My physical therapist John has started weaning me off the crutches this week on Wed. 5 days into the weaning process and this is the progress
Day #1. Knee feels unstable while at PT. John has me doing this toe tap motion on a 6 inch tall box. Lift right leg, tap right toes on box, lift left leg up….WOOOOOOAAAAHHHH…that feels weird and unstable. Having to force myself to do it. John says that my brain is having to learn the new length of the ACL and knee structure. Makes total sense and that makes it easier to know that it’s my brain working through things. Still walking with 2 crutches using about 50% weigh on the recovering leg.
Day #2. Today I’m carrying two crutches, but for “local” moving around, I am only using one. It’s a new set of motions and the crutch goes on the side with the healthy leg and moves forward with the recover leg. Logic is that if the crutch slips, all of the weigh is supported by the stronger knee. Good to know as it will rain for the rest of the week. Some slight discomfort, but nothing major.
I have an adjustable desk at work and have been raising it and standing often. Forcing myself to repeat those toe taps from yesterday over and over, hundreds of times. Lift foot, tap backpack. repeat.
Day 3 – Friday. Just carrying one crutch today. Making short steps to get coffee or to other side of room without any crutches. Excited that I got to teach yoga tonight without crutches. Small class of 3 students. It was super humid in there too. It felt amazing!
Day 4 – Saturday – Today I started my yoga teacher subbing at the YMCA. It was a beginner flow class at 8am and was a lot older crowd than I usually teach. Super fun and wasn’t heated. I was able to do limited demonstrations also. Then I went to teach a gentle flow at noon in the hot studio. I love that heat….opens the body up so much! Walked around the day without crutches. Pretty serious limp though. My pelvis has a posterior tilt when stepping forward.. Basically the same mechanics I had after the injury and prior to surgery. Some swelling in the knee but no pain. Took a couple of ibuprofen and elevated it at night.
Day 5 – Sunday – Today life is busy. I’m packing the house to move next week and need to be mobile. Walking up stairs like a normal person today instead of single leg stepping it.
Morgan noticed my calves are different sizes….not sure if left is bigger because it’s stronger or if there is that much atrophy in my right already. Hope that evens up soon.