Recovering From Microfracture Surgery

K+38 days post surgery

Worked on leg strength today. Did 150 straight leg lifts and 150 side leg lifts as well as heel slides.

Better news is I was able to walk around the house with only one crutch. It was very slow but it is a start. It was not easy but not too much pain just mostly muscle support issues. I am going to try and walk with only one crutch as much as possible this week and maybe if things go well I can be off crutches by the end of the week. We will see.

K+39 days post microfracture surgery

So today was another long physical therapy day.

Total of 2 hours and 30 minutes on spin bike for about 25 miles total. Also did 150+ straight leg lifts, 150+ side leg lifts, 45 minutes of heel slides, and increased weight on the 7 strength machines.

The best news is my range of motion measured at 145 degrees. So the first goal the physical therapist gave me was to get 140 degrees in two weeks which I made in 5 days. Then the next goal was to get 145 degrees in two more weeks. Again I reached 145 degrees in 5 days. So next step is 150 degrees in the next two weeks. Ultimate goal is approximately 155 degrees which will equal my right leg. Although it will probably get tougher the closer I get.

The other good news is I was able to do about 75% of my walking today on one crutch. It is very slow and awkward but this will help strengthen the leg even more and hopefully allow me to get off the crutches soon. My leg is pretty tired but that is ok. Not much pain in the knee, only occasional pain, which is a good sign so far.

So far so good. I am sure there might be some set-backs eventually but as long as I can stay consistent then I expect good things over the long term.

K+40 days

So another day of 2 and a half hours on spin bike (22+ miles)

1.5 hours spin bike at 6:00am then 45 minutes of straight leg lifts, side leg lifts and heel slides

1 hour spin bike at 9:00pm and another 45 minutes of the same strength exercises as above

Today I walked with only one crutch about 90% of the time. The leg and muscles around the knee are tired. Back to physical therapy tomorrow to work hard and keep moving forward.

K (Microfracture Knee Surgery) + 41 Days post surgery

Another Physical Therapy Day!

5:30-7:00am Spin Bike for about 15 miles

7:00-7:30am leg strength and range of motion exercises (ROM)

8:00-10:00am Physical Therapy 2 hour routine with 3 new strength exercises added today so I am up to 10 exercises on machines

9:00-10:00pm Spin Bike again for about 10 miles

10:00-11:00pm leg strength and ROM exercises again

Physical therapy went good with my range of motion improving again to 147 degrees, so two more degrees in just two days. I also walked about 95% of day on only one crutch. It starts really well in the morning and then by the end of the day the knee is very tired and stiff. Tomorrow makes 6 weeks so maybe soon I will be walking without crutches!

 

K+42 days (6 weeks after microfracture surgery!)

AM = 1.5 hours on spin bike and 45 minutes of strength exercises

PM = 1 hour on spin bike and 45 minutes if strength exercises

Total about 23 miles on bike and 180 reps of strength exercises

Walked with only one crutch all day today. It is starting to feel like I might be able to walk without the crutches soon. In the morning things feel good but as the day goes on the knee still gets tired and stiff and then it becomes more difficult to walk on one crutch.

More physical therapy tomorrow!

K+43 days

Another long physical therapy day.

Good news is that I made 150 degrees for my knee range of motion. I have progressed from 135 degrees two weeks ago to 150 degrees today. The first goal was to make 140 degrees in two weeks and now I have made a 15 degree improvement versus a goal of 5 degrees in two weeks. I am almost at 100% compared to my right leg. So range of motion wise things are looking superb. hopefully this will translate to other good things as far as a full healing and recovery are concerned.

Did a ton of PT today all together about 6 hours worth again with 2 hours on the bike for 25 miles worth and tons of strength work as usual. I was 100% on one crutch today and I am beat so it is time for bed.

K+44 days post microfracture surgery

AM - 1hour spin bike and 1hour strength work

PM - 1 hour spin bike and 1 hour strength work

100% one crutch today again. Hope to try and get rid of crutch by the end of the week if possible.