Orthopedic Visit

Been a little bit since I have posted anything, so here goes.  Saw the orthopedic doctor (Soft tissue expertise) on 9/22/2017.  I was given the OK to start putting weight on my leg / knee as tolerated.  My Tibia fracture is healing well and no longer fractured.  Granted, I will not be jumping for any rebounds soon (nor could I ever anyways).  He was pleased that there was no excessive movement within my knee or tibia.  Everything felt intact and where it should be.  I begin physical therapy soon (soonest appointment available is 10/19/2017…so long).  It is possible that I may not need knee surgery.  My ACL is completely torn, my PCL is partially torn however there is evidence that my ACL tear in fact may be an old injury (I have messed up my leg / knee several times in the past pretty bad between playing football and in the military, oh an of course treating my body like an old rusted out pickup truck driven by 16 year old out in the country…..but I digress).  After some PT and more time to heal, the assessment will be made as to whether or not my knee goes under the knife.

Joy of Things Taken for Granted

Also, Friday September 22nd was also the first day that I was able to drive a car since the bike crash.  The inability to drive and being 100% dependent on someone else to get you around stinks.  I have never realized the sense of personal freedom that comes from being able to just jump in a car and drive to wherever it is you want to go.  Driving felt wonderful.  Of course, I still let De’Andra my fiance drive me to work.  I mean that is commuting to and from work in rush hour traffic, there is no joy in that.  So might as well let her experience that freedom of driving.  Plus, she is from L.A. so I am sure she enjoys rush hour. (yes, I will get in trouble for being silly, but meh, it’s worth it).

I CAN WALK AGAIN!  Well, walk / limp anyways.  I started by putting some weight on the leg and realized, I had lost about half of my muscle in my right leg.  Being that I am a petite man of 270 pounds at six foot, it took quite a bit of effort to stand and walk with the assistance of my crutches.  I was able to start walking up the stairs slowly by that following Monday.  I was able to actually stand and take a shower (I hate baths, just like a little kid),  Fast forward to today, 10/04/2017, I can walk without the crutches with a limp, carry things of weight short distances, and walk longer distances with the assistance of only one crutch.  There has been a daily improvement in mobility of my knee and how much I can tolerate walking without assistance.  I still use two crutches for large distances such as trans versing the savanna of Costco or Walmart though.  Pain is touch and go.  Some days I do not require any pain medications while other days I am well aware I am injured.

Overall I am pleased with my slow progression and the rapid advancement during the last couple of weeks.  I will be moving on October 21st from Chula Vista closer to L.A., so the timing of being able to be more functional is critical and great.