June 10, 2011
Dear Everyone:
I had two days this week that involved both a
doctor’s appointment (nothing special, just follow-ups) and a visit to
the Physical Therapist. And,
wouldn’t you know it, on the same days.
Much running back and forth between
San Ramon and
Walnut Creek.
But that’s not the hard part.
The hard part came last Tuesday when the Therapist went over my
list of exercises. I had put
them all together in the computer (naturally) with catchy names and
numbers indicating how long to hold a position (“count”), how many times
to perform the exercise (“number”) and how many times to do them all
(“cycles”).
Hence:
“Abduction Stand, Side 10/3” translates into “While standing (and
hanging onto a piece of furniture like my office desk), move the leg
straight to the side and back 10 times for 3 cycles.”
Basically, the Therapist crossed out with “DC”
(which I figured out meant “Discontinue”) all the easy exercises and
added in many new, much harder exercises.
This is actually a good thing.
Many of the original exercises came from when I was still in the
hospital and had been approved by the in-home Therapist shortly after I
arrived at home. They were
very easy exercises intended for “wusses” who don’t get out of bed very
often. I’m beyond that now.
Instead, try this one:
Lie face down (on the bed or carpet.)
Flex one foreleg, so that your foot is pointing towards the
ceiling. Extend your foot as
high towards the ceiling as you can.
Repeat 10 times.
(Don’t point your toes or you might risk a cramped muscle.)
If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not trying hard
enough.
Or “The Bridge”, which was marked “Keep”.
Lying on your back, pull your feet up close to your rear end.
Lift your fanny to form a “bridge”.
No fair using your arms for leverage.
Hold for 5-6 seconds (count to 8-10); repeat 10 times in 3
cycles. This one has the
added advantage of being good for your back as well as the
thighs and
glutes.
And then there’s the “Step Down”.
When she found out I work on the second floor, the Therapist
added this one. Go to the
stairs. Stand at the top of
the stairs and hold onto the handrail.
With the right foot (remember the surgery side is the right side,
here) on the top step, step down with the left foot.
I tried that one once.
My right knee promptly said, “Whoopsy-doodle!
No-can-do!” Good
thing I was hanging on with both hands.
Clearly, we’re going to have to work our way up to this one. In
fact, the Therapist “loaned” me a “step” which consists of a couple of
phone directories
duct-taped together, so I could practice at home.
Only problem is:
What do I have to hang onto while I’m “stepping down”?
In all, things are progressing quite well.
I noticed this morning as I was hobbling out to the car that I’ve
shaved a good minute or two off my time, just because I can walk more
quickly and with more assurance.
Can the next marathon be far behind?
Love, as always,
Pete
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