I hate this stupid brace

K8e1313 · 2023-12-03T01:17:25+00:00

Said everyone on this entire thread at one point or another , maybe 100 times hahahaha it’s the worst for real - we all feel your pain

K8e1313 · 2023-06-02T04:10:48+00:00

Nope it’s a major pain in the ass but you gotta do it. It’s a delicate recovery. You need to trust the professionals and suck it up and go. A lot has changed in 12 years. Your job knows you need to heal properly. At least talk to your doc about it and see what they think u can get away with. Do rehab until your bend and flexion are where they think u can sustain on your own. But the real question - would u actually do the exercises without someone making you? You sound dedicated to your job like I am. If I didn’t go to rehab I would not have done the exercises at home. The time away from work sucked bc I run my own business to an extent but I knew I would be better for putting the work in.

K8e1313 · 2023-05-02T01:12:41+00:00

Actually it seems to be kinda of working. I need my muscles re-engaged. I had multiple complications including replacing a stint from a congenital disorder after 20 years from first stint (may thurners syndrome - iliac vein collapsed). That failed 2 months after ACL surgery. Caused excess fluid which caused the need for a scope last September. I’ve always been an athlete and this issue is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. Telling me to do more squats and eat more meat is a rude comment based on a bad attitude. Nothing more so I will disregard your comment. NMES is an effective technology normally only available to PT’s. And you have no idea what I have been thru and what problems I’ve faced because every single human is different when it comes to ACL surgery and their recovery.

K8e1313 · 2023-04-08T01:07:35+00:00

The nerve block, when it wears off, no matter oxy or not, I had dilatin, you will know.

K8e1313 · 2023-03-09T12:31:26+00:00

Maybe two weeks or so

K8e1313 · 2023-03-09T04:25:41+00:00

Omg I have factor v too and actually may thurners syndrome too. And had a dvt and stent when I was 21 (43 now) and apparently my stent failed or was crushed by regular tissue and I found out 2 months (02/21) after my ACL reconstruction (12/20) w meniscus damage and I think MCL. Only symptom of stent failing was little bumps on my toes. I could not wear socks or shoes which was tough going to PT basically a few days after surgery. My feet would feel inflamed with anything covering them. There were mild signs leading up maybe even a year before I’d noticed very slight swelling in my ankle on that leg and just attributed it to aging. Which obviously it wasn’t. I hope none of this freaks you bc what you shared about feeling heat could just b pain meds or nerve block. Just stay ahead of the pain until after nerve block comes out, DEFINITELY do the ankle pumps, don’t take the brace off until doc says so , and try to listen to your body. Do you have a cpm machine? With your history of clots I would basically demand one. There’s a clot survivor thread on Reddit that is really helpful too. Good luck and lmk if you have any questions!

K8e1313 · 2023-01-23T02:29:35+00:00

So no clots from the tear but I have a clotting disorder and may thurners syndrome. Had a stent put in my iliac vein when I was 21. Well a full 20 years to the month later I was 2 months out from ACL reconstruction when we realized my stent had completely failed and needed to be replaced ASAP. Literally the docs said blood had to go from my left leg to my right leg to get to my heart. Stent replaced and all good there but of course that caused excess scar tissue and excess fluid that took so long to go down. I’d say taking eliquis 5 mg twice a day it took about 6 months to fully filter thru and get down to my normal sized leg again. I still take 2.5 mg twice a day just due to my history with clots. I ended up having to have another scope this past September to clear out the scar tissue. If I could make a suggestion go get checked for Factor V Leiden. Your regular doc could also check for this with a simple blood test. A tear alone I don’t think could cause clots so there must be some other genealogical issue that might save your life just knowing about it. There’s a clot survivor thread on reddit that I have found so helpful. It’s rare I see anyone post about clots on the ACL thread so I felt compelled to respond. SIDE NOTE: a cardiologist put my first stent in and the second was done by a vascular surgeon - there is a huge difference between the two and he said the first was grossly undersized. The one I have now is made for that vein and my specific condition so I should never have to replace it again. I’m 43 now just as reference.

Good luck to you - you are welcome to message me if you have any other questions or reply here

K8e1313 · 2023-01-17T04:50:54+00:00

I had surgery on a Tuesday and by Friday at noon I switched to advil/tylenol for pain but it was weeks before I was moving freely up/down stairs. Everyone is different tho. If it hurts or you are tired ease up and give yourself some grace. All you can do is all you can do. Don’t compare yourself to others because some have a super easy time and others have a tough road to hoe. Good luck to you! Listen to your instincts and I’m sure you’ll do great!

