McKennis Blog: Two Weeks

I had my two-week post-op appointment with Dr. Sterett on Friday, and so far so good! My incision has healed up so I am cleared to begin going in the pool and I am also allowed to get full range of motion bending my knee.  I have even started spinning for ten minutes on the bike with no resistance! Pretty exciting stuff…

So far I have been working on getting control of my quad, getting better mobility with my knee, keeping the swelling down and trying to prevent scar tissue build-up. The biggest challenge so far has been getting control of  my quad again, after surgery I could not flex my quad at all. It was strange not being able to move my leg at all and straining hard as I could to make something happen with the muscle but all I could get was a small quiver showing me that there was some life in my leg. I am making progress though, slow but sure!

I have been doing therapy five days a week in Eagle and Vail and will continue to do it for the next four weeks till I get off crutches. I wish I could progress faster with rehab, but we have to take it pretty slow the next four weeks, I guess we actually need to wait for the bone to heal more before I can go jumping around on it….dang.

It has been challenging being at home while the races continue on in Europe. I like watching the races but it hurts to watch and not be there. Anyone who has been injured knows how hard it is to not be able to do the things you enjoy and love. Life is never perfect and is full of challenges that can teach you lots of things about yourself and life, you just have to work through the tough times, keep things in perspective and look for the silver lining!  My silver lining is that I will get to see my niece take her first steps and if I had been in Europe I most definitely would not be around for that.  I am sure there will be many other silver linings from this injury, they may just take a bit to show themselves!

Good-bye till next time!

Alice McKennis is a member of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team from Glenwood Springs, Colo. She was named to the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team and, at 21, has become a regular on the World Cup Tour with five top-15 finishes to her name. McKennis was also the 2009 NorAm Cup downhill and super G overall champion.

Click here to go to Alice McKennis’ blog.

Click here to read about her injury.