Patellar Tendond Graftees...a few ?'s Day 6 post op.

[truth]

Did you have odd areas of numbness around the area?

Did you find after a few days some deeper buising showing up? I have one mid thigh that is gnarly, like they had my thigh in a vise to move the leg.

What the fuck is the deal with staples? When did stitches go out of style?

Check her out...18 staples...ooooh lala!
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/Photo_040405_004.jpg

Oh, and I'm 80 degrees ROM on the CPM today...sickity sick! Should be 90 bu the fockers dropped the machine here a day late.

[Big E]

Numbness? Check. Small quarter- to half-dollar-size area on outside part of knee an inch or two below knee cap. Still there, 1 and 5 years later.

Bruising? Check. My first one was positively frightening, like you said, looked like they put my leg in a vise. It goes away. Eventually. Might not want to lounge by the pool for a bit, though.

Staples? Fortunately for my stomach, I had stitches both times.

How's the extension? My last doc was semi-fanatical about getting full extension. My first checkup, he didn't even check flexion, just wanted to make sure I could get full extension.

Good luck dude!

[basom]

not sure about the staples. those look brutal.
i had one incision, with internal stitches, that looked much smaller than yours does, lengthwise. stictches came out two weeks post op (i think, maybe it was four?) and they just cut the two ends popping out and pulled the tread out in one motion. it was sweet.
as far as bruising. i had a lot of discouloration. it hung around in various stages of black, purple, blue, green, and yellow for a good while. in the most affcted area of brusing (insde of my calf) the skin there is still a deeper shade of pale than the rest of my epidermis. thinking i got permenantly stained from the insdie out.
the numbness is experienced by everyone who gets a pateller graft. when they make the incision they cut the nreve which serves the skin on the outside of your knee. from what i understand after one month post op the nerve will (most likely) start to re grow. at a rate of one millimeter a day. for me, the sensation has came back a bit (10 months post op as of aprli 1), but its not 100% still kinda feels like pins and needles sometimes when i kneel, or my pants brush against my knee. initially i was a little bugged by the lack of nerve there, but i got acustomed to it, now i dont really realize that the feeling is comming back slowly. there is no garuntee that the nerve will fully grow back, and you may be left with some numbness for the rest of your days. My doc said if its not fully back in 3-5 years, then it prolly isn't comming back. i'm sort of surprised the doctors didn't mention that when you were discussing what graft is suited to you.

nice work on the rom. continuous passive motion is the shit.

[Vinman]

Did you have odd areas of numbness around the area?

Did you find after a few days some deeper buising showing up? I have one mid thigh that is gnarly, like they had my thigh in a vise to move the leg.

What the fuck is the deal with staples? When did stitches go out of style?

Oh, and I'm 80 degrees ROM on the CPM today...sickity sick! Should be 90 bu the fockers dropped the machine here a day late.

Numbness is normal. They have to cut a few tiny nerves that give sensation to the skin. Don't worry about it. Chances are the area will get smaller over time but you will likely always have a numb spot.

Bruising is also normal, don't worry about it. I was black and blue from my thigh to my ankle after the last one.

Staples vs. stitches = preference of the Doc. They don't hurt coming out if thats what you are afraid of (sissy)

Congrats on the ROM. But don't get your panties in a bunch over it if it doesn't progress as fast as you would like or in record time. Just plug away at it and it will always get better. Worry more about Extension in these first couple weeks. You can't walk without a limp if you can't fully extend your knee. and if you walk with a limp you'll just set yourself back by injuring something else or they may not let you off the cruthces until you can walk without a limp.

Like I said plug away at it, you are in a marathon not a 100 yd dash. Slow and stready wins the race in this situation.

[xboat]

you will probably never get back the feeling in that area. part of the deal.

staples come out nice and easy, no worries.

that scar is as long as my first surgery 17 years ago. wow. i would have to think that would slow down flexion progress. looks painful. my new scar is 2" long and well below the knee. i was happy to see that after surgery.

[Huckwheat]

Wow truth, that is an intense picture. Maybe this has been said, but what exactly did you get done? When did you injure it?

I am at day 4 post op....so looks like we are living on parallel couches. My doc didnt give me my CPM until my post op appt yesterday. In the appt they measured me at 85 - 0, but so far with the machine I havent gone above 75 (makes me a bit nervous).

One of my current gripes is everyone (including the doctors staff) has been telling me different stuff. They gave me a post surgery exercise paper that said to prop my knee on the couch arm and let gravity work on extension (so I did, days 1 +2). Then yesterday a different person told me not to even put a towel under my heel. Anyhow, I think I am going to be mostly taking it easy this first week.....they have me more afraid about stretching the graft than about not getting my ROM back. (I think some of those concerns are more Allograft specific though....sounds like PT has less risk there).

