Due to the significant bruising I have on my right calf, foot today I was booked in to have DVT screen. This involved about an hour investigation where a medical radiologist? applied an ultrasound to my right leg. The technology was cool! I was able to see blood distribute to the leg and away. Unfortunately the pain was not enjoyable (as tends to happen when someone is pushing against bruises) and I had to go to work with ultrsound jelly on my entire right leg ;-).
Good news - no DVTs!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Friday, May 06, 2005
I can bear weight again!
So, the recovery continues - this morning I woke up and sort of, kind of, beared weight on my right leg!! This is significant because it means now that I only need 1 crutch so I can carry things when I am mobile (rather than having two hands on my crutches). On Monday, it will be 3 weeks post-surgery - and while I do not have the flexibility yet in the leg (ie. still can't straighten my leg) there are signs of recovery!
Physiotherapy
Well, I finally attended physiotherapy - at the Olympic Medical Centre - indeed I saw physiotherapist Katrina MacDonald.
I had only attended physiotherapy once before - for shin splints. That time, the physiotherpaist wrapped both my legs up with duct tape such that I left looking like Forrest Gump and in the end it had no effect. After a week of wearing duct tape from toe to knee (in the middle of summer no less) I removed the tape and the pain I was experiencing dissipated - so it was probably a self-mis-diagnosis.
So what was it like this time around. Well, firstly a clinical history was obtained. Following that measurements were taken at the straightening and flexion of the leg - both of which were poor. I recall that I could only straighten my leg to 12 degrees (I presume 0 degrees is the aim) and I could only bend my leg to 72 degrees (again I presume the aim is 90 degrees). Following this, came the 'therapy' - firstly I can say that my calf, and foot were still significantly bruised. Those areas being rubbed for 10-20 minutes really hurt. At the end, I was given some exercises (which I am dutifully trying to follow) and some ways to activate my right leg at work.
In summary, 1 day post physiotherapy there have been significant positives from attending physiotherapy. The first and foremost is that it showed how much pain the knee/right leg is able to bear - this gave me confidence to push against that pain (because I knew it was bearable). Secondly, Vitamin E cream was applied to the 6 holes I have on my knee - this showed me that the area of the knee is not as tender as I thought it would be and that 3 weeks post surgery some significant healing has occurred. And lastly, the advice for keeping the leg active at work meant that the amount of swelling *seems* to have decreased significantly (I can see the bones in my right foot again!).
In conclusion, I am looking forward to going to physiotherapy next week.
I had only attended physiotherapy once before - for shin splints. That time, the physiotherpaist wrapped both my legs up with duct tape such that I left looking like Forrest Gump and in the end it had no effect. After a week of wearing duct tape from toe to knee (in the middle of summer no less) I removed the tape and the pain I was experiencing dissipated - so it was probably a self-mis-diagnosis.
So what was it like this time around. Well, firstly a clinical history was obtained. Following that measurements were taken at the straightening and flexion of the leg - both of which were poor. I recall that I could only straighten my leg to 12 degrees (I presume 0 degrees is the aim) and I could only bend my leg to 72 degrees (again I presume the aim is 90 degrees). Following this, came the 'therapy' - firstly I can say that my calf, and foot were still significantly bruised. Those areas being rubbed for 10-20 minutes really hurt. At the end, I was given some exercises (which I am dutifully trying to follow) and some ways to activate my right leg at work.
In summary, 1 day post physiotherapy there have been significant positives from attending physiotherapy. The first and foremost is that it showed how much pain the knee/right leg is able to bear - this gave me confidence to push against that pain (because I knew it was bearable). Secondly, Vitamin E cream was applied to the 6 holes I have on my knee - this showed me that the area of the knee is not as tender as I thought it would be and that 3 weeks post surgery some significant healing has occurred. And lastly, the advice for keeping the leg active at work meant that the amount of swelling *seems* to have decreased significantly (I can see the bones in my right foot again!).
In conclusion, I am looking forward to going to physiotherapy next week.
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