Hi all, just thought I'd post another update on my rehab.
I am 4 weeks post-op with Meyers. During the past week I have kept up with the regular rehab protocol exercises and added the following activities:
• Increased the pace on my 1-mile jogs so that they are now real "runs" and not jogs
• Began 50-yard sprints (about 8-8.5 pace on the treadmill -- not the absolute fastest I can go, but a pretty good clip) in the middle of my runs (about 3-4 per 1-mile run)
• Started freestyle-stroke swimming without pain (previously when I tried to swim after doing the pool exercises I had to stop because of RA pain). The first half-lap I did without pain brought a huge smile to my face!
• Increased the weight on upper-body exercises like tricep extensions, rear delt rows, seated chest flys, standing bicep curls
• Started regularly lifting heavier objects -- like my 3-year-old daughter (really missed doing that), garbage bags, miscellaneous household cores
• Felt less pain day-to-day and gained a lot more flexibility. I think this is the result of doing a lot of psoas stretching and pelvic tilts. The psoas and RA were still really tight and tender until only a few days ago. I started doing a psoas stretch that entails bending one knee in front of you (knee over ankle) and touching the other knee to the ground behind you, with the portion of that leg that is below the knee almost entirely touching the floor. Your hands go on the floor on either side of the front foot, like a sprinter in the starting position. These have been a huge help.
I am more confident than ever that I will make a full recovery and play hockey again. I am going to try some light skating this weekend and will let you all know how it goes.
I have found that pushing myself, within reason, usually yields benefits in terms of greater flexibility and less pain and stiffness. Also, to JC's point, varying my routine so that I'm not doing the same things (other than stretching, pelvic tilts and adductor massage) every day.
Congrats to JC, Albert and everyone else making strides in their rehabs and good luck to all in getting well. We will kick this thing, folks!