Friday, 8 Days After Surgery

Work in the morning, go to Dr. Slagle’s office for at 2:00 PM office visit.

Dr. Farralli stops in. He is impressed with things. I hobble over to x-ray, 25 feet with no crutches and no immobilizer.

Dr. Slagle arrives, and checks things out. I proudly tell him about 95 degrees and 110 degrees. He thinks that is great! He is very pleased with the way I am progressing.

He takes out the one stitch in my knee. I don’t really feel it. My swelling is normal, and I still have no feeling on the right (outside of my knee). He says that is normal.

I go to the Doctor with three goals: I really want to get rid of the immobilizer; I really want to drive; I want to use my hot tub. He says I got to keep the immobilizer on. He is afraid I could slip and tear everything out before it gets healed. He figures 3 more weeks wearing this thing. I beg like crazy. We discuss driving. He gives me the ok to drive (freedom), but in return, I wear the immobilizer for three more weeks. Sounds like a deal to me.

He does say I can walk around inside without the brace occasionally. And if I am sitting, I can take the brace off. Keep icing it often during the day. He also says the hot tub will make my knee swell like crazy, so avoid that for a few more weeks.

Dr. Slagle tells me the story of the ‘other ACL guy’ too! He will be in later today. I tell him to make sure he says that I am at 110 degrees! I got to meet this guy.

We discuss the second knee. I say that I will never do it if I have to stay overnight. He says that is no problem. My wife is not so sure. He says he will send home a catheter kit.

At PT, I use a different therapist, Mike. I am unsure if I want to stay with the PT office near home, or move to a place near the office. After this session, I decide I like Mike, and I will stay near home. Mike has hours till 7:00 PM, so I will come to PT only twice a week, as long as I do my home exercises.

CONTINUE...