It has been almost 4 weeks since my knee surgery. Rehabilitation is a slow process. Naturally, I want to be instantly better and able to do all my regular activities again. The reality of the situation is much different.
	On the good side, my incision is healing nicely. It doesn't look like I am going to have too outrageous a scar. I am getting around easily without crutches and not too much of a limp, although it worsens the more walking I subject my knee to.
On the not-so-good side, I still cannot straighten my leg or bend it completely. At my last visit two weeks ago, my doctor said that my range of motion was not where it should be. He prescribed that my physical therapists be more aggressive with my rehabilitation.
	And they have been! They gave me more exercises to do. They gave me more strenuous exercises to do. They have me working hard.
In addition to my exercises, my therapist has been manipulating my knee, working on my flexion and extension... and pushing me to and beyond my threshold of pain.
At times, the pain is excruciating, but I understand that it is necessary to regain my range of motion and return to my active lifestyle. Progress is slow, but I have made improvements... a little at a time. This whole experience has been difficult... not just physically, but mentally. It has been 3 months since I have been to work, and I miss performing so much it hurts. It is nice that I can get around on my own again and am not trapped at home, but I spend most of my days in the apartment doing my exercises repeatedly then resting and icing my knee. I miss my life, and I am eager to be rehabilitated, recovered, and ready for work. I return to the doctor on Wednesday, August 4th, and should find out what is next in the rehabilitation process.
Posted: 8/2/2004

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