Are you using the Iceman (or similar cooler thing)....I am an admitted junkie....but it is keeping me from being a drug addict.

BTW....I am really thankful for the TGR boards and wireless....what a great way to kill time while spending a week on the couch.

Keep me posted.

[basom]

they have me more afraid about stretching the graft than about not getting my ROM back. (I think some of those concerns are more Allograft specific though....sounds like PT has less risk there).



thats it.

with the allograft you have to be very carefull in the begining. truths graft is attatched to his bones with screws and other mechanical hardware.

[Kellie]

I am at day 4 post op....so looks like we are living on parallel couches. My doc didnt give me my CPM until my post op appt yesterday. In the appt they measured me at 85 - 0, but so far with the machine I havent gone above 75 (makes me a bit nervous).



So you got the machine, eh?!?!

You already have full extension?!!? That is impressive, my friend!! I can't seem to get there and stay. I got to 0 within the first two weeks, but I have to let it hang for awhile and let gravity do its job . . . so frustrating!!! But I get a ton of flexion on the stationary bike, which is nice (of course, after that, it takes a half hour to get the thing straight again . . .).

I will be stoked to get full extension consistently and less stiffness, so I can stop limping and start to feel at least a little more normal . . .


And Truth, that is one helluva pic - I didn't know they used staples anymore -mine are internal dissolveable stitches - the scar is already looking pretty good.

[scoober]

I am like 5mo post and the numb spot is getting smaller. Although I think some of the nerves crossed when they reconnected because some sensations seem slightly out of place when poked. The doc said that is not beyond the realm of possibility.

My bruising was huge. I had a lingering patch down on the inside of my ankle back toward the achilles. I would wake up on a new day and have a new random bruise. Make sure to be doing your calf pumps (gas pedal motions), it helps move the blood around, and helps avoid the deep vain thrombosis (blood clots, could be really serious).

Best think I can reccommend for the ROM is to get on the stationary bike as soon as your doc lets you and work at it. I never thought I would be sitting on a trainer in my garage struggling to get one full revolution but there I was. It comes back quick once you get going though. I singlehandedly attribute my ROM sucess to the bike.

That incision is wicked. Interesting to see where other docs cut.

[SPREAD EAGLE]

My knee has a small scar from the incision to the left of the left knee cap and medial-n-lateral small holes from the anchor and lateral release.

Now mine was a disclocated patella, what was the entire procedure you received?

[truth]

Wow truth, that is an intense picture. Maybe this has been said, but what exactly did you get done? When did you injure it?

I am at day 4 post op....so looks like we are living on parallel couches. My doc didnt give me my CPM until my post op appt yesterday. In the appt they measured me at 85 - 0, but so far with the machine I havent gone above 75 (makes me a bit nervous).

One of my current gripes is everyone (including the doctors staff) has been telling me different stuff. They gave me a post surgery exercise paper that said to prop my knee on the couch arm and let gravity work on extension (so I did, days 1 +2). Then yesterday a different person told me not to even put a towel under my heel. Anyhow, I think I am going to be mostly taking it easy this first week.....they have me more afraid about stretching the graft than about not getting my ROM back. (I think some of those concerns are more Allograft specific though....sounds like PT has less risk there).

Are you using the Iceman (or similar cooler thing)....I am an admitted junkie....but it is keeping me from being a drug addict.

BTW....I am really thankful for the TGR boards and wireless....what a great way to kill time while spending a week on the couch.

Keep me posted.

I had a patellar tendon graft done, but there was some pretty serious scuffing of the femor that had to be shaved down and made smooth Not sure why the graft cut is so big, guess that's what the doc needed to get it out. I ave no laptop so my posting has been limmited which is good cause I am drugged to the gills. I can however read tyhe forum from my Treo 650...but for some reason it won't let me post on any UBB style sites.

No iceman here, just a constant cycle of ice packs. I also got conflicting tales aout elevationa nd use of a pillow or what not. Found out that the fear is in keeping the joint in an unsupported hyper-extension. So long as that's not the case you shold be allright. I actually ahve had the immmobilizer off most of the time with a jenga tower of pillows under my leg to support the joint, ankle andhip in a slight bend.

My ROM is unknown but in the CPM I'm 0-80 after starting at 0-30 and adding 10 a day.

[Kellie]

Best think I can reccommend for the ROM is to get on the stationary bike as soon as your doc lets you and work at it. I never thought I would be sitting on a trainer in my garage struggling to get one full revolution but there I was. It comes back quick once you get going though. I singlehandedly attribute my ROM sucess to the bike.



Scoober, do you have full ROM back, or still working on flexion?

I agree on the bike thing (even though I'm only 2+ weeks out) - I am amazed by how much I get just "pedalling" in circles for 1/2 hour . . . but I can't get near that far if I just try to move my leg there . . . I am hoping to match your 144 degrees at 3 weeks :wink:

[scoober]

Scoober, do you have full ROM back, or still working on flexion?

