Flexion change/New Use
I admit that every Alexander skill and personal ounce of resilience has been faltering after 6 weeks in full legextension. Depression, despair and that old slow dance with self -pity have been haunting my peripheral view.The “big picture” was beginning to shrink and fray into daily frustrations, many discomforts, and multi-layered distress.Today, I returned to the surgeon 6 weeks after the injury. My challenged leg looks like an alien limb, and my fractured/repaired knee is swollen like a grapefruit. The muscles, especially the quadriceps, are atrophied to near invisibility.
Dr. Mohammed thought it all looked great, except he wants me to do leg lifts to slow the muscle atrophy. I will pursue this assignment with dedication and good use.I was given, and indeed it seems like a gift, 30 degrees flexion in the knee brace. This flexion does not change my mobility much. I will still need my cane for balance on the street, and face the same challenges in car-loading, stair walking and just plain old walking. However, the slight flexion does shift discomfort to a more tolerable level. And, most importantly, the change gives me hope that recovery is progressing. I can begin to apply Alexander principles more effectively with the confidence that I am indeed getting better.
I do notice that I continue to use myself as though my leg is still fully extended. How quickly habits take hold! I will be observing the shift in my use to this new flexion over the next few weeks.