2 wks Post Op with Dr. Brooks - WOW

[Manofword]

The leg presses I am referring to would amount to maybe just a little more than if I did deep knee bends. I am very aware of the potential for problems which is why I am careful to use no more weight than the sled itself. I am merely using it for ROM as it gets my knees to my chest. I have read Dr. Brooks mention the only problem he had was with the guy at I think 3 months going into the gym and doing leg presses. I'm sure the guy wasn't doing presses with an empty sled.

Being a Triathlete, I have two things going for good and bad #1 (Good) I know my body and limits very well and was in excellent physical condition going into surgery. #2 (Bad) I am used to pushing the limits of my body.

So, whenever I exercise, I really think about the type of exercise it is and where my body gets loaded and what gets worked. So far, that has brought me to the point I am now. Even in the pool, I was conscious of what was getting worked and when I got a little sore, I rested for a few days. So, I am following the "stress & rest" regimen, but not too much stress.

[Dan L]

Be careful, the homegoing instructions specifically prohibit leg presses with any resistance at all for a year, and with the high octane athletic approach you have, you are at higher risk generally.

Patience is the one thing helping protect you from a revision, and the most difficult part of the recovery, my 2 cents is the recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

[Manofword]

Thanks Dan! I've been cautioned, re-cautioned and then cautioned again. I've taken it all under advisement and so far I'm a happy hippy! I intend to stay that way.  ;D

[Manofword]

15 1/2 week update:

Everything still going very well so far. Still had a minor limp after sitting for a while. Have been walking aggressively and even adding some extremely light jogging in the mix for very short periods of time. Believe it or not, that regimen has just about removed the limp as it has strengthened the muscles which needed it. I am not recommending that anyone go my route, I am only chronicling my journey. I full well know that most take a far more conservative route than I, and I know the risks. No one wants to go in for a revision less than me, so I monitor my activity very closely. I have read most of the home going protocols BHR Docs give, and they do vary, so I know I'm not way out of bounds for the majority. As soon as the weather breaks, I am looking forward to spending more time on the bike!

[hernanu]

Good work, and it's excellent that you're being careful with the rehab.

The startup pain is something we've all had - it lasted until about 7 months with me.

The aggressive walking is great, I couldn't do light running until about 9 months along. Each one of us is different. Keep in mind that your bone strength on the neck is still not back up to full (returns at 6-12 months), so work that into your efforts.

A good dedicated rehab is great though, keeping in mind that muscle strength is not the same as bone strength and both need to be promoted let you return to full blooded competition.

[John C]

Hern, you missed your calling as a diplomat ;). Great advice as always.

[Manofword]

NEW milestone: Today marks weeks 19 post op! I ran, if you can call it that at 10min/mi, for almost 10 mi last week. 5 miles one day and broke up the other 5 in 2 different runs. Nothing aggressive, front strike strides just working on endurance. Been biking some when the weather is nice as well 20-30 mi. It feels great but I'm resisting the temptation to go faster.....so far!

First triathlon of the season in May, (Rev3 Knoxville) which will be just about my 6 month mark. It will primarily be a training day since I'll be the last place finisher on purpose to help those who may be struggling to finish.

[hernanu]

NEW milestone: Today marks weeks 19 post op! I ran, if you can call it that at 10min/mi, for almost 10 mi last week. 5 miles one day and broke up the other 5 in 2 different runs. Nothing aggressive, front strike strides just working on endurance. Been biking some when the weather is nice as well 20-30 mi. It feels great but I'm resisting the temptation to go faster.....so far!

First triathlon of the season in May, (Rev3 Knoxville) which will be just about my 6 month mark. It will primarily be a training day since I'll be the last place finisher on purpose to help those who may be struggling to finish.

Congrats on the 19 weeks!

Temptation is hard to resist, but made easier when you look at your long term goals. I know that several hippies have gone back to triathlons at about six months with mixed resuts.

You might want to check with them about their training, results and how they did the actual competition. I think David also put together a training protocol for getting back to running.

Good luck, and keep it in first or second gear, the time for full throttle will come.

