One Step at a Time Part 7
Talk about highs and lows. My carefully structured ACL reconstruction recovery was not meant to have this unpleasant, unscheduled complication. In the past 5 days I’ve scaled from sea level to clifftops multiple times – both literally and emotionally.
Finishing our “time out” at our favourite southwest beach seemed like a good idea. Driving down here last week I set myself the goal of 15000 steps per day.
First day, not problem, along the beach and back, up over the cliff top to my favourite rock pool. Triumphantly (albeit carefully) navigating my way Down the steep rock face, the first time since ACL surgery 4 months ago. 17000 steps, tick.
The next day I did all the above, on repeat, before lunch. Tick.
On our third day we decided to explore some tracks at Cape Naturaliste that we hadn’t walked on before. We set off early with a picnic morning tea from the superb Gugelhupf bakery. I felt good. Strong. I stepped carefully, not taking any risks. Some of the terrain was challenging including gnarly tree roots to watch out for and jagged lime stone rocks to navigate around and over. Other parts were easier, sand, steps and even a short bitumen path near the light house.
A swim at the southern end of Bunders Bay was refreshing. I felt great. A short stroll that evening and again I’d exceeded 17000 steps.
Can you imagine my dismay when I woke the following morning with a very painful right (good) knee? I have no recollection of twisting or jarring it. All I can think of is that I’ve somehow sprained it compensating and protecting my healing left knee.
I had a hopeful thought that once I warmed up it would feel better. I walked slowing and carefully down the path and along. It was bearable so I continued up and over the rocks again thinking that soaking it in the cold sea would be a good idea. Unfortunately, I was wrong and by the time I was a quarter of the way back I knew I was in trouble.
For the next 3 days I limped around and mainly rested. At night the pain would throb from my ankle to my hip. My knee is swollen and bandaged with rock tape. As I return home and to the office, I am grateful that I can walk again without excruciating pain. Slowly does it………….