Guess what everyone?!

[Weekes Head]

So, after surgery, I was doing pretty well in terms of getting my range of motion back. I even got as far as 112 degrees in PT, which was incredible.

However, this past weekend, my knee tightened up considerably and I started feeling unbelievable pain in my quadriceps area. The quad also felt really tight, like it was about to snap in half.

Then, at PT yesterday, I couldn't even get to 100 degrees ROM, I only got 95 degrees. I felt unbearable pain after stretching, and it wouldn't go away no matter what I did. I've never felt so much pain in my quad before, it was unfamiliar territory for me.

Today, I went to PT and could only muster 83 degrees. I told one of my PTs how bad I was feeling, and that was just the red flag for him. He sent me across the hall to my doctor, who proceeded to diagnose me with a torn quadriceps muscle. Lovely, eh?

I won't need surgery for it (most likely), however, it severely hinders my progress. My ROM is going to suffer, which means the possibilty of more scar tissue forming increases significantly. More scar tissue = more surgery. I have to do whatever I can to avoid another surgery, but these next few weeks are NOT going to be easy for me.

In the meantime, I'm to heat the quad and ice the knee and basically "take it easy". I still have to stay in my CPM often, however, I have to take a few more breaks to rest the quad. I'm also still not allowed to do any strength training, the quad won't be able to handle it.

Ahh...just another bump in the road to my recovery. Hell, the road is filled with POTHOLES at this rate, eh?

Just figured I'd give you guys a little update on me -- I know a few of you are wondering why I HAVE been around the past few days, it's a combination of the knee problems and some personal issues that I've had to stay near the computer. I'll be around on and off for the next few weeks, so I just thought I'd throw that in here.

[Weekes Head]

Oh, I forgot to mention this:

PT has me heating the quad while icing the knee. Feels great, but the pain is still pretty bad. I'm actually considering calling up my pain management doc to get some relief, especially for my spine which has taken a beating these past few months. Thanks to my ex-PT I have a herniated disk in my back, degenerative disk disease, and two fused disks. After I finally get all my knee problems sorted out, I will take care of my spine. It's my lumbar region, which of course makes things worse on my knee because the back pain also causes general leg pain as well.

[Ally]

Wow you don't have good luck with your leg huh? I'm sorry to hear that and hopefully you'll start feeling better.

I heart you, RD!!!!!!!

[sammyk]

We have the technology, we can rebuild you.

Sucks though, hopefully it doesn't affect your overall recovery too much.

[bruins4777]

.....ouch. well i hope you get better.

You have bobby orr knees

[Mighty Grendel]

That must be really tough. I'm sending you my super healing powers to help. You'll get though this.

[Weekes Head]

That must be really tough. I'm sending you my super healing powers to help. You'll get though this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can I have a hotdog along with those super healing powers?

I need the strength of Igor Larionov right now.

...oh wait...I don't want the strength of an old fart! JUST KIDDING!

[sheeps]

I thought of you when a classmate hopped into class after surgery... I was going to say, "Well >I< know someone with more problems than YOU" but I guess injuries aren't for one-up-manship. Your's would take the cake anyways!

Still can't wait until you can say this is all "fin"

[devilsrule33]

That is terrible. Just wondering How did all this trouble start?

Edited December 15, 2004 by devilsrule33

[Weekes Head]

That is terrible. Just wondering How did all this trouble start.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Injured myself playing sports, then had a bad orthopedist and physical therapist who severely damaged my knee. Now I'm seeing an OS who is trying to right the wrong and hopefully salvage my knee.

[SueNJ97]

What can I say, RD??? As we discussed, you are indeed the Adrian Foster of the board. Damn.

Get well soon, RD's knee!!!

[StarDew]

Not necessarily more surgery...all my thigh area muscles (and I mean all) has ossifications thru em...yep...my muscles were turning into bone...my surgeon spent hour+ removing the ossified areas...they have healed pretty well...I thought having all the thigh, butt and pelvic muscles cut and moved would take forever to heal...not so...9 weeks since surgery and I can go up and down my 25 steps like an adult...one foot per step...now I do this slowly but I can do it....ceramics are aces...can't wait till spring to have the left one done....ahh...but I digress...muscles...yes...surgery is not necessary in every case of a torn or cut muscle

[Weekes Head]

Dew, I know, that's not where my concern comes into place. I don't fear I'll need more surgery for the muscle, rather, for scar tissue that builds up.

[StarDew]

RD...I think we were on the same page...maybe I said it wrong...my muscles had bone cut out of them and left to heal...kinda like yours in concept...yours tore whereas mine were torn cleanly...they both will have to heal...scar tissue requiring surgery not always the end result...muscles can mend...you do not want to know how many torn muscles I have had in my knees and hips over the years (not to mention 5 tears in my left rotator cuff that healed...replacement of that joint is necessary because I keep tearing the cuff)...not one had residue that required surgery to fix the mended muscle...think positive...work em out slowly...just remember that with regular exercise we tear muscles and they heal which make that muscle stronger...this is why we exercise like that every other day...dwell on the positive...not worth wasting energy on that which has not occurred

[Weekes Head]

Dew, I guess my concern is that because of the tightness in my quad, I'm not reaching the ROM I SHOULD be reaching. I keep on getting less and less ROM at PT (although today I was able to maintain that awful 83 degrees). I form scar tissue like no other, and any loss of mobility translates to scar tissue for me. That's my problem -- any sort of complication can REALLY be a big problem for me.

