Just a brief progress report -- I see my orthopedic surgeon for my 2 month post-op checkup on Friday, and my physical therapists said at 8 weeks post-op (which is what I am), I'm basically DONE! Graduated! That doesn't mean I'm 100%, by any means, but what it means is all the things that they do in PT are to regain normal flexion (bending ability of the knee) and extension (straightening the leg), rebuild wasted away muscles (happens after any orthopedic surgery) and teach the patient to use the "new knee" (which will feel different for quite awhile, even after its healed, since the ACL you're born with has the ability to communicate to the brain your joint's position and status and that's something that has to be relearned after ACL reconstruction.
I feel great and have for several weeks now! I have occasional twinges of pain, but nothing too severe -- actually about the same as what I dealt with prior to surgery (but that was ALL the time; now it's just when I do certain twisting movements which the knee's not quite ready for).
I'll let you all know when I'm "hike-able" again. I suspect my OS will say, "Go for it, just wear your brace and listen to your body!" I've walked 2.6 miles already today and am waiting for Justin to get home from work to walk another 2 miles with him. Walking's been my primary exercise outside of PT and at least in my case it's made all the difference in the world (mentally, as well as physically -- something proactive I can do to help the knee along and get outside.)
It'll be awhile before I can jump into backpacking with real weight on my back, but I will be camping ASAP (too bad I missed the brief but heavenly cool part of Texas springtime -- 86+ degrees today, grrrr...) and I'll be hiking as soon as I get the nod from my surgeon.
My PT won't entirely cease, it's just that it's now my responsibility rather than my therapists to guide me through exercises. They've been GREAT!!!! If you live in San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos, Corpus Christi or Mexico City, I
highly recommend the physical therapy component of
The Orthopedic Store. Superb staff (I've been going to the San Antonio Airport location, on Arion Pkwy in San Antonio), all the right equipment, good attitude (make you work, but work to have fun as you progress, too) and well worth the time. My surgeon prescribed me to them, so it was the luck of the draw, but if I ever had a loved one needing physical therapy (they don't just do knees -- there are hand, shoulder, neck, hip and back patients as well), I would definitely recommend them.
I'll post another update after I see my surgeon on Friday. I'll probably be jazzed because I think he'll clear me to walk on paved and level surfaces without my hinged brace now and that's been my mental waypoint for resuming hiking of any kind.
Thanks for the support gang. I had no idea I'd be this far along and feeling this good just 2 months post-op. I've worked hard in PT and listened hard, and I'm sure some of it's just luck/genetics, but whatever it is I have been thrilled with the outcome thus far.