Entering month 4 of post knee injury...hopeful

 A few things have changed since last post.  Pulled trigger and picked up a direct drive Saris H3 trainer for the road bike to improve the motivation and the immersive experience for zwift'ing.  Haven't done a "proper" FTP test to set benchmark but finished 2 weeks of a 6 week FTP boost program and the knee is tolerating.  

I see I didn't update the findings from the Surgical consult that happened Sept 28th.  Coles notes...he recommended a two stage approach with the first surgery to "clean up" the knee (med meniscus and acl fragements that are most likely the culprit to limiting my end range.  Then....if I find instability becomes more noticable...address the ACL....food for thought for usure.  He was actually going to schedule me in later in that week for surgery but already had a family trip booked for some R&R at Blue mountain.  Getting around then was a bit tricky.....no high ropes course for me but tolerated some light hiking.

Still No follow up with Surgeon(to date) around revised surgical date and feel this is a blessing in disguise...figure I'll avoid this with the path that I'm taking.

Been back on the moto and MTB.  No need for the brace for MTB and have had a couple significant dabs on the right leg with the moto without issue.  Fall glory is in full effect and the shift back to OUTDOOR MTB riding has come full circle.  Riding flats seems to be where it is at for confidence and flexibility for the more technical side of riding.  Looking at the moto all clean and tucked in for the winter is actually bareable...the desire to get it dirty and potentially risk another get off is keeping it parked to get some more MTB riding in for the next week or so, weather dependant.

Those first steps out of bed and out of vehicle after a long drive still present with a bit of a limp for the first few steps but that subsides pretty quickly.  Pain....not so much..just a "pinchy" sensation with that end range.  Positive things.  The question will be ....winter and the sports that come with...will this continue to assist with the gains to date?  TBD.  What I DO Know....I will definitely be committing to some consistent indoor training with my new zwift set up.

MTB later today...Hope is bountiful at this time...

First shakedown MTB with the CTI cranked up! Felt GHUUUUUD!

 Enough was enough of the pavement and gravel trail.  Figured the knee was responding well enough to give it a go at the local home loop (10k) of some mellow MTB single track.  Seemed pretty successful!

https://www.strava.com/activities/3992526157

Far from speedy but definitely tested the knee's tolerance to some torquing up a few climbs and out of saddle vibrations from roots and twisties in the trees.  Had the brace on so tight that if felt like a python squeezing my calf for the first 5-10 minutes but started to feel pretty natural pretty quickly.  Felt good to pass a couple young university students near the end of the trail too....So...NOW WHAT!?!?!?!?

Option 1 - play it smart and just keep getting a few of these MTB loops in to continue with this progression

Option 2 - clip in to the road cleats and go for a bit more of a grinder on the asphalt

Option 3 - Fuel up the husky and go to Limerick forest to get the grin growing.....

I figure all of the above

And it goes on...one more day at a time...

 Met with my Athletic Therapist yesterday and give kudos the expertise from one such lady who is developing her craft at such a young age.  She found some areas in the hamstring where my ITB literally tried to fuse to my hamstring.  Some dutiful stroking with a piece of smooth metal while performing the Graston technique has definitely helped with some mobility in end range extension.  Less swelling and more comfort with ambulating is a good sign.  1% improvement every day is....IMPROVEMENT!

September 21st can take it's time because the thought of having surgical instruments to remove, debride and potentially repair a knee is not top of mind right now...what IS top of mind is doing every damn thing I can to get this rehab'd properly without.  Hopeful that I will be looking back at these posts and noting the sucess with this pursuit.  

29 days post injury.......

 Moving about with less of the clunks and sharp jabs that could be an indication of further healing of the bone and improved stability and strength of the knee.  Threw on the kicks and went for a gentle spin on the MTB.  Psychologically still not quite there to try anything except for a gravel trail and a hop on/off of a curb....gonna be a while yet...

So recap.  still have limited/blocked end range extension and almost at full range flexion.  Quite a bit of swelling inside the knee that could be contributing to that....man....wouldn't it be nice if meniscus spontaneously scarred down proper and with decreased knee swelling things resolved.  Will have to look back on this in a month to see.

As it stands...looks like September will also be a modified activity kind of month. As much as I want to load up the Husky and go for a mellow trail ride the thought of having to aggressively dab on the right leg makes me pucker.....maybe later in the week...

