Amy, age 36
I’ve already started physical therapy. Before surgery, it seemed that everyone was saying, “Don’t do this if you’re not going to do the rehab.”
So I know what I’m dealing with, and I have set my mind to it. I’m very goal-oriented. If I’m working on an exercise using three pounds of weight, I keep thinking about going up to four pounds. I want to move through it.
My short-term goal is to get rid of the brace and walk normally. By the summer, I really want to be able to run around on the beach with Jake, my five year old, without worrying about stepping the wrong way.
My physical therapist is worried that I’m going to do something stupid. He said, “I know that you’re going to start to feel really good, and you’ll want to do more than you can.” So my only goal right now is to heal and grow stronger without trying to do too much too fast. I know there’s a risk of tendonitis** otherwise.
It’s been two weeks, and every day is a little better. I’m convinced that I’ll get back nearly all of the leg strength that I had, and that soon my leg will be much more stable. Already I can say it was the right decision. I don’t think that I will ever doubt it.
**Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon. Pain, tenderness, and restricted movement may result.