Complete Tear of ACL, Meniscal Tear, Effusion
Excerpt of the lab report from my MRI …
A complete ACL tear, eh? All I can say is, Thank God for health insurance! And, I suppose I should thank Him for this happening when I’m 31 rather than 71 and far less apt to heal well. Still, can I feel a little sorry for myself? Just a little? It’s a bum deal to not even get through January ‘05 without hosing my aggressive but totally doable goal of hiking, camping and/or backpacking once a month this year. So much for January… we’ll see what the knee can bear after I’ve met with the specialist on Monday. I’ve never wanted a Monday to come so quickly before in my LIFE.
PS: I’d post a few MRI images but, really, they mean nothing to me — “I see that’s my knee. There’s bones…and lots of other stuff. What’s that big white “hole”? (I suspect it’s swelling. HellifIknow!) I might try to convince my specialist to send me the digital files via email, since the imaging lab I went to makes their scans available online for phyisicians. I guess this is what you do when you haven’t had children — you share photos of scars or other wounds online instead of the smiling faces of your little darling(s). I guess. That or I’m just out of it right now!
P.S.: I’m a little defensive they said my “patellar cartilage is unremarkable“. What’s that going to do to its self-esteem!? Geesh….
{{ KIDDING}}
Permalink
« F— That! | Apple Beauty »
Thomas said,
January 21, 2005 @ 4:50 pm
Aw shit babe! Complete tear!? What the hell have you been doing walking on it? You went on vacation… like that!? I think you’re entitle a fair bit of self pity!
Shannon said,
January 21, 2005 @ 5:41 pm
I read too much. It’s looking more like surgery and post-op rehabilitation of this type –> http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp05018.htm is what I have to look forward to, since a severed ligament will not regrow (nor does most cartilage in the knee).
MommaCat said,
January 21, 2005 @ 8:04 pm
Hang in there, Bear! You may have to (temporarily) suppress that stubbborn, independent streak (that character flaw/strength that was passed along in your genes)and accept help and support from family, but that same streak will help you heal long before the “text-book cases”! We’re all here to help,hug and pitch in!!!