I agree on the bike thing (even though I'm only 2+ weeks out) - I am amazed by how much I get just "pedalling" in circles for 1/2 hour . . . but I can't get near that far if I just try to move my leg there . . . I am hoping to match your 144 degrees at 3 weeks :wink:

Yeah I am fully back to my normal ROM, whatever it is in flexion. I am not matching my natural extension, but that is because I naturally hyperextend to like 3-4 degrees. PT and doc say that I probably won't ever get the knee back that far and shouldn't necessarily need or want to. Right now I am just playing a waiting game for the graft to be considered 'full strength'.

You probably already know, but pedaling backwards is easier and will grease up the knee and get you ready for a full forward revolution.

[Theodore]

I still have a numb area between my scars, prob about an inch tall. The fun part is the phantom itching. I had alot of that for some reason. I do remember lots of bruising all around, and I got staples too. I also had 18, but I also have a 7" scar up the side of my knee from my LCL and biceps femoris. I think they went staple happy on you. They don't sting too much when the take em out, and you don't even feel the ones in the numb area come out. Kinda a nice benefit. What's up with the stapled athroscopy holes? They just taped mine and told me not to get em wet for a few days...

[altagirl]

My numb spots went away on my other knee after a year or so, this time I just have a tingly/funky feeling spot right on my shin bone. Totally different spot this time...

They taped my arthroscopy ports the first time and put two stitches (in an X) on them this time. Never had staples... that looks pretty wild. At least with the stitches they just cut the end and pull one string out and it took about a second to have them removed. I have a totally different (smaller and not over the PT) incision though since I had an allograft.

[milton]

>>Did you find after a few days some deeper buising showing up? I have one mid thigh that is gnarly, like they had my thigh in a vise to move the leg.

I had a killer bruise on the outside of my thigh, almost up near my hip. Couldn't figure out why the hell it was there so far from the knee work. At times it hurt worse than my knee did, so i asked the doc on my first visit. Ahhhh, it was where the tourniquet was. Judging from the green/black/blue/yellowish color, they must have had it on pretty damn tight.

goodluck with your recovery.

[truth]

Ahhhh, it was where the tourniquet was. Judging from the green/black/blue/yellowish color, they must have had it on pretty damn tight.

goodluck with your recovery.

Ah ha!

Thanks mang.

[fineline]

yeah I was a little concerned about the numbness too... but thats normal, I am 2 months post op now and its still there. Phantom itching, hah- thats the worst, why do numb things itch?? That could be used as some kind of torture...

Anyway, good luck with the rehab!! Sounds like everyone here is doing well. All I can say is work that extension like none other. I went to cancun a few weeks ago and it worked wonders for my knee. I dont know if it was walking on the beach, swimming, or just the mental part of being in cancun... but it definately helped. It was like a night and day change.

[gorms]

2 years after surgery and I still have some numbness around the scar. I think the feeling has come back a bit, but it is a hard thing to gauge.

The worst is over....now you only get stronger
Best of luck w/ rehab...it can be very humbling, but you will find you clear hurdles pretty quickly!

[truth]

Finally got out of the house yesterday for a bit. Even drove a car...damn if it wasn't nice to be off the couch and out in the world again. Staples come out tuesday morning and I'm glad, they are really getting annoying as they pull pretty bad during ROM work. The slice is healing nice but there are new twinges and senseations everyday...guess it's all part of the healing.

My tibia is sore as hell and I have some tnedonitus in my foot / achilles from the "gas pedal" calf pumps, maybe I've been a bit overzealous. The VM is now responding nicely during quad flexes that were once only futile mental signals. I'm bearing good weight and am ready to move beyond the immobilizer which is really a POS.

Anyone else have trouble sleeping? I max out at 5 hours and then have to get up and throw some ice on it. I'm now totally off any pain meds, including advil / tylenol and it's totally bearable. No real pain, just discomfort and the occasional throb or twinge.

[Kellie]

Anyone else have trouble sleeping? I max out at 5 hours and then have to get up and throw some ice on it. I'm now totally off any pain meds, including advil / tylenol and it's totally bearable. No real pain, just discomfort and the occasional throb or twinge.

I had a terrible time sleeping - same thing: 5 hours and then wide awake. I used Tylenol PM because I found I was totally ruined the next day if I didn't sleep.

