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ACL Surgery Recovery - Day 4
June 1st, 2003 - So I finally got to take off my bandages and take a shower - I was so excited. I peeled back 2 layers of bandages, 2 layers of bloody gauze and the ice pack to reveal my bruised, recently shaved, and overly bloated knee. My left kneecap has all but dissapeared and turned in to a big swollen mess. I've posted lots of pictures of my life in bed, with comparison shots of my left vs my right knee. Also, there are pictures of the cooling system that I use to ice down my knee. I think it's really cool. I really need to do something about this swelling. Hopefully the doctor will have something for me when i see him on Tuesday.
Range of motion is about the same as it was yesterday, I have started to put some weight on the surgery knee in an attempt to strengthen it a little more. I can drive now too, which is good, but I get uncomfortable after sitting in the car for too long.
Still having food delivered to me which is a great help. I'm back to the mundane life of laying in bed though, no one here to keep me company anymore. I've taken some steps without the crutches but with the huge blue immobilizer brace on, and it feels ok. I don't think i would be comfortable walking without the brace on yet, but in the shower, I was almost able to put half of my weight on the surgery leg. I will see what my doctor has to say on Tuesday. Also, I am going to work tomorrow! Should be good to get back into things after being gone for the last 2 weeks. It will be good to get out instead of being cooped up in my room too.
Click to enlarge pictures - notice the size difference of the thighs and the amount of swelling on the left knee. Also, see how small the incisions in the knee are. My left thigh has shrunk considerably. My knee looks bigger than my thigh in one of the pictures!
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