1 month post-op

Went to PT today and since that new pain was not hurting as much as it was, they put me back into a little bit more normal rehab exercise routine. Still didn't do everything, and only 30 reps of what I did, but at least I had a feeling of accomplishment. I let them know that the instructions I had previously received (to lay around all weekend with my leg iced, elevated and to not do anything) had been properly followed. Yes, I know... It was pretty much a no-brainer there.

There was a student observer there today who was, well, observing for a bit until one of the other PTs snagged him to do her paperwork. I suppose that they have to start learning somewhere. Not only am I a patient, but apparently I'm also now homework. I guess they aren't allowed to touch anybody since all he did was watch my PT move my kneecap around before he was appropriated by the other therapist. After I had run through some exercises, they hooked the electrodes up and started back on the more aggressive pulsing current workout. It wasn't as much juice as I used to get, and they had something under my knee for added support for when I did the quad sets, but better that than have yet another setback. So far I've only had the 2 minor setbacks, which they say is pretty good.

I also made sure that they had sent over their report to my Orthopedic Surgeon so he could look at what they have and make the determination on my returning to work doing light-duty work. I have already spoken to my boss about this, and he said that he had plenty of things I could do in the office that wouldn't require my moving around. It would be nice to go back to work for a couple of reasons. First off, I don't have any money if I'm not working, now that my short-term disability has run out (AFLAC). Second, I'm getting pretty bored being homebound! Sometimes I want to just go walk around the street outside with my crutches, but that is on the BAD IDEA list, since a fall could render me back to square one, or even worse. Hopefully I'll hear back from my OS this week regarding the work thing.

Re-scheduled the appointment for the custom orthopedic shoe inserts once again since I'm still not walking under my own power. Apparently walking with crutches is somewhat an improper way to walk as it is, so no sense in not getting them properly broken in by having my weight in all the wrong places. Ah well, at least by now I'm sure they are nice and dry! They were handmade of leather from casts of my feet. That doctor's shop is pretty neat, actually. When I was in there the first time, he showed me some sandals he had made for himself. They looked a little like Birkenstocks, but obviously more orthopedic, and every bit as high quality as any high-priced show of that type you could imagine. Probably one of those dying arts these days with so many mass-market orthotics being marketed to consumers. In fact, he showed me a whole drawer of those type things he keeps around just to show how cheap they are. He didn't have to sell me, I had already been through the Dr. Scholl's most expensive line long ago (they last maybe a month or 2 max), and there are some other weird plastic/foam things that they sell on TV and you can buy in stores that cost about forty bucks, but probably cost the manufacturer fifty cents to make. Not only are they flimsy, but they're not even comfortable. Heck, if you've got that much to spend on something, that's about what my portion was from the Insurance to have real custom ones made!

I guess one can't expect quality medical components from the same TV people who sell lighted, battery-powered nose hair clippers...