Well its been 6 months since my surgery. The first month was physically and psychologically the toughest. While my Ironteammates were competing at Vineman, I was on crutches and looking out the window envious of the joggers going by.
The next couple months was about learning to walk again. Finally getting the go ahead to start jogging in October and "walk-jog" the Nike Women's Marathon in SF which was one of my proudest accomplishments.
November brought on a new season of the Ironteam. It was exciting to meet my old teammates who were now mentors and to meet the "newbies". November brought another medical adventure when I had to help a runner who had collapsed and cracked his skull at mile 24 of the RnR San Antonio marathon.
I caught a cold and spent the first couple weeks of December recuperating, but I did sneak in a trip to Vegas for the RnR Las Vegas Half Marathon. Finally the last couple weeks, I have been concentrating on biking and running faster, as well as spending more time at the gym with strengthening my hamstrings and working on pylometrics. I have been neglecting my swim sessions, but I plan to renew my emphasis on the swim now that 2010 is here. I'm glad I have 8 more months of Ironteam training to get ready for Ironman Louisville.
Showing posts with label ACL reconstruction surgery meniscus repair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACL reconstruction surgery meniscus repair. Show all posts
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
16 Weeks After ACL Reconstruction: Nike Marathon Finisher
I did it! Less than 16 weeks after ACL Reconstruction and Meniscal Repair, I ran a marathon. Yes, 26.2 miles in 5:22:06 I walked/ jogged the first 12 miles or so with my sister, who was competing in her first half marathon. Then as the full and half marathon courses separated, I said goodbye to my sis and continued onwards for 14 more miles. It was a big psychological challenge. I had to rely on will-power, determination, and faith to overcome the physical and psychological obstacles I encountered during these long miles. Remembering "Team in Training", my supporters, family, friends, co-workers helped. I dedicated these last 14 miles to my niece, Lizzy, who died earlier this year. Her memory also helped me overcome the challenges I faced. I knew that what I had to endure on race day was temporary. Unlike those battling Leukemia, Lymphoma, and other cancers, my trials and tribulations would end after a few hours. The survivors and those currently battling cancer are the real Heroes!
I was sore for a day or two, but now I've recovered and I'm already looking forward to the Rock n Roll San Antonio marathon next month.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Weeks 8 and 9 post ACL Reconstruction
Wow, time flies when you're active. I'm back on the road again. I've been busy with work and working out, so I haven't had time to blog.
In week 8, I started swimming laps: 60 to 90 minutes per session. Initially my knee bothered me with kicking, so I concentrated on just pulling water with my arms. Now I'm incorporating a little more kicking, but I'm careful because the ACL graft is still in its most vulnerable state. I also added stair master to my regimen which also includes Versa-climber, elliptical, and stationary bike.
This past weekend, I officially started marathon training. I walked 6 miles on Saturday in 90 degree heat. Yesterday I walked 11 hilly miles in 3 hours in 80 degree heat. Its great to be on the road along my favorite routes. However going so slow was a little frustrating. I'm accustomed to covering 18 to 20 miles in 3 hours. My plan is to walk the Nike "Women's" Half Marathon in October and to Walk/ Jog the full marathon at RnR San Antonio in November.
In terms of PT, I'm now working on balance and strengthening my hips and gluts. I got full extension of my Right knee. However I can hyper-extend my Left "good" knee, and unable to do so with my Right knee. In terms of flexion, I can flex 140 degrees which is considered excellent. However I can flex even more with my good knee, so comparatively I still need to go a little further to recover all of my ROM ( range of motion). These last few degrees may be the difference between just running a marathon or completing an Ironman versus setting new PRs or qualifying for Boston.
In week 8, I started swimming laps: 60 to 90 minutes per session. Initially my knee bothered me with kicking, so I concentrated on just pulling water with my arms. Now I'm incorporating a little more kicking, but I'm careful because the ACL graft is still in its most vulnerable state. I also added stair master to my regimen which also includes Versa-climber, elliptical, and stationary bike.
This past weekend, I officially started marathon training. I walked 6 miles on Saturday in 90 degree heat. Yesterday I walked 11 hilly miles in 3 hours in 80 degree heat. Its great to be on the road along my favorite routes. However going so slow was a little frustrating. I'm accustomed to covering 18 to 20 miles in 3 hours. My plan is to walk the Nike "Women's" Half Marathon in October and to Walk/ Jog the full marathon at RnR San Antonio in November.
