29 Aug, Wed – 4 Sep 07, Tue. D92 – D98. The 14th week.
I’m stepping up my exercise routines to strengthen the leg muscles in preparation for my return to work next week. I’ve weaned off one crutch in order to put more load on my right leg. I could walk with one crutch with a limp on flat ground, except for the occasional in-balance, when I nearly tripped.
At the 11th physiotherapy session at NUH, I increased the leg press load to 6 kg and also tried using one leg to press 3 kg of load. At the parallel bar handrail, I tried stepping on and over a rubber cushion using the right leg – this momentarily put the full load bearing on the right leg. It was difficult at first, but once I gained the confidence, I could quickly step on and over it. I told the physio that I would have to negotiate a few flights of stair when I return to work. Climbing stair still requires fairly strenuous efforts. He demonstrated some techniques to climb stair without the crutch. I tried, but it wasn’t easy, as my leg was still not strong enough yet. The unassisted knee flexion has improved to 125°. The forced bending of the knee has also improved to 135°. The max load bearing that the right leg could bear has progressed to 80 - 85%.
Except during sleeping at night, I’ve also weaned off the use of the knee brace. However, rubbing cream and balm on my aching legs finally brought out the rashes. All along, I’ve maintained very good hygiene of the leg to avoid the rashes. It’s really ironical that, just as I was starting to wean off the brace, the rashes came. Maybe I was allergic to the capsaicin in one of the more expensive glucosamine creams. The cheaper one with chondroitin sulphate was OK.
I’ve also started to drive on a few occasions, since I’m now able to exert enough force to apply the emergency brakes. However, I always have someone accompanying me, just in case there are problems that I would not be able to handle, for example, tyre punctures. I’ve just received a letter and membership card from AA Singapore, informing me that I’m now a “life member”, meaning that I don’t need to pay annual subscription any more. This is for those who have been member for 30 years, what a long time!
I’m stepping up my exercise routines to strengthen the leg muscles in preparation for my return to work next week. I’ve weaned off one crutch in order to put more load on my right leg. I could walk with one crutch with a limp on flat ground, except for the occasional in-balance, when I nearly tripped.
At the 11th physiotherapy session at NUH, I increased the leg press load to 6 kg and also tried using one leg to press 3 kg of load. At the parallel bar handrail, I tried stepping on and over a rubber cushion using the right leg – this momentarily put the full load bearing on the right leg. It was difficult at first, but once I gained the confidence, I could quickly step on and over it. I told the physio that I would have to negotiate a few flights of stair when I return to work. Climbing stair still requires fairly strenuous efforts. He demonstrated some techniques to climb stair without the crutch. I tried, but it wasn’t easy, as my leg was still not strong enough yet. The unassisted knee flexion has improved to 125°. The forced bending of the knee has also improved to 135°. The max load bearing that the right leg could bear has progressed to 80 - 85%.
Except during sleeping at night, I’ve also weaned off the use of the knee brace. However, rubbing cream and balm on my aching legs finally brought out the rashes. All along, I’ve maintained very good hygiene of the leg to avoid the rashes. It’s really ironical that, just as I was starting to wean off the brace, the rashes came. Maybe I was allergic to the capsaicin in one of the more expensive glucosamine creams. The cheaper one with chondroitin sulphate was OK.
I’ve also started to drive on a few occasions, since I’m now able to exert enough force to apply the emergency brakes. However, I always have someone accompanying me, just in case there are problems that I would not be able to handle, for example, tyre punctures. I’ve just received a letter and membership card from AA Singapore, informing me that I’m now a “life member”, meaning that I don’t need to pay annual subscription any more. This is for those who have been member for 30 years, what a long time!
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