Released, one year post ACL surgery!

[geargrrl]

And no brace prescribed! I was not expecting to be released without a brace prescription, that's for sure. Last checkup, 9 months post surgery, he was pretty clear I would have to have a brace this season. One hundred percent cleared to do whatever I want.

Well, well. I did work my ass off in rehab with a return-to- sports-oriented PT facility.

I took this video on the one year anniversary of my surgery at the gym, just for grins. My surgeon is very conservative and he was impressed. I've gotten lots of kudos from him and others for how hard I worked on rehab. The only thing I can think of, is who WOULDN'T work hard in rehab if they want to get back to it? Sure, it hurt sometimes. It took and takes a lot of time.

I've been doing 60+ miles a month on my mountain bike since I was released to dirt, and continue with my fitness work outs.
For anyone that wants, I charted my progess via my Instagram account, @geargrrl https://www.instagram.com/geargrrl/
It's been fun to see how many rehab/PT followers I have.

I was just getting the hang of skate skiing when I lost a season. I'm not thrilled to think I will be back to beginner status but oh well.

 

[Babette]

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I really need the inspiration. I had a total knee replacement 8 weeks ago and the recovery/PT process is slow! There are days when my attitude is great and others when I wonder if I'll really ski again this season. The knee is such a vulnerable place.

Any tips you have for staying the course most appreciated!

 

[Jilly]

Yeah!!

 

[Jenny]

Hope your season is great!

 

[geargrrl]

Babette, I can't speak to knee replacement specifically. I made sure I got in with really good sports oriented PT for starters. PT is not all the same so ask around for who works with athletes in a return-to-sport model. As compared "return to cubicle" model. Then, do everything they say. Everything. Even if hurts, or takes a lot of time, or you've got other things to do. Every day you don't do your PT is one day less of rehab. There were many, many days that I spent an hour a day on all these stupid little exercises. Now, I don't know if I got more PT than usual. I know that my guy would get on the phone to hassle them for approvals, and it was written into my surgical notes that I was a professional mountain bike instructor and needed to be back to a certain level for my rehab.

Part of my motivation is how much cycling is a part of my life. The day I could take a bike outside instead of being on the trainer was a big deal. So was my first ride on dirt. It was really fun to post my little progress videos and photos to instagram. I found I got a lot of support for the little milestones which really helped.

You may not ski this season. I found out there's a whole lot of acceptance to deal with. I *could* have probably skied a few days last spring, but I chose not too because of the risk. I am glad I waited it out until now.

three weeks post surgery
http://instagr.am/p/BZRbLEUF9F0/

 

[vickie]

Congratulations! Hard rehab work pays off!