ACL Recovery diary: Weeks 4-8 and Beyond
A screenshot from my vlog. The Normatec compression boots are a nice way to end a tough PT session :)
This is part of a series
ACL recovery diary: Week 4 - 8 and Beyond
Starting with week 4, I was able to focus less on my knee, and direct my attention back to regular life activities again. I was cleared to drive at week 4.
At week 10, I started going to 3 different physical therapists.
The original physical therapist that my surgeon works with. Its important to keep going to your original PT because they communicate and work with your surgeon to manage your care plan.
A sports-focused PT
A climbing-specific PT to eventually get me back to climbing
I really think its helped and that it is worth the extra (out of network) costs. I would highly recommend any ACL recovery patient to work with multiple PTs because I have learned so much from their different perspectives, workouts, etc.
Now that I don’t have to fuss over my knee as much… the main question that everyone asks is:
“So what do you do with all your time?”
Well, I…
Go to physical therapy 2-3x a week. Having 3 PTs keeps you busy lol
Go to the gym 1-2x a week, on the days I don’t go to PT. I usually repeat the exercises I did in physical therapy, plus a nice long ride on the stationary bike for dat sweet knee flexion
Listen to audiobooks. I enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (a fun fiction), and Outlive by Peter Attia (nonfiction)
Spend many hours missing my job as a CRNA and feeling like a productive member of society
Spend many hours missing being able to exercise to the extent I once did
Question the meaning of life. Jk. Maybe. A little.
Bond with my kitties. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, pets are integral to ACL recovery!!
Started a Youtube Channel. The video below is a vlog during my last weeks of recovery before returning to work. You can see my level of mobility in the snippets of me doing physical therapy exercises, and even my first time returning to indoor rock climbing :)