As with you, I have a numbness to the side of my knee.
I was tols that feeling would return in full within a
1 -1 1/2 years. It is just due to the incision which
cuts acroos the nerves.
For gaining the bend back I use the stairs and it
works great. I was, a week ago, a bit behind in my
flexability due to having hip problems from walking
with a limp because of 20 degree blocks in my brase,
but I began using the stairs to stretch and my bend
has improved within a few days. I stand at the bottom
and place my bad knee up 3 steps and lean into it
while keeping my back straight and upright. It works
great.

Good luck, Mystic Traveler

--- Mystic Traveler <mystic643@...> wrote:

> Over ten years ago, I stepped in a soft spot of the
> lawn during Karate
> training and heard a "pop". My knee proceeded to
> swell up for a few
> days and then returned to normal. I could still walk
> fine, but testing
> for Black Belt was out, because my knee would slip
> out when doing any
> sideways techniques. I never had it looked at,
> rationalizing that my
> knee "just had a tendency to pop out".
> Last summer I jumped off of a downed tree trunk
> while at work
> (surveying) and it popped out again, landing me in a
> bed of poison
> ivy, so having good insurance, I went for x-rays and
> MRI's of both knees.
> To my surprise, I was diagnosed with a completely
> torn ACL and complex
> tear of the Medial Meniscus on my right knee and
> also, a torn Medial
> Meniscus on my left knee. (To be repaired at a later
> date)
> My surgeon used the Patellar tendon graft (from my
> right knee) to
> replace my ACL and did a partial Meniscectomy. (The
> detached portion
> is simply removed and the remaining cartilage is
> trimmed to create a
> smoother surface.)
> My leg was immobilized for 12 days, after which I
> returned for staple
> removal (18) from the 4 inch incision. 6
> steri-strips were placed on
> the incision. I was fitted with a brace that I could
> lock or un-lock.
> Then I was put on PT, 3 times a week for 4 weeks,
> with home exercises
> everyday.
> You know the drill:
> Leg lifts, front, inside, outside. Isometrics:
> hamstring and quads.
> Stretches: calves and quads.
> At PT, I rode a bike (isokinetic setting) Total Gym
> squats, Seated
> Stepper, etc.
> I eventually went from both crutches to one crutch,
> then to just the
> brace and now, no brace.
> The biggest problem now is limited range of motion
> bending my leg back
> (tight quad) (110 degrees max), so I bought a piece
> of rope and am
> trying to stretch the quad everyday, along with my
> other home
> exercises. I have a bit of numbness on the outside
> of my knee, from
> the incision outward. I don't know if this will go
> away or whether a
> nerve was cut. My gait is awkward, but will improve
> with walking more.
> It has only been 6 weeks since surgery and I am
> walking without a
> brace or crutches. I have a great surgeon. I am to
> see him in a week
> for follow-up and to schedule the partial
> meniscectomy of my left
> knee. It should be an easy one, compared to my right
> knee.
> I hope I get somewhat back to normal, but I do
> expect it to take
> awhile, and I do expect to have a little discomfort
> from time to time.
> I will write back soon when I find out what my OS
> says next week. Good
> luck to all and do your PT!!!
>
>
>
>


PrairieDawn Devon Rex Alberta, Canada
http://www.geocities.com/prairiedawnc
TICA Junior Achievers' NW Region Liaison
http://justcats.org/TICAJA/TICAJuniorAchievers.html








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