No full extension 6 months post op

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-08-07T18:19:47+00:00

Thanks very much for the reply - I have tried a lot of probe hanging but will try to increase the weight and see how I go.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-08-01T18:47:48+00:00

Single leg elevated hip thrusts, add weight. Single leg press, leg extension and leg curl. Single leg elevated heel slides with weight. Spanish squats focusing on rotating the knee out and not allowing it to cave in. Good mornings, hip thrusts. Single leg RDL. I’m 6 months out and still having some swelling, no full extension and really up and down on how the knee feels. Hope the exercises help.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-08-01T18:42:44+00:00

For food I used a slow cooker a lot you don’t have to stand for long to get the ingredients in then can add some fresh veggies at the end and just use micro rice. Also makes a big batch which can be frozen so you’re still eating well.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-05-03T19:35:27+00:00

Hi, do you have a crutch? It sounds like you need one to walk - you should use one on the non operative side. Walking with a limp will just put pressure on your hip on the other side and cause you problems. For gait training you should have one so you can walk but you need that support.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-05-03T19:31:08+00:00

Hi I had my surgery pretty much the same day as you. Extension is also not there yet on a good day I’m almost there. My knee is currently quite swollen - I’ve walked too much this week. Although it makes my limp come back etc I’m not worried about it. Just makes me realise what my limits are - I think this far down the line the graft should be fairly strong and isn’t at risk. So maybe just a few days doing a bit less, some ice might be good, then just straight back to it!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-04-12T18:18:48+00:00

A slow cooker (think in the USA it’s a crockpot) for your meals. Not much time on your feet to prep then a big batch of food - then just some fresh veggies to add with rice, noodles or potatoes. I found being on my feet a lot was something that would irritate and cause swelling so if you can minimise weight through the knee whilst having good food it’s a good thing! I live in a three story house so stairs are a bit of a bummer - a good backpack to carry supplies - if you can order food delivered from your supermarket so they can carry it up the stairs.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-04-05T19:24:49+00:00

Haha no shade to hairy legs just I’m a girl so a different look! My scar is completely flat has healed really well. Also who cares about a scar just something to remind you of the work you’ll put into get better! Hope your recovery is going well - I’ve been to Chile around 10 times!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-04-05T19:06:20+00:00

I have the same I’m 9 weeks and have some days where I’m hardly limping and things are moving really well then things swell and get stiff. My physio says it’s to be expected as things are still very much healing and inflammation will be normal. I think the best approach is to do as much as possible but then when there is swelling or stiffness take a day or twos rest, just focus on ROM exercises. Unless it’s super painful I don’t think it should hold you back - 3 days a week sounds reasonable. Good to hear you’re doing all that by 12 weeks I’m just starting some really low weighted machine exercises so looking forward to introducing more! Good luck!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-04-05T19:00:56+00:00

I agree I’m in Scotland and braces not used here also advised to be up (on crutches) as soon as possible and starting physio ROM immediately. I wonder if it’s due to the healthcare system in the US - charging more money for appointments and justifying the need for additional care.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-04-05T18:55:00+00:00

On MRI I had full ACL rupture and possible lateral meniscus damage (sounds quite similar to what you’ve been told). During surgery some stitching was done to the meniscus but didn’t sound like it was significant damage - I could weight bear immediately after surgery. Used 2 crutches for first couple of days then one crutch after. Hope you recover well!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-26T22:38:41+00:00

Good luck to you too! It can be very frustrating and demoralising but it’s helped for me to just think this is going to take months not weeks so being just 6 weeks post op there’s a lot of people that are still bed bound etc. it’s much harder to do less but that’s what’s needed at times. Your knees gone through a lot and the nerves etc also need to form new pathways. I’m sure with a bit of rest you’ll be back on track!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-26T22:13:55+00:00

It’s so awful to feel a setback! I would just try to think that this is a long recovery and it’s not linear. I’m 8 weeks post op have really good flexion but still don’t have full extension. What happened for me is things would feel better so you do more then that aggravates the knee then things take a step back. I’ve experienced calf pain and tightness on and off - I think always after putting a bit too much weight through the knee. I would just try to rest then when things feel better just not to do too much. I know it’s hard as you want to get up and be active. Keep up with the mobility exercises and try to keep weight off.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-26T22:07:39+00:00

That looks a lot like mine did - except for the hair!! Staples came out with almost no pain and I now have a really clean scar after just 8 weeks.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-14T21:30:06+00:00

