The Dr took off my stitches yesterday and cleared me for a full shower and put water on the bandages tomorrow . I see some deep open wounds where the stitches were there, so little hesitant to get into full shower. May be I am just being worried ! By the way, did any of you need any dressing to the done(after shower) on a daily basis after the stitches were removed ?

Doctor wasn’t so happy with my extension, she says I shuld have got it flat by now(2 weeks over after surgery) and said I have to get it straight by next week and also get 70 degrees bending. I am close to 70 degrees of bending, but straightening is getting little difficult, I will keep up PT and try.

Overall, this is proving to be a overwhelming experience and I am just hoping that everything heals well and continues to be good at the end of it. Its been more than 40 days now from the time of my injury and looking at the fact that I may have 4 or more weeks ahead of me to heal kind of really stresses me out. But looking at all of you people who have done it and who are doing it now, I feel hopeful.

Lee,

Though I dint get to ask any Questions( I had to go in for Allograft due to small size of my platellar tendon), I think you should be at least asking on the age of the donor and exactly what grafts (heel or hamstring or..)they are using. If you are into any active sports, the duration of revascularization and when u can go back to them also will be critical to ask.

Robert.
August 2!! Ditch the crutches!! Fingers crossed for you.

When I started bearing weight again on the meniscus repair, my surgeon had me put 60-80 lbs weight on it several times a day, 10 reps at a time on a bathroom scale. I used an old dial scale to measure the weight, so if you have one or can borrow one it might be helpful. I used an old phone book next to the scale to make a flat surface for both feet. After a few times though you get to know how much weight to put down and you are full weight bearing in no time at all….a wonderful thing indeed.

I had my surgery on a Thursday and saw my doctor 4 days later on monday to remove and replace the bandages. Then i saw him 2 weeks later to remove the stiches. And i am seeing him again on August 2nd to see if he will clear me to ditch the crutches and try walking without them.

Basically ask any question you can think of. I had so many questions that I just flat out told him what my daily routine is and asked if that was OK. I told him what hurt and didnt hurt when i went to PT and he told me that was normal for now. Im sure you’ll have specific questions but i would also give him a general rundown of your daily routines and see what his reaction is.

My good knee hurt too when i took a shower because it was supporting everything. But once i got back on the crutches i was able to balance the weight better. Thats really the only time my good knee would hurt was in the shower trying to stand on one leg. For that reason i took very quick showers so i could get back on the crutches and on the couch to elevate it and ice it.

Cant really think of anything else. But dont be affraid to ask him or us here anything.

I am doing good. Able to manage a “partial” shower from day 6, looking forward to a full one soon

I am having my post op tomorrow(day 13) to remove the stitches. Can someone guide me on what I shuld be asking the doc ? I usually go prepared to doc, but this time around my mind is so blank from pain and all this stuff. Also, after how many weeks would i be going for my next post op ?

One another important thing if anybody can let me know how to avoid or help - my good knee hurts like hell unable to take the stress and strain. Is there anyway I can avoid or lessen the stress on it ?

That’s what I would be affraid of. Getting something that expensive only to have it slip and loosen up and not work right. I’ll ask my doctor and PT and see what they say about it when the time comes. Maybe I’ll get one of those simple braces that dont have those hinges on it that are about $50 bucks that slide on the leg like a sleeve but i will ask around.

I know you will be highly active so my situation isn’t much help that way. What I can offer is my experience with DonJoy. Hopefully my guy was the exception. Next time, however, I would go through my surgeon’s office so if I did have trouble, questions, complaints, I’d have a place to go for some resolution.

Aps: How are you doing? Did you get that shower in yet??? I went back and read my log and my first shower was 10 days after surgery. Woo hoo 10 days was way tooo long.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Like jaylo I was wondering if anyone on here used any sort of knee brace once they returned to physical activity of any sort whether it be soccer, football, running, biking, etc…and if so which one did you use and how pleased were you with it?

I’ve read wearing a brace when returning to physical activity doesn’t necessarily help or hurt in protecting the knee but alot of people wear one because mentally they feel it makes them feel more comfortable.

I did some looking online and the DonJoy company makes popular braces that athletes wear after ACL surgery. Some are very expensive but if they do work id be willing to spring for it.

Anyone with any info would be appreciated.

@Robert> i hOpe your recovery is going well and thanx on the tip.I will ask my PT as soon as i go back.

@Joanne> i recently stopped going to PT he gave me a home exercise plan that ive been following at home but i get discourage easy., my season starts in Nov.( its just a recreational league) but its really competiitve.

Not sure about that. I don’t think there is any particular wonder food that’s going to do it. I would say just eat healthy overall to keep fit. Maybe ask your PT or a nutritionist.