’all on my second PT visit. It was a little unorganized, BUT I did some good exercises and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s visit where I should do even more. I started Tuesday’s visit off with 15 minutes on the bike, then did some mini squats, and 4 way leg raises. Next I moved on to...
June 2009
15 posts
4 tags
one crutch down, one to go!
After much practice this weekend, I am using one crutch to walk! The knee is getting used to walking (somewhat), but my foot is not. It is sore and tired :( It wants needs to be pampered! I have been practicing walking without my cruthces around the house, but I’m not ready to throw both of them away in the office just yet. Too many crazy fast walkers at work.
I did not do too many...
5 tags
first PT visit!
I’m in a good mood today because 1) its Friday! 2) I got to see some friends last night that I hadn’t seen in a quite some time due to the knee! and 3) I had my first PT appointment this morning!
@ PT, I answered lots of questions, got stretched out, did my 4-way leg raises, tried to balance a little on my left leg, and walked a little without my crutches!! I also rode the bike for...
4 tags
8 weeks! (posted again)
So tumblr apparently lost my post from earlier today :(
Anyway, after 8 looong weeks my doctor gave me the “OK!” to start physical therapy, to increase the weight as tolerable, and wean off the crutches! YAY!
I’m starting my PT on Friday at a sports PT place. I did enjoy the place I went to last year, very much so, but I’m moving in a month, and I want to maintain one...
2 tags
short and sweet
Seeing the doctor tomorrow…I better be getting good news and a PT prescription! The end.
3 tags
fryday!
I’m soo over all this rain! My knees don’t like it. Nor does my mood and fading tan. Sun please come out and play! I want to soak up your rays!
Ok enough about the weather. I bumped up the quad weight to 3 pounds this week and I think I actually made some progress on the range of motion. I’m so (mentally!) ready to start PT and walking and biking! I’m seeing the...
5 tags
lucky number 7
It’s been 7 weeks since my surgery, 1 more week til I think I’m full weight bearing! I’m really getting tired of my crutches, like seriously! I’m psyched to start walking, because partial weight bearing is more like gliding. haha.
Also, I ordered a Razor Scooter, hoping I would be able to use it during the partial weight bearing stage, but FAIL…I can’t. Its...
1 tag
3 tags
rain rain go away!
come back….not this summer? haha. I have a love/hate relationship with the rain. I appreciate all that it does for nature, but I do not like the affects it has on my knees. Yesterday my left knee was definitely sore all over, and my right knee was a bit achy.
Rain + two days in the office = poor exercise routine last night. My knee just didn’t want to bend! It was achy, stiff,...
4 tags
arm/shoulder workout
*Sheesh* Partial weight bearing is harder than non-weight bearing…my arms and shoulders are tiiired! Since I’m only allowed to put 10-15 lbs of weight down, I have to use my crutches to control the remaining weight. That in turn means my arms/shoulders have to do a lot more work! Who needs the gym when I get an all-around workout between my crutches and knee exercises.
3 tags
depressing post
I realize my last post was quite a lot of negativity and for those that know me, I like to take the high road most of the time (the think positive route). So the one positive thing is that my doctor really liked my progress. He said I was doing a really good job on my own. :)
3rd potential career? physical therapy. haha. I say 3rd because I was technical and now do finance, all within the...
4 tags
Patience is a virtue
So semi-good news from the doctor…I’m allowed partial weight bearing (10-15 lbs) for the next 2 weeks. My doctor really stressed how BIG of a tear I had on the meniscus and how he does NOT want me to have to go through another surgery, so he is being very conservative. He emphasized that my tear was like the maximum allowed before a removal (and transplant?) would have had to been...
5 tags
tired!
Ok so moving stuff from my car to my apartment and then back from my apartment to my car is TIRING! You try carrying a bag with pillows, a duffle bag, and a backpack while hopping on one foot! (Ok so I did it in two trips but STILL, not an easy task on one leg) Anyway, the hopping piece should be over tomorrow!!! Tomorrow I see my doctor, who should give me the green light for walking! YAY!
...
4 tags
ms. independent
First on the docket, after 5 weeks of not driving, I am once again cruising in my baby! Just being able to drive makes me feel so much more independent! Although I can’t really complain because I probably saved myself around 2,000 miles (I drive a lot!) and subsequently put off an oil change by about another month :)
Obviously with independence comes responsibility. It’s takes a lot...
3 tags
Less than a week!
The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine a little brighter! By this time next week, I should be walking!! I was looking back at my gcal (google calendar for those less tech savvy), and determined that by two and a half weeks I had definitely ditched the crutches altogether. So here I come walking world, watch out! haha.
4 tags
8 days...8 days!!
Ok 8 days til walking! At least it should be…my mom said “we’ll see what he says”, as if my doctor is going to say anything else. Everyone knows 6 weeks non-weight bearing is the norm as far as non-weight bearing goes…and nothing is out of the norm right now. Range of motion is pretty good, and I think I was able to gain an extra degree or two this weekend. ...
May 2009
29 posts
3 tags
Friday report card
I’m so anxious to start walking that I’ve started having dreams about it! In the first dream I was able to walk normally, but in the second one I was falling over like bambi. Ahh so soon…only a week and a half to go!
This weekend’s goal is to increase the ROM a little bit. My knee has been quite stiff after being in the office the past two days, but today I’m...