I’m 64, so I really don’t know what to expect my flexibility and strength to be when compared to others my age or younger. Yesterday was my evaluation session for physical therapy. The therapist put me through a fairly rigorous exam, testing my flexibility and strength, and measuring the range of motion for both knees. He was very thorough, concentrating not only on my bad knee, but my healthy knee as well as ankle, hip, calf, and thigh. The exam became a bit of a competition, and I wanted to do my best. What surprised me? The damaged leg, which is my right leg, is surprisingly stronger than my left. The left has sustained no damage over the course of my life. The right? Well, not only is the knee destroyed, but I have scar tissue in the calf due to the muscle being crushed in a motorcycle accident while in my twenties.
This is already starting to sound like a scene from Jaws.
Back to the therapy session. Despite being deceptively strong, my right leg is around 20 degrees short when it comes to range of motion. That is one of the reasons I am serious about investigating a knee replacement. As it turns out, both my ortho and the physical therapist want to try to keep me intact for as long as possible. Yesterday was the second of three gel injections, and therapy is concentrating on correcting the tension my body has naturally created to sustain stability on my right side. The IT band and hamstrings on the right side, as well as the left side, is very tight. My body is fighting to stay healthy. So I have exercises to do every day to loosen up the ligaments and muscles in my legs, correct the core strength. I have to say that I am enjoying it at the moment. We shall see if that enjoyment continues.
I don’t feel too bad for a 64 year old guy with a gimpy knee. Here’s hoping that continues!
shenrydafrankmann 