MRI Doctor's Appointment

Monday I went back to the knee doctor to find out the results of my MRI. Although I had the images on a CD, I did not have the radiologist's report so I didn't know what it found. I was honestly hoping it something was torn so that they could just go in and fix it. Although I really don't want to have another surgery, and I really have NO time for surgery or recovery this summer, I just want an actual fix to my knee pain. There was a day recently when I considered chopping off my knee... My pain has been bad!

The report basically said there were two places that are inflamed but nothing serious is wrong like a tear, etc. I'm really glad there's nothing serious wrong, but I was slightly disappointed there wasn't going to be an easy fix. The doctor gave me a prescription for 4 more weeks of physical therapy. He said I could be more aggressive than I have been and suggested I really focus on quad strength before my trip to Europe - which is only about 4 weeks away.

I feel so defeated over this. Physical therapy didn't work for the first eight weeks, so why would it suddenly work in four more? I don't believe it will. I just really hope more strengthening will help the pain, especially in time for walking through Europe. Ahh! But I have to trust if my doctor is good enough to be a Redskin's team physician, he knows what he's talking about... Now I'm just debating if I want to get back into physical therapy for a couple weeks, or I just want to start walking and exercises on my own.

MRI

Last week on Thursday I had my MRI on my knee. It was not fun. When I had the one for my ankle, I don't remember being upset by it. But when only your ankle has to go into the huge machine, you're far enough out of it that I guess you don't care. But when you think about it, your knee is quite a bit closer to your head than your ankle...

An MRI machine is a HUGE machine that you have to go into and it makes A TON of noise. So much so that you have to wear ear plugs. At times it sounds like an electronic version of a jack hammer, and then it changes to other insanely-loud noises. It's crazy. I also have a weird, irrational fear machinery, so although I am not claustrophobic, going into a noisy machine terrifies me. Last time, my entire upper body was out of the machine and I could see the timer counting down for each sound. This time my stomach was in, so I was closer and could not see the screen. And after the first scan the machine suddenly, and without warning, moved me a few inches closer in! It might as well have been a few feet. I was so anxious the rest of the time that I was going to have to move in further!!

After about 30 - 40 minutes in the machine it was finally over. The technician came in to get me and I got to take my ear plugs out and get out of the machine and the freezing cold room! I hope I never need an MRI again, and I REALLY hope I never need one of anything further up on my body!

This picture doesn't do justice to how large and scary MRI machines are.

April Knee Doctor Appointment

Well my appointment with the knee doctor last month was pretty disappointing to say the least. They took an x-ray and told me what I already knew: that my knee caps are tilted. This is not new news. He also said that he thought I had not spent enough time in physical therapy yet. So although he gave me a prescription for an MRI so that I wouldn't have to come back for another appointment just for that, he wanted me to go to PT for four more weeks before using it.

I debated with myself what to do, because I really believed my knee was not going to get better. But I decided to follow the doctor's instructions and continue PT before getting the MRI. Well we are at almost 4 weeks later now, but my knee is not really better. Over the past week I have noticed a slight improvement, but that is mostly because I have been really sick and resting more and doing less. I know that as soon as I'm back to more activities, my knee will kill me again. So I am planning to schedule the MRI ASAP so that we can see what's really going on in there. I only wish I had followed my intuition and done it sooner.

I have to get my knee better soon because not only am I moving to New Orleans this summer, I'm also traveling to Europe where I will need to do a lot of walking!

My knee has to get better in time to explore Prague this summer!

My Stupid Knee

Today the damage to the skin on my knee after my frost "nip" incident is FINALLY, almost looking normal. Here's today's lesson: Never get frost bite (or frost nip).

My knee overall is not doing well. I have been going to physical therapy for four and a half weeks and my knee is not better. If anything, it's worse. And so I have decided to go to the doctor to have it really looked at. Dave (PT) thinks I need an MRI at this point. The problem is that my ankle surgeon is only an ankle specialist, and his entire practice is only for feet and ankles. It was awesome to know that I had an ankle expert working on my ankle, but now that my ankle has affected my knee, it means I have to find a new doctor to look at my knee.

I found a practice that accepts my insurance (the one that was recommended to me did not accept it) and was able to make an appointment with a knee specialist. Luckily, they had an appointment pretty quickly. I am scheduled to see the doctor on Monday (4/22)! Hopefully I can get this looked at, find out what's wrong, and get moving again! Not only do I want to get back to working out (I had to cancel my remaining appointments with my trainer), I have some big plans for this summer and I don't want to be in pain!

HAHAHAHA!!

Frost Nip

Yesterday was my birthday, but it was Wednesday so I also had to go to PT. There are just some things you shouldn't have to do on your birthday!

