Wow - Ben ze Kneezeez

My 33rd Birthday came and went without too much trauma, we went to Matlock for the day (well a couple of hours), and SWMBO cooked tea, she does the meanest fry-ups known to man. I'm sure she is destined to work in a greasy spoon cafe one day.

To round off this week, I had my manipulation yesterday and to be honest, I was more nervous about this than anything else I have been through with my knee. I guess this was because this basically HAS TO WORK...

I was advised to be at the hospital for 7.00am as my manipulation was scheduled for 7.45am.

I got there dead on 7.00, and was led straight to my room, gowned up etc. The anaesthetist came to see me to ask about my choice of anaesthetic (Spinal or General) - I chose to be asleep, although I thought the noise of the cracking may be very therapeutic, it would probably make
me pass out.

The surgeon then came to see me to explain the procedure. I was in theatre by 8.00am and awake by 9.00am.

Result.
The surgeon came back to advise the manipulation was a success and they managed to break all of the scar tissue, they broke scarring in both flexion (bending) and extension (straightening), there was a hell of lot or scarring therefore a lot of cracking - I am kind of gutted I didn't get to hear it, but glad too. My heel managed to touch my arse which means a bend of 140 degrees as opposed to 90 before.

I was then put on a CPM machine and had physio, although I was told I would be able to come home , I decided it would be best alround if I stayed in, as NO-ONE, especially SWMBO would be able to move my knee as much as the physio could. I stayed on the CPM machine overnight, the strange thing was, although I couldn't feel my leg due to anaesthics and the nerve block in my leg, I could still feel the pain in my knee and it hurt like hell.

I had a fantastic breakfast this morning followed by more physio and came home at 11.00am.

I now have a lot of exercises to do over the weekend before another visit to the physio on Monday, but already feel a lot better and can bend my knee more than I have been able to do for almost 5 months, therefore the start of my recovery and no more limping,

I can't wait to get this thing over and done with. to say it's dragged on a bit is an understatement

Links
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The Return of the Knee

Today was my appointment with the consultant to check on the progress of my physiotherapy to get my knee back to its full ROM.

Although I already knew this, I am going to have to go into hospital again to have my knee Manipulated, this is called MUA (Manipulation under Anaesthetic).

The process is quite straight forward, either a spinal or general anaesthetic the surgeon then manipulates your knee by bending and moving it around, that's it, nothing more, nothing less.

A couple of days in hospital is then followed by intense physiotherapy in order to ensure the knee remains fully mobile.

Although this is something I was completely against at first, I realise I need to give in and have it done, at the moment I can only move my knee between 5 and 100 degrees, my other knee moves between -5 to 140 degress, this means I am unable to walk properly, run, kneel down etc, as you can imagine, these things affect me every day.

The longer I leave the operation, the more chance it wont be successful, by manuipulating my knee, the scar tissue simply breaks and allows for the movement to return, over time this tissue begins to get harder and has been described to get as hard as concrete.

I just can't wait for this to all be over... I have never been so desparate to get to the gym or get on my bike, now it's in my interest that I do in order to build muscles back up in my legs and therefore avoid any further problems with my knees.

Physiotherapy Todays show is brought to you by the number 95 and the letters R, O and M, (the acronym has changed from CRP to ROM (Range of Movement))

a ROM refers to the amount a knee (or other joint) can bend, when I came out of hospital my ROM was less than 35 degrees, a week later I managed 50, then 70 on Friday, after speaking to the surgeon I though I could just blag it and if I couldn't increase it, then opt for the manipulation - basically take the easy way out.

That was Friday, I got home and as one does, googled knee manipulation, this I'm both glad I did and wish I hadn't.

This varied between causing more even more excruating pain and problems to rupturing the Cruciate Ligament

I decided to knuckle down (pardon the pun), and do more exercises and work harder doing a few hours physio each day, which has definately paid off.

Todays physio session measured my ROM at 95.

I passed the magic 90 degrees...

I have been able to start in the hospital gym (leg pressing 70lb, "nutcracker", spot jogging etc,
my next goal is 100 so I can start using the bikes.
40 degrees more than that and we're even...

Anyone for a Knees up

Had my appointments with physio and the consultant today,

Physio seems happy with my progress despite SWMBO telling him I'm not doing my exercises (I am, it's just Im doing the minimum recommended), I can now bend my knee between 50 and 70 degrees on my own - or 80 degrees with a little painful help from the physio. I have been told to keep up with the exercises.

The consultant however has told me additional information, he's not happy with the tissue and scar damage in my knee, this is what is causing pain and stopping my knee bending to its full capacity (around 140 degrees),

My consultant has worked with Derby County players apparently football players with knee injuries have £150k worth of physio and spend 8 HOURS A DAY doing so, this is why they get better quicker,

Therefore in order for me to get better as soon as possible, I need to spend as much time as I can doing my physio. if there's no progress made within the next 2-3 weeks then I'll need to go back into hospital and have my knee "Manipulated"...

of course I had to ask what this meant...

Another epidural or General anaesthetic - once this kicks in, the surgeon simply bends my knee "for me".

OW-"f'kin"-CH was my response

To avoid more time in the lovely Nuffield, I have decided to do as much physio as time, my knee, and my daughter will allow.

On a positive though, my PICC line has now been removed, so I no longer need my daily 4 nurse visits. I'm onto tablets for 3 weeks - again no beer, Im wasting away with the lack of alcohol.