knee update

[juldea]

I'm broken!

I have a cane. I got x-rays, and there's no bone damage. However I need to get an MRI now to confirm or deny the idea of a torn meniscus. I also have anti-inflammatories and a prescription for physical therapy.

Yay, insurance.

And dude, a cane.

However, this is all very sucky when it gets around to walking up two flights of stairs to get home, and THREE flights if I want to do laundry. Anyone wanna come be my maid for the weekend? (londo gets first dibs)

Comments

[ratbastrd.livejournal.com]

Hey, canes are cool. I used to carry one all the time, partly just as an affectation, and partly so i could get on the plane first.

[princesscurly.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
*dons a maid outfit*
*stands in line behind londo*

[juldea.livejournal.com]

*pushes londo out of the line*

[invader-haywire.livejournal.com]

Ow... suck... heal quickly!

[tpau]

dothey know *how* you did this? do you?

[juldea.livejournal.com]

I was walking up stairs and something went pop-twang! That's all we know.

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

Ouch. But it's good that you got the cane and drugs. Remember to lead with your good leg, not the cane.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Explain that last bit?

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was a bit vauge. I didn't want to assume your doctor/aide didn't give you some guidelines. I was thinking of the stairs at your place: you may already have discovered this but leading with your good leg to the next step, then the cane, and then bringing up your bad leg minimizes the weight on the bad leg. And leading with your good leg instead of the cane lowers the temptation/mistake of following the cane with your bad leg.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Aha. No, I wasn't given guidelines... I just kinda went around. Thanks for the tip.. I'm not sure how I've been doing it, really.

[kishpa.livejournal.com]

Sounds about right to me - I did this as well - things to look forward to: MRI - and a scope - you'll be back up and walking right after the scope - it hurts but they give you good meds - then in about a week its back to normal - but you forever will have a weather detection device - your knee :P

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Whee, sounds like great fun. >_<

Thanks for the heads-up though.

[rnoble001.livejournal.com]

Go for the sword-cane ... no one will mock you then ;)

Altho..... You can now kick people out of, and get the premium seating on public transportation.
Remember, ALWAYS look on the bright side. =)

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that didn't work last night when I got on the bus to go home, it was TOTALLY packed, and no one gave me their seat. Even the younger-looking people. And there was one lady blocking an open seat but I couldn't push through people to get to her.

And I almost fell over.

FEH I say!!

[rnoble001.livejournal.com]

Remember you are now carrying a long stick that if *cough* 'Accidently' *cough* applied to a toe WILL hurt and make people notice you.. and its quite easy to apologize after the fact and let them know that you're new to the use of the cane and you didn't mean to hurt them.

*Evil grin*

[crolack.livejournal.com]

Oh a cane, this definitely needs pictures.

[tangledindreams.livejournal.com]

It definately sounds like a meniscus tear. I have had 2 repairs (one in each leg - from all the dancing I did when I was younger - wrecked my knees). It isn't that bad of a surgery. But don't put it off and try physical therapy in lieu of surgery - just get it over and done with.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice - I was actually curious if the PT was something I should wait until after the surgery to do... guess not! I'll find out about it ASAP.

[tangledindreams.livejournal.com]

They will almost definately prescribe PT after the surgery. DO IT. And the exercises they will give you in the hospital. This is important as you have to regain the strength in it. Not sure if anybody explained anything to you about it - so I don't mean to sound repetitive...but your meniscus is the cushion and what they do is snip cartiledge that is frayed and causing the pain. It is primarily the job of the menisci to function as load distributors when we walk or run. If the menisci were not there, the articular cartilage would be too heavily loaded and could be damaged. The menisci also help to keep the knee stable. You probably had done something to it years ago and then the shoe incident just made the fray of cartildge slip out of the ligament.

Good luck!

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Well I was given a PT prescription already, but I didn't know whether I should start it now or wait until we know exactly what's wrong...

[tangledindreams.livejournal.com]

Oh..and I phrased that wrong. Some surgeons will try to talk you into doing PT in lieu of surgery and seeing if that helps. It may, but in 1-2 years you will require surgery anyhow. Better to have the surgery earlier than later (as with age - and I know you aren't old, but still) it is easier to heal. Also - ask the surgeon how many cuts he does. My first surgeon did 3 holes and my second did 2 and I healed better with just the 2.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Heh, I should read both comments before responding, I guess. ;) But yeah, the meniscus thing isn't definite yet... but I guess the PT will definitely be necessary if that's the case, because if something weird is wrong I'll need to figure out how to use my knee anyway... heh... thanks.