Captains Log....August 15th, 2020...MRI results back and could be perceived as NASTY...

Yesterday was a turning point with regards to information.  I was sitting in a golf cart 10 min away from teeing off to support TMH foundation at Oak Hills golf resort when Natasha (AT from KATC) gave me a call to tell me she had the MRI results.  Perfect timing as I had attempted to call my GP to see if they had received a couple times on my way to course but....they close during lunch and close at 3pm...both times i attempted LOL.

Natasha had some somber news for me.  She stared with the LCL and I immediately said, "that's GREAT news", but she said hang on....there's more and you aren't going to be so happy about it..:

-Full thickness partial tear of LCL-YES NOT COMPLETE exhale

-COMPLETE full thickness tear of ACL -ok...I can live with that

-complex bucket handle tear of medial meniscus with a piece actually dislodged..-Ok that's worthy of a FUCK comment....

-and something about a micro fracture from compression...hmmm

So...just to put it out there..time to vent a bit...my visit to my GP had me consult with NCP who essentially provided me with two options..referral for a CT or fracture clinic.  I chose fracture clinic and then took it into my "own hands" to explore another option.  The other option led me to a repeat xray the day after the GP consult and a referral for MRI (buddy...if you happen to read this..you the man) which happened early the following week.  I still haven't received a call for fracture clinic if followed the process set out by GP...humph..there vented and let it go

So, my plan for golfing quickly was adjusted.  Decided I would be the master of the SHORT game and layed off of the tee box for most of the 18 holes.  Had a couple jabs and clunks walking on and off the undulating terrain to get access to the greens for putting put chalked it up to rehab time :)  By the end of the round I managed to stabilize (with brace) to get a few decent drives in too...success.

So what next...well woke up this morning and suited up for a mellow low load good cadence spin on the trusty Rocky around the hood and ventured onto some gravel at Lemoines point.  Put some good flavours in the ear compliments of Sirius Octane channel and onward and upwards!

https://www.strava.com/activities/3916593041

Call GP monday to ask for ortho consult and stay the pace with daily spinning.  The main concern is the meniscus....need that sucker to scar down and hopefully avoid a scope but this will all depend on the next couple of weeks.  Let's fortune tell here....fast forward to ortho consult...I envision consult to go like this:

Ortho: MRI looks interesting...how are you doing

ME: self managing without meds except 20 mg of CBD and daily progressive strengthening

Ortho: are you having any locking or giving way?

ME: NO...I wear a CTI for ambulation outside of the house and my extension is coming (would like to have full)but seems to be a little limited

Ortho: ok...let's give it "? insert amount of time" and lets meet again to see what we need to do

Let's see how close my forecast is to reality......

Day 15 and MTB on road felt GOOD!

 Had my MRI last night and, of course, was a little heightened when the tech asked me after if my knee felt very unstable and whether I have a brace....assuming this may be a standard question but.....could have been her way of giving me a "heads up" for what will be reported...anyways not putting more thought into that.

Got out for a little spin on the MTB.  Notable improvement off the hop with the first couple of rotations being smooth with little pinch at the upper stroke.  End stroke still won't let me drop my heel but seat height is adjusted perfectly.

Did my utmost BEST to behave myself and kept cadence over 90 ish throughout.  Could have gone longer but using my head to evaluate how it feels tonight and tomorrow.  If good...giddy up again!  Will have to start with some wall squats and some swiss ball hamstring exercises...

https://www.strava.com/activities/3902974472

3 weeks post injury...

 So had a repeat xray to rule out fracture last friday and recommendation for MRI which is happening TONIGHT to get some firm clarity on what is INTACT and what may be stretched(hopefully) or completely torn(fingers crossed not the case).

Making some gains in decreased discomfort with weightbearing.  Small gains in range of motion.  Improved function ie able to walk independently with the brace and alternating steps now...still cautiously indoors only.

Just finished my third session of easy spinning on the MTB that I equipped with flats and it felt better than yesterday.  The bike is going to be my metaphysical crutch and most effective rehab tool.

I think I'll start with some walking up and down the road as well to improve gait and work on that end range extension!

So...all and all...progressing albeit slowly...3 weeks have flown by...