Ortho Visit Results....

[bluehen]

MRI at 11:00 am tomorrow.....wants to see how much of my ACL I have left as opposed to labelling it as a "Grade 3 tear."

Got a scrip for some pain meds - 1 I never heard of (for day) and some Percosets...

Was told NOT to prop my leg up under my knee with a pillow....need to work on being able to straighten it....

They took some more Xrays....

Need to schedule some PT, ACL screening & brace fitting at the Univ. of DE....goal is to obtain full extension prior to surgery....

Surgery most likely at end of Feb or the beginning of March....and the recovery is a 6 month process - so looking for sure NO shows this year....

Good luck with your recovery. Don't make the same mistake that I did when I broke my hand, try to keep your diet in check. I put on too much fat because I ate like crap being depressed about being out off the gym. You will be done with your rehab before you know it.

 

[slat1]

Sorry about the leg.
Use this time as an opportunity. Plan out a diet to get to where ever you want to be (if you are not already there). Follow it to a "T". When you are laid up it is easy to just eat all the time. Make sure you eat properly. When you are back at full strength you will be glad you did!
I did the above when I broke my ankle/leg and it got me past a plateau.
Try to turn the negative into a positive!

 

[jenscats5]

Thanks all!! I think I'll start a "Recovery Log" thread so I make sure I stay on track!!

 

[caligirl]

Don't think he explained the flexion part - you know why??

He said we *had* to wait the 4 weeks....

Swelling and flexion are directly related. With swelling, you will have limited flexion. As to why you would need to gain this prior to surgery, I had no clue, because you will be starting from scratch again post op, with even more swelling and lack of movement. I didn't get it , so I called my MD yesterday, he got back to me this morning.
I'll make it short: When asked about the 4 week wait, he said it's partly due to administrative and insurance issues. He said 3-4 weeks. During the wait they found it better for the patient to be active in PT rather than sitting and losing more muscle. He also said ACL's can be done same day of injury given there is no other injury that would take precedence. In an athletes case he would not wait, but go asap due to proprioception lost, strength lost and the psycholigical toll taken on an athlete. As far as flexion extension question, he said in a sedentary or moderately active person, it gives them a better idea of what to expect post op. Of course this was all put to me in laymans terms... He said much more, but you get the picture.



side note: most PT offices have a hand bike, used for shoulder rehab. You can ask your PT if it's possible to use after your sessions to get in some cardio ..... works killer.

 

[KBEKQT]

SO sorry to hear about this Jen! Major bummer...

To answer the PT before surgery issue, a lot of orthos want to see what kind of range of motion you can re-gain before they cut you up, sometimes it allows for a less invasive surgery...that could be good news, right?! A friend of mine took a spill on his motorcycle before Xmas and is just now getting scheduled for surgery...he had PT for 6 weeks and that was the reason behind it...2d opinion agreed as well.

Hang in there...I'll b thinking about you.

 

[iceprincess]

How are you doing Jens? Any new information?

Hang in there and know that we are all behind you!

 

[jenscats5]

Yep! Got some updated info....

Went to the Orthopedist again today.....he looked over the MRI - ACL is torn and I have a bone bruise - so it appears my leg came down hard - such as when falling off a curb or obstacle in a straight-legged manner. No meniscus or MCL damage.....

I'm to go to PT as directed & the PT person will advise me on what exercise I can & cannot do, activity level, etc....Ice 20-30 mins on, 1 hour off - 4-5 times a day....I see him again in 2 weeks & it looks like surgery will be in early to mid March.....

Also went to PT for my 1st visit - they made me cry.....LOL Did a bunch of tests to see how much I can bend my leg, etc etc & how much strength I have in my leg.....Hooked me up to some electrode device which shot electricity thru my leg - which startled me & sort of hurt at the same time.....I go for PT again on Wed & Fri this week....yay!!

Going to try & go to the gym tomorrow for some upper body work on my own....

 

[momsgettinfit]

Sorry to hear about this Jen! Hang in there hun, sending you good vibes!!!!!

 

[Sassy69]

There's something sort of hardcore about "Yea, I gotta go do my PT today, you know, skiing injury. Really put a crimp in my competition season. I gotta watch my upper body workouts so I don't throw off my symmetry."

 

[Afgrl]

Best wishes and I hope you have a speedy recovery, Jens!!