Week 4 / Month 1

Four weeks later, and things are gradually returning to normal. The CPM machine went back, and got replaced by two new devices: the flexionator (knee flexing) and the extensionator (knee extension). The flexionator is basically a folding chair with an attachment that holds your leg in a bent position to give it a stretch for 10 minutes at a time. The extensionator is a brace which "gently" pushes the top of your leg into a straight position. Needless to say, I'm not very fond of the extensionator.

After a week of being off the crutches, I attempted a Sunday morning trip to the grocery store. Walking at a very deliberate pace, it took me about an hour to collect a bagful of items.

In the realm of physical therapy, things have gotten a lot more aggressive. Warmups begin with 10 minutes of stationary biking at 40 - 50 rpm. 3 calf stretches for 30 secs each. Leg squats, calf raises, then single leg raises. Walking raised leg marches, step ups (on 4"/6" box) and stand and sits (currently at 20"). For additional extension, they have had me walking backwards on the treadmill for 5 minutes at a time.

Now that it appears that my general leg circulation is doing okay, they have me doing e-stim while doing straight leg lifts and rotated leg lifts for 10 minutes.

An absolutely new stretch that they've done is what they excited called a "moob", a two therapist activity. Basically, they have one therapist lean on the thigh right above the knee pushing down (usually Jordan, affectionately known as the human seat belt.) The other therapist (usually Catherine or Amy) will grab the foot above the ankle, pulling out slightly, lifting up and rotating the foot inwards and outwards. It is just as uncomfortable as it sounds.

But things are improving day by day, so I'm looking forward to when I can look past this portion of the rehab, and get to the portion of the rehab that will get me ready to play sports again.