Geek Habitat

Here’s why I’m having the surgery done — I didn’t fall again, thankfully, but the simple act of walking slowly up my stairs caused my injured left knee to pop with a sharp, associated pain, just moments ago. The pain went away immediately, and I was walking very slowly (as I do these days, fearing another fall), so I doubt I tore something else. I probably overdid it yesterday — I did walk about 1.5 - 1.75 3 miles, mostly on flat asphalt in a neighborhood, but also a bit in a rocky creek bed (I know, I know… I just realize I won’t be able to do this for 4-6 weeks, if that, so I had to do it!)

Anyway, this is no way for a hiker and 31-year-old woman to be! With every step I take now, I’m acutely aware that I have no ACL. I can feel the instability, and it’s scary and annoying — and occasionally painful, since I have a torn meniscus (cartilage), as well. Basically, my left knee is now held together with one bungee cord instead of two, and is buffered from shock by one solid and one frayed cartilage instead of a good set of two. So, yes, since this is all something that can be fixed, or made less “broken,” then that’s what I need to do for my peace of mind.

In other “good news”:
Women are 4 times more prone to ACL tears than men. Our hormones, wider hips, and different muscle mass than men are all culprits. Oh, joy!

Here’s another bummer I hadn’t read before. All my previous research indicated that, done correctly and with proper post-op care and exercise, a reconstructed (replaced with a graft) ACL will be as strong, if not stronger than, the original ACL. This seems to discount that:

Good thing I’m not an Olympic-calibur athlete. Hell, I’m not a Little League calibur athlete — just someone who likes to get outdoors and ramble over rocks, trails, tree roots and grass while carrying some gear and camera equipment!