When in Doubt...

I wrestled with the patella stabilizer brace for a week.  I could never get it to fit just right - it was either too tight or too loose.  Usually the patella stabilizer portion, which has elastic velcro straps, would loosen up as soon as I started walking; making me move extra cautiously before I could roll up my pant leg and readjust it.  I fired off an e-mail to the team at Mountain View Rehabilitation to see if I could use KT Tape to stabilize the patella and also wear my unloader brace, instead of the patella stabilizer brace.  I figured when doubt, ask!  All they can do is say no; but fortunately, the answer was yes.  This latest support configuration is working well and is tons more comfortable.  I even took a 2+ mile walk on Saturday morning.  My gait is back to normal and I can feel the knee getting stronger each day.

Physical therapy, at Central Valley Physical Therapy, started last Friday.  I have twice a day homework exercises to do between physical therapy visits.  This first week is focused on range of motion and stretching exercises.  There was already a noticeable difference between my first visit and my visit this morning.  I was able to do the all important toilet squats this morning!  Other exercises today included a number of leg lifts, butt kicks, and high knees with ankle weights.

The team at Central Valley Physical Therapy is great!  I have to credit Mary Barry for giving me a few names of doctors who do stem cell therapy in the Sacramento area last year.  Dan Lara is my primary physical terrorist therapist on this journey.  Fortunately, he has a similar twisted sense of humor as I do.