Injury recovery

[balletgrrl]

Hello Cathe forum fans!

I have not been on the forum for a few months. I am recovering from 2 dislocated knee caps and I am hoping someone can talk to me about injury recovery.

I have been unable to exercise at all for about 6 months. My injury started out as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, but I ignored it for so long that my knee cap tracking got completely messed up. I didn't know what was wrong with me for about 4 months, but finally got a good diagnosis and started physical therapy about 8 weeks ago once the pain subsided a little.

I am able to walk now for about 7 minutes and I do my PT exercises every day, twice a day. These include lots of VMO activation exercises, IT band stretches, quad exercises, and quad stretches. This seems to be helping a lot... I was bed-ridden until I started doing this stuff.

My progress is so SLOW. My doctor and PT tell me that i am coming along fine considering how long i ignored the injury for, and how long it took me to get a diagnosis.

I guess I am just looking for some words of encouragement from other people who have been in a similar situation. I miss Cathe so much. I used to do her step tapes almost every day, and strength videos too. I know that I have to take it one day at a time, but sometimes i want to exercise again so bad I can almost taste it.

My greatest wish is to feel "normal" again... be able to walk around the mall, grocery store, and be active and happy. I avoided to forum for a long time bc reading about the workouts i used to do just depressed me. But now i feel like i just need some words of encouragement. Sorry to ramble on for so long!

Alison

 

[starlight6]

Hi Alison,

I've never had an injury as bad as yours, so can only imagine what you're going through. Do you know what caused it in the first place?

You keep going with that PT, obviously it's helping you. I know it seems SO SLOW...I was in PT once for a neck sprain & thought I would never be normal again, but I am. Well...;-)

I hope it will help you to stay in touch on the forums & talk to your friends here when you are frustrated. You WILL make progress and someday you'll be doing Cathe with us again.

It was also good of you to share your story with us as a very real reminder to not ignore your body & certainly to not ignore pain. So you have also done your good deed today!

Take care,
Ruth

 

[scm]

Alison,
I too had Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome about 12 years ago. I suffered for months before I went to have my knees looked at, and then I was told to take medication for Arthritis indefinitely! Since I just *knew* that's not what I had it was another month before finding a doctor who could help. I had to go to PT twice a week ~ and they worked me hard. I don’t recall how long my treatments were or when I could step and weight train again. I don’t believe it was too long though. What I do to this day and make sure leg extensions are done on a regular basis. I've been injury free for years now and can workout with Cathe nearly everyday. Injuries are very frustrating. Just take it reaaaaal slow, don’t rush back into your workouts again and hurt yourself more. Who knows, by the time you’re completely healed the Hardcore Series will be out!
Keep in touch. You don’t have to workout every day to join in on this forum.
Susan C.M.

 

[lesliemarie]

Not to be an idiot here but can you describe the leg extensions you are doing? I am finally pain free in my knees and would like to keep it that way but can't wait to get back to exercising. I did supersets this morning and I can hardly use the weights I used to use and feel like a wimp now LOL. I have not worked out for all summer and just now getting back with it. and I have been eating clean now for a whole week!!

 

[TerryMia]

Hi Alison ....I don't really have any advice to offer, etc...just wanted to say hope you start feeling better soon...I know that has to be SO hard not being able to work out when you're used to doing it as we all are...take care and hang in there.

 

[endorphin_junkie]

God Bless you Alison, that's a brutal injury especially with it being bilateral. It's fabulous that you are complying with your remedial exercises as they are the key to recovery from injuries of this nature. You are mindful of your achievements and apparently have a very good understanding of the biomechanics of the muscles and connective tissue surrounding and supporting the knee, this is invaluable.
Trust that your body will heal in it's own time and in it's own way accelerated by your commitment to the, admittedly, sometimes tedious task of activation, stengthening and stretching. Rejoice in the gains that you make, take the time to celebrate your victories, for example, when you walk 10 minutes do something extra special for you. Continue to stay in tune with how your knees are and you will know when it is time to ask them to give a little more without pushing too far. Newton's law that a thing in motion stays in motion and a thing at rest stays at rest is too true. You have the momentum behind you and the road to full recovery ahead of you. Normal (if there is such a thing;-)) is never so far in retrospect as it is when you will it before it is time (I'm not sure if that makes sense but.......)

Take Good Care of yourself and keep up the wonderful work that you are doing. Let us know how your progress is going. I'm sending you TONS of healing thoughts and hope for better days ahead.

Take Care
Laurie

 

[balletgrrl]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

It is very true that sometimes you wonder if you will ever be "normal" again. that is a scary thought... and this injury has been a miserable experience. on the other hand, it has taught me to appreciate my body and my abilities like you wouldn't believe. i will never look at handicapped people the same way again!

i appreciate all your advice and words of encouragement! i actually just bought a pedometer so that i could begin to keep track of how many steps i take during a typical day, and then work from there in a systematic, and safe way.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement!

Alison