Weekend (day 16 and 17) has been uneventful. Called the CPM machine guy to come and pick it up as I don’t see a need any longer. I seem to be doing my ROM exercises properly and seem to be gaining strength in my quads and hamstring. The swelling may have subsided some but not sure – I recall the PA saying that the bone bleeds and it will take time for the swelling to go away. Hope it is sooner than later. A lot of flexibility issues will be solved if the swelling goes away. Also, I am waiting to hear back from my doctor to see if I could actually take the brace off and walk or sleep for that matter!
One aspect has become quite annoying over the last few days. This pertains to sleeping. Every night around 2pm or so, I wake up and it has been quite uncomfortable – can’t explain but it is a combination of sick feeling, pain in the knee, and discomfort from the brace. They somehow seem to culminate at that hour and it takes me a little while to get back to sleep. I just hope it goes away!
The other interesting aspect is that no matter how much flexibility (ROM) you may have, the knee seems to forget it when you wake up in the morning. It becomes somewhat stiff (may be attributable to the knee brace) and you will need to do some repetitive flexing to get back your ROM.
The biggest difference over this past weekend as opposed to the other days has been that my wife massaged the knee twice a day both Saturday and Sunday. That really woke my knee up and not only does it feel good, it almost feels like I am getting my lost knee back!
I went to Home Depot and Lowes to buy some construction material. At the end of it, the knee did hurt somewhat. Based on my two-weeks of experience, this is what I found out. The brace needs to be worn tight during walking and while putting all weight on the knee for the first few weeks (how many – I do not know). I did unlock the brace a couple of times, but it would hurt in no time. Basically what that’s telling me is that the knee is not ready for full weight with flexing motion. However, when the brace is locked and in full-extension (straight), the whole leg acts as one weight bearing piece and the knee does not have any relative movement and hence it won’t cause any pain. In any case, at other times (after the first week), I don’t see a need for the brace when sitting and laying around. May be it is needed in the night for the first couple of weeks just so you don’t kick around in your sleep.
Today (Monday – day 18) can be classified as one of the worst days of my life – nothing to do with my knee! One of our dearest employees/colleagues passed away at a relatively young age. Though it happened on Friday, we were notified today. I have been feeling sick in the stomach all day – just can’t seem to think of anything else. A lot of other events that occurred had a very negative tone as well – not even counting the stock market which tanked as expected! I don’t know why but it seems to happen all the time. When things don’t go well – everything seems to go bad. May be it is the mental state! Whatever it is – it has been a very bad day thus far! But, I am trying to keep my balance and take the bad with all the good!
I had my physical therapy as scheduled and did manage to bike for 10mins (stationary bike). This is not even exciting anymore. Did all the other simple exercises – but my mind is on my colleague. Just can’t get over the fact that this young man just left this world!
The CPM guy came and took the machine away – that saves me about 4hrs of sitting around – even though I try to get some work done – it has become somewhat of a drag lately. I think two weeks is a little too much.
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