#hamstring graft

[flibbertigibbett]

ACL Reconstruction #2: The Surgery

On Monday, December 29th, I went to the hospital for my 2nd ACL reconstruction (4th knee surgery overall) on the same knee. Nothing too noteworthy occurred prior to the surgery and thankfully when I woke up, my surgeon informed me that everything went really well during the procedure.  Naturally I was in a ton of pain despite the morphine pump and pain pills they were giving me. Pain management was the ultimate reason it was decided I was going to stay an extra night in the hospital. I was also fighting a low grade fever the 3 days/2 nights but thankfully I seem to have broken that now (4 days post-op).

I'm stuck in the lovely Range of Motion Brace that is locked in 0 degrees and it's important for my leg to stay straight for the time being. I'm also non-weight bearing for that leg and since the pain is still very intense, especially when I stand, I need a walker still in order to walk. I pray for the day when walking to the bathroom isn't the worst and most painful part of the day.  More updates to come...

[lucys-metanoia]

20 Nov 13, 7 weeks post op & 4 months post injury

hey heyyy

today is legit a double milestone day. 4 months since tearing my acl and 7 weeks since having reconstructive surgery.

knee is getting stronger as the graft is becoming vacularised. still working on strengthening glutes, hamstrings and quads to further protect and stabilise the knee joint.

progressing at physio well. im back at the gym finally! also recently gotten 2 jobs to keep me busy over summer after not being able to work previously because of my injury. i've even started jogging on a trampoline at physio to slowly build up to running but i've been sneaky jogging in the back corridor at work, so far so good!

it's been a tumultuous 4 months, to say the least. a lot of sadness and frustration which at times made this whole process very difficult to come to terms with but happy to say that the worst is now far behind me!

☼

[lucys-metanoia]

$#!% 8!%(#

hurt my hamstring whilst showering.. HoW eVeN?!?! naht happy.

tomorrow i am 6weeks post op. everything's going well except for semi-t. >:(

[lucys-metanoia]

20 Oct 13, 19 days post ACL reconstruction

Saturday (19 Oct) morning physio session brought me to 136 degrees of flexion, only 4 degrees short of my pre-op best, which is approx 5-15 degrees short of my good knee :-)

Went to a 19th on Saturday night, not allowed to drive yet so meant I could drink. And oh wow, did I ever. Like actual laughing at myself. Didn't over-do it, no hangover or embarrassing drunk moments, just kissed a lot of people on the cheek and killed it at beer pong >:)

Knee quite stiff this morning, perhaps over did it a bit at the party but no serious pain and haven't taken pain killers for a few days now! Just sticking to the anti-inflams for a bit longer.

My scars are beautiful! Three very tiny scabby spots that are likely to completely heal with no scar and one very nice line of a scar that measures at 4cm (~1.5inches) that is healing really nicely. Still tender but no serious dramas. Just a lot of muscle soreness in my calves and glutes, part-physio part-compensation for hamstrings. Ah well :-)

[lucys-metanoia]

ACL Update: Days 1-4

Day 1, Wednesday -- fasted from 7:15am, uni from 9 til 2:30, was at the hospital by 3, went in for surgery about 4:45pm. Surgery went well, recovery did too. Family and boyfriend visited and it was really great to have them there. Was on a morphine PAC and felt tired but otherwise fine.

Day 2, Thursday -- had a nurse unhook my tubes and whatnot at 2am so I could use the toilet. Whilst in bathroom I foolishly tried to take half a step with my leg that was completely numb so I fell to the floor and felt quite silly. Didn't get much sleep and was starving by 7:15 when breakfast came. Was taken off the morphine at 8am and began to feel very nauseous and dizzy. Hospital physiotherapist assessed me and helped me walk around the hallway with the crutches. Was home by noon and had lunch at home. Boyfriend and friend visited in the afternoon. Morphine had completely worn off and was in some pain but it was bearable. Struggled to fall asleep in my bed as I was uncomfortable.

Day 3, Friday -- only got 1.5hrs of sleep before waking in pain. Laid in bed for nearly an hour trying to fall asleep before getting up and taking some painkillers. Reclined on the couch with the tv on quietly. Eventually fell asleep from exhaustion. Pain was the worst it's been so far. From the moment I woke early morning til later afternoon I was in constant pain and intermittent agony. Nothing was comfortable, walking was awful, everything hurt and I cried a lot. Took the advice of Mum's colleague who had the same surgery 3 years ago, placed pillows under the entire leg which relieved the muscles significantly and rested. Pain began to subside and what started as the worst day yet ended fairly okay. Slept in the guest room in the double bed with leg on pillows as I had on the couch and rested really well.

Day 4, Saturday -- nine hours of sleep, baby!!! Woke feeling so much better, good mood and everything. Watched rage while eating breakfast, and relaxed. Had my first post-op shower!!! Feels so good to be clean, oh my goodness. I'd washed my face whenever I could but for all of my skin to be clean, and my hair too... bliss! Mum even said that after the shower I looked so much happier :-)

Today isn't over yet but at the moment plan is Mum and sister will visit grandma for the weekend so it'll be just Dad and myself. Hopefully boyfriend will visit too :-)

[mental-and-sentimental-blog]

🕓😷💉🔪𝓃𝓮𝔀𝙰𝙲𝙻💊❤💋☕📺🔜📈🚲👟💪⚽🌊😎

knee surgery approx 4pm tomorrow next few days will mainly be pain killers, love and tv then hey presto, rehab and regaining functionality and freedom!

tomorrow the injury will be 74 days old, ooft.

[lucys-metanoia]

4 days until surgery, a lil' research and a few positive affirmations

Just perused the 'ACL reconstruction' tag here on tumblr to read about it from other people's perspectives. I only know 4 people who've had the procedure done. Reading about the progress and complications other people have experienced is interesting and sure to be useful. It's also confirmed a lot of things my surgeon and physio have said to me.

I've done 2 months of pre-surgery physio to strengthen my muscles, regain confidence in the joint and it's shown me just how much I can push myself with only one ACL. I can do a partial pistol squat on my bad leg!!! Physically, I feel ready.

Preparing myself mentally. I am determined to not be complacent about this. It's going to hurt (a lot) but it's nothing I can't handle. I want to fully recover as soon as possible which I know will be a difficult and painful journey. But I'm going to give it everything I've got. I have age on my side, determination and a fiery desire to get achieve full mobility. I'll be back to carelessly dancing around the house in no time.