Week 14

Week 14 really was no different.  I feel as though I'm writing about the same thing every week (and it's mostly because I am).  I continued to get my leg stronger in the gym, but I was still unable go from a straight leg and bend or from a bent leg to straight without all the same old things.  Some of me actually thought it was getting worse but who knows.  I just kept pushing through my exercises in my limited fashion and continue to wait for the day in which I can see the doctor again.  Until next time...

Week 13

Week 13 I was able to get back into going to the gym.  That was big for me and I've missed it sorely.  I rode the bike for around 30 minutes almost daily.  I probably overdid the leg presses and step ups and other PT exercises.  The catch, however, is I had to continue to work in a reduced ranged of motion because of the grinding/popping.  It felt a lot worse when I put my leg through the range of motion while under pressure or weight.  So despite being able to get back to the gym, it still has remained entirely frustrating.  At PT I walked at 65-70% of bodyweight on the Alter G treadmill fairly symptom free.  The inside knee pain was still present, but I didn't feel it during the walk.  The clicking and popping continued to be experienced during the walk.  I learned a few more exercises to do but again I can't fully do them because my range of motion is so confined while trying to avoid my knee grinding and popping. From the previous dr visit he suggested I try an electrical muscle stimulation therapy to help assist in strengthening my muscles.  That arrived and I used it - I don't see how it's going to really be beneficial as my quad strength and control is more than adequate.  The equipment seemed to be better suited for those who are fresh from surgery who don't yet have the ability to tighten or work their quads...I have no issues with that.   I can't wait to see the dr again (in 3-4 weeks) to hear what his thoughts are if things haven't changed by then.  Until next time...

Week 12

Week 12 I finally got to see the doctor to bring up my lingering issues.  I demonstrated the click/pop (which can be heard I should add) and he expressed concern.  He took my knee through the range of motion forcing my knee to track through different planes - with enough pressure placed on the inside of my knee, he was able to get my knee to track without any of the popping.  That made him a little less concerned but to rule out anything he ordered an MRI.  I did not go to PT this week.  The MRI didn't show anything unusual and in fact he was please with how it looked.  The new cartilage is in fact filling in.  He felt that inside knee pain I'm experiencing is still based on a) where they went into my knee and b) overall persistent swelling.  Regarding the popping and clicking, he thought my muscles aren't balanced enough so they aren't pulling evenly across my knee.  So he recommended to continue using an anti-inflammatory, start riding the bike more to help get my range of motion back (I had only been doing it for about 5 minutes at PT), and to focus on gaining strength in my quads.  It was bitter sweet in that it was great news nothing came loose and I don't have to start over, but it was still difficult to fully accept since these other symptoms continue to persist.  I am supposed to trust the process.  Until next time...  

Week 11

Week 11 really didn't mark any significant changes.  The same things I've noted throughout are still present - continued inside knee pain and that forceful pop/click.  It remained tough to stay positive throughout the week having these things continue to linger.  Range of motion was measured at 113.  I walked at 50% of my body weight on the Alter G treadmill.  I couldn't wait to see the doctor the following week to have these issues addressed.  Until next time...

Week 10

Week ten showed a little more progress.  The pain was still present on the inside part but it IS slowly going away.  I'll take any improvement where I can get it.  However, more not so good news to note...I've been experiencing a horrible click/pop that has developed on the top and outside of my knee.  It's making for a difficult time in extending and bending my knee.  It almost felt like my knee isn't tracking right.  Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it was uncomfortable, and other times it was just outright annoying.  I pushed through it but it's a little concerning.  I got up to 108 degrees of flexion at PT this week so I'm still improving on that front.  The struggle to get rid of the remaining swelling has persisted - I believe it's what's slowing down my progression to full flexion.  Until next time...