Now I have the opposite problem - I am totally exhausted all the time! I guess you can't win . . . :smile:

[truth]

Saw the doc today and got my staples out. X-ray looked good and the screw in my tibia was pretty cool to see like that. Bigger than I thought it woud be. green lighted for real PT starting monday 3x a week for 4 weeks, then it's back for another office visit. Got a mini immobilizer and the ok to shower...which ought to please my better half for her sponge bath ledge shower duties are over. Still need to regain control over my quad but with the staples out ROM and flexes are allready easier. Fuckers really start to pull after a while making the tightness of the joint even more exagerated and oogy. So it's 4 more days on the Camoped...
http://vacoped.com/camoped/gfx/images/CAMOped_base_position.jpg
whcih is a pretty cool toy my doc got for me. In Europe this is used right off the bat rather than a CPM machine. Both were provided as a courtesy to me to use, the CPM for 1 week to gain ROM of 0 -90 and now the CAMOPED for use until real PT starts next monday. I've made it through the darkest stretch, and damn if it was not a long second week. Thanks to all of you who answered questions, Gimp central is a nice place to chill whne you're at the low point of the swinging pendulum.

http://vacoped.com/oped/en/products.php

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I've made it through the darkest stretch, and damn if it was not a long second week.

Yup, the first few weeks are indeed rough...but damn the staples are out now, PT is scheduled, so game on. The Camoped thing looks cool.

[truth]

Single crutching bitches!http://tetongravity.com/forums/images/smilies/fmicon.gif

[Mtn Man]

Wow, that initial pic is pretty intense. I'm still going through pre op PT for the next two weeks, I'll probably be getting the patella graft too. Thanks for the updates, it helps me prepare for what may be ahead of me. Good luck with the PT and congrats on the single crutch!!!

B)

[truth]

No crutches!

[truth]

1 degree extension and 100 degrees of un-aided felxion in PT today. I also FINALLY got a full revolution backwards on the bike. Forwards is a work in progress. Baby steps.

[Mtn Man]

1 degree extension and 100 degrees of un-aided felxion in PT today. I also FINALLY got a full revolution backwards on the bike. Forwards is a work in progress. Baby steps.

Kudos dude! I haven't even had surgery and I can do 3deg exten and 113deg flex aided (in extreme pain I might add). I think my hyperextension did more damage than they think. More pain...I mean PT tonight!

B)

[truth]

Full revolutions forward and back on the bike today!!!!!!!

No cheating, no hip tilt and a lower saddle height to boot to boot. I get a cookie. Kinda stoked, it was a huge mental thing for me to not be able to spin the pedals, just made me feel like a total cripple.

[gincognito]

Sweet!! :yourock:

My memory is muddy, but one thing that stands out clearly about my rehab seven years ago (!) is the absolute thrill I got from finally cranking those pedals around. It's not often in life that we get that kind of satisfaction, so, sure, have yourself a cookie. And throw in a shot of whiskey while you're at it.

Sick and ashamed and happy (and process),
d.

[basom]

i remember that day, about two weeks after surgery. i guess that would be 10 1/2 months ago. i came home with a $100 stationary bike from sears after my two week post op appointment with my doc. i plunked it down in the front hall (wiht some help, those things are not light) and refused to get off it before i could make a full revolution. i was on that bike for an hour and a half. it took me half an hour to make a backwards rotation, and then about 40 min of me swearing my face off attemping forward. the backwards was a cake walk in comparison, but with pain and presistance i got that first revolution fully around.

congrats on the flexion benchmark.

[truth]

Full revolutions for 15 minutes in both directions today...that felt gooooood.

0 degrees extension / 105 degrees flexion

Added walking backwards on the treadmill to the list of pleasures.

[basom]

Added walking backwards on the treadmill to the list of pleasures.

i always liked the backward incline walk

[truth]

Aiiiight! Got the old Yeti Road Pro on the Cyclops Fluid 2 yesterday and after 10 minutes of assbackwards pedaling I got a forward revolution. Tonight after a wee little warm up I was able to pedal full revs both directions for 15 minutes beofre it got a bit painful and I called it a ride.

Love that frame but fuck it fits me for shit. New toys are calling my name...

[truth]

How long did it take for the noticeable swelling to be gone? I'm still pretty "full" on the knee cap and above it, especilly when viewing both legs straight.

Did you have tightness and "pulling" sensations during flexion along the incicsion, especially the lower haf and the outside of the knee? It feels like the scar tissue from the graft and the area around it has all the layers of tissue all matted together and every bit of flexion requires the beakdown of more of this. Not horrid but it's not a facial and massage and a beach resort either.

When did you finally start to see real muscle tone return to the quads and calves? I'm getting stronger every day, and that is meassured, but damn if the leg does not still look like a noodle.

Finally, what's for breakfast? I'm starving. No, I mean did you gain any weight? I'm starting to pack on a few pounds here as I really can't get any cardio yet and due to my move have not been able to get to the gym as we are waiting on a technicality to be eligable for the couples memenership...frustratiing, but for my unemployed ass a must.

