So it’s time for another update. Life, as you can imagine, with a newborn and a four year old is pretty hectic but the fact Baby L’s immunisations are every four weeks at the moment is a good reminder that it’s time to write my update.
I’ve been back doing formal fitness activities for just over a month and things are going pretty well. My main activities have been MummyFIT (currently all low impact as the diastasis recti means my core isn’t strong enough for anything more yet) and I’ve been doing twice weekly buggy walks around a local forest with a friend who is very much into her fitness at the moment so is pushing me, which is great.
The knee has responded relatively well. It’s often sore on the medial joint line and gets sore and achy if I’ve done MummyFIT classes in successive days but it hasn’t stopped me doing anything I’d like to at this stage and it’s great to be getting some base level fitness back.
My abs will be checked again next week (I think we’re down to about a 1-2 finger separation now) so if all okay, I’ll be clear to start adding more impact to my activities, which will provide another good test.
With all the above, I think the key phrase is that it [the knee] hasn’t stopped me doing anything I’d like to ‘at this stage’.
However, just when I think it’s totally fine, something random reminds me it’s not 'normal'. For example, due to the diastasis recti, I’ve been doing incline press ups to take the pressure off my abs but, as I’m not strong enough yet to go back to press ups on my toes, I’m having to do them on my knees, which it doesn’t particularly like. I actually have to stop to give the knee a break rather than because I've run out of arm/chest strength. Similarly, I’ve taken Baby L to a couple of activities and, where other Mums kneel down in front of their babies (which is useful in typically cramped rooms), I can’t do that, or sit cross legged, so have to take up more space and sit with legs out in front while trying to reach forward to play with Baby L.
With the end of the UK heatwave, I’ve also had to wear my high-heeled boots a couple of times lately as they’re currently the only fully-covered shoes I have. That seems to irritate the knee quite a lot (sad face), particularly if I have to walk down hill or down stairs in them. I wouldn’t mind but they’re pretty chunky heels, so flip knows what it will make of stilettos. Still, all of these are relatively minor issues that I can manage by either choosing activities carefully or taking a couple of painkillers and icing afterwards.
So, now seems as good a time as any to update the OKS and CKS figures:
14 August 2018
OKS - 36
CKS - 54
Notes - Noticeable improvement of CKS score, which is pleasing. Now to see how the scores look after I start introducing more impact work to my training.
Walking - Generally okay, just not in heels and preferably not too much down hill
Running - Haven’t started yet, hopefully an update next time.
Jumping - As for running.
Stairs - Generally okay, just not great walking downstairs in heels.
Pain - Nighttime knee pain at joint line (medial) and generally achy and feeling ’sponge’ like if I’ve done too much over consecutive days but nothing taking it easy, ice and anti-inflams won’t sort.
Pain/swelling - As with pain, some swelling around the knee if I’ve done too much over consecutive days.
Range of Motion - Definitely got more flexion at the moment but can feel a lot of pressure at the front of the knee and tightness in back (laterally) when I ‘try’ to extend it any further. Really caught in two minds re taking advantage of relaxin to get the last few degrees of flexion and making causing stability issues longer term. Answers on a postcard…
Stability - Knee shifts a bit but hasn't gone fully out of joint. The clunk I mentioned in a previous post is still there and also noticeable if I try to kick a football with my ACL leg. Doesn’t hurt but not a ‘nice’ shift feeling.
Summary
So, the first month is now down and feeling pretty good. I've also made a start on the swimming lessons so hopefully that will give me another fitness outlet without the strain on my joints... wish me luck for month two and (hopefully) the successful reintroduction of some impact activities!