Originally posted by signalhill323: Good luck and speedy recovery. I imagine that your humidor will face an unprecedented onslaught in the coming weeks!
Try not to smoke any cigars for at least two weeks, maybe more. One known fact is that tobacco smoking (of any kind) slows down the body's healing process significantly. For some types of surgery, tobacco usage of any kind can actually lead to an unsuccessful surgical outcome.
But talk with your surgeon, tell him how many cigars a week you smoke, and see what he says and I strongly suggest that you follow his thoughts regarding this. Reason is that I'm sure you will want as speedy of a recovery as possible (also, to assure that the surgery on your knee heals correctly).
i never thought about that, but i didnt plan on smoking til i was walking unaided anyway
DAMN, Im Thirsty! I want a beer, how bout you? You want a beer?
Range of Motion exercises, Perhaps hydrotherapy first.
They will have you sit on a table with your leg dangling and have you raise your leg. As you become stronger they apply light weights to your ankle to strengthen your leg.
Before you go to PT take a pain killer
Doc ***** Tobacco is a filthy weed, I like it...
SNOB Member 1033 1/3
Posts: 9615 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 02, 2002
Yes, lots of range of motion excercises. It'll turn into a little game to see how much you regain on each visit. One thing that kinda suprised me is the lack of strength I had in my quad after surgery. It was almost like I lost it overnight. Get used to being "iced" at the end. I agree with Doc, take some drugs before you go. Does anyone remember a motorcross champion named Jeff Stanton back in the late 80's early 90's? His wife was my PT. Good Luck
"Pick it, clip it, light it, smoke it and enjoy it"
Posts: 336 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: March 09, 2007
Originally posted by Chris Alexander: i wish i had come across your post earlier... i have had 4 knee surgeries. two full acl reconstructions my last being in October of last
wow, 4? what was your full recovery time like for the most recent one?
DAMN, Im Thirsty! I want a beer, how bout you? You want a beer?
i wish i had come across your post earlier... i have had 4 knee surgeries. two full acl reconstructions my last being in October of last year.
physio as doc mentioned will be light range of motion exercises which should consist of using pilates bands, big exercise balls, etc... soon you will be upgraded to the stationary bike and a leg press machine to continue with flexion and extension. your knee at times will feel "sloshy" but that is normal. if you had a hamstring graft then you will notice your hamstring more tender than your knee...
extension is everything, without extension you can not get your stability, range of motion and your quad to fire properly.... be patient, but put the work in. every day you need to be doing the exercises (multiple times if possible) and you will recover like a champ.
8 months post op for me, i'm playing ball, doing on field training (high intensity athletic training) and hoping to get on the police force. my leg has never felt better b/c of the amount of time and effort i put into rehabing after this surgery.
hope things go well for you, if you have any questions or just bounce something off of me... e me.
Originally posted by Chris Alexander: i wish i had come across your post earlier... i have had 4 knee surgeries. two full acl reconstructions my last being in October of last
wow, 4? what was your full recovery time like for the most recent one?
8 months and i feel really confident on my leg. it actually feels better than my good leg. i am just starting to run longer distances, play baseball, and hope to start playing some more competitive sports... i still have a lot of atrophy b/c of so many surgeries but the mass will come back.
they say that it takes at least 6 months for the graft to tendonize or become like your acl if they used a hamstring graft. from there you still require the strength, coordination, extension to start doing lots of high impact or sudden lateral movements. that said everyone heals at different rates, but the minimum that i have heard about is 6 months. this is a pretty major surgery and most people are looking at a returning to their lifestyle in 12 months, but things really solidify and are an after thought around 24 months post op.
i had the hamstring graft done from the same leg (as opposed to the opposite leg like some surgeons do) so im expecting a little longer recovery time, i just want to get to walking around again, i hate being stuck in bed
DAMN, Im Thirsty! I want a beer, how bout you? You want a beer?
my last surgery was opposite hamstring and let me tell you... your doctor did you a favor. being laid up with two bum legs is no fun! i could not get up my second flight of stairs b/c of the pain. i camped out in my family room for 8 days... you'll be ok, the more you use your leg the better; start putting weight on it and walking with your crutches or ditch one crutch and cruise that way.... remember to ice your leg at least 6 to 8 times a day.
they gave me this thing that ive been using almost nonstop that fills with icewater and pumps it through a wrap that goes around your knee under the brace.
DAMN, Im Thirsty! I want a beer, how bout you? You want a beer?
they gave me this thing that ive been using almost nonstop that fills with icewater and pumps it through a wrap that goes around your knee under the brace.
ahh the cryocuff i love that thing. keep using it you won't believe what happens if you stop icing all together (it's bad news).
so they have you in a brace? do you wear it none stop? or do you take it off to do your exercises and physio?
there are two camps out there, some put you in a brace and leave you in it to keep your leg extension ,and the others let you roam free... with no brace and they want you using your leg as much as tolerated.
hope you start to feel better and start cruising! it won't be long!
i had meniscus surgery about a yr ago i know its not as bad as acl surgery but the first few days were painfull the painkillers are helpfull as is the pt hope you like to ride a bike good luck