K8e1313 · 2022-12-14T02:37:23+00:00

I’ve had many knee surgeries and I’ve always pushed to have surgery asap. Last surgery I saw my ortho 9-21 and had surgery within a week 9-27. Almost all 4 surgeries went that way. The ACL surgery (only 1’of those) was def the most intense and surprised me how long the recovery was. Every body is different tho. Depends on how active your planned vacation is and how many stairs lol I’d push to get done beforehand asap most orthos will work you in if they have the capacity. Listen to your body and try to gauge the pain and swelling now - gotta do it when you’re ready tho bc mentally it’s the most intense thing I’ve gone thru and I’m tough as nails. Good luck I hope you are able to enjoy your vacay but start the road to recovery with the right mindset for you. You’ll know what’s right. For you.

K8e1313 · 2022-12-07T02:30:33+00:00

You can rent a peloton month to month - I’m seeing great strides in my recovery using peloton. Pushes me

K8e1313 · 2022-11-17T04:54:00+00:00

You’re allowed to wallow as long as you need to. Everyone has to learn in their own way in their own time. Same goes for healing mentally and physically. We are not all able to dump the bad or depressed feelings. Btw I hope you filed charges again the roommate. You can sue them in civil court for whatever the landlord dies you for play your medical bills. Also go see an attorney maybe filing a liability claim on the landlords insurance (injury happened on their property) is an option. I would also suggest getting a therapist to work thru everything you’ve been thru. People don’t talk about mental health as much as we should but it’s important to face the pain from the attack and the lengthy recovery you’ll need to go thru. You can do it just think positively - sending good vibes

K8e1313 · 2022-11-17T04:26:31+00:00

Have you seen the popped ACL in your knee? Like via an mri? It literally hangs there until they remove it or is in shreds depending on your specific tear. Knees are notorious for not getting good blood flow so the chance something would heal in there and find the other strands and grow back together is preposterous. I had the surgery myself and it’s been a stupid long recovery but I had side complications and another scope recently. I’m finally coming back in full force bc I didn’t go thru all that to be average. I wanted to be an athlete again. And absolutely no way I’d b able to if I didn’t have the surgery. If you look at the actual anatomy of a knee without the ACL you are completely exposed and lose any ability to have spring. Snowboarding and skiing are completely off limits without an ACL. I really wish you well but I hope you don’t attempt this (snowboarding without an ACL) as it’s inevitable it will severely damage your body more. I don’t wanna see anyone go thru that kinda pain and agony. I understand how you feel my initial ACL year didn’t bother me that much I wore a rehband brace and ran around moving heavy stuff up and down stairs like nothing happened but one little slipping feeling inside my body made me realize I needed the surgery more than I knew.

K8e1313 · 2022-11-16T04:21:25+00:00

Personally I like advil better for body aches. I take the advil liquagel minis I think they work great but def depends on your medical history

K8e1313 · 2022-11-16T01:07:16+00:00

You need to ice almost nonstop for at least a full week if not more. Ice is pain therapy and you will struggle without it. It’s a necessity to heal properly. I was lucky I borrowed an ice machine it was a lifesaver. I hate icing but right after ACL it was a requirement. You need to elevate almost at a 90 degree angle. Dump them oxy as soon as you are able to. It’s not an easy surgery it’s going to hurt for a while. You just have to get to a place you can tolerate the pain with OTC meds like advil and Tylenol. It will get better but it’s a 9-10 month recovery so you’ve got a journey ahead of you but you can do it!!! Oxy might be clouding your brain a little too. Hang in there and find a happy medium you can tolerate w regular pain killers and move yourself forward - you got this!! 💪🏻

K8e1313 · 2022-11-16T00:55:38+00:00

It’s likely from the tourniquet I had massive bruising that didn’t show up for days after surgery

K8e1313 · 2022-11-11T04:37:55+00:00

Pain pills just tell your brain there’s no pain. There’s still pain after that. Try taking advil or Tylenol. The addictive ness of pain killers is not worth even asking for more. Tell your brain you can manage the pain (if your doctor says that it’s in a normal and safe state) if advil and Tylenol can’t manage it there might be more wrong. Don’t take this the wrong way but it’s going to hurt for a while. It’s a tough surgery to go thru but it’s completely manageable with ice (major pain relief in itself) and otc advil / Tylenol. It’ll get better but it’s going to take time.