[Theodore]

My swelling took a few months to subside completely IIRC. I did have tightness in front, and still do. It doesn't hurt anymore, but thats where I feel my ROM stop first. Muscle tone returned pretty fast for me, but I stayed at therapy for frappier accelleration to get back to normal. As for the weight, I am normally a quasi-built looking 173 at 5'8". I got down to 151 after my knee. It came back rather quickly, but my appetite took a long time to return to normal. I always referred to my leg as the wet cat.... it was disgustingly skinny. Congrats on the rehab though. You are bringing back all the good and bad memories of the experience.

[truth]

Have any of you had any stomach issues? I've been torn up for the better part of 3 weeks now. I'm not on any meds so I can only think that it's stress and pain related.

[Theodore]

Have any of you had any stomach issues? I've been torn up for the better part of 3 weeks now. I'm not on any meds so I can only think that it's stress and pain related.


Yup. If you are taking advil or anything similar make sure you have something in your stomach. I actually had my reconstructed knee give out on me this morning for no apparent reason. Was barely weight bearing most of the morning so I've taken a lot of ibuprofen today and to be honest with you, I've been peeing out my butt like there is no tomorrow. Damn thing better be good by monday for me to pick up my M3 :D

[truth]

Post op visit #2 today. Fingers crossed. -1 deg hyper / 115 deg flex been riding 30 minute sessions on my trainer and finally hit the gym last night. Did some upper body free weight work and damn...12 weeks off will crush you. Felt damn good to be in thier though, moving forward...always forward. Hope the doc is happy with the progress...I wanna get my bike off the fuggin trainer.

[truth]

Got on the lifecycle at the gym today and was finally able to spin the pedals with no warm up or reverese pedaling needed. Woot!

[truth]

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Wed is 8 weeks post op and today we busted through 130 degrees of flexion and -6 degrees of hyper extension. That's -2 more than my friggin good leg. Damn right it was a good day. Of note we started lunges and squats as well as the eliptical and some ball throwing. I've been hitting the gym and swimming (no kicking) as well as running in the pool.

[truth]

9 weeks post op

Swimming is coming along and I can now do sets of 300m (tougher than it sounds without using your legs). The free weights are getting back to normal as well, so here's to hoping that the waist sizes will drop in accordance...heh, I must have put on 20#'s since I got hurt though I refuse to step on a scale. I'll let my clothes be the judge and right now they say get in the gym ya fatass! :biggrin:

The leg has been sore the past week, ever since we pushed to -6 hyper I've had some real swelling and lost some ROM. We are now back and I can get the leg to -2 on my own. This seems more in line as I think we got a bit overzealous hitting that big number.

I am able to stand up on the pedals on the trainer now so I should be good to go riding outside. I'm kinda trying to delay as long as possible just to avoid any mishaps. I'm getting good cardio with a mix of eliptical, spinner and swimming so i'm not all that concerned. blah blah blah....

[truth]

Started running the ladder in PT...humbling. As were bosu ball squats. Began some lateral movement stuff as well which at first felt like stepping out into thin air...kinda freaky. As PT ratchets up notches so to does my day after pain. Extreme tightness in the gastro / hammy, the shit feels like steel cables so I'm stretching and hammering away at it with a massager deal to keep it loose.

My workouts in the gym and in the pool are getting strong which feels good as I'm shedding the gut I gained sitting on my ass (30 #!!). Knee feels good but the leg is still quite weak. Walking once everything is stretched and warm is totally normal but am pain and tightness persists. Swelling comes and goes based on activity and how much ice time i'm gettting it.

No complaints. I'm confidant I'll be ready by December.

[truth]

Swam (pulled no kicking yet) 1000m in 20 minutes today. Good to have the endurance coming back. Started "running the ladder" with lateral movements this week and everything feels solid. Started doing "jumps" on the shuttle and that was a non issue as well. I've been running in the pool and am clear to ride on the road...finally.

[Kellie]

You sound like you're doing great and I am sure time on the road will help progress that. Still no kicking? Do you know why? Lateral jumps must feel good too - I am trying to get the hop back in my step . . . haven't been to PT in awhile though.

How's the patellar pain and general walking pain? I find that I still can't walk more than 5-10% of the time without being reminded at every step that my knee is f'd up.

[truth]

You sound like you're doing great and I am sure time on the road will help progress that. Still no kicking? Do you know why? Lateral jumps must feel good too - I am trying to get the hop back in my step . . . haven't been to PT in awhile though.

How's the patellar pain and general walking pain? I find that I still can't walk more than 5-10% of the time without being reminded at every step that my knee is f'd up.


Walking is not really not an issue any more. My gait is normal and feels "right", though going down stairs it's still pretty clear that the leg is weak. Seems to be a muscle thing though. The PT is not an issue excpet when kneeling. Too much time standing still gets the swell on as does going a day or two without spinning the pedals. The bike really keeps the joint clear of fluid. I see the doc this thursday so hopefully he'll give me the ok to start kicking in the pool.

