27Jul, Thu – 2 Aug 07, Thu. D59 – D65. The 9th week.
I finally weaned off the Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine as I have reached the machine’s max limit of 120°. I’ve rented the machine for 7 weeks or 49 days to be exact, costing me some $818 (inclusive of delivery cost and GST). Reflecting back, my daily routine for the past 7 weeks had been quite regimented, faithfully performing the trice-a-day CPM sessions. From now on, I’ll be doing more active motion of the leg.
At the 6th physiotherapy session, the physio started on a series of active motion exercises. He introduced me to the leg press machine, pushing a 3 kg starting weight. He asked me to stand and tiptoe repeatedly on both legs, supported by the hands, effectively putting almost 50% load on my right leg. Another exercise added to my daily routine was to stretch the leg forward, backward and sideward while standing on my left leg. Ironically, as the right leg is slowly taking over the partial weight of the body, the left knee has taken its toll and started to ache. During one of the stretching session at home yesterday, my right leg suddenly cramped up painfully, thus serving me a warning, that I should not push the rehabilitation process too fast and too hard.
I’ve also been increasing the resistance level of the cycle machine to Level 3 (out of a max of 9 levels) and cycling twice a day. To keep track of my daily exercise output, I would be totaling up the distance and calories equivalent of the workout, starting a few days ago at Level 1, 3 km & 80 calories, and gradually progressed to 7 km & 160 cal yesterday. Cycling also helps to maintain the flexion of my knee. I fixed up a device to measure the progress of increasing the flexion angle, which is currently at about 125°.
I finally weaned off the Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine as I have reached the machine’s max limit of 120°. I’ve rented the machine for 7 weeks or 49 days to be exact, costing me some $818 (inclusive of delivery cost and GST). Reflecting back, my daily routine for the past 7 weeks had been quite regimented, faithfully performing the trice-a-day CPM sessions. From now on, I’ll be doing more active motion of the leg.
At the 6th physiotherapy session, the physio started on a series of active motion exercises. He introduced me to the leg press machine, pushing a 3 kg starting weight. He asked me to stand and tiptoe repeatedly on both legs, supported by the hands, effectively putting almost 50% load on my right leg. Another exercise added to my daily routine was to stretch the leg forward, backward and sideward while standing on my left leg. Ironically, as the right leg is slowly taking over the partial weight of the body, the left knee has taken its toll and started to ache. During one of the stretching session at home yesterday, my right leg suddenly cramped up painfully, thus serving me a warning, that I should not push the rehabilitation process too fast and too hard.
I’ve also been increasing the resistance level of the cycle machine to Level 3 (out of a max of 9 levels) and cycling twice a day. To keep track of my daily exercise output, I would be totaling up the distance and calories equivalent of the workout, starting a few days ago at Level 1, 3 km & 80 calories, and gradually progressed to 7 km & 160 cal yesterday. Cycling also helps to maintain the flexion of my knee. I fixed up a device to measure the progress of increasing the flexion angle, which is currently at about 125°.
Measuring the flexion angle after exercising with weights
Saw the Prof this morning - he was satisfied with my progress and asked me to persevere with the physiotherapy treatment, both at NUH and at home. He noted my determination and said most physiotherapists would be happy to have a patient like me. He asked me to gradually learn to walk with the aid of the crutches and avoid over straining either of the legs. He extended my medical leaves to 9 Sep 07. He said to try to return to work after that and let him know if I encounter any problem during the next appointment on 13 Sep 07.
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