Diary of a knee injury

Hi Nelly, how is recovery coming along? For me I would like to say am there but unfortunately is a moving goal post. Fully functional but still does not feel quite right. Managed 2 weeks climbing including some steep ice and a North face which really hurt the calf muscles but seemed to help overall knee functionality at end of week. Some breakable crust was pretty scary so definitely some work to do on fixing the mind. Am working pretty hard now on getting ski fit with 20min leg blast every morning (3 x round of squats, lunges, side lunges, step ups, ployometrics), heavy weight session every 4 days (squats, lunges, step ups, deadlifts) and one long run a week 1hr. 100% sure can ski but would not like to risk it offpiste for the moment which is a bit depressing. 16 months and counting since the 2nd surgery. Definitely the damage I did to rear of knee is the complicating factor dragging out the recovery but still slow process. Interestingly I did a few downhill runs 7 months ago and felt ok so I guess a lot of relativity at play.

My daughter had her ACL repaired in early August, miffed to wake up with a splint on as she couldn't drive for 4 weeks, but is now fine - sore at times and doing her rehab.
Fortunately I work with a good orthopaedic physio as some of the advice she's had from the NHS physios was a bit alarming in terms of lack of understanding of what should be relatively commonplace rehab these days!
It varied from reasonable to out and out testiculation.

How is she doing - on a bad day she complains a lot but that seems less than convincing when in her next breath says she's contemplating going on the uni ski trip over new year! She know's that's too soon but does reflect her knee is feeling good most of the time. Besides I think she'd make a good chalet girl for the family ski trip!

Skied today properly for first time since knee surgery. All good except some slight irritation of the fatty pad. Some small issues at end of right hand turns (injured left knee), so for sure am not committing 100% of weight to it but seemed to be there after a few runs. Day off ice climbing tomorrow and then back to skiing for a day before more climbing. Knee brace and offpiste in early January I think, until then will let the pistes challenge and help strengthen then knee.

Good news Ranchero!

Sadly I'm not going to be able to ski this winter, I still have a lot of work to do, I can't even run at the moment so skiing is out of the question.

I've just invested in a balance board, am swimming, doing yoga and will be back to Physio and the gym next week. We'll have a week away in March so Mr Nelly can have a ski, but I shall be swimming, walking and propping up the bar :)

Been following the 'knee trouble diaries' with interest. Nelly - sorry to hear you will not make it this time round.

My wife has been diagnosed with early stage osteoarthritis for her left knee. She's only just past 40 so is feeling a bit sorry for herself. It was slightly painful when we skied last week although a brace did help. Her GP has told her to keep fit (lots of exercise to strengthen the relevant muscles). She's also been on a pretty careful diet to reduce weight.

Not good when the body starts to wear out!!

Sorry to hear you won't be able to ski this season Nelly, but glad to hear that your knee is still improving and you're keeping up with all the exercises!

BB - sorry to hear your wife is starting to get 'old' ;)
I guess it happens to the best of us :(
Let's hope she will be able to keep ski-ing for many years to come ...

bedrock barney wrote:
My wife has been diagnosed with early stage osteoarthritis for her left knee.

One of the girls that I go to Physio with has problems with arthritis which is hampering her recovery but she's told me that someone she knows has had some kind of injection that helps to cushion the joint suffering from arthritis, it's something that would need to be done privately (I think she said it was about £400 and will last a year), so she's considering that to help her along. Would Mrs BB be willing to try something like that?

Despite my own advice have done a few days with a DonJoy reaction knee brace, which seems at least a good concept.Feels a bit bulky when you first put it on but cannot notice skiing or even at all after few runs.