I was still sore after PT on Monday, and doing too much walking while shopping on Tuesday. They pushed me hard, but not quite as hard as Monday. Everything was normal until I got hooked up for e-stim. I could tell the ice was a little too cold, but it soon numbed my knee and I was happy about that. When I stood up my knee was still numb and really frozen. I looked at it and saw why - it was REALLY frozen. There was ice actually stuck to my knee. I was freaking out. Duffy looked at it and tried to melt the ice off with his hands, but it wouldn't really come off. Dave and Duffy seemed unconcerned about it, so I left and assumed it would warm up later. But it had really freaked me out.

Later when I looked at my knee again, the ice had melted off and a big red mark was now in its place. As the night went on, my knee was redder and hurt more. I couldn't bend it because my skin hurt so bad when I tried. Even once I went to bed, if I moved and tried to bend my knee in my sleep I woke up because it hurt so bad.

This morning it is slightly better, but there is still a large red welt on my knee and a few other smaller red areas. I put in a call to Dave because after many, many PT treatments like this, I have NEVER had this problem before. Duffy called me back and asked me a bunch of questions about the red mark on my knee. He determined that I most likely have "frost nip," which is like frost bite lite. Basically they think that the skin is damaged, but the tissue underneath is not. So it's good news and bad news I guess. He said it should continue to get better. In the meantime, I can take Tylenol for the pain (except I can't take acetaminophen) and I should NOT ice my knee.

All I can say is... really? REALLY??

"Frost nip??" Ain't nobody got time for that!

Back to Physical Therapy

On Wednesday last week I was reevaluated at physical therapy for my knee and hip pain. I am less than thrilled to have to go back to PT again. It's a good thing I like Dave, my physical therapist so much. He's awesome!

So Dave has a new intern with him now. I wish I could remember his name, because he is awesome, and he is the one who actually did a lot of my eval. They asked me a million questions and did a bunch of tests. In the end they identified two problems.

The lesser of the two problems is my right hip. They don't think anything is actually wrong with my hip, they believe it is just weak from not being used after the surgeries. So I have a few exercises to strengthen my hip.

The bigger problem is my right knee. Again, a result of my life after surgery. They initially thought I might have torn my meniscus, but after evaluation decided that was not the case. Thank God! The problem is my knee cap is not tracking, and a myriad of other problems going on with my leg affecting my knee. My quad needs to be strengthened and my hamstring stretched. My glutes need to fire at the same time as my hamstring, and right now they are firing way after my hamstring, causing further problems. Basically, my leg is a mess after my ankle surgeries.

The WORST news of all? I AM BACK ON ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS. AGAIN. I am only allowed to do these really basic PT exercises. I can't do any lower body workout - so no treadmill, bike, or even elliptical, or working out with my trainer. I can't even swim unless I only pull, and I'm not sure my shoulders are up for taking all of the burden right now. I might try it though, because my only other cardio option is the hand bike. Ugh.

Never thought I'd miss the treadmill! Darn knee... 

Another Knee Update

After trying to rest my knee for some time, it's not really getting better. In fact, it is now worse than ever. Not only can I not exercise without pain, I also cannot even walk up the stairs without pain at this point. My knee makes this awful clicking noise that I feel with every step. It's so bad. So last week I finally did what I had been trying to avoid but knew was coming: I made an appointment with physical therapy to be re-evaluated for my knee pain. Unfortunately Dave could not see me until this Wednesday, March 20th, so I am just waiting until then.

It's really frustrating and overall really sucks. There's no other way I can describe it right now. But hopefully Dave will have some ideas and I can get my hip and knee in alignment and working well again. I'm hoping to be back to real work outs soon. Let's see how it goes!

I'm a sad cloud over my knee again.

Yoga

So a couple weeks ago I went to my first ever yoga class. I loved it! And since then I've been to two more.

I have been talking about going to yoga for years, and for some reason I never actually did it. After my ankle I knew that I was not strong enough to do it because I could barely stand on my right side, much less balance and hold a pose. After finally feeling better and getting stronger after my second surgery I decided it was time to try yoga finally!

I loved it! But it is really hard! I guess I thought it would be mostly stretching or something. And it's even harder than Pilates. But because I have been working out with my trainer I am actually getting stronger, so I was able to hold a lot of the poses. My main problem area to work on is flexibility. I am so tight! But I am hoping this will help stretch out some of my muscles as well.