[Dan L]

Running at 19 weeks when you were told not to run until 52 weeks.  Hmmm, by my math, 52 - 19 = Nuts.

[PattyM]

Hi,
I have to agree with Dan. Seems silly to take a chance at this point of your recovery.
Whats the rush???
We all want to be able to do more, I would rather have the second half of
my life be filled active sports than have to endure a depressing revision.
Patty

[Pat Walter]

I'll jump in here and say I would definitely be less agressive and competitive at 19 weeks post op. 

I hate to have others encouraged to over do their running by your activity until at least 6 months and anything agressive until after 1 year. But that is your personal choice and I would be cautious since revisions are not much fun.

Take it easy.

Pat

[Dee Dee]

Manofword

I sense you have a strong yearning to get back to your triathlete strength and you are willing and motivated  to do the work to get there.  God knows the desires of your heart to return to the joys of strenouos physical activity. I pray you take the strong counsel of very wise and knowledgable people here and  back off the risk taking activities.  You have accomplished a lot of amazing feats of recovery, but wisdom from those around you including your doctors protocol as well as you friends here are telling you to be patient and make better choices. 

I feel like the advice of this board is like the wisdom of
Proverbs 1:4-6 ( the message)
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learnâ€"â€"
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. 

Please pray about continuing to run.

Dee

[bluedevilsadvocate]

Manofword -

From your December 13 post: "Patience in running will be the chore, but I have determined to wait the entire year as Dr. Brooks advises."

[Manofword]

Hey everyone...I sincerely appreciate all the remarks and concern for my recovery. I know when one wins, we all win. And when one loses, we all feel the loss. I know my body and what it is capable of. I think about it all the time I am active. Trust me, I am holding WAY back on what I am doing. I know I originally intended to wait the entire year...easier said than done. This entire process is about managing risk. I've done that my entire life and lived on the edge. Not nearly as far on the edge as others, but that is what makes me who I am. I am not risk averse. I am also not stupid although that may be debatable. On another note, my wife, Diane, was just diagnosed with breast cancer 5 weeks ago. She had surgery to remove the tumor/lump w/no lymph node removal and has elected to not have chemo or radiation. She is electing to do alternative diet related treatment (lots of juicing etc) and that is far more risky than what I'm doing. It's about managing the risk and no one else can make those decisions other than the individual.

I am not trying to encourage anyone to do anything different from what their protocol calls for. McMinn releases his patients at 24 weeks so I'm not really that far off. I fully understand the protocols. But an extremely conservative blanket protocol covers everyone from the person highest at risk to the one who will recover more quickly. To do something other than that would open up the Surgeon's to a myriad of law suits for missing the mark on individual recovery plans. I've really only intended to chronicle my recovery here. Maybe I shouldn't do that and just jump back on after 1yr. That way no one will know what I've done and then they can all pat me on the back for a good recovery. LOL

Regarding triathlons: I'm not competing in a triathlon. As I mentioned, I will be a last place finisher on purpose to help the people who are struggling and may not finish otherwise. That means I probably will be walking on the run and right now am planning on helping two young boys (10) on the bike portion. That's probably not even 50% effort.

Not only that, but there is picture of an athlete here on this site, in the athlete section, Larry Schmidt, who did an Ironman triathlon 5 months post op and it looks like he had zero problems. I'm not even remotely close to that.  ;D

[fenceman]

Saying a prayer for your wife's recovery.

[Manofword]

Saying a prayer for your wife's recovery.

Thanks! Greatly appreciated!

[Pat Walter]

I am sorry to hear about your wife's cancer.  I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers, too.

Pat

[Marco Polo]

Manofword:

Sorry to hear about your wife's breast cancer.  I hope her course of treatment is successful.

After reading your description of your Triathlon training, it does indeed sound like you are holding back, and participating as a chance to assist others rather than see how hard you can push your body.

Good luck with your training and let us know how it goes.

[Manofword]

Thanks everyone for your prayers! The same God who led me to hip resurfacing and granted me such a great recovery will keep Diane in the hollow of His hand! He is the Source for all we need.