Mobile Phone Holder and Sun Glasses Wrap

I was on the internet the other day looking at all thing cycling and I came across Beer Babe.  Julia at Beer Babe makes a range of products including useful cycling goodies from recycled means.  I decided to order a mobile phone holder for my iPhone and a wrap case for my cycling sun glasses.

When both arrived I was really chuffed with the quality.  The holders are made from used inner tubes, with reinforced Velcro closures. The real deal!

If you are in the market for similar goodies then give Beer Babe a look.

12 Weeks Post Op

At long last I have changed from the BIG armpit crutches to a smaller single elbow crutch.  It feels like freedom.  I am now partial load bearing and the leg brace has been set to 90 degrees.  Feels like liberation, but kinda funny.  My confidence had definitely been affected.   I know that this will take time.  I find myself being cautious when I am walking.

I have been doing the exercises that the Physiotherapist gave me.  I can know bend my knee to 100 degrees.  Under direction from the Physiotherapist I am taking these exercises easy.  My knee swells up quite a bit.  I tend to put regular ice compression (every 2 hours) on it with the Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff.  This seems to reduce the swelling, which is great as it relieves the pain.

I am due at  Physiotherapist this Friday.  I look forward to these appointments as its a good laugh. I am due back at my Consultant on 12 June 2014.  So, I will see then how I am progressing.

81/2 Weeks Post Op

I visited my consultant at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary today.  He stated that I am progressing very well and that me knee seems to very strong.  It would appear at this stage as though the operation has been a success.

He also stated that I have to wear the fixed brace for another 2 weeks with it set at 0 degrees movement.  He then said that the over the next 4 weeks I should ask the physiotherapist at Forth Valley Royal Infirmary to initially set it to 45 degrees for 2 weeks and then to 90 degrees for a further 2/3 weeks.  At the same time the physiotherapist and myself can begin a programme of active physiotherapy.

He also stated that I should lose the Axillary crutches and start using Lofstrand crutches.  I have to go back to see my consultant on Thursday 12 June 2014.

All in all I was quite pleased with the outcome of the meeting with my consultant.  I think I am making progress, albiet, slow progress.  I am so looking forward to my next visit to my physiotherapist to see what we can do.  I hope that I can become more active in the physiotherapy class and that I can start to undertake active exercises on my own.

7 Weeks Post Op

It has been a while since I last posted on Buddha Belly Bikes (BBB).  Sorry for that.  I am also really sorry to go on about this, but this has been the most boring few weeks of my life.  Maybe, it's because I have not been posting on BBB.    I hope that you can imagine that I am stuck in the house with limited mobility.  Yes, I am still in the leg brace with 0% movement, non weight bearing and still with crutches.  It is driving me mad!  I know that I am not the best patient.  I have had a lot of visitors during the last few weeks.  I am very thankful.  But, still its still really boring.

My treats of the week are going to the hospital and also getting taken for a coffee (which I am very grateful for).  Last weekend, I was taken for a wee trip down to North Berwick to see the fat bikes at Forth Fat.  I would like to take part in Forth Fat next year.  Here's hoping that I can.

We also went to the newish coffee house called "Steampunk".  Lovely we place.  Loved the coffee.  Bought a pack of freshly roasted and ground expresso coffee to bring home.  I've used it up already.  Never mind, my old mate, Pete, is now living down in North Berwick, so I got in touch and ask him to bring me some more up to me the next time he is in this neck of the woods.

After the trip to North Berwick, my knee was pretty swollen and sore, so I sat all night with the Cyro Cuff on.  The Cuff has been a godsend for pain relief.  I wish I had known about it when I first came off my bike as it would have help no end.  I think the cuff will be my pal for sometime yet.

The weather seems to have improved the last few days.  I have been fantasising about getting out on my bike.  One of the things that I have been dreaming about is an overnighter in the Cairngorms.  At the moment it seems so far off.  Maybe, I will get there in August 2014.  Here's hoping.

3 Weeks & 6 Days Post Op

I went to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary the see my Consultant last Thursday.  He stated that he was pleased with the progress I have made since the op.  He was also amazed at the lack of bruising on my leg.  I was surprised by his comments as I felt as though it had been badly bruised, but he further stated that normally he would see bruising from the toe to the top of the thigh.  He was cautious about my recovery, so he directed me to remain in the fixed brace at 0% movement and no load bearing for a further 4 weeks.  He also stated that I should continue with passive physiotherapy for the 4 weeks.

I was a bit disappointed at the outcome of my appointment.  But, on reflection what could I expect.  I kinda thought that I would be in the brace for about 12 weeks.  It is the boredom that is doing my head in.  I will just have keep myself busy.

I went for physiotherapy class on Friday.  It was good.  I met a few people who I knew.  I like going to the class as I find it motivating.  I am the only PCL in the class, as all the rest are ACL's.  They are making quicker progress then I.  But, thats because the staff are very cautious about my PCL.  I fully understand why, but I can feel as though I am a slacker.

I am finding being houses bound rather challenging.  I have had visitors nearly every day.  Without this I would be struggling.  The visits just lift my spirits.  I have also joined various online biking "communities" which have also been great.  The amount of useful information has been a a godsend.

I'll keep you posted of my progress in a couple of days.

Post Op-Day 16

I have been to the physiotherapist yesterday (Wednesday).  I did  some more passive exercises.  It was nothing to heavy.  I have another session tomorrow afternoon when I attend the ACL/PCL class.  I have posted some pics below of my knee on Day 16 Post Op.

I am due to visit Mr Keating at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary next Thursday for my 3 week Post Op check up.  I am looking forward to it which seems a bit daft as who would want to visit their consultant.  But, for me it all part of my recovery.  I have been using frozen peas to ice my knee this has helped no end.  However, I decided this morning to order an Aircast Cuff  See pic below.



I saw this contraption on Sports Relief when Davina McCall was using it to reduce the swelling on her knee.  By all reports the Aircast Cuff seems to work well.  It is due to arrive next Wednesday, so I'll give you a full report then.

I am also thinking about buying another bike to add to my collection, but more about that next post.

Post Op- Day 7 & Day 10

My recovery has been progressing slowly in the last week.  The nurse has visited a couple of times to check my wounds and dressings.  She has been very happy with the as they seem very clean and uninfected.  She took my staples out on Day 10 (Friday).  This was okay, apart from the ones in my shin which were a bit uncomfortable to remove.

As you can see from the pics, my right leg/knee is badly bruised and swollen.  During the last week, the bruising has been pretty sore and whilst I have been lying down I have removed my fixed leg brace as it was getting uncomfortable to wear due to the bruising and swelling.

I was at the physiotherapist on Wednesday and on Friday.  We did passive movements on my knee which was not too bad at all.  On Friday, it was a physiotherapy class.  In the class, were 7 guys who had had their ACL reconstructed.  They were all 8-10 week post op.  It was great to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that after such as short time you can make really good progress.  I have something to aim for.  My knee felt a bit sore after each session, which is much to be expected.  I am due back on Wednesday, so we will see what we will get up to then.