Walking With Williams

Its been two weeks now since the arthroscopy so I thought it best to report progress. I have lost almost all discomfort from the knee. This is how it all happened:

Since the previous post, the knee got slightly worse until about 72 hours after the op. Walking around was miserable. Getting comfortable in bed was difficult. Lying on back had the duvet falling on the knee. Lying on either side would cause me leg to bend laterally – definately a non goer. Didn’t even try lying on my front as obviously the leg weight would be on the knee. However, after a couple of nights this easied a bit.

Last Thursday, I had my first physio appointment. I was slightly dissapointed in the male physio – only because I was hoping for the pretty (female!!!) physio who assessed my on operation day. Although not pretty, he was friendly and cautiously showed several exercises / stretches that would help recovery. He also stated the importance of icing the knee which i performed more after the session.

Gradually since then, the knee aches / pains and discomfort have reduced. I felt confident to be able to walk up stairs normally last saturday, and by Thursday, I was putting weight on the bad leg whilst walking downstairs on Thursday. Encouragingly, the worse problem this week was my knee stubble catching on suit trousers, oh and the disapproving looks of colleages when they saw my surgical stockings – oh, the embarrasement of white socks! Unfortunately, its too warm to wear socks over the tops of them.

I had my second physio session yesterday. Initial assessment was good. I could bend my leg nearly normally, and had no discomfort with the various leg manipulations conducted. I was then led to the gym, where I did 5 minutes on the exercise bike, and some body weight bearing excercises. This was good, I finally feel like I am redeveloping the leg muscles – its amazing how quickly they can waste. Finally, I was told that I could do easy 10 minute bike rides but NO HILLS and NO FORCE on the pedals – its all about spinning the cranks! Well, suppose I better pump up my tyres and put that XT derailleur on, both of which I have been putting off.

Generally, however, I am happy with progress and will be getting my stiches removed and having a follow up consultation on Tuesday. I can already feel the call of the OS maps, and possible Lake District walk in mid – late autumn.

I am also thinking more about lightweight gear, minimising my pack weight seems all the more important now, reducing load on knees. Also I think some rubber ends to my poles would be a good purchase as I tend to only use poles on softer ground, and I want to maximse their use now.

Went to hospital yesterday for the arthroscopy and now, 24 hours later, he is the news….

Well, the operation generally went well, went to the Bupa Little Aston Hospital at midday, and admission process completed about 1. After a bit of a lie down, i finally went into theatre about 2 and was out about 3. I finally came around about 4 though was in and out right through till 6ish when my parents picked me up. The surgeon said all went ok, though I had done some damage to the knee joint. This would probably lead to some occasional niggles. Fingers crossed these won’t stop my long distance walking ambitions. I did my physio exercises and left the hospital about 6.30.

After doing little yesterday evening other than watch a bit of t.v. and eat a pizza, i had an early night. I woke this morning dreading the pain as the drugs wore off. Nothing. No pain at all. Infact, to this time, the only discomfort I have felt is the stitches slightly tugging under the bandages. I have had no extra painkillers. I have been walking around a bit today, doing some exercises and even some wii tennis (but don’t tell anyone!!).

Looking forward to tonight’s Mountain and Bowfell and Crinkle Crags on Wainwrights Walks. As close as I will be getting to mountains for a couple of months me thinks.