Busy day today, so I did not have the chance to come up with anything profound. I am in the 9th week after my quadriceps tendon repair surgery and saw the doctor today. After the usual 15-20 minute wait in the waiting room, I had x-rays taken to see if my patella was back where it should be. I saw the x-rays on the monitor and could see right away it was. I did know that it was, but it was nice to see an x-ray to confirm it. In my original x-ray, the patella was way out if place owing to the fact that the tendon that held it up was torn. The tech also took x-rays of my entire femur, so the tech made me pull my pants down. She didn’t even buy me a drink before asking.
After another wait, the doctor came in and gave me a quick check-mainly having me do a straight lift of my leg. The fact that I could do that also helped confirm that the tendon was attached. He told me that I did not need my brace any longer, so I walked out of there with my leg exposed for the first time in two months. Of course, now I look a bit silly hobbling about. When I had the brace on, people could see that I was in a brace and hence the funny walk made sense. Now I still walk a bit funny, but aside from the scar I have no obvious sign as to why.
It is good being out of the brace and having decent range of motion. Interesting, what I appreciate a great deal is being able to do all the little things that I could not do for two months-like cutting my own toe nails. It will also be nice to be able to work out without having that brace absorbing all that sweat. I did wash the removable pads, but the straps also sucked up a lot of sweat and gave off a stink that even Fabreeze found a worthy foe.
I have six more weeks in which I still have to avoid doing anything challenging with my knee. But, after that I will be able to work seriously on getting back my strength. I have my last follow up visit in three months-I’m hoping that both legs will look the same now. I have been biking one legged on the stationary bike for about two months, plus doing leg exercises with my right leg. So, my right leg is actually bigger than it was before the injury, making my left leg look even more pathetic. I do not, however, walk in circles. Well, as long as I really think about not doing that.
I haven’t run since March 26, and it will still be a while before I can run again. But, I can walk freely again, so it is just a matter of time.
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Glad to hear things are on track. We’ll have to get you some actuated power armor to avoid future mishaps.
I’m working on a grav harness. That way I can just safely fly up and do stuff on the roof. But, powered armor also has an appeal. Perhaps I’ll combine both…
Good news. Will there always be a weakness there, or will it be as good as new?
The doctor said that I’ll probably lose some range of motion, but I should get all my strength back. Unlike with a broken bone, the tendon supposedly won’t heal stronger than it was. Right now it is still fairly weak, so I cannot do any real resistance training. Fortunately, the doctor said that because I was in such great shape before the injury, I should heal very well. Also, the fact that I have OCD about exercise will help a great deal-recovery is mostly a matter of sticking with the PT and doing what it takes. Of course, I have to avoid doing too much to quickly. Luckily for me my girlfriend has far better sense than I do, worked in PT, and is getting her PhD in exercise physiology. Plus, she knows how to bribe me with baked goods. I’m easily swayed by homemade bread and cheesecake.
Hi. My name is tom goggin and had surgery for the quad tendon on 4/29 of this year. Just discovered your blog today. Wish I had seen it earlier. Haven’t gone through too much of it but like what I have seen. I’ll write more later in the day or tomorrow. Wanted to do something like you have done but now I can just comment on what you have done and relate or not relate. thanks again. tg
Tom,
Good luck with your recovery.
Nice job, stay patient don’t rush things.
Things are done in inches which then becomes the yard.
For once, I’m being wise about an injury. Of course, my girlfriend deserves most of the credit. While this might sound a bit sexist, I think that women play a critical role in keeping us from doing stupid things. 🙂
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