Surface Tension

This will be a post of how I have been improving over the days following the ACL reconstruction surgery. What struck me was when the many doctors that I met, who said that this was a minor surgery and that I will be able to bend my knees the very next day after the operation and that I would use crutches for 3 weeks and then I should be back to normal. 3 weeks sounded like such a short period, but the amount of mobility is severely restricted in this period and one just cannot do without the support of others. I will keep updating this post on a daily basis on the progress that my leg is showing towards recovery, so that this can be used as a benchmark for those undergoing this kind of a surgery, or who plan to undergo such a surgery and want to know the repercussions and limitation prior to going ahead with the surgery.

All events start from Friday the 11th of December, 2009, when I admitted myself to the hospital.

Day 0: (Friday) The day of admission. I could walk around with just a small limp. The limp was mainly due to a ligament stub stuck between my bones, otherwise, barring strenuous activities, I would just about do anything else and be my own independent self.

Day 1: (Saturday) Day of Operation. I was sedated and felt the need to sleep all afternoon. Early evening, the anesthesia began to wear off and was replaced by a severe pain in my leg. The pain was almost unbearable, but I fought off the need to take painkillers until night for when it was scheduled. Consuming food was tough as there was a vomiting tendency and an IV injection was given to take care of that. Sleep was the best medicine for the pain and I would have slept 20 hours that day.

The leg itself was immovable and just dead weight. Was taught a few stiffening and pressing exercises and the Physio was impressed with the strength in my legs. He thought I was a jogger. Still didn’t have the strength to lift it off the bed myself. Took measurements for crutches and I got myself a pair.

Urination and Motions would have to be done by the bed.

Day 2: (Sunday) Post Operation Day 1. I could easily flex my toes today. Woohoo. There was some strength in my leg and I could manage to strain a few muscles on my leg. Otherwise it was still dead weight. Towards noon I could manage to hold up my leg in the air once it was lifted by the strong and secure hands of two physios. Some more exercises followed. Urination and Motions still by the bed and I restricted myself as much as I could. Ate like crazy though, now that there was no more vomiting sensation. Had enough of the pain killers and got the IV line removed.

Learnt to walk around a few feet using the crutches. I was mobile again, barely. At least that meant no more bed pans. Woohoo.

Day 3: (Monday) POD 2 and day of discharge. Strained all my muscles on my forehead and managed to lift my leg a few inches off the ground myself. Feel asleep the next minute after all the effort. Physio came twice that day and put me through my exercise routine and also walked around a bit. I saw the corridor of the hospital for the first time. I was made to fold my legs at the knee, by my own effort for some range of motion and by the physio for the rest. Yes, I could now bend my knee.

Got back home to some pain in the legs thanks to two rounds of physio. Maybe I should have carried back the pain killers. By night, the leg was dead weight again and I needed support to even slightly adjust it on the bed.

Day 4: (Tuesday) First morning at home. Was able to lift my leg more easily and could really feel it having gotten stronger. Did all exercises a couple of time before the physio came in the evening. A new physio and a new perspective. He was impressed with the amount of strength in my legs. Among the new exercises was some more lifting exercises and continuing with the bending and walking.

Day 5: (Wednesday) Mornings are the best for my knee as it gains all its strength back after a good night’s sleep. Walked around more easily and more confidently. The dressing was changed to a fresh one. Did a few rounds of exercises too for the day. Physio came in the evening and taught a few more exercises. He was confident to let me support a little more weight on my legs. It seems I was at 50% weight bearing and 95% flexibility at the knee. One week ahead of schedule as it stands. Woohoo.

Day 6: (Thursday) Woke up with a severe pain in the leg. Reminded me of the day of operation. Nevertheless, hobbled over to brush teeth and got back to the bed to relax. My back is having a severe pain thanks to sitting up 12 hours straight. Mornings round of exercises went off well and my knee bends even more easily now. Evening session with the physiotherapist lasted under 15 minutes. He was very impressed with the progress. One more new bending exercise learnt. Leg is now taking more than 50% body weight.

I need to start learning how to climb stairs. Will have to remember to ask the physio tomorrow.

Day 7: (Friday) Got a pair of 2 kilo ankle weights. All exercise henceforth will be done using ankle weights. Quite easy to do the exercises actually with weights, but it does put some good strain on the muscles

Day 8: (Saturday) Continuing with the exercises. Able to walk more relaxed putting above 50% weight on the left leg.

Day 9: (Sunday) Severe pain in the left side of the left quads. Unable to move the leg without pain. Might be because of the exercises. Didn’t do leg side raises using the weights today. Used a lot of pain relief spray

Day 10: (Monday) Went to office today. Sitting on the back of the two wheeler was quite easy. Did some exercises in office, but was extremely restless.

Day 11: (Tuesday) The stitches(staples) came off today. However, one part of the cut had not healed and was still open. Bandages stay on for another week. Exercises progressed as usual

Day 12 onwards: No significant updates. Exercises continue as usual and nothing new. Able to bend the knee a little further each day, so signs of improving. Severe pain in the legs at night and in the mornings. Unable to sleep at night. Get about 3-4 hours of peaceful sleep at night at the max. Walking in the mornings is very tough and the leg feels very sore.

Tried walking without one of the crutches. Can walk decently without the left one, but I am supposed to ditch the right one first. Surprising, as I feel I can walk easier without the left one. Back to two crutches to avoid straining the leg.

Will update this post when there is something new to report.

Day 17: Removed the dressing on my legs myself. I wanted to remove it and redo it as it had gotten loose and misplaced, but upon removal, I found that the wound had dried and I decided not to put the dressing back on. The areas with the stitches were swollen, clotted, hard and definitely numb.

Day 20: The knee area still remains numb. Since the past 2 days the exercises are not having much of effect and I am not feeling any pain or strain while doing them. I need something more strenuous. I can walk very easily with two crutches and I can walk a little slowly and cautiously with just one. I tried walking without either, somehow maintaining my balance, but it is very tough and I have to stop after about 3-4 steps. It’s the end of the year and I will be going into the new year with a lot of hope and expectation that the leg will get better very soon and stronger than what it was.

Day 22: (Jan 1st 2010) Started the new year by walking with one crutch. It was quite easy actually since I was anyway trying to do that occasionally and by take very little support on the crutches. However, it was indeed nice having one hand free to carry things. Physio did some passive bending exercises by pushing down the leg with me lying down on my stomach. My god, it was painful. I don’t remember ever having something that painful done to me. Bit my lips and tolerated it somehow.

Day 23: No crutches day. Today the physio asked me to walk without crutches and I managed to do it. Still very conscious of the fact that I have an injured leg and I walk stiffly, but yes, now I have my hands free. Woohooo… Of course today too he did the extremely painful bending exercises. I think I am gonna lose my lip to this exercise. Need to learn to relax when he does the bending.

Sponsored Content

These Related posts may interest you

• Incidents bring about a Perspective in Life?
• Day 1: The ACL Reconstruction Surgery
• Where went my ACL?
• DAY 0 – Preparation for the surgery
• A Knee to Remember

Tagged: acl, crutches, daily, operation, physio, physiotherapy, progress, report, surgery