How time flies! This week marks two months since undergoing lateral release knee surgery so I thought I’d post an update on my recovery.
I knew full-well that without a doubt for me the toughest part to having such an operation was the time it would take to recover. I’m not generally an impatient person but this is testing me big time! According to my physiotherapist we are definitely on-track with recovery and improving progressively. She also reminded me that the incision points and trauma inside my knee from the instruments used in the operation has caused a lot of scar tissue. Given scar tissue lacks elasticity it prevents muscles surrounding my knee from contracting and lengthening the way they should. So our time now is spent stretching, massaging, dry needling and manually manipulating these areas to return to full function.
These days I’m fashioning a blue compression bandage to minimise inflammation when I’m working and a long time on my feet. The bandage creates support and reminds me to be careful (helping me significantly on the dancefloor of a wedding I recently attended!).
A couple of weeks ago I observed walking up a short set of stairs and bracing myself for the usual pain that I felt pre-surgery. To my excitement that pain did not occur! So I know that the surgery has been successful in eliminating the patella pain that caused me 20 years of annoyance. Now my focus is to break down the scar tissue so that all pain disappears.
My current rehab program entails mostly stretching, activation exercises and light body weight squats, calf raises, seated leg extensions (with no weight) and up to 25mins on a stationary bike. Best of all I’m now back on my road bike. I completed a very easy 45km ride on the weekend with minimal discomfort and post-activity soreness…and that makes me very happy.
