Regenexx Update: 2 Months Post Procedure

Last week I was at my physical therapists and he said, “Well it’s been 8 weeks – how ya feeling?”

8 weeks?! 8 WEEKS?! WHATTTTTT? I feel like I’m still waiting to head out there to have the procedure done! I can’t believe it’s been 8 weeks.

So how have I been?

To start off, my doc said everyone’s different, but most people don’t see notable differences until about 3 months post-procedure. So I really wasn’t anticipating feeling anything different for a while. I’d see people and they’d say sooooo how’d the procedure go? Almost back to normal? And I’d always have to disappoint with the,

“Procedure went great. I’ve been in a lot more pain than I anticipated. And I don’t get an MRI for 6 months to see if it’s growing. Soooooo no big news yet.”

And I usually get the follow-up, “So it’s working?” (because people don’t like to hear the truth, they only want to hear you’re doing better)

But guess what?!

I have such big news it’s going to knock your socks off! (ok, maybe it won’t, but it totally knocked mine off!!!)

I’m doing so well right now I honestly haven’t had much pain for about 2-2 ½ weeks!

Ok, let me backup and talk you through the timeline and highlight some definite noticeable differences I’ve identified over the past month.

Noticeable Difference 1: PAIN

Right after the procedure, I was definitely in way more pain than I anticipated. And I did write a post about One Month Post Procedure (if you want to check it out!) Since that post, my pain level has continued to go down! It was the first week of May when I dropped one of my crutches and have been walking around with only half of the set for the past month. I truly anticipated this would cause me pain, but it didn’t! Prior to the procedure, if I used one crutch or put a lot of weight on my left leg, I’d be up at night with a burning/aching pain. (If you’ve never experienced the feeling of waking up and truly thinking your leg is on fire, I pray you never have to!) I had a pain management doctor appointment this month and for the first time EVER I told him I was at a ‘1’ on the 1-10 pain level scale. A 1!!!! If I could have jumped up and down, I would have. (I definitely was jumping up and down in my head!)

As a result of this noticeable difference, I was able to:

Drop to 1 crutch all the time. Pre-procedure I would do this only if I was having a REALLY good day and if I knew I wasn’t walking far at all
Ween off ALL PAIN MEDS. Ok, now this may not seem like a big thing, but let me tell you something about me and pain meds. I’ve been on them since April/May 2012. Yes, 3 years of constant pain meds. Now, within the years the dosages have gone up and down and, within the past year, I’ve been on a really low dose. BUT STILL! I’M COMPLETELY OFF PAIN MEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noticeable Difference 2: WALKING

When I go to water therapy, which is twice a week, I’m in the pool for a total of an hour. Within that hour, I’m on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I’ve become such an awesome walker spending so much time practicing! My stride is normal, I don’t walk with a limp, I engage my core to make sure I’m working every muscle in my body to help build up my strength. You wouldn’t think that walking in a pool can do such great things for you, but as a fellow patient exclaimed to me today “It’s my heaven on earth!”

As a result of this noticeable difference, I was able to:

Drop to 1 crutch all the time. And, because my gate is back to normal from practicing in the pool, I walk much more normally. Because I walk much more normally, dropping the crutch and taking a few steps here and there has become very easy for me. I’m still working to get off the crutch, I’m not there yet, but with 4 or 5 steps here, 3 steps there, I’m getting there! I WILL be there VERY VERY VERY VERY soon!!!!!

It’s important to note that it’s not typical that a patient would still be on crutches/using their brace at this point in recovery. My case is a bit different since I have been on crutches for 3 years. I’m pushing myself, but am very cautious to not over extent myself. It’s a fine balance that must be maintained.

Noticeable Difference 3: STRENGTH, POWER & STABILITY OF KNEE

This past weekend I was walking up some steps and without even realizing it walked up them without really holding on to any support. I had my crutch that I was holding in my hand, but really hadn’t relied on it to help get myself up the steps! I took those steps like a boss! I WAS SO EXCITED!!! Because of my therapy (water therapy, stationary bike, at home therapy (including stim machine) and yoga) I’ve seen a dramatic difference in the strength my legs have. The past 2 weeks, I have felt so much stronger and really feel like my legs have power!

I also have noticed that my knee is starting to glide more easily in its joint. What I mean is before, whenever I’d go to straighten or bend my knee I’d get a ‘clicking’ in my joint. It’s still there to some extent, but it’s SIGNIFICANTLY better!!

As a result of this noticeable difference, I was able to:

Walk up steps like a normal person and not take them one at a time!
Slowly introduce and work back into doing standing poses in yoga. Still being very cognizant of not pushing it too too far.
Feel comfortable starting to drop my crutch as I am really starting to feel like my leg can support me!
Start doing wall squats (only a few) in the pool! The first time I did this it really bothered my knee. BUT, now, having done it a few times at therapy, it’s getting easier and I don’t have the discomfort!

All in all, I’m seeing drastic changes already and it’s only been 2 months out! People ask me, well is it working? And it’s hard to say if it’s growing the bone or fixing what it should be fixing inside my joint, but if I’m going off of how it’s feeling alone… then it’s most definitely, 1000000000% working!

It really doesn’t have any other choice but to work. Prior to getting it done, I knew it was my solution. So honestly, there’s no way it won’t work. I just know it’s going to be so successful 🙂 Want to know how the 3rd month went? Check out this follow up post.

Wishing You A Pain Free Day!

So how have I been?

Noticeable Difference 1: PAIN

Noticeable Difference 2: WALKING

Noticeable Difference 3: STRENGTH, POWER & STABILITY OF KNEE

More Regenexx Posts:

Procedure:

Monthly Recovery Posts:

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