Recovering From Microfracture Surgery

K+11

AM - 1 hour 15 minutes spin bike ROM.

PM - Another 1 hour 15 minutes ROM.

Today was my first post operation appointment with the doctor. Nothing major to talk about. The doctor showed me the pictures of the surgery and gave me copies as well. I only have a hard copy of some nice high quality color images of my knee. The images are amazingly clear and detailed. The cartilage damage is clearly visible and it is in the exact spot that I had been having the pain in my knee. Based on the size and location of the injury he feels I have a very high chance of a full recovery. Right now I am cleared to do some swimming and other stuff as long as I do not put any weight on the knee, especially if it is bent at all. He is primarily concerned with focusing on the healing process first and then focusing on the strenghthening process after he is confident it has healed properly. So for now no physical therapy until I am off the crutches. I will see him again in 3 weeks to determine if I can start to get off the crutches or not but he thinks I stand a really good chance of being off crutches at the 4 week mark. So for now I continue on with the ROM work on the spin bike twice a day and I will try and slowly work in some swimming as well.

K+12

Nothing exciting to report today. Knee is ok. Some swelling still and stiffness but really no pain. Still on the the crutches. Of course the parking lot at my office is under construction and therfore I have to park a long ways off and hobble in on the crutches which is a good workout.

Two hours total again today on ths spin bike for ROM.

One day closer to being healed!

K+13

Tomorrow will be two weeks post surgery, yeah!

2 hours of spin bike ROM again today.

I am noticing that I am losing a lot of muscle definition in my left leg. I need to find something I can do within my limits to minimize this if possible. I think one of the hardest parts of this recovery is going to be strengthening my left leg again and learning how to walk and run again.

K+14

On the spin bike yet again. Only 1.5 hours today.

The knee feels pretty good but it is hard to tell since I am not allowed to put any weight on it. I really just want to walk on it and go for a short jog. However, I know I can't. I am at the two week mark on crutches and hopefully only have two more weeks before I can start some physical therapy. Normally I am one to push the limits when it comes to injuries and recovery but with this I am trying to really hold back and listen to the doctor. So two weeks down and two or so two go and then the longer rehab process can begin. I am staying positive and really looking forward to being able to run again one way or another.

K+15

Yet another day on the spin bike. 1.5 hours today.

The worst part about the spin bike routine is that my butt is very bruised and sore. I was hoping that it would get better after awhile but so far no luck. That and the hands get a bit sore as well. So I was wondering if there are any bicycle riders that have any suggestions. I have bought and use a nice pair of bike shorts and some good bike gloves but the soreness is still pretty bad. How long until the butt feels better if ever? Maybe I just don't have enough natural padding!

K+16 (16 days post surgery)

1.5 hours on the spin bike for ROM.

Although I expect to get cleared to come off crutches after 4 weeks I am also aware that it will not be a all at once thing either. I have lost a lot of strength in the left leg so I know I have a long way to go to get it back. I also know it will be even longer until I can even attempt to run. However, I am taking it one day at a time and trying to stay focused on the end result which is a healed and healthy knee.