I don’t think it would be possible to accurately state which injury came first since mine has been a gradual eroding, while my son’s was a more dramatic one off. The outcome, though, is the same – we’re both having knee surgery next month.
Do you think OrthoNY offers a two-fer special?
It was a couple of weeks ago when I first learned about my son’s most recent soccer mishap. He had been playing in the rec league he belongs to and twisted his knee, forcing him to be sidelined for the remainder of the match. The next morning he headed to the ortho walkin clinic, a place with which he has become familiar, where he was given crutches, a brace, an x-ray and an appointment for an MRI.
His situation prompted me to think about my own knee, specifically the right one which, coincidentally, is the same knee he injured. I’d been noticing an issue with flexibility, and accompanying discomfort, for a few months and it didn’t seem to be improving. The pain was familiar and it seemed safe to say that my meniscus was likely to be causing the problem.
In early 2020, it had been my left knee that demanded medical attention. That procedure to “clean up” my meniscus had gone really well – I was walking with a cane assist the very next day and was back at my yoga practice, with modifications, within a week. The success of that intervention, combined with my disinterest in having knee issues, (particularly while spending a month in Italy later this year) got me dialing “my” knee guy to schedule a visit.
I went to the appointment experiencing very little pain. As the doctor questioned me about my symptoms and level of discomfort, I began to feel as if I was perhaps being over reactive. I wasn’t in constant pain by any means. Maybe I should stretch more after a run or even utilize the dreaded ice, a treatment that I detest.
With an in-office xray completed and a scheduled MRI, I went on my way. It was a mild evening so I decided to take a run, my first since having been sick in December. I was maybe .25 miles into my route when my right knee started screaming. The pain was sharp and came complete with a sensation of extreme tightness in the joint. I slowed my (already slow) pace, before deciding that I was going to push through and complete my 5 mile run.
Because that’s who I am .
Physically, this was probably not the best choice but, mentally, it was just what I needed to convince myself that pursuing a surgical intervention was the right thing to do. The injury was impacting my ability to do and enjoy the things I love. I wanted it fixed. With a number of vacations already booked, I didn’t want a bum knee to impact my ability to explore any of the destinations I planned to visit.
As expected, my MRI showed a pretty well shredded meniscus. My office visit to receive those results wasn’t scheduled until early March, but the surgeon was amenable to my canceling that appointment and having our conversation on the phone instead in order to expedite getting me on his surgical calendar. I’ve been limping since that run last week and am of the mindset that the sooner my knee is repaired, the better. The cross country ski season this year was a bust and I’m ready to start hitting the streets running.
As for my son, his injury is more serious – he tore his ACL. His surgery and recovery will be more involved than my own and I’m optimistic that he will have a good outcome and be back playing the game he loves in time for the fall season. Hopefully, we’ll both get what we need.
DelSo 