June 6, 2008
That’s It Folks
I’m done.
I’m finished with physical therapy and I’m finished with follow-up surgical appointments. I have been officially released. The ACL saga of doctors visits and physical therapy has come to a close. It’s been a really long time, eight months to be exact.
I told my surgeon about the pain I’ve been having at that lowest incision today. He pressed on the exact location as I pretty much levitated off the table in agony. He said there’s no way it’s anything to do with the ACL and within seconds he was injecting the sore spot with cortisone and Novocaine. It hurt for a second and then he slapped a band-aid on it and told me to just sit there for five minutes. When he pressed on it again, there was no pain.
He said that it’s a stubborn piece of scar tissue and that it gets the nerves all worked up in there as well, which is why I had that radiating pain and sore spot. He said I’ll be sore from the shot and within two days it should be feeling just fine. He reiterated that although I have small incision scars, I had major surgery. This kind of stuff is normal.
So, no activity for a month and then I am free to do what I want "within limits." He told me I can do straight kicks and punches, but no sparring or tricky pivoting kata business. "You only want to do this once," he said. He also cautioned me on any deep stances and deep knee bends. "Remember," he said, "people go back to sports after this, but they’re not good at it again for a while."
I shook his hand, thanked him, and told him I hope I don’t have to ever see him again. "Not here anyway," he said and smiled.
I went out for my final physical therapy appointment and my PT told me there would be no exercises today since my surgeon injected my knee. He told me to go home and ice it which is what I’m doing now. It’s starting to feel pretty sore. Before I left, he fitted me for my brace. He has one in stock that he’s putting aside for me while he gets approval from my insurance company. Apparently it’s not cheap. No surprise there.
My PT shook my hand and wished me well and I just started to cry. It just hit me all at once that I’m done. I’m really done. I shook his hand and then gave him a huge hug while I cried and thanked him for everything. He’s been my knee confidante since October. It kind of feels like losing a good friend. He assured me that he’s there for me if I have questions or problems; and I’ll see him when I get back from vacation to officially get my brace and another lesson on how to strap that thing on. The only disappointing thing is that it doesn’t come with spikes or something on it, perhaps an alarm when someone gets too close to my knee.
I can’t believe I am finished with this part of the journey. When I get back from vacation, I’ll be finding a gym to continue my exercises. This is one vacation that is coming at just the right celebratory time.
Congratulations!!!!!
Yaaay! Oh wow…long journey, huh??
I know far too many people with either ACL problems or slipped/bulging discs in their backs.
Chronic Pain Sucks!
I’m very happy for you BBM!
It won’t be long before you get back into the swing of your Karate….
And wearing some real cool shoes again!
(Yeah….don’t be thinkikng I haven’t been espying the ad on the right side for Carlos Santana’s Shoes!… I own a couple pairs of them, they’re definitely Hot!) 😉
~ZZ
Congrats! Hope you take it slow when you go back… 🙂
Congratulations on finishing!
That is quite an accomplishment! I hope you do something nice for yourself because you’ve been through so much.
My friend that had the same surgery (the one you talked to) is back to playing Ultimate Frisbee. I don’t think he is 100% but he’s back out there!
Hot diggity dog and congrats to you!
YAY!!!!!!!
I can’t believe you’ve been dealing with this for that long. Sheesh!
Yay! Congrats on another milestone. Hope that pain goes away soon.
That is such terrific news! Enjoy your vacation as a celebration of the new status! You deserve it…
BBM,
In this race to return, I’m proud to say that you and I crossed the finish line together! I got my official word Friday morning.
Enjoy your REALLY well-earned vacation.
Congratulations, good luck, and God Speed!
Awesome! Congratulations! 🙂
hope your vacation is spectacular…you deserve it!
Eight months, what a long trip. It sounds like you are doing well and recovering. Its a longer road then I was told by the doctors but shorter then the times i hear from my friends who have gone through it. I’m happy to be walking and getting stronger as I approach five weeks. I take inspirations from you who have gone before.
What a relief! Congratulations!
It’s a real relief to hear that the pain is something that can be dealt with, and isn’t some lingering ACL problem. Best of luck!
I’m sure you won’t agree with this sentiment, but it doesn’t seem that long ago you first injured your knee…and now it’s time to get back into action!
Very exciting.
Congrats on being done with the PT.
I can’t believe it’s been 8 months already. It seems like just yesterday that it happened. (I’m sure it seems every bit of 8 months to you — I’m not trying to minimize it, it’s just as a person ages time goes by faster.)
Deryck grins, just grins!
Congrats on your graduation from P.T.!!! I remember what that felt like. What a relief!
I hear the strains of “I’m free…” playing here! Congratulations on being freed from PT. I hope you’re able to get back to practice soon!
Ouch to the need for the shot, but hopefully it’ll help and will break up that scar tissue there!
Have a wonderful vacation!!
How did I miss this one for so long?!
Congratulations!! Glad the knee pain doesn’t seem serious and hope it stays away for good.
Too bad about no spikes on the brace. Now you can’t go all Ben Hur during sparring.