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Post by ConRed on May 30, 2012 8:02:35 GMT -8
So 7 years ago... I was fast. I ran Cross Country and Track and had a good time. Unfortunately, someone fell back on my knee during an altercation (which, surprisingly, I was not actually involved in). This made my knee lock backwards and pop back out. At the time, I was rather dumb and tried to wait for it to heal on its own (while perhaps still running a bit, as it wasnt excruciating pain or anything.)
Turns out, I banged up my ACL and MCL (finally went to doctor a few weeks later) and was ordered to stop running competitively, but avoided surgery. (A friend of mine had just bled to death on an operating table due to a blood loss, someone nicked a major artery/vein in the knee and didnt catch it in time... they got the shit sued outta them.) So I wasnt/am still not fond of surgery.
Since then, my knee has become exceedingly less stable, inflaming/swelling at times, locking or giving out, being generally unstable, painful, etc. So I went to the doc again, 7 years later, and told him what was up.
He did an xray and MRI and it turns out that both my meniscus in my knee are torn. My ACL and MCL looked a little beat up, minor tears in cartilage, swelling of surrounding tissue, maybe some fluid in there... and a laundry list of "small events" likely caused by the meniscus tear.
So... now hes gonna punch a hole in my knee so he can stick a scope in there and look around and figure out what exactly to fix first. Chances are, simply repairing the meniscus will fix most of the issues, allowing the knee to heal on its own... that's an in/out kinda thing. Worst case scenario if he gets in there and sees that there's too much damage in too many places (hard to tell with so much going on in the MRI) they might have to replace the whole damn knee. (To which I responded, gee doc, cant you just take a chainsaw above my knee cap, I dont use my left leg all that much.)
Rand told me someone else had some knee issues... but I cant remember who... help me out here... anyone have a better idea of what Im lookin at? Experience with knee surgery, etc.
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Post by Randalla on May 30, 2012 8:12:33 GMT -8
Forwarded this to my lovely bionic Lady, she should be along soon.  |
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Post by DarthRevan on May 30, 2012 8:13:21 GMT -8
My dad tore his ACL playing racket ball, we got like the surgeons that work on the Dallas Cowboys to fix it up, he's pretty much near/at 100% in that knee again. Surgery I've always been worried about for that exact reason you stated above ConRed, I suppose you need to find a really good doctor to fix your knee up. Good luck man. |
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Post by phaedron on May 30, 2012 11:22:03 GMT -8
I got hit by an RV once... I think the only thing that wasn't injured was my knee.
Good luck buddy, hope it's not too bad!
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Post by DarthRevan on May 30, 2012 12:08:18 GMT -8
You got hit by an RV… ouch! Sounds dreadful.
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Post by phaedron on May 30, 2012 13:57:33 GMT -8
For the RV, sure. I dented it with my face. That'll show 'em!
Seriously, more worried about the long-term stuff like the knee injury my GF got (while bowling I shit you not)... still bothers her on hikes and such. My RV injury, you couldn't really tell it ever happened today.
Be careful with joints... they aren't forgiving when injured.
