I know what a "continuous passive motion" machine is and they suck. I only had to use one for two weeks with my knee surgery and I started having elaborate fantasies involving pushing it off a building and beating it with a baseball bat. Sadly, it was rented, and I had enough sense of self preservation not to do that, plus the whole not walking all that well thing. In my case, it was a machine that kept bending and straightening my knee. It was boring, boring, boring, even though I was reading about three books a day.

it was a machine that kept bending and straightening my knee.

Exactly. The most embarrassing thing about it is its name: the LEGASUS.

Go ahead and start your mocking, bitches.

The theory behind it is kind of interesting, though. Apparently the same stem cells that start the process of creating cartilage are responsible for creating scar tissue. By keeping the "injured" area in constant motion, you're sending a message to the stem cells to make cartilage instead of scar tissue. Isn't that cool?

I'm also hooked up to a retarded "foot pump" machine that is like inflatable socks you strap on and occasionally they plump up with air and squeeze your foot. I do despise them.

Ack. I had the stupid foot and leg squeezing thing too. I had forgotten. It's all coming back, like one of those war flashbacks. It's supposed to prevent blood clots.

Did you have an ice machine too? I do. It is COLD. And uncomfortable.

Did you have to wear the foot pump thing every time you were lying down? I haven't been.

Exactly. The most embarrassing thing about it is its name: the LEGASUS.

Oh no, I think I kind of love the name.

The theory behind it is kind of interesting, though. Apparently the same stem cells that start the process of creating cartilage are responsible for creating scar tissue. By keeping the "injured" area in constant motion, you're sending a message to the stem cells to make cartilage instead of scar tissue. Isn't that cool?

That is cool. Well, it is cool that they can do something like it. I feel horribly for you going through it though, and it darn well better work.

It's all coming back, like one of those war flashbacks.

I loved my ice machine. As long as my knee was cold, it didn't hurt too badly. (The ice machine is a cooler full of ice with a pump that circulates cold water through a pad-thing strapped to your knee.) The only problem with it is that it goes through ice at an astonishing rate. I had to make several pitiful calls to friends, saying, "I know I said I had everything and I was fine, but could you please bring me a couple of bags of ice?"

It seems to me that I was only supposed to wear the foot-squishy thing for X hours a day and I could spread it out.

Can we call you the Riolegasus from now on.

You know what's fun? Having someone come into your house and vent their considerable spleen on you because they are really mad at soemone else? Did mention that this is someone I barely know? Do I look like a dump site?

my BIL had the ice machine when he broke both his heels but I know he didn't have the passive thing or the foot squishing thing- theywould not have help his heel bones stay in place.

I need an ice machine for my car. I was wondering how I'd pimp my ride -- that's what I'd have built into the seat.

I think I'm over Alias. I've been trying to finish watching the premiere for over a day now, and keep getting distracted.

LEGASUS is like the most funny product name I've come across since GLOMITTS (which, yes, are fingerless gloves with a mitten cover that folds back to expose your naked fingertips).

However, much sympathy about having to use the damn thing for 12 hours a day -- for that long! Is it possible that if you heal fast enough the doctor can let you out early for good behavior? I know they'll do that for casts, sometimes.

I took my new car out -- dropped the roommate off at her Saturday job, then went over to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's and stocked up on good food and some treats too. Which included a lovely baglet of small organic Mackintosh apples which are wonderful and crisp and like biting into autumn....