Listen....

Listen...to your body.

In mid December, my sister Kim had surgery on her foot to correct a Haglund's Deformity and Plantar Fasciitis.  After the surgery, she had a list of instructions such as no weight bearing (crutches) and elevation for four weeks.  Kim wore a surgical boot for six weeks. 

My sister is not the type of person who is content being at home.  She is on the go....all the time.   Two weeks into her recovery, she asked me to take her to a jewelry making class a few towns away.   Kim assured me it was O.K. with her doctor because she was able to elevate her foot during the class.  On the ride to the bead shop, she told me her calf was sore for about two days and was not getting any better.

My sister was convinced she had a blood clot. 

The ultrasound test in the ER the next morning confirmed her suspicion.  The ER doctor kept her for observation because if the blood clot would shift it would travel to her lung.  The blood clot was in her ankle and was a result of the surgery.  The doctor said her blood clot was diagnosed early.  Kim returned home after an overnight stay in the hospital, blood tests, injections and a regime of cumadin

I am glad my sister was listening....

Might As Well Jump

An article from Science Daily: 

Go Ahead and Jump: Learning How to Properly Jump and Land Can Help Female Athletes Avoid Serious Knee Injuries

Female athletes tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) six to eight times more than male athletes who play the same sport. A leading sports medicine surgeon believes incorporating a jumping and landing program into a regular training regimen can help keep women on the field and out of the operating room.

"The jump program not only strengthens the knee, but it also help teach female athletes the motor control required to cut, jump and land properly," said Kelly Osburn, a Methodist Center for Sports Medicine physical therapist who helps female athletes recover from ACL injuries. "Most of my patients leave physical therapy stronger than they were before their injury."

Jumping is one area that I still feel insecure about during karate training...even after 5 years.   My ACL tear occurred while landing a jump on a matted surface.

Question - Total Knee Replacement / Karate

Hello Readers,

A karate friend asked me to post a question on the blog. 

Do you know anyone who had a TKR (total knee replacement) and was able to continue karate training?

Thoughts?  Insights?

ACL Reconstruction - Four Years

May 15th is the anniversary date of my ACL surgery.  I almost forgot about writing my anniversary post! I remembered yesterday when I saw a person walking around the grocery store with an ACL brace.

Four years....

For the most part...my knee is good.  I have resumed all pre-surgery activities and have full ROM.  This past year has been exceptionally busy with work and family.  I  put my gym membership on hold for a few months due to work responsibilities.  I have resumed my membership but my time at the gym is sporadic.  I joined the gym 4 years ago with the sole purpose of keeping my knee strong. 

I notice the difference.  After a long karate class, my knee feels tired and sore. I am hesitating with certain movements in kata such as the jump in Chinto and the pivoting in Tekkos.

My plan for the next year is to rededicate my efforts to keep my knee strong.  I will go to the gym regularly.  If I cannot get to the gym, I must remember to do leg strengthening exercises at home (similar to my original PT protocol). 

There is still one spot on my knee where the nerves don't seem aligned.  If I rub the inside of my knee, I feel prickling on the outside of my knee.  I don't think this will ever go away.
My previous anniversary updates can be found below.
3 Year Update
2 Year Update
1 Year Update

Thank you to all the readers of this blog. If anyone finds this blog and wants to share their ACL story as a guest post, please contact me. If you have a blog about ACL surgery and recovery and would like me to add it to my blogroll, feel free to post a comment or email.

If you find this post because you have an ACL injury...best of luck on your recovery!

Three Right Knees

My husband had right knee surgery in 2005 to repair his lateral meniscus.

I had right knee surgery in 2007 to repair a torn ACL.

My daughter injured her right knee last week at soccer practice. It was an accidental contact injury. Two people charging for the ball at the same time. Her foot planted and the impact was on the outside of her knee. She stood up and continued practicing. She even played a soccer game this weekend. As I watched the game, I noticed that she would rub her knee after she kicked the ball.

I scheduled an appointment with the pediatrician today. The doctor examined her knee and there may be soft tissue damage. The doctor mentioned the MCL and meniscus. The doctor said there was no tear but recommended that she see an orthopedic specialist.

I hope her knee is ok....

A Pain In The.....

Foot.

My foot aches. There are moments of stabbing pain when I am stopped in my tracks. I know what is causing the pain. I know what triggered the pain. I am resting, icing and elevating my foot when I can. Thank goodness for my can of spinach. I am not eating the spinach. I froze a can of spinach to use as an ice pack. It is perfect because I can roll it along the bottom of my foot.

Several years ago I went to the doctor for the pain. They took x-rays and determined it was plantar fasciitis. From the MayoClinic.com:

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot — connecting your heel bone to your toes.

Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your very first steps in the morning. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.

I was offered a cortisone injection...which I declined. My sister had the same condition and informed me the shot was more painful than the condition. The doctor recommended a series of exercises, ice and anti-inflammatory medication. In a few weeks, my foot was feeling better.

As a last resort, surgery can be performed to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. It is usually only done as a last resort when other treatments fail. My sister had this surgery done last year. Her foot is feeling better. Since I have no intention on having foot surgery...it is rest, ice and elevation for me...