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Post by Amarynth on May 30, 2012 15:25:44 GMT -8
Hey! Sorry to hear about the knee problems! Rand texted me the link while I was in the ortho's office for my own follow up. I had my meniscus in my left knee repaired just about six weeks ago. This is my third...yes...third knee surgery within the past 7-8 years I think. Or more like 10 now that I think of it. Mine were all work related...the right knee I had done twice. The first time was at work, was assaulted by a patient (kicked hard enough to put me on the floor). The second time I was attempting to race with my daughter and tore the right meniscus again. I am of the strong opinion that the first surgery wasn't performed properly...the doc was a real douche bag. So...surgery number two went well (found a new doctor...a WONDERFUL doctor) and I healed somewhat okay from that. I mean, I made a good recovery, faster than expected but it still bothers me from time to time. Mostly because there's hardly any joint tissue to soften the impact of bone against bone or some such thing. In between the last knee surgery and this most recent one...I've had my left rotator cuff repaired and a hysterectomy. So take my word, as I'm an old shoe at surgeries by now...you'll be fine as long as you get a good doctor and go to good hospital/surgical center to get it done. This third was my left knee...pretty bad tear and a bit of meniscus floating around inside my knee. Fun stuff. The day of your procedure you'll get prepped. The nurse will ask your history, any meds that you are taking...you'll get an IV for fluids, meds...and you will have your name, dob and the limb they are working on asked of you multiple times. This is for your protection...to make certain you get the right procedure done. The anesthesiologist will come talk to you as well. Then the doctor, and he'll mark your knee with a marker. This last time, I was offered a spinal block instead of general anesthesia. I opted no for that because I would have had to lay flat for several hours after the surgery and I just wanted to get it done and get home. Besides...I've had spinal blocks and an epidural when I had mah babies...that shit isn't fun. They will roll you in, after the anesthesia guy (ask him to give you some Zofran before they wake you up...helps with any nausea you might experience) gives you a niiiice cocktail that will make you feel fuzzy and nice. You'll get a blankie..the operating room is cold. Once you are in there, you'll get to move to the narrow operating table where they will strap you in, put on a BP cuff, a mask over your face that gives you oxygen. The doc tells you to breath deeply...and within seconds, literally seconds...you're out. Sometimes the medication they give you to put you out burns as it goes into the iv sight..that didn't happen to me for the hysterectomy or the last knee surgery so I don't know...maybe a different kind of med was used. You'll get a breathing tube put in, but you won't be aware of it...the only thing is a bit of a sore throat for a few days after the surgery. The surgery your doctor wants to do is pretty cut and dry, depending on what he finds...you'll have minimal bleeding, smallish scars, a wrap around the knee that has to stay on for a couple of days, crutches. You'll get some niiiiiiiiice percocet. Or something like that.... Rest, keep your leg elevated, take those pain pills (or send them to me....kidding. lol) Ice, ice, ice.... Let your wife? GF? PAMPER you... I would have offered to post a pic of the knee, but I deleted them. lol You'll have some bruising...but it goes away. After you get the stitches removed (roughly about ten days post surgery), you'll start PT...and I'll tell you, it really feels good to work the stiffness out of the knee. I still get some swelling, pain that is likely related to the swelling, and because I've been favoring the left, my right one has been bugging a little lately...but it takes a few months for your knee to truly heal. I heard that running is very bad for the knees...I was never a runner, but wear and tear with lifting, pushing, pulling ect has taken its toll on my body. But that's about it...I don't think I've missed anything. lol I wish you well, and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I'm a nursing student so I'm always researching cool medical stuffs. |
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Post by ConRed on May 31, 2012 5:16:14 GMT -8
Thanks! I feel a lot better. Sorry you had to go through so much! Im like... never at the doctors. My immune system and health (minus the whole still struggling day to day not to set an entire pack of cigarettes on fire in my mouth... a month without one and Im still dying) are both outstanding. Ive been two the hospital three times tops in 10 years, and I havent seen a regular doc since I was 8... (cause when Im sick, I go all out.) But I dont trust them... any of them... very jaded with their capabilities... its a few long stories to explain... (which are why I have a bad back, knee, ankles...) anyways: My main concern right now is that the my doctor (whos a great guy... if not seriously rough with his friggin hands) was less than pleased with the radiology report... again... a lot of "maybe this" "maybe that" nothing very definitive outside of the two meniscus tears. And since the hospital I got it out is by me, and not the one he is affiliated with (hes an hour away from my house, but closer to where I work.) he doesnt have the actual images... Imma get them for him though, and hopefully we can solve a few things. If he opens me up and jams the scope on either side of my knee and see other things... things that he thought we would see in the MRI, he's talking about replacing the whole damned knee. I feel like Im way to young for a knee replacement... but if it stops me from hobbling around the office on a daily basis, so be it. And Ive arranged for the fiancee to pamper me! |
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Post by Amarynth on Jun 1, 2012 9:34:39 GMT -8
Thanks!!! Well, when you get old things just start falling apart, and I've always worked in physically demanding environments. Abuse the body and it won't take care of you, I learned.... Part of the reason I've gone Veg. I've heard mixed reviews about knee replacement surgery...some say you'll feel like new, others say you'll always have problems. I haven't gotten to that point yet, and I hope never to. Good luck with it and keep us informed...anything else you need to know just ask, if I don't know it...I can either look it up or ask someone in the ER and let you know. |
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Post by ConRed on Jun 1, 2012 11:10:15 GMT -8
Well hopefully its just the scope and we can call it a day. Ill keep you guys posted. Surgery on the 21rst.
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