Posts tagged PT

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 to do.  Regardless, I went to PT for just about 3 months.  So let’s pray, sing a song, and do a little dance that I DO NOT INJURE myself again!  I’ve met some really cool people and learned some different exercises, so it’s a bittersweet farewell, but I’m really glad I’m healthy again!

I was actually looking at some old photos and got a little nostaglic thinking back to playing college basketball and being injury-free!  I also read an article in my parent’s local paper about a top notch high school soccer player coming back from an ACL injury, and was kind of thankful that this didn’t happen to me in high school.  It has sucked that last two years to go through this, don’t get me wrong, but my college experience would have been completely different had this happened earlier in my career.  I also believe in fate, things happen for a reason, so me injuring both ACLs means something, besides the obvious to take it easy for a while.

Many thanks to my readers over the past few months.  As I stated in my previous post, I got into business school, and classes start next week so my time should be spent focusing on that rather than maintaining a blog.  I have enjoyed every minute of writing on this blog - I never really imagined myself having one.  So to be corny like Julie Powell who ended her blog with “Bon Appetit”, my farewell words of wisdom, words I think I actually live by, shall come from none other than my favorite athlete, Michael Jordan (coincidentally, this blog was in existence for 23 weeks):

“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.”

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 Francisco for vacation, biked, jogged, and played softball!  Excuse me while I pat myself on the back, I think I’ve accomplished A LOT in less than 5 months since my surgery.

Last week I went to the gym or had PT 4 days in a row!  And guess what, this week will be 5!  I don’t think I was even doing that much exercise prior to my knee injury - I certainly was going a lot when it was prior prior knee injury (did you follow that…haha)!

New exercise at PT this morning was doing a grapevine or karaoke in a straight line.  Knee felt totally fine with that movement.  I’m hoping to find a bball court soon so I can start practicing my moves.  I don’t want to lose the touch ;)

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 leg press for quads and calves.  I’m at 60 lbs for both, which I am going to have to bump up for quads soon b/c its way too easy.  Then I did this balance board thing, and attempted some step exercise that I don’t think I was doing correctly (I’m going to have my PT watch me next time).

In between all those good exercises, I got kinda stretched or worked on, and got SHOCKED by the stim machine to try to catch my mini quad muscle.  The stim was really high, like I wanted to cry it was so high, but I’m a tough cookie so I only complained a little.  I was a little rushed since my appointment was in the middle of the afternoon and I had to get back to work,  but all in all it was a good visit.

Also, I’ve been practicing going up stairs and walking without my crutches!!  The knee is feeling pretty good doing the stairs and not too bad walking solo.  It’s definitely easier to walk when I have supportive shoes and when I can walk at a slow pace.  It’s really hard to walk with people because they walk a lot faster and then I try to keep up which forces me to bounce or limp.  I need to remind myself to slow down and walk properly!

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 exercises this weekend - bad me!  My calf is sore from walking.  I must do some bending exercises tonight.  Need to extend the range of motion.  Also, I am very excited to go to PT 3 times this week!  I live for the bike!  And strength training! :)

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 10 minutes and did the leg press for quads and calves.  My poor little left calf was SHAKING!  it hadn’t been used in so long! :(  I have a feeling it’s gonna be sore tomorrow.  All in all a GREAT first visit!

Measurements:

Left calf: 33cm

Right calf: 34cm

Left quad: 41.5cm

Right quad: 46.5cm

Can we say there is some work to be done! haha

I was also really pleased to hear that my PT wants me off the crutches by next Friday!  I couldn’t have said it any better myself (oh wait, secretly, that was my goal as well since I’m hoping to go to the beach for the 4th of July and did not want to use one of these!)

Happy weekend — hopefully the sun will be a shining!

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 to hop around my apartment to get ready for the day, eat meals, etc.  To the normal walking person, these activities are not tiring, but for a girl hopping on one leg, it’s exhausting!  If I forget one thing and have to make an additional trip from my bedroom to my living room, UGH, forget about it!  So my independence is bittersweet!  haha.

That aside, my knee has been feeling really good!  The swelling is down a lot and my knee cap is definitely noticeable!  I’m also really curious to know my range of motion because I think I gained another degree or so this week.  I see my doctor on Tuesday and he should give me the green light for walking and starting physical therapy.  So with that said, I called my PT place yesterday to schedule my first visit for next Wednesday.

Well, all in all it was good week and next week should be an even better one!