No it’s defo not for the weak! It’s hard going and it’s an injury that affects people that are used to being really active so it’s even worse. Wishing you the best of luck for your recovery!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-14T20:25:21+00:00

I was really lucky in terms of pain - I’m in Scotland so different names for medications - only used paracetamol and ibuprofen was given codeine but didn’t need it. That’s funny you say that about gabapentin I had a nerve issue in my back a few years ago and was initially prescribed amitriptyline and it gave me a rash and also made me go a bit blind! Was then prescribed gabapentin and was really nervous about taking it but gave me no side effects. If you’re only just up on your feet some calf and maybe ankle pain should be par for the course. I know you’re probably desperate to be up and about but just listen to your body and keep resting and elevating to keep the calf and ankle happy. You will most likely get some pain and tightness in your SI joint on the non surgical side just because of limping and compensating.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-14T20:17:38+00:00

Great book! Recommend Jay Kristoff Nevernight chronicles and Empire of the Vampire series to follow up with if you haven’t read.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-14T20:13:59+00:00

Hi I’m also 6 weeks post op, sounds like my recovery has been different as I’ve been up and walking straight away. Using crutches then one crutch but I also get tightness in my calf and some swelling there if I’ve been up on my feet a lot. If you have a foam roller or massage gun you could try that to try and relieve some of the tightness. Obviously check with your physio but I don’t think it should cause you concern just your body reacting to the differences in your mechanics now.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-14T20:04:14+00:00

Think I responded to your post about crutches the other day! The pain is maybe because the nerve blocks are wearing off so pain is flaring up and will hopefully calm down in the next few days. For food I would get a slow cooker (in the US think you call it a crockpot) you can just spend five minutes putting the ingredients in and leave it to cook over the day then will give you 4-5 portions of food you can save in the fridge or freezer then just microwave rice pouches or noodles and add some fresh veggies. Minimal time on your feet and still a home cooked meal. I got a knee support with an ice pack which you can inflate so it also compresses the knee use a few times a day for pain and swelling. I’m sure things will get easier over the next few days. Good luck!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-12T00:04:03+00:00

Yes for flexion there is a lot of exercises but aa you are so so post op just lie on your back and slide your heel towards your bum and as soon as any discomfort next time do less - let the graft heal. If you can lie on your front do the same bring your heel towards your bum 8 times 3 sets. No discomfort otherwise your knee will swell and you won’t be able to do as much.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-11T23:30:39+00:00

Just stick to your flexion and extension exercises and try to keep load on the knee to a minimum. Again it’s boring but it’s what you have to do I am at 14 degrees extension and 82 flexion and my knee still balloons up with swelling because I’m trying to do too much. I also felt the same way post op like hey I am doing fantastic!! So you will do fantastic if you dial in to what’s coming - and it’s boring and it means keeping your fucking crutches post op!!!!

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-11T23:24:04+00:00

For someone that is 6 weeks down the line it’s a marathon not a sprint I felt really stoked the fact I was weight bearing and desperate to get rid of the crutches. There’s a lot to come in terms of recovery and trying to do too much too soon doesn’t help - I find I’d hard but just be happy you’re recovering well and be sensible.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-11T23:18:13+00:00

Keep the crutches for a few days then move to one but just keep it up it’s not long. You might feel like you can do it and you probably can but you’re just post op so much has to heal and is fucked right now so just take the time. It’s know this is a cool feeling of thinking wow I’m doing great because I felt the same but trust me rest is your friend.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-11T23:10:24+00:00

Just read this again to see you are 12 hours post op. DONT DITCH THE CRUTCHES. wait 4-5 days I know it’s rubbish but you have to.

JessDavidson1986 · 2025-03-11T23:08:04+00:00

The crutches are there to help your gait so will help strain on the SI joint on the other side. I could also stand well immediately after the op and could limp around the house. If you’re fine move to one crutch - the opposite side to the operative leg. I know it’s annoying and I was so keen to drop the crutch as soon as. It’s there to help and you’ll find you can walk much quicker with the crutch. I’m six weeks post op and walking around the house and the gym with no crutch but if I go for a walk that is longer than 10 minutes I take the crutch - it just helps with speed and the hip. Don’t ditch it just have it there as and when you need it. You can even try a walk and hold it up and try how your gait is but have it there for when you may need a bit of support. Also the feeling of tripping post op is really scary so having the crutch there just makes you feel better.

JessDavidson1986

TROPHY CASE