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!!