Article: Transitioning from Recovery to Rehabilitation

[AJPettersen]

Happy Halloween to all, I hope you enjoyed the costumes and loads of candy. In keeping with the post surgery articles, I'll give an update on what's going on. I got my cast off a couple of days ago at the Mayo Clinic, here's how it went.

 

The drive down to Rochester felt much faster this time because I was shedding a cast rather than getting one put on. The inability to scratch itches and straighten my elbow had gotten old.

 

I went to the same unit as last time and met my new best friend-the nurse with the saw. He quickly removed the cast to reveal this:

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

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Can you guess which one I had surgery on?

 

There was a lot of dead skin and my forearm was looking rather gaunt, but it was still attached. I swear I heard it gasp for air. I'm still taking guesses for how much weight my left arm lost in 6 weeks.

 

The surgeon came in and did a quick check. He said everything looked to be progressing nicely and that the ligament was officially healed up. My arm didn't want to move from the cast position it was in, but it was time to start range of motion exercises. I need to regain full mobility before I can start strengthening.

 

I was lucky to get to work with a physical therapist that had a lot of experience with athletes. She had been doing therapy for 28 years-she was a pro. We chatted while she did an arts and crafts project making a fitted splint. I learned that she is about to go on vacation-to run the New York City marathon, impressive.

 

When the splint was finished she ran me through the list of motions I would do for 5 sets, 5 times per day. It sounds aggressive, but you wouldn't think so if you saw them. They consist of passive stretching-forward, back, side to side and twisting. If you can't picture that, check out this Wikipedia page-Passive stretching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

 

Measurements were taken to keep track of my mobility. When I hit certain check points, I can move on to other exercises. In a few weeks I will go back and see the doctor to get looked at again and hopefully advance my routine.

 

So that's where I am currently with wrist surgery recovery, I'm right on track to be ready to play in Spring Training, which is encouraging.

 

I hope you enjoyed my update, but if you didn't, hopefully this cute picture of Willa in her "rufferee" Halloween costume will suffice.

 

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You can connect with me on Twitter (@apettersen1) or via email (ajpettersen1@gmail.com)

 

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