stihltheone said:
5 Hours is the OR and holy buckets, it is hurtin. I have to wear a hinged knee brace til????? Not sure how I am going to get my sa chaps over it. Dr just looked at me like I had been drinking when I made that comment. Tis is really a bummer. I have 10 cords ready to split just waiting.
The Bleadsoe brace is better than a totally enclosed one - you won't itch as much! I had mine done almost a year ago (Dec.9th 08) and a meniscus done in September '08. DO NOT attempt to drive in the first week - it
WILL cause you excruciating pain
I had a "doaner," read as cadaver, Achilles tendon to replace my torn to shreds ACL. Now I feel like Herman Munster or Frankenstein. Put back together with someone elses parts and a few drywall screws!
Figure AT LEAST 6 weeks in that thing; 4 of which should be locked at 0deg, if you're not on/in the C.P.M. machine.
What I did is keep the ice pack/frozen green beans/ what ever frozen vegs that where in the freezer at the time, in close contact (single layer towel) while I was using the CPM. I has the wife get me some bungee cords, and later 2-sided velcro, to keep the ice on my knee.
At least you WiFi - I didn't get mine up right in time ;-)
P.T. - DO NOT WAIT - I did, unfortunately, until AFTER the holidays. In hindsight, I would have gone to P.T. a week after, instead of waiting three...
Keep up with the P.T. - IT IS YOUR NEW RELIGION
! at least for the first 4 months!
I even went and spent the coin for a WII + Fit. It was a part of PT at their office, and I did it on my days away.
If your insurance Co. limits your visits, YELL AT THEM!! You may only get a few PT visits here and there, but use them.
I had 26 +1 consult/eval initially, then was "allowed" 6 more, but I put up a fight,and they allowed another 16.
I work outdoors year round; either on my knees (irrigation) or on a ladder (plumbing/electrical/heating) at my job.
My body does take some abuse. I did manage to snow-blow my drive & walk at 8 weeks - but I did pay the price(pain)
As I said, it's been about a year, and it does hurt once in a while, but IT IS A HECK OF A LOT BETTER than not being able
to bend the knee.
Just think - you can get a job at your local TV station as a weather reporter. I can tell in advance (about 36-40 hrs) that
the weather will change! and still get paid IF you're wrong ;-)
Good luck to you, and a speedy recovery,
PJ
P.S. The wood WILL still be there in another few SHORT weeks. Chin up!