I'm honestly not even worried too much about the quad muscle itself. It'll heal when it wants to heal. Just have to be patient, eh?

[Weekes Head]

And for a little update...

Just got back from a 2 1/2 hours of physical therapy TORTURE, got a little more information on my latest complication.

My other two PTs also agree with the diagnoses of the ruptured quad muscle, they're going to put their heads together and create a new protocol that will not stress the quad but still work on ROM. I am NOT to do any strength training. Before my doc at least had me doing straight leg raises with the aid of my mother (or anyone else who was around) at home, but I'm not to do that, either.

So, I'm receiving a combination treatment of ice, heat, deep tissue massage, stim, and ultrasound. I had my first ultrasound treatment today, it was definitely weird but I'll get used to it. Fun fun. Aside from all of that, I'm also working on ROM by riding the stationary bike back and forth (not around), sitting in a chair and pulling the leg back with my other leg. I also use a strap wrapped around my foot and pull my leg back gently to stretch the knee.

Unfortunatly, my PTs all came to a conclusion about my knee that has always been in the back of my head, but never wanted to hear the actual words said out loud. Basically, they think I'll never regain full motion. I'll be lucky to max out at 100-110 permanently, which isn't all that great but it's doable. I knew this was probably going to happen, I just didn't want to have it come true, you know? Ehh...I'll deal with it, and I'll be able to come to terms with it, I just need time. It's a huge blow for someone as athletic as I am.

[StarDew]

I had PT today also RD...I think we are simpatico...when the muscles tighten they are injured and trying to protect themselves hence the tightening...I do the heat, massage, work, massage, ice routine daily...your PT's should hang out with mine...mine are constantly trying to figure out routines because what will work for one joint will injure another...I get my ROM measured next week...can't wait to see the difference in my knees and hips

Oh and yes....patience is key even tho we have days when there is none Everyone can have bad days...trick is to let em happen, get it out of your system and start anew

[bruins4777]

Bobby orr was repaired with 70's technology! So if he can get better so can you! Think scott stevens and bobby orr!

[Pepperkorn]

How the hell does all this stuff HAPPEN? how does sh!t just explode on you? What is UP with that? I mean we KNOW you're not doing anything. You CAN'T DO anything and yet your leg is just basically falling apart -- but it's not even like atrophying or disintegrating -- you're like ripping muscle and tearing bones out of sockets and sh!t... i mean are you SLEEP wa;lking or somthing? Man I just can't imagine how pissed off you must feel RD. It's like someone is ripping your leg apart in some other demention and it shows up here or something... WTF?

[Pepperkorn]

Bobby orr was repaired with 70's technology! So if he can get better so can you! Think scott stevens and bobby orr!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Think Bobby Orr.

Stevens body is swell... just his head is a little messed up

[Weekes Head]

Okay everyone, here's the latest in "As the Knee Turns"... (hehe)

Today was pure torture. I was only reaching about 70 degrees today (my worst yet), so I had two PTs with their hands all over my knee trying to get me to AT LEAST 90 degrees. It was excrutiating, I cried, I screamed, but I let them do it, which counts for a lot. I could have easily said "no" or "stop it", but I didn't, I let them do it and I'm proud of myself for that.

Anyways, after the torture, my emotions were all out of whack. I gimped across the hall for my doctor's appointment, and after the secretary asked how I was feeling, I started bawling. Pretty embarrassing in a room full of people, but ahh well...whattaya gonna do? I had like four or five people hugging me and counseling me, it did help.

OS told me to STOP PT until further notice because it's just irritating the knee more and more, which will only cause the scar tissue to form quicker. There's no point in literally torturing me if it's not going to help the situation, rather only make it worse. I'm only allowed in the CPM and doing SLRs, NOTHING else.

He also changed his mind about seeing a team of PTs, he now wants me to pick the one who I feel is giving the best treatment and stick with them. I felt awful having to choose between the three, I like them all, but in the end I decided to choose the PT I thought challenged me the most, which incidently was the one female out of the three. Nothing against the guys, but she really does help me out the most, both mentally and physically speaking.

Doc wants me to see a pain management specialist...get this...he's like "I'm going to give my colleague a call, Dr. Michael Rudman, and I want you to see him..."

Get this, Dr. Rudman IS my pain management doctor!! I thought it was pretty funny seeing as I put in a call for Dr. Rudman yesterday, and my OS mentions the name anyways without even knowing I ever SAW him!

Soo, we're going to work out a better way to relieve the pain, whether it be stronger medications again or nerve blocks, who knows. I'd rather not have to have the nerve blocks again, but I'll do anything to get my knee better now.

He put me on a muscle relaxant for my quad, so hopefully that helps. I'm taking Skelaxin (used to take it in the past, nothing new). He's also going to talk to Dr. Rudman about putting me on some sort of mood stabilizer or something...he didn't go too in depth about it, but he mentioned it.

So now I'm waiting for a call from my OS and PM doc. I'll update again when I know more information.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and understanding, it means more than you know. In situations like these, we need the most friends we can get, and I really consider you all friends.