In terms of PT, I'm now working on balance and strengthening my hips and gluts. I got full extension of my Right knee. However I can hyper-extend my Left "good" knee, and unable to do so with my Right knee. In terms of flexion, I can flex 140 degrees which is considered excellent. However I can flex even more with my good knee, so comparatively I still need to go a little further to recover all of my ROM ( range of motion). These last few degrees may be the difference between just running a marathon or completing an Ironman versus setting new PRs or qualifying for Boston.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
6 Weeks Post ACL Surgery
Well today is 6 weeks post ACL Reconstruction. I've been busy at work the last 2 weeks, catching up on a lot of admin stuff. Taking care of patients with a leg brace and a crutch has been a challenge as well. Hopefully I didn't freak out my patients. Many asked what happened to me. "Well I tore my ACL skiing, then last month I had surgery..."
The good news is that week by week I'm getting stronger. I finally got rid of the crutch and now I'm concentrating on walking "normally". I still have the leg brace and its bulky. I hope I can get rid of it and go to something less cumbersome soon. I'm also riding the stationary bike for an hour, 5 days a week. The other 2 days, I'm usually too lazy to go to the gym. Life is certainly different than before my injury when I was working out twice a day: swimming, biking, running... Ah, the "Good Ol' Days".
I'm looking forward to attending my former Ironteammates: Carlos and French Marie's Victory Party this Saturday. I hope to see my friends Louis and Edmund there. After training with them for 5 months from Nov to March, then again intermittently from May to June, I feel like they're related to me like distant cousins or something like that.
The good news is that week by week I'm getting stronger. I finally got rid of the crutch and now I'm concentrating on walking "normally". I still have the leg brace and its bulky. I hope I can get rid of it and go to something less cumbersome soon. I'm also riding the stationary bike for an hour, 5 days a week. The other 2 days, I'm usually too lazy to go to the gym. Life is certainly different than before my injury when I was working out twice a day: swimming, biking, running... Ah, the "Good Ol' Days".
I'm looking forward to attending my former Ironteammates: Carlos and French Marie's Victory Party this Saturday. I hope to see my friends Louis and Edmund there. After training with them for 5 months from Nov to March, then again intermittently from May to June, I feel like they're related to me like distant cousins or something like that.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Week 1 ACL Reconstruction
I finally did it. I had surgery to repair my torn right ACL on July 2nd. I initially injured my knee 3 months ago on a ski trip to Calgary, Canada. That injury forced me to withdraw from the Wildflower Triathlon. I got better from the initial injury and started working out again, but my knee didn't feel entirely stable. So I decided to transfer to next year's Ironteam and proceeded with the surgery.
I got up at 3:30 AM had a cup of black coffee ( clear liquid), went through my pre-race routine (except for the eating part), and left the house at 4:30 AM with my wife and son. I decided to have the surgery at my previous hospital, where I knew the Ortho and Anesthesia docs well. This would also provide some privacy since everyone knows me at my current hospital from the security guards and janitors to the administrators, doctors, and nurses. There was a traffic accident, so we arrived at 5:45 AM. I registered and about 15 min later got called in to the Pre-op Holding room. I changed into a hospital gown, answered some more questions from the pre-op nurse, had an IV placed, and then waited for my friend who I selected to be my Anesthesiologist.
Soon my friend arrived and we discussed the anesthetic plan. I chose to have a continuous femoral nerve catheter placed which would provide me with numbing medicine ( local anesthesia) for about 48 hrs. I would also have a general anesthetic during the surgery, so I can sleep, wake-up and it would be all over.
Then the surgeon arrived and he examined my knee, went over my MRI and knee x-rays, and discussed the surgery. I chose to have a graft taken from my hamstring tendon to use as a replacement for my torn ACL. He reassured me with his expertise and caring bedside manner. He marked my right knee with his initials and then it was showtime.
My friend, the anesthesiologist, gave me an anxiolytic and I only briefly remember being in the OR, my leg twitching as they used an Ultrasound machine and nerve stimulator to place the catheter for the local anesthetic alongside my femoral nerve. He then placed a facemask over my face and had me breathe deeply as I went off to sleep.