My other worry is that I was told never to even walk around without shoes on after my surgery, so exercising and standing on my right foot without shoes on is worrisome. I walk around without supportive shoes on at my house all the time and don't have a problem. But actually balancing all of my weight on my right foot, barefoot, is another story. I am hoping this is not adding to my current knee pain. I also noticed my right ankle/foot has been more swollen recently and am worried this is a sign it does not like yoga. For now I have been icing and resting when I can. I hope I'm able to continue!

Amazingly, I can also do this (although don't look quite this good I imagine)! But is it hurting my ankle??

Final(?) Surgeon Appointment

Oops! I never actually posted this post:

On January 23rd I had my final post-op appointment with the ankle surgeon. Overall he was pretty pleased with my progress and happy to hear that I can run and work out and everything again.

My appointment was at 10:15am, but at noon I was still just waiting in my room. Apparently they only had one x-ray tech for three doctors. I need an x-ray taken before the doctor will see me. So there I sat, for over an hour. I finally had to go out and say something to the nurses, and I finally was taken back for my x-ray. Luckily I didn't have anything else planned that day. But what if I had to go back to work? SO inconsiderate of people's time. I have never had such a bad experience there. But I digress...

When Dr. Buchanan was FINALLY able to review my x-ray, he came into see me. He said the x-ray looked great and he was pleased with the way my bone work is healing. I told him how I had finished physical therapy and was discharged after being able to do some working out activities. I reported that I was able to do things like stand on my toes now and had a lot less pain overall - that I'm even able to run on the treadmill! He was impressed. I mentioned that I do still have more swelling than I think I should have, and he agreed. He suggested I get athletic compression socks to help with the swelling. I also mentioned that I feel my knee and hip feel out of alignment, and he gave me a prescription to return to physical therapy to work on this. I am not thrilled about the idea of returning to PT, but if the pain continues, I'll do it. It's always good to have the option to go, and at least it's not after major work this time. Hopefully getting my knee and hip back in alignment will be simple and will alleviate any lingering pain.

So overall a pretty positive visit. And Dr. Buchanan said unless there are any major problems I do not have to go back. We shook hands and parted ways for good, I think...

Officially discharged!!

Shannon & Terry's Wedding: My Ankle Can Finally Dance!!

On Saturday, January 19 my friends Shannon and Terry got married! I was so honored to get to be part of their special day by being a bridesmaid in their wedding. My ankle was not sure if it was going to make it all day/all weekend in wedding shoes... but it did!

Wedding party!

Rehearsal dinner night we wore little black dresses (white for Shannon) and fun shoes. Sadly, they do not make orthopaedic shoes in very fun styles. But when I gave away all of my shoes that were not ortho approved (YES! this really did happen a little while back) I saved one or two pairs I could not part with! Luckily, one of these pairs was a fun, flat silver shoe. They have absolutely no support, but I can wear them for a couple hours at a time. By the end of the night my ankle was done, and I was worried about the next day. I got it up and rested it as much as I could to be ready!

Bridal party at the rehearsal dinner! Little black dresses and fun, cute shoes! 

Being silly showing my shoes before the wedding.

Months ago Shannon helped me pick out the flattest bridesmaid shoes on the shoe site we used. She found the ones I wore and I loved them because they were almost flat (maybe 1 inch wedge type heel!) but still cute. I was worried when they came and I tried them on because they hit me right on my scars, which are still tender. My dad saw me trying to walk in them originally and asked if I had injured myself because of how I was walking. I sent them to get dyed and prayed that what I put on my scars to shield them would work. I wore them around the house one day to break them in and had no problems. And I wore them for the wedding and had no problems! After spending a lovely morning getting ready together at the Harvard Club, we trolleyed out to the church for the ceremony. My ankle was fine walking down the aisle. Then we trolleyed back to the city with the newlyweds and took lots of pictures! For this we changed into Uggs or boots. And you all know my secret - that my ortho inserts fit into my Uggs when I wear them, so I was very comfy! Reception meant back into the wedding shoes! But guess what?? I ran around the reception and danced the night away in my shoes ALL night!! I didn't have to change into my ortho flip flops I brought! It was very exciting!

This isn't even my right foot... but Shan found some pretty cute shoes for being flat, right? And look how great the hot pink color pop looks with the navy!

With the bride! And what a great view of the shoes she picked for me!

With my savior for the night, Amanda!

By the end of the night my ankle was DONE though. Walking around Boston later, it just couldn't go anymore. My love Amanda let me lean on her when we walked back to the hotel, which I really appreciated! And sadly when my ankle is done, I am done. It was a very long day so I was pleased that my ankle did as well as it did. I really had been worried about it for months, and I had relatively few ankle problems when it really counted. All in all, a good day/weekend for my ankle, and more importantly a spectacularly beautiful weekend and celebration for Shannon and Terry!

