6 weeks post op and I am cleared to start some of my physio and also get in the hydrotherapy pool. I am not a real lover of the water but spending time in the hydro pool has changed that a bit as this was my opportunity to get out of the house (finally clear to drive!) and have some time to myself that wasn't confined to the couch!
I was given simple things to do, beginning with increasing my knee's range of motion back to it's normal state, so that involved some walking in the pool, cycling my legs in the water and gentle kicking up and back the pool too. This was my first full body activity since the day I threw my knee out and it felt good to get moving and the water made such a help to how I was feeling and I was working harder than what I felt I was.
Going in the pool I was nervous and to be honest it was busy, "old people soup" I called it and to be honest I don't know why more people do not take advantage of this wonderful resource to help you get moving.
I wasn't ready to get back in the gym as I needed to avoided twisting and other movements so the pool was really my only outlet for movement. I really looked forward to going to the pool because of the opportunity to switch off and not talk to anyone and by the time I got home I was refreshed and just felt good! My Dad has been singing the praises of the hydro pool for well over a decade now as he has had back issues for some time, he is quite a fit man at the ripe age of 61 and has maintained an excellent level of fitness thanks to his pool work.
I was getting bored just doing my physio although necessary, I really needed something extra and the pool have water dumbbells available for the members to use. With the dumbbells I was able to utilise them to do some arms, shoulders and chest work. Adding this in really upped the intensity of my time in the pool and I felt like I was doing some decent work along with my knee rehab. Each day I was feeling a difference with my knee and minor improvements each and every day. I was going to the pool so much that I got myself an aquatic membership saving me heaps of money. A few weeks on my physio had me adding load onto my knee out of the water this time. Prior to this I was doing things like squats in the water as it made me feel lighter and I could get a wider range of motion and a deeper squat.
I extended my membership to be an unlimited one and was able to use the gym and add load to my knee using the machines ("load is king" my physio says). This was great as using free weights took much of the focus away from my knee so using the machines really helped me isolate what I needed to work on. He also had me doing stability work using a Bosu Ball and I loved the exercises so much I bought my own.
I began getting back into gym training in the new year going to classes that were for beginners so I could go at my own pace, such as getting up and down off the floor very, very, very, very slowly. Like a very drunk toddler finding her feet. It was great training with other people again and having a laugh in class, because it is almost impossible for me to get through a group session without a fit of the giggles.
During this time and even up until the present day I am still figuring out the training that is right for me. I did go back to kickboxing classes but avoided leg work (so I guess it was just boxing) but while I enjoyed the training, it just didn't feel right and I really enjoyed the strength training more so that is what I stuck with. I got a bike for my birthday on Boxing Day after the surgery and I really have enjoyed getting on the bike and riding the bike paths and trails, this becoming another peaceful outlet for me such as the pool had been. The bike also became an icebreaker to a new adventurous opportunity and expanded a friendship that I will write about another time.
Basically this year (2017) has been about how I learn what my body can do, what training I find mentally beneficial and what I can do that will ensure I am not in pain during training and also my everyday life. I really believe that it is so important to move your body but not to the detriment of your everyday life. Currently my knee is really good but I have lost some range and can no longer kneel my bum onto my heels and I can feel the scar tissue where I still have some restriction. All that aside I am not afraid of just moving, my knee locked out in so many different situations that I was unaware of when it would happen next. Training being the most obvious moments but even sitting at the dinner table or rolling over in bed did it. I no longer have this fear and it is very freeing and I am aware of my limitations where as before it was all guess work.
I hope you enjoyed my story
Fi x
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