Well it is only a few days after the arthroscopic procedure to remove the torn part of my meniscus and clean up the mess that had become the inside of my right knee. Although I am using crutches right now, I am quickly weaning off them. And although I would be lying if I said it has been all rainbows, roses, and happiness since Friday (surgery day) I am happy to report things are actually going quite well.  The biggest frustration is not being able to work with the dogs right now.  But while things are healing it is critical to focus on the PT, reducing swelling, regaining strength and range of motion; basically NOT doing anything could hurt it. And anyone who has spent time in a sled dog kennel knows that the enthusiasm and energy we love so much about theses dogs definitely has the potential to cause me harm in this condition.  And since a major factor in the healing process is how much care and effort I make to do the right thing I am willing to forgo some dog time now in order to have quality running time with them in the future.

So what do I do? A lot of PT and “Ice, Ice, Whiskey”

I am in daily PT this week, making sure that right from the start I am getting the exercise and support I need. In addition to daily sessions with a physio-therapist I have a regime I follow at home on my own. I began with simple leg lifts, toe curls, and quad sets.  And as we go on weight is being added as well as some standing exercises .

Day 3 was a bit depressing, that was the day the swelling peaked, the bruising looked the most disturbing, and my swollen knee had am appalling lack of range of motion.  As this is my rookie surgery I really have no personal experience to draw from, and I found the lack of progress on day 3 to be disturbing and depressing.  Thankfully my wonderful understanding and athletic friend Erin was there as I grumbled about the sorry state of affairs to giggle and remind me “that’s normal”.  Of course she was right, and by today the flexibility had improved significantly and the knee looked far less grotesque.

 

In addition to the exercises and evaluations at PT I am also being hooked to a variety of machines to help with pain and recovery.  I get attached to ones that use electrodes to pulse energy through the knee and muscles, crazy fun.  And they let me  control the juice so I can work it at levels that are comfortable for me. Then on top of the electrodes they wrap the knee in a pressurized chilled cuff that ices the area down.  I know it sounds odd but it feels amazing!!!

 

Now let me explain “Ice, Ice, Whiskey”…

In addition to my professional PT sessions I am working hard at home. And after my home workouts instead of being plugged into  (to quote Monty Python) the machine that goes ping** I settle in with “Ice, Ice, Whiskey”.  An ice pack under my knee, an ice pack on top of my knee, and Whiskey in my lap.  It is it’s own kind of wonderful therapy, and Whiskey just loves it.  Now anyone who knows me knows I always make up my own silly lyrics to songs, remember Some Nights?  so I drew on the music of my youth and this is what I came up with:

Yo, Little Man, Let’s kick it!

Ice Ice Whiskey, Ice Ice Whiskey
All right stop, rest your knee and listen
Ice is on for the healing intention
PT and swelling makes my knee feel tightly
working like a dog daily and nightly
Will it ever stop? Hell yeah it will
Kick up my legs and I’ll chill
Ice Ice Whiskey, Ice Ice Whiskey

And now since you already have the tune in your head, Enjoy:

**Sorry I have no idea what the machines at PT are called I just know I love them! And they do beep at the end.