Taking off for a 2 week road trip Saturday so that ought to be interesting as far as keeping the knee loose. The drive is gonna be tough on the calf and hammy tightness that I've been fighting with.

[truth]

Saw the doc today. No worries. Keep on keepin' on add some lower body weight work, more cycling, more swimming (I can kick now) and keep at it.

[truth]

I ran Monday...for 6 minutes in 2 minute intervals on a treadmill and it was very humbling. Tightness in my calf is hampering full extension on my stride, 5000 miles driving in 13 days can have that effect I guess. Been on the bike everyday for at least an hour and I'm feeling much stronger, especially when getting out of the saddle. Still getting some pain in the PT when jumping up too quick or pushing too much gear. Endurance is finally coming around and I'm not getting nearly as thrashed from the cardio workouts. ROM is almost 100% and not a concern. All in all I'm feeling pretty good about things.

[truth]

I can't believe this is happening. 85% healed on the ACL and I rupture my achilles in PT. Looks like I'll be back under the knife this week. Stay tuned.

Story of the new injury here... (http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33796)

[truth]

Back under the knife Friday at 1 pm. I'm in rehab for another 6 months minimum.

[altagirl]

:( So sorry to hear that. Good luck with the surgery and heal up fast!

[truth]

Surgery went well, it's two weeks of bed rest until I see the doc.

[truth]

Aiight...doc cut a "window" in the cast today to peak at the slice-n-dice action. All good, cast comes off in a week and it'll be on to my transformer boot for a few months of big pimpin' fun. Best part is that they put a lift under the heel of the fixed achilles which means in order to stay even I get to add a 1" lift to the shoe on my good leg as well.

[Mtn Man]

Truth'll be hittin' it with the glass lifter heel pumps :D
Good luck with the recovery, purgatory ain't got nuthin on truth!

B)

[truth]

Cast is off!!! I also tried to move the ankle for the first time. This is going to suck, tougher than the ACL for sure. Full ROM is going to be a long time coming. The scar is gnarly and won't go camo the way the ACL does unless I get hair plugs. Regardless, it's nice to be out of the cast. Rehab restarts tomorrow.

[stompinlines]

Good luck mang. Crossing my fingers hoping you get an attractive OT or PT. :cool:

[truth]

PT

Back in the saddle so to speak, making full roations with zero resistance on the staionary bike, being careful to avoid any movement past nuetral in dorsi flexion. Light stretching to nuetral as well as side to side with very light resistance as well as gentle massage to keep the scar moving and prevent the tendon from becoming bound up as the skin layers heal. We've had to tpae one smal section of the incision as it is pulling and not closing properly on the surface. A few days taped shut ought to do the trick. What's nice is that aside from the discomfort of stretching what is now a VERY tight achilles there is no pain at all.

The good thing is that I'm able to get back on the sled to work my left leg / ACL. I've only lost a little bit of strength in the VMO and a few degrees of extension that I'll have to fight for. Flexion has actually improved with the down time. It's nice to be able to hammer on the ACL and vent some of the frustration of having to go so slow with the achilles.

[truth]

cleared for full wieght bearing with crutches and the boot on. In a week I can go to one crutch, 10 days later no crutch. No flexion past nuetral for another month though...

[truth]

1 crutch down, one to go.

[truth]

Dropped to one crutch yesterday and was supposed to be on it for a week to 10 days but it was retarded. I said fuck it and dropped em both. No pain and much more comfortable. I'm still in this franken boot for a while but damn it feels good to acctually put one foot in front of another.

http://www.ausmed.com/images/products/J&J11570.jpg

[powwrangler]

Truth,

That's exactly what mine felt and loooked like. 6 days in though, those staples should be coming out pretty soon, in their place you should get some sterie sp? strips. Kepp work on your Range of motion and other exercises.

[truth]

Truth,

That's exactly what mine felt and loooked like. 6 days in though, those staples should be coming out pretty soon, in their place you should get some sterie sp? strips. Kepp work on your Range of motion and other exercises.
Ummm....you don't read so good do ya? http://tetongravity.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[truth]

Saw the doc and all is well. Green lighted for: full rom, calf raises, 20 minute light resistannce bike sessions (up from 10). Next visit in 3 weeks and that should spell the end for this knee high contraption I've been gimping around in. Then it'll be a few months in a heeled boot (cowboy or biker type).

[truth]

Another day another doc visit. ROM is now at 8 degrees dorsi flexion compared to 14 on the healthy ankle. Got the go ahead to begin walking in normal shoes with a heel lift and to be totally out of the "boot" by 12/1. Got on an eliptical machine for the first time today...damn. It's still a long road ahead.

