I don’t know about you, but when someone thinks that I can’t or might not be able to accomplish something, that I believe is within my capabilities, I tend to bristle up a bit. It also gives me the motivation to push a bit harder than I might have otherwise.

Let’s get to it

Well…today marks three weeks post-op. It’s hard to believe that much time has passed already!

In that time I have been doing a lot of strength work, started physical therapy, and had my two-week follow-up visit with the Doc. I also got rid of the crutches early, never used the cane, and very quickly stopped using the pain meds. I’ve walked a mostly discomfort-free mile and am getting back to more of my typical daily routine of walking the dog, doing chores around the house, and just generally being me.

All signs that I am making great progress.

Ortho

The Orthopedic and I discussed how things were going and agreed to the plan going forward, but in his notes, he expressed his doubts (which he didn’t share with me, or at least I never heard them) about my being able to accomplish long-distance running again.

• PLAN: “We discussed the situation. He will continue with physical therapy. If he feels he wants to, he can start to get back into running as the knee improves if he wants. I am not sure if he will be able to accomplish long distance running again, but he feels that he will be able to. I did show him the pictures taken during arthroscopy and described the findings and but was performed for surgery. He understands and agrees with this plan.”

One of the reasons that I love electronic medical records is that I get to see what the Doc’s actually say, versus it being buried behind a wall of paper, in a file you never see.

When I read that comment, it did make me bristle a bit. Then I thought about it for a while and relaxed and chuckled. I remember my last Orthopedic surgeon telling me that I would never run again and yet somehow I ended up putting over 15,000 miles on my other knee (so far).

I guess there must be something that Ortho’s in this area have against runners. 

Oh well, it isn’t a big deal and my current Ortho seems to have done a great job repairing the knee. Instead of getting wound up about the comment (though I won’t forget it either), I will simply use it as motivation to get the knee as strong as I can. Then get back out on the roads and see how things go. I have a sneaking suspicion that long-distance running will be a part of my life again sooner than later. 

However, if his prediction comes true, it will only be after I have done everything I can to get back to running.

A challenge accepted.

PT

On a more positive note, my physical therapists are much more on board with the idea of getting me back on the roads (that long-distance running) and thinking of solutions to help me make it happen. I have a feeling that I am providing them with a different challenge than they usually encounter and they are enjoying it. I was given concrete mileposts to achieve in order to get back to running. Then it will be a slow process to get back to running the mileage that I want.

Now, I just need to be able to walk 2.0 miles pain-free. I think I flustered her a little when I asked on which leg? heheheehehe.

Oh well, I know that there will always be a bit of discomfort that I will have to enjoy…err endure in order to run again. At this stage of my life, learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is just a part of life. Running completely pain-free is a nice dream and a fantastic goal, but in reality, probably will only happen on rare occasions that I will savor.

The reality is that

I am ahead of where either the Doc or PT expected when they saw me last week. Walking without a limp was noticed by both and what I was able to do in the exams (120 to 125-degree flexation, along with doing a full squat surprised them.

Getting this far, this quickly has been a lot of hard work. Putting up with the discomfort that goes along with pushing the body to do more than it wants at times was part of the deal. While I do push, I am not being stoopid about it. I have a plan in place, know the difference between discomfort and pain, rest when I need to, and ice when it bothers me.

Now, I have to not let the bad days overwhelm me. Because I know they do and will happen. I just have to deal with those days as they happen and keep moving forward. The biggest thing is to remain positive, knowing that I have successfully done arthroscopic knee surgery rehab before.

And despite what the Doc believes, knowing that isn’t what will necessarily happen. Back in 2011, I had an Ortho doubt that I would ever run again and until this freak injury, I was still running.

Needless to say, I will do my best to make the Doc’s prediction inaccurate — again.

Yes, I have accepted that challenge.