Phase II: Range of Motion

This morning was my 5 week post-op visit with Dr. Greis.  I have officially graduated to the next phase of recovery!  Hello phase II, goodbye phase I! Here is what I get to do for the next month:

This is WAY harder than it looks.  My leg was shaking.

1. Wean crutches!

2. Walk in the pool or deep-water jogging. May use recumbent bike with no resistance. 

3. Full knee flexion and extension permitted, but no full knee extension coupled with hip flexion.

4. No strengthening or load-bearing on hamstring yet. 

5. Drive...and yes, I get a temporary handicapped parking permit. This is the happiest news for Barry, who has been the house chauffeur for the past 6 weeks!

     

     Unofficially, I started weaning crutches this last week which is going well. I am hardly using crutches in the house at all except for stairs, but uneven ground outside will be awhile before I feel safe without them. 

The muscle-free, skinny-fat left leg takes a dip!

     Curious about how it would feel, I jumped the gun a little on Sunday and walked in the pool for the first time. I have always enjoyed swimming laps for exercise so after 6 weeks of doing nothing, I couldn't wait to get in the water, even if it was only to walk around.  

     Did I say "Only" walk around? Ha! Walking in water with a weak leg was extremely challenging! Pushing my leg through the water felt like I was pushing it through molasses.  Since the muscle has atrophied, my skinny-fat left leg wanted to float to the top of the water while my piddly little muscles had to push it back down; even just standing while holding onto the wall was tiring. Unfortunately, my neighborhood pool is now closed this week for spring cleaning, but my goal will be to get in the pool at least 3 times a week when it opens again.

     I think anyone who is faced with prolonged inactivity has some concern about putting on extra weight. I am pleased that after 6 weeks, my clothes still fit me the way I like. I don't have a scale in my house, so as long as I slip easily into my size 6 pants, I am satisfied. My appetite, which has always been hearty, dropped considerably with my inactivity; applying the the basic principals of calories in-calories out, I break even.  I have Emily to thank for some of this.  She continues to be a very good breastfeeder which burns around 500 calories or more daily, all while sitting on the couch.  The left leg has lost a lot of muscle: though it looks good and fits into pants, there is the element of skinny-fat that will only begin to remedy when formal PT begins in a month's time.