Rehearsal dinner with the bride. I love this pic of us!

After the reception with the groom! Why I couldn't take a picture with both of them, I don't know...

Team Awesome. Over and out.

Knee Update

So my knee has been killing me. Last week I finally had to call Dave, my physical therapist, because my knee was hurting so bad. Not only did I have to stop running, I was having trouble doing normal things, including just walking in my day-to-day life. Over the weekend I was in a wedding (look for another post on that!) and I finally heard back from Dave Monday.

Dave said he thinks I am getting tendinitis in my knee and having a problem with a sliding knee cap. That sounds about right. I've never had great knees. He said I needed to ice it and rest it. He reiterated to BACK OFF it, or it will NOT get better. I got it, loud and clear. He said no running while it's like this. He was not too happy about the elliptical either. He suggested biking and said that this would be best because I'm having this problem because my quad muscles are still too weak.

So I am following Dave's advice: backing off things like running and anything that generally hurts, icing and resting, and moving to biking, etc. to strengthen my quads, and really stretching my legs out. Man my legs are tight!!

Bahahaha! This cracked me up!

Progress (until last week)

I have been so excited about my fitness progress recently! I've continued working out at least weekly with my trainer and also added in cardio on days I don't work out with him. I started a "Couch to 5K" app so that  I could slowly build up to running again. It helps to do the intervals of walking and jogging. IT'S BEEN 20 MONTHS OF ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS!!! Getting back in shape HURTS, but finally in a good way! 

I might be high on endorphins, but I love working out again. I love the challenge of working with my trainer. He also quotes movies and tells me funny stories that make me laugh when I'm working out. I love my couch to 5k plan. I'm loving getting back in the gym! I'm planning to get in the pool soon too! Everything was going great until last week. Here's what (I think) happened...

The whole right side of my body has been out of alignment since I got injured in March 2011. I was put in a walking boot and that tends to throw you off, because your feet are two different heights. Things got worse after the first surgery. Of course one side of my body had to get stronger since it was being used, while the other side atrophied while recovering. I also began to sleep with my foot up on a stack of pillows to get it above my heart after surgery. It was so weird to get used to at first. And I had to sleep on my back to keep it up there at first, which I hated! Eventually I got used to it. I have literally been sleeping with my right foot elevated on at least 2-3 pillows since September 2011. Eventually I could sleep on my stomach or my side with my foot still elevated. This has really been rough on my right hip. So recently I've noticed that standing for a while, like while at a swim meet, my hips and back hurt SO bad. Like SO BAD!! Then last week my right knee started acting up. Thanks a lot right knee. I don't need this!

Last week I told my trainer Mike about my knee and he had me back off some leg exercises. My arms got an extra workout that day! After a LONG swim meet Friday night, I spent the rest of the weekend resting my knee/ankle/hip. It felt like it was ready to go. Today I headed back to the gym to do a couch to 5k cardio workout. I could feel how bad my knee was when I was first warming up and walking. When it came time to jog I could not take the pain. I had to get off the treadmill and tried to use the elliptical, thinking it would be easier on my knee. It was easier, but I still had pain. So I got off that too and went home. I'm so bummed.

Tomorrow I will be putting in a call to my physical therapist to see what I should do. And next week I see my ortho surgeon again - it's supposed to finally be my last appointment! I thought I would have good news for him, but now I'll need to see what I should do to get back in alignment and stop having this crazy knee pain!

New Year, New Goals

It's amazing to me how different this year is from last year already. And how different my goals for myself and my ankle are... And then again how some things never change...

Last year at the holidays I was pretty proud of myself for wearing two tennis shoes. It was seriously a major milestone. I was still in physical therapy, and just inching along with my ankle progress. I remember that every single morning I woke up, put my feet on the ground, and felt searing pain. I wondered if I would ever step out of my bed in the morning and not feel pain, or at least not feel like I had a giant right foot.

Amazingly, I now get out of bed in the morning and (usually) my feet feel exactly the same as each other. I sometimes marvel at this. And if it's raining or really cold (as if that ever happens around here anymore) I can jog real quick from my car to the building. I seriously wondered if that would ever happen again. And I really thought that I would have to get used to a "new normal" where I couldn't work out or do some other things the way I wanted to. But guess what? I CAN NOW WORKOUT!! I got back into it slowly, but I can seriously do any exercise. Well, any exercise that my out-of-shape body and lack of endurance allow me to do. It's pretty exciting!

So my goals for 2013 are to get back in shape. To work out consistently, start swimming, and running. I need to get into shape and also lose this weight I've gained while I've been on activity restrictions for the past 20 months. And I really need to get my endurance and muscle mass back!