3 week post operation
So 22nd November is the 3 week mark since my operation! I was told by the hospital that I am able to take my brace off at 3 weeks and learn to walk with my crutches without it. Below are some pictures of what my scars look like at this time.
As you can see I had 3 incisions, which have left 3 rather gruesome scars. I included the comparison to my other leg, so you can see how much it has swelled and hopefully you can imagine what it will finally look like.
Tuesday 22nd November 2016
So this is the first time my leg has been unsupported after surgery, which is rather scary! I haven't trusted my knee for the past 7 years, as I was constantly in fear it would give way and cause me to fall. This has made me very anxious about bearing weight, as I still can't really trust that my knee is fixed. - I'm so thankful for the operation and deep down I know that it will benefit my life, but right now it's rather difficult to see that.-
I rested for most of the day, as I had to get used to it out of the brace and moving it a little bit at a time. When it got to the evening, I obviously had to go from my living to my bedroom.... This was a lot harder than I imagined. (I live in a bungalow too...) I stood up really slowly trying not to bend my knee and stood on the spot for a minute or two with crutches to get my balance. I tried to bare 50/50 weight as my physio suggested, but it got really painful so I stopped. I then tried to walk and got really anxious and shaky, as I previously said my confidence hasn't been built up yet. I very slowly and in pain got to my bedroom and was very worn out! I hadn't quite realised how much muscle we use to walk haha... I then perched on the end of my bed and my parents swung my leg up for me as i slide onto the bed. (I don't have the strength to pull my own leg up.) I got so far and couldn't go any further as the pain was just unbearable- I scared my parents with my outburst of tears. So unfortunately I had to put my leg brace on to go to sleep in, as it would have took all night to get my leg up without seriously hurting me.
Wednesday 23rd November 2016
The pain was bearable today and I barley noticed it, which was great so I could get some college work done. This however was because I still had my leg brace on, when really I shouldn't... But I had physio later on in the afternoon, so thought I could take it off there and hopefully build some confidence whilst I was in the hospital. So the physio was interesting and I spent the half an hour crying, but.... I bent my knee!! Although it is painful and frustrating it's now shown me I actually can do it. It has given me a confidence boost, however I still have a fair way to go before I'm running around like normal.
Thursday 24th November 2016
The physio told me yesterday that I was to do my exercises 3 times a day and try to bend my knee further and further each time. I did them this morning and it took me a while to get over the nerves but eventually i got there. Below is a picture of the progress I made. It may not look like much but it's a huge step for me.
Friday 25th November 2016
Even after only a few days, I can still see a massive difference in my knee and what it's capable off. My goal is to have my knee bend at 90 degrees for next Thursday, so fingers crossed I can do that. It's starting to get really stiff and difficult to get past this stage, but no pain, no gain right!?
Saturday 26th November 2016
So every day I've got closer and closer to 90 degrees, which is so encouraging! I didn't think I'd get anywhere near that when my physio suggested it. It has really proved to me that if you want something- go get it!
Sunday 27th November 2016
Today has been the biggest improvement yet! I was so so close to 90 degrees, but can also do my physio independently without my mum supporting my leg. I can really tell my muscle was improving, so I put it to a test. I sat in a chair with it bent, so my legs get used to being bent rather than straight. I also practised walking with a slight bend, however I found it difficult as I haven't built up the muscle enough yet.
Monday 28th November 2016
Yesterday was a pretty big day in terms on progress, so I woke up with high hopes and lots of positivity! Turns out that today was a down day and I went through a lot of pain, only to get half the progress. I was warned that some days will be better than others, but when they come it makes everything pretty difficult.
I still have my crutches btw!
That's my week after having my brace off and how quickly you make progress in some areas and how slowly in others.
Have a good week!
Charlie
Tuesday 22nd November 2016
So this is the first time my leg has been unsupported after surgery, which is rather scary! I haven't trusted my knee for the past 7 years, as I was constantly in fear it would give way and cause me to fall. This has made me very anxious about bearing weight, as I still can't really trust that my knee is fixed. - I'm so thankful for the operation and deep down I know that it will benefit my life, but right now it's rather difficult to see that.-
I rested for most of the day, as I had to get used to it out of the brace and moving it a little bit at a time. When it got to the evening, I obviously had to go from my living to my bedroom.... This was a lot harder than I imagined. (I live in a bungalow too...) I stood up really slowly trying not to bend my knee and stood on the spot for a minute or two with crutches to get my balance. I tried to bare 50/50 weight as my physio suggested, but it got really painful so I stopped. I then tried to walk and got really anxious and shaky, as I previously said my confidence hasn't been built up yet. I very slowly and in pain got to my bedroom and was very worn out! I hadn't quite realised how much muscle we use to walk haha... I then perched on the end of my bed and my parents swung my leg up for me as i slide onto the bed. (I don't have the strength to pull my own leg up.) I got so far and couldn't go any further as the pain was just unbearable- I scared my parents with my outburst of tears. So unfortunately I had to put my leg brace on to go to sleep in, as it would have took all night to get my leg up without seriously hurting me.
Wednesday 23rd November 2016
The pain was bearable today and I barley noticed it, which was great so I could get some college work done. This however was because I still had my leg brace on, when really I shouldn't... But I had physio later on in the afternoon, so thought I could take it off there and hopefully build some confidence whilst I was in the hospital. So the physio was interesting and I spent the half an hour crying, but.... I bent my knee!! Although it is painful and frustrating it's now shown me I actually can do it. It has given me a confidence boost, however I still have a fair way to go before I'm running around like normal.
Thursday 24th November 2016
The physio told me yesterday that I was to do my exercises 3 times a day and try to bend my knee further and further each time. I did them this morning and it took me a while to get over the nerves but eventually i got there. Below is a picture of the progress I made. It may not look like much but it's a huge step for me.
This is me walking as best as I can without my brace there to support me. It's a lot of work, but gets easier each time I do it- Thankfully.
Friday 25th November 2016
Even after only a few days, I can still see a massive difference in my knee and what it's capable off. My goal is to have my knee bend at 90 degrees for next Thursday, so fingers crossed I can do that. It's starting to get really stiff and difficult to get past this stage, but no pain, no gain right!?
Saturday 26th November 2016
So every day I've got closer and closer to 90 degrees, which is so encouraging! I didn't think I'd get anywhere near that when my physio suggested it. It has really proved to me that if you want something- go get it!
Today has been the biggest improvement yet! I was so so close to 90 degrees, but can also do my physio independently without my mum supporting my leg. I can really tell my muscle was improving, so I put it to a test. I sat in a chair with it bent, so my legs get used to being bent rather than straight. I also practised walking with a slight bend, however I found it difficult as I haven't built up the muscle enough yet.
Monday 28th November 2016
Yesterday was a pretty big day in terms on progress, so I woke up with high hopes and lots of positivity! Turns out that today was a down day and I went through a lot of pain, only to get half the progress. I was warned that some days will be better than others, but when they come it makes everything pretty difficult.
I still have my crutches btw!
That's my week after having my brace off and how quickly you make progress in some areas and how slowly in others.
Have a good week!
Charlie
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