[truth]

Fianlly got a pic. Watch for scale.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/normal/biglines_47984.jpg

[truth]

After 2 weeks of weaning myself off the boot and into normal shoes the transition is complete. I still have a limp, especially in the morning before I can warm up the achilles and stretch it out. The ankle is so weak, it's kinda a leap of faith with every step. Recent snows are making things a bit interesting and too much time walking about get things pretty tender. Strength and mobility seem to come and go but progress is still being made.

Now that the season is in full swing the bummer of it all is really setting in.

[truth]

4 months post op and the doc is pleased. As soon as I can do a single leg calf raise on the rebuilt achilles I am cleared to start running. I'm about 65% of the way there and according to him I'm only a few weeks behind the amazing pace Mike Brown of the Chicago Bears set in his recovery last year. I'm now walking normal in normal shoes with no heel lifts which is nice. I'm also able to pedal in the standing position on my spinner for sustained periods which ought to help break up the monotony a bit. All in all things are moving forward nicely.

[Ripzalot]

4 months post op and the doc is pleased. As soon as I can do a single leg calf raise on the rebuilt achilles I am cleared to start running. I'm about 65% of the way there and according to him I'm only a few weeks behind the amazing pace Mike Brown of the Chicago Bears set in his recovery last year. I'm now walking normal in normal shoes with no heel lifts which is nice. I'm also able to pedal in the standing position on my spinner for sustained periods which ought to help break up the monotony a bit. All in all things are moving forward nicely.
w00t w00t! :cool:

soon it will alll be a distant mammory....

[truth]

Awwww yeah!

I jogged on a treadmill for 1 minute at 4 mph with no limp today.

[Kellie]

Haven't checked this one in awhile, but glad to see you're healing well and on your way to "normalcy" . . . I have no doubt you'll be out there soon. Can you XC ski or anything like that? What's the prognosis for return to skiing? Outdoor cycling?

Good luck on seeing it through :smile:

[truth]

Outdoor Cycling should be a go as soon as the weather here makes it even remotely inviting. X-country is a no as it's far more dangerous to the achilles than alpine would be. Right now my only limiting factors are dorsa flexion in my right ankle (raising your foot toward your shin, thus stretching the achilles) and calf strength. My ACL knee is so bomber it's silly, it's basically had an extra 4 months of rehab as I've been doing all my PT for both legs equally. I could probably ski groomers at this point but the idea is not even tempting to be honest. I'll wait for August in SA.

[Art Vandelay]

It's good to hear you're healing well. I remember reading this story when you posted it and I had to reread it after my injury. It's helped me with my injury to see how positive and strong you've been throughout your ordeal. Hopefully the weather gets better and you can get on that bike.

[truth]

Thanks man, coming up on 12 months of gimpdom here and it's been qutie the adventure. I've learned alot about myself and who I really am. Having so much of my life and the way I viewed myself in the world taken away has been a blessing of sorts. It would seem there were lessons I needed to learn. Hopefully I learned em this time cuz I'm ready to be 100% again.

SA tour fall 2006 baby!

[truth]

Agility training began yesterday. Hopping side to side and front to back, damn I'm sore as fuck in my achilles but it's a nice move in the right direction.

[raddam]

great thread and info Truth.
i am so sorry to read your final two post, MAN what a bummer
I will continue to keep checkin up on you
I am going under the knife on 3/2/06
man, what a drag

[truth]

great thread and info Truth.
i am so sorry to read your final two post, MAN what a bummer
I will continue to keep checkin up on you
I am going under the knife on 3/2/06
man, what a drag

You'll kick the crap out of it man. Just be ready for a week of suck post op. Once you get into PT you'll kill it. Good luck.

[truth]

Jogged at 4.5 mph for 7 minutes yesterday, also did "4 square" hopping drills 3 x 1 minute sets. Was sore as fvck last night but it feels allright today.

[truth]

"Ran" a 12:10 mile in PT today. Kinda stoked on that. That distance only took a year to get to since I never quite got there in the ACL rehab.

[truth]

10:45 mile today. Nice.

[fez]

nice job truth,

i started reading this thread a couple months back when i first tore my acl. i was so bummed for you when i read about the achilles tendon. glad to see you are pulling through and getting stronger.

im just today two weeks post op and starting pt. ive already decided that if i can come back from this stronger and lighter (i think being weak and heavy at least partially caused my injury), im going to do a straightline adventures camp next season.

you in?

[truth]

Hells yeah. I'll be back at str8line for sure. At 2 weeks the worst is behind you. Now it's time to work. Keep at it man, you'll be good to go by fall.

[Mofro261]

Damn Truth, I just read all the way through this for the first time. How long a recovery is typical for Achilles repair? Sounds way worse than ACL (done that 2x unfortunately).
I have been dealing with achilles tendonitis for going on 18 months due to partial tear while running. Been to the podiatrist numerous times and to PT twice, have orthodotics etc. I'm afraid it's the knife for me as it just won't go away and gives the same level of discomfort whether I do nothing for 3 mos or run 30 miles a week.