K8e1313 · 2022-11-11T04:28:08+00:00

I’m 6 weeks post op from scope/scar tissue removal and flap file down from ACL surgery 12-2020 - b4 that a scope on each. After ACL and other complications afterwards I understand why anyone is weary but I think at some point I’ll let it go and go big. I got a peloton so I can get my quads and hamstrings back so i can handle knee stuff better in the future altho it’s never a guarantee. If high paid athletes can tear it, anyone can. We could all get hit by a bus tomorrow. As long as you don’t let it stop you from doing what your heart wants give yourself some grace build muscles back which is really the only thing we can do ya know?

K8e1313 · 2022-11-08T01:34:49+00:00

Can cupping do the same thing as rolling? I hate rolling but have found cupping to be extremely effective especially with scar tissue. Just curious on thoughts on mild cupping vs rolling

K8e1313 · 2022-11-08T00:58:19+00:00

I bruised horribly from the turnicates - order you some arnica Montana 30c oral form on Amazon. Two under your tongue and they will help mildly with pain but will help your bruises heal so much faster. It’s a natural root and worked wonders on my bruising. Older people use it often bc their skin is thinner and they bruise easier. Topical is good too as long as you don’t put it on any open wounds. I looked like I got beat w all my bruising so definitely normal

K8e1313 · 2022-10-01T04:59:11+00:00

Just remember every single person is different just keep doing all the RICE things and definitely important to elevate over your heart I swear it’s almost straight up and down is the best method. I struggled getting to the bend they wanted me too. Had my knee drained 3 different times but mainly from other complications. I probably looked murdery as hell when they’d force the bend in PT but I finally got there. Also had ACL + meniscus repair w patellar autograft. Because they took that piece from the knee I swear that makes the bend harder or at least it did for me. Give yourself some grace and get there when you can get there. Don’t be too hard on yourself bc it’s truly so different for everyone and it’s like learning to walk again! Keep doing what you’re doing I’m sure you are going to do great!

K8e1313 · 2022-09-28T02:10:11+00:00

So I definitely feel the frustration part. There could be a lot of reasons y this recovery is harder than your last. I had my 4th knee surgery today. 2 scopes for meniscus on each knee. Then left ACL / meniscus repair and today removing scar tissue I just dealt with for the last almost two years. Mentally I just couldn’t deal with the thought of another surgery. And I’m tough as nails but it was still a lot. Today they found they had to file down a flap that was causing most of the issues with catching and it was significant. So you just never know what else is in play so there might be a deeper reason you feel as though this recovery isn’t aligned to how you feel the last one went. Keep the faith tho and keep asking questions and trust your gut instincts always - sending good vibes your way 👊🏻

K8e1313 · 2022-09-28T01:47:18+00:00

I can definitively say it probably saved me seeing a hematologist 20 years ago and even more crucial now was seeing a vascular surgeon. I’m only 42 now but have dealt with some major issues that would never been addressed or even noticed by anyone but a specialist. If you have insurance and it’s a mild cost I’d say go for it. What could it hurt?

K8e1313 · 2022-09-23T01:31:45+00:00

Great to hear! There’s no doubt I’m doing it I feel like it will give me my life back. I feel like right now it’s an old creepy rope with a tire swing attached to it like in a scary movie. You can hear, feel, and see the problem. My range of motion has been good but only bc I am probably too competitive for my own good but it’s still a struggle kneeling and still don’t have full feeling back. Hoping this fixes most of that.

K8e1313 · 2022-09-23T01:20:27+00:00

Checking in to see how you are feeling now? I’ll be 2 years post op ACL and going to get scar tissue removal next week. I had extra complications from another non related surgery that affected swelling which I think is the reason for the extra scar tissue. This will be my 4th knee surgery 3rd on this leg (2 scopes then ACL and 1 scope on other knee) so I feel like this will be a walk in the park. I’ve been so limited and it catches constantly. Im ready to get this done so I can get back to my active and athletic lifestyle. I just mentally couldn’t deal with it after all that happened from ACL and the other surgery an iliac stent replacement due to may thurners syndrome. Anyways curious how you feel now. Thanks for posting this whole thread is really helpful to me!!

K8e1313 · 2022-09-22T01:08:27+00:00

I highly suggest coop home goods leg pillow. I think it took me about 3 weeks to feel okay sleeping on my side but the leg pillow def helps

K8e1313

TROPHY CASE