Friday, April 21, 2006

Bye bye, knee brace! (At least for now...)

Well, I just have to tell you that I am thrilled!

After another physio appointment today, I was officially told that I could get back on the bike (which I’ve been on anyway…) and (drum roll, please!) without the knee brace.

Woo hoo!

In case you didn’t hear that: WOO HOO!

The knee and leg are both still swollen, though less so. My lower leg doesn’t hurt any more and my knee generally hurts less. My back is less sore than it was and I manage to relax it with the help of a heating pad. So… Things are definitely improving… though slowly. (Could the custom-made orthotics be part of the reason? I think so, maybe...)

I am still barred from running, or even walking, as part of my exercise routine (sigh…) but trying the bike again without the knee brace is a huge step forward.

Zippity do dah!

Tim, my physio guy said, “I don’t know about running, Sarah…” Implying that he didn’t know if I’d ever be back to running.


I looked him straight in the eye and said, “I will run again.”

“You really like it, eh?” He asked, looking at me to gauge my reaction.

“Uhh… yeah!”

I was thinking to myself, “Do you think I’d be so damned dedicated and determined with these daily exercises and rehab if I didn’t have a goal??” Clearly, he doesn’t know me. Though he did say that he thought I was patient… in some ways.

I told him, “I have no intention of spending every day in that gym like I did last summer. This year, I plan to be outside running.”

Tim said “I hope so…”, as if he was trying to convince himself as much as me.

So I quickly fired back, “Good. If we both hope, it is more likely to happen, isn’t it?”

He nodded… and pulled over the little cart on wheels that holds all his acupuncture needles, in preparation to work on me.

So, we ended the session agreeing that I would go back on the bike, without the knee brace and wait two more weeks before another appointment. For now, I will stay off the elliptical machine, and add in one thing at a time, so we can see what, if anything, triggers pain.

To celebrate, I went to the gym after physio… and got on the bike for 17 minutes, before doing my physio exercises and weights.

Baby steps… or bike revolutions… whatever! It’s progress. And I’m happy.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that you are ditching the brace. When you've been injured for a while it's a great feeling to be making some progress. Thanks for your comment on the blog. You have a gift for encouragement. Have fun on the bike.

Turtle Guy said...

...not that you need more smiles, I'm sure you're doing that for all of us - but big smiles over here to you!!

You're going to make it!

TG

Granny said...

To quote an expert,

WOO HOO!!!

Backofpack said...

That's great Sarah! It's so good to feel like you are moving forward. You have a terrific attitude!

Anonymous said...

Yippee!

ipodmomma said...

wonderful!!! being determined is not a bad thing...

have a great weekend!!! and thanks for the lovely comment... :)))

Unknown said...

It is a pedal in the right direction. Sorry, that's the best I could come up with.

I think determination and belief (faith) have the ability to transform possibilities and it sounds like you have both.

Legs and Wings said...

That's great news and real progress that you can measure! Here's more 'hope' from the east coast that you continue to heal and move ahead!

Have a great weekend, and remember it's not so bad on the bike...it's day 2 on the bike that (ouch) hurts.

Take it easy.

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOOOOOOO

gotta keep that hope :)

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Sarah,

Oh that is good new! Woo Hoo!

Stay with the baby step, and that is coming from some one else who hurt themself with exersize.

Janice~

Madcap said...

Woo Hoo Indeed! Congratulations on your mending project!

Dawn - Pink Chick Tris said...

Congrats. That's awesome news. Determination and attitude will get you back out running. People have overcome amazing things and are out there running or walking.

kt said...

so, sarah...i'm kinda thinking i'll stay off the elliptical cuz i could only do it for approx 5 minutes at a time...but that doesn't matter, does it? i guess i could WORK UP to an extended amt of time, huh? what say you?
kt=)

Olga said...

That's so fantastic! Some of us are having progress, but probably because some of us are listening to doctors and following directions:) Yay!