Swimming and driving a car (right leg) aggrevate it more than anything.
Skiing on it has been ok...worst part is actually on the chair. It does hold me back a bit because I always have a sense of not being 100%.

Heres hoping your rehab is complete to get right back at it.

[truth]

Just registered for the international distance event. Game on!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just registered for the international distance event. Game on!

sweet! So August 27th eh? So I guess after you collect your winnings from this event you hop on the jet to Lenas? :D

Sounds like perfect motivation to me!

[truth]

sweet! So August 27th eh? So I guess after you collect your winnings from this event you hop on the jet to Lenas? :D

Sounds like perfect motivation to me!

Yeah...I almost balked on the race due to LL, but I figured I can nab both.

[fez]

alright i gotta brag a little, just got back from pt.

16 days post op
134 degrees flex
-1 extension

fuck yeah!
my therapists are pretty amazed and i am really stoked.

[truth]

That's good stuff fez. Just keep in mind the graft gets weaker until about 6 weeks post op, at which point it is at it's most vulnerable. Don't rush things too much mang.

[fez]

thanks truth, i hadn't realized that about the 6 weeks thing.
over use is one thing my pt is worried about. they are concerned that i am moving so well now that i will over do it. of course they are the ones who push me the furthest too.

[truth]

I'm now running sub 10 minutes for the mile but that's about all the endurance my calf can take. Over compensation with my ACL leg is causing some pretty intense IT band inflamation and tightness across the left (ACL) knee. I did get the all clear to begin regualr weight training for the lower body which should help me put some mass back in my legs.

[truth]

Good day today. Got in a hard PT session with a mile run and then put in 2 hours on the road bike outside in the 70 degree weather.

[beaterdit]

Jeebus man!
I just got around to reading the whole ordeal. Rough road. Sounds like you killed it though. I get cut around the end of april so hopefully I can make some turns with you next season. I'll be moning out there mid june-ish. Keep up the good work in PT!

[Skibumtress]

Truth, you are inspiring me. :smile:
Seems like there's no stopping you now!

[Skibumtress]

Did you have odd areas of numbness around the area?

Did you find after a few days some deeper buising showing up? I have one mid thigh that is gnarly, like they had my thigh in a vise to move the leg.

What the fuck is the deal with staples? When did stitches go out of style?

Check her out...18 staples...ooooh lala!
http://www.tetongravity.com/usergalleries/albums/userpics/Photo_040405_004.jpg

Oh, and I'm 80 degrees ROM on the CPM today...sickity sick! Should be 90 bu the fockers dropped the machine here a day late.


Didn't have the surgery you had.... yet, but had the other stuff done. Only three small incisions and yes, even with those I have/had bruising, numbness and even a little puffiness. Still do and it's been three weeks and two days.

[truth]

After knocking out several 2 hour plus road rides this past week I was able to run for 30 minutes on a treadmill today at 5.2 mph. I'm stoked.

[truth]

Saw the doc yesterday. All good.

NO MORE PT!!!!!!!

After 18 months and 2 surgeries I am finally finished with PT.

I'm running outdoors for the first time since before the ACL (summer 2004) and slowly building my time. Cycling is strong and my swim is still a work in progress though I have my race distance. 13 weeks til the triathlon.

[Theodore]

Congrats man. This is badass news. Celebrate it!

[caddah]

YEA DUDE

cant wait till i hear news like that. sounds like youve finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. CONGRATS:yourock:

[truth]

8/19 marked 1 year without a catastrophic body part failure!!!!!

[Mofro261]

Get er done tomorrow!!!

[truth]

I played hoops for the first time in 2 years today. Holy shit was that awkward. Neither leg is doing what my brain is telling it to. The shooting came back quick, but the jumping and cutting....fack. Dunno if that'll ever be the same.

[Vinman]

congrats truth, the jumping and cutting will come back but slowly. Same as for skiing. Confidence is a big part of this as well. Keep at it.

[truth]

congrats truth, the jumping and cutting will come back but slowly. Same as for skiing. Confidence is a big part of this as well. Keep at it.


It was really a test for skiing. The knee felt totally stable and the achilles never flinched. I was a little concerned about it pliability when it get's stretched quickly (ie: landing) but it actually seems stronger than the "healthy" achilles. I should be on snow in the next few weeks and I'm not really even concerned about the stability of either repair at this point. Basketball and tennis are the real litmus tests for the achilles. Aside from feeling slow as all hell I'm pleased with the results. It'll be added to my workouts now a few times a week.

[truth]

This thread is officially finished. 3 days on snow and all is well.

c ya

:cool: