Warning! Not for the faint of heart...

Since I'm not working this summer, I figured it would be the perfect time to have knee surgery. I ended up having surgery on June 10th. I was originally only having PCL reconstruction. Turns out I needed microfracture surgery as well. To my understanding, my doctor first took a piece of my hamstring and reattached my posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) by screwing it into the bone. Then, the damaged areas at the end of my tibia were chipped away and holes were bore into the bone. Once the holes were drilled blood and bone marrow will fill the surrounding areas and eventually regrow strong, healthy cartilage. At least I think that's how it works!

Here are a few pics I've taken so far...

This is the continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. I put my leg in here for 6 or more hours a day to exercise my knee. I'm currently at 60 degrees, soon to go to 90 degrees.

Here I am in "my spot" for the next 6 weeks. My leg is in the CPM machine. Also notice the really cute white sleeve on my right leg and wrap on my left knee. They are hooked up to a small machine (bottom right) that constantly keeps the wrap at 43 degrees and pumps air into the sleeve on my right leg. Apparently there is a  risk for blood clots, so the compression sleeve helps prevent them.

I need to wear this immobilizer whenever my knee isn't in the CPM machine. In addition, I'm not allowed to put any weight on my leg for 6 weeks. For some reason I didn't think this was going to be a big deal. WRONG.

Now for the more graphic photos.

This isn't my first knee surgery, but it's certainly the most extensive surgery I've had. I didn't expect to see so much bruising.

Although my knee is hardly defined, the swelling isn't really too bad. I think the constant ice has helped a ton! As stir crazy as I am getting, there is still a bright side...now that I am forced to sit all day long I have plenty of time to work on posts for my blog!