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ACL Surgery Recovery - Week 9 (return to normalcy?)
August 8th, 2003
So the knee is feeling really quite normal again as far as walking goes. The only times it feels weird is when I am doing physical activity, like when I'm trying to lift weights with my legs or during yoga class where we extend our legs and then bend them rapidly. When I'm lifting, it feels like I shouldn't be trying to lift so much, so I hold myself back. In Yoga, I know my knee can handle it, it's just the popping that annoys me. Also, pain when kneeling has gone down considerably. My goal is to be able to sit on my heels with my shins flat on the ground in yoga class - it's the same pose japanese people do when they eat at those low tables.
Stretching has become much easier for me too, as I can almost do a full quad stretch without excercising. I still haven't tried jogging outside, I am sticking to the machines for another couple of weeks. (besides, it's 105 degrees outside!) The muscle in my left thigh has re-grown considerably, and I'm really happy about that. I don't feel so weak anymore.
The waiting is the worst part. I won't really know how well the surgery went for another few months, but I guess everything happens for a reason. I have to admit that I've enjoyed my time not engaging in physical sports. I've had more time to try other things and have had more time just to relax. Also, the injury has forced me to start going to the gym on a regular basis, which I hated before, but now I'm sort of hooked. I'm not too concerned. I've come to accept my injury.
The doctor said that the knee is weakest between weeks 8-10. That means that I still have to be extra careful for the next week or 2. I am looking forward to seeing what he says to me at my next appointment.
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