6.7.11

When I was deciding if I would go through with this surgery, I did a lot of research online to hear about other stories of people who have had ACL revisions.  I found a lot of negative stories unfortunately, but still went ahead with the operation after talking with a lot of real people who thought there was a need for it to be done (PTs, trainers, doctors, athletes who had the same injury).  So in case anyone who is in my same position and is googling "ACL revision" looking for a success story, I am recording it here.  (it is probably a little early to gauge if i am truly a success story, but so far so good).

Day 1: was able to do a single leg raise at PT

Day 4: able to lift leg in and out of bed on my own

Day 5: comfortable walking with partial weight bearing with 2 crutches

Day 6: saw my doctor, he is impressed with my quad strength.  mentioned that the 3 months of PT I went through prior to surgery has really helped.

Day 8: dragged myself out of the house to go to class
Day 9 : started to use 1 crutch in controlled environments for safety, but able to limp around with no crutches
Week 2 : went back to work
Week 4 : started driving
Week 6 : officially got clearance to stop wearing brace...although, I sometimes didn't wear it prior to that when I was at home and work.
Week 13: quad strength is about 75% of my good leg.  ham string is about 95%.  Got clearance to slowly reintroduce running into my life.

As for general recovery and where I still feel "off": 
-I still have a lot of numbness in my knee area. 
-When I get up from a chair after sitting for a while, my knee is a little sore and is kind of creaky as I try to straighten in. 
-Still cant kneel without major discomfort, but I am not expecting to for a long time.
-Sometimes I feel pain in the inside of my knee where I felt pain when it was torn. I know isn't torn, but I am hyper-sensitive about retearing and not knowing since that has happened already. I got definite confirmation all is good at my 6 week appt when my doc did (an extra agressive, IMO) Lachman test and it was totally solid. 

So, that is about where I am at now.  I have run a few times since I have had clearance. My PT has given me strict orders NOT to just go out and run 3 miles the first time I went out (ummm, as if my lungs would even be able to do that anyway.  Havent been running for at least 9 months).  I have been doing a 2 min run, 1 min walk thing for now.  The first time was a little rough.  I felt some pain while running, so had to be conscious of  my posture and attempt to keep my body aligned.  Poor body alignment is what we (who am I kidding - my doc and PT) have kind of decided is part of the reason why I continue to have this injury.  Anyway, I was reeeaaally sore the next day.  The next few times went really well though!  No soreness in my knee, just my legs/muscles, which is a good sign.