4 1/2 Month Update

Nothing terribly new to report. The knee continues to feel better, and I’m slowly regaining what I consider, “basic functional use.” That doesn’t mean I’m back to normal. Far from it. But I’m able to walk without difficulty, and I’ve picked up enough speed to keep up with the elderly.

My limp is barely noticeable, but still present. The leg gives out randomly once or twice per day, usually for a nanosecond, and then I quickly recapture my normal walking form. Stairs remain problematic. I don’t have to avoid stairs, but I do need to handle them with care, especially going down. I’m just now heading up and down 1 step at a time, rather than planting both feet on a step before continuing, though I still occasionally do that. I also still use the handrail.

Here are some other highlights and lowlights at this point in the recovery:

• The most troubling part right now is the continued clicking, grinding, cracking, etc. during random exercises. Crepitus, I believe, is the technical term. No pain, fortunately. The hard part is determining whether to stop once the knee makes these noises. Dr. Petersen, the Swedish ACI pioneer who examined me last month, advised me to avoid doing knee extensions if it caused “clicking.” I know exactly what “clicking” feels like and can tailor my exercises appropriately. Some of the noises, however, isn’t clicking. It might just be harmless scar tissue breaking apart, or it might be a sign that the activity is aggravating the knee. The uncertainty sucks. I want to build up my quad strength, but I don’t want to jeopardize the healing process. This will be issue #1 to discuss with Turgeon next Friday.

• I started walking on the treadmill. Right now, I limit my speed to 3 – 3.5 mph, which is a pretty moderate walking pace, with the incline levels ranging between 0-3. Twenty minutes on the treadmill at this pace and incline won’t impress Bob and Jillian, but at least I can work up a minor sweat. But more importantly, it doesn’t cause any pain.

• I ride the recumbent bike at a moderate clip for about 30 minutes every day. I’m not going to break out the yellow jersey (actually only dorks wear one), but I manage a slight sweat. The biking and treadmill are my only forms of cardio. Hopefully I’ll be able try the elliptical soon. Meanwhile, I’ll continue biking, which is supposed to be the best rehab exercise for ACI patients.

• I still have some swelling in my knee, especially after I exercise or spend a significant amount of time on my feet. The knee’s no longer a grotesque cantaloupe, but it’s not pretty. Thankfully not as ugly as Hedu Turkoglu, though.

• Bending and squatting are still beyond me. I can handle wall sits, but maneuvers that require short bursts of pressure on the knee are off-limits. I started to add shallow lunges, but the knee crackles inconsistently, and I’m afraid to continue. Again, something I need to address with Turgeon.

• The back of my knee still pops softly after being in a locked position.

• I traveled to DC for a few days last week. TSA’s security measures concern me. The two Home Depot-sized screws in my leg didn’t set off the metal detectors. Hopefully terrorists would embed weapons inside body parts, but you never know. . .

• My passive flexion (meaning, on my own) is 130 degrees, and my active one (where Judy crunches my leg) measured 138 degrees today.