The next thing I remember is being in the PACU ( recovery room). I had great nursing care. Saw my wife. Saw my surgeon. He discussed his findings. Apparently I had a meniscal tear, that wasn't present on the initial MRI. He repaired it during the surgery. He hopes that it will be successful, but if not, I may need another surgery for the meniscus. The ACL reconstruction went very well. Most likely I aggravated my meniscus after the initial ski accident, perhaps by returning to running too soon after the injury. If I was in my 20's, the surgeon said the meniscal repair would certainly be a success. However since I am 42, the body does not heal as effectively. I can only pray for healing and hopefully by keeping in shape all these years, my body will respond more like a 20 yo, than a 40 yo.
At home the nerve block provided about 36 hrs of relief, before the medicine in the pump ran out. I removed the catheter. I have been taking oral pain meds since with good relief. As the days go by the pain is more tolerable. I also have a cuff around the knee that attaches to an ice water machine. The machine pumps ice water to the cuff and is very effective in relieving pain and swelling around the knee. I try to keep my feet elevated either sitting or supine to minimize swelling. Swelling = pain!
So one week out of surgery, I'm getting around on crutches with a knee brace, and placing partial weight on my operated leg. I try to do ROM ( range of motion) exercises to prevent my knee from contractures. One problem is my Quads have shut down and I'm trying to wake them back up. I have a follow-up visit with Ortho tomorrow and my first PT ( physical therapy) appointment on Friday.
I have photos on my I-phone, at a later date I will place the photos on this blog.
I got up at 3:30 AM had a cup of black coffee ( clear liquid), went through my pre-race routine (except for the eating part), and left the house at 4:30 AM with my wife and son. I decided to have the surgery at my previous hospital, where I knew the Ortho and Anesthesia docs well. This would also provide some privacy since everyone knows me at my current hospital from the security guards and janitors to the administrators, doctors, and nurses. There was a traffic accident, so we arrived at 5:45 AM. I registered and about 15 min later got called in to the Pre-op Holding room. I changed into a hospital gown, answered some more questions from the pre-op nurse, had an IV placed, and then waited for my friend who I selected to be my Anesthesiologist.
Soon my friend arrived and we discussed the anesthetic plan. I chose to have a continuous femoral nerve catheter placed which would provide me with numbing medicine ( local anesthesia) for about 48 hrs. I would also have a general anesthetic during the surgery, so I can sleep, wake-up and it would be all over.
Then the surgeon arrived and he examined my knee, went over my MRI and knee x-rays, and discussed the surgery. I chose to have a graft taken from my hamstring tendon to use as a replacement for my torn ACL. He reassured me with his expertise and caring bedside manner. He marked my right knee with his initials and then it was showtime.
My friend, the anesthesiologist, gave me an anxiolytic and I only briefly remember being in the OR, my leg twitching as they used an Ultrasound machine and nerve stimulator to place the catheter for the local anesthetic alongside my femoral nerve. He then placed a facemask over my face and had me breathe deeply as I went off to sleep.
The next thing I remember is being in the PACU ( recovery room). I had great nursing care. Saw my wife. Saw my surgeon. He discussed his findings. Apparently I had a meniscal tear, that wasn't present on the initial MRI. He repaired it during the surgery. He hopes that it will be successful, but if not, I may need another surgery for the meniscus. The ACL reconstruction went very well. Most likely I aggravated my meniscus after the initial ski accident, perhaps by returning to running too soon after the injury. If I was in my 20's, the surgeon said the meniscal repair would certainly be a success. However since I am 42, the body does not heal as effectively. I can only pray for healing and hopefully by keeping in shape all these years, my body will respond more like a 20 yo, than a 40 yo.
At home the nerve block provided about 36 hrs of relief, before the medicine in the pump ran out. I removed the catheter. I have been taking oral pain meds since with good relief. As the days go by the pain is more tolerable. I also have a cuff around the knee that attaches to an ice water machine. The machine pumps ice water to the cuff and is very effective in relieving pain and swelling around the knee. I try to keep my feet elevated either sitting or supine to minimize swelling. Swelling = pain!
So one week out of surgery, I'm getting around on crutches with a knee brace, and placing partial weight on my operated leg. I try to do ROM ( range of motion) exercises to prevent my knee from contractures. One problem is my Quads have shut down and I'm trying to wake them back up. I have a follow-up visit with Ortho tomorrow and my first PT ( physical therapy) appointment on Friday.
I have photos on my I-phone, at a later date I will place the photos on this blog.
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