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Back before I got into WWing, I took a spill on a deployment with the National Guard, and blew out my left knee. Torn ACL so bad that it couldn't even be found, and a pair of tares in the maniscus. Since then, my knees have been OK until about 3 months ago. I was up on a small step ladder tracing some electrical problems in the house. The floor has a floor drain and the ladder leg slipped into it and I fell about 2 steps to the floor. This time my Right knee tried to bend to the side instead of forward.

Needless to say, it hurt like a dickins, but after a few days it felt much better so I brushed it off. Since then, I've taken just 2 more short jumps, less than 2' and both times I got some serious pain in my right knee. The last one was 2 weeks ago when I stepped off a ramp I had up to the back of my truck and when I came down on the right foot, that knee popped and I mean to tell you I was seeing stars. I caught myself on the tail gate and pulled myself up on it and just sat there for a spell. I got real light headed and thought for few that I might passout, but managed to keep it together.

After a bit the wife came out and asked what I was doing, I said, \"just resting a spell. I slid the ramps up into the bed and closed the tail gate to take the equipment I'd rented and used back to the rental shop. Jo didn't see me hop along the side of the truck to get in, and just as we were pulling out, she asked me to check the mail. So right away, she tears into me about being fat and out of shape, and how are we ever gonna climb another 14'er with me falling apart at the seams.

So the following Monday, I got into the Dr's office, and he sent me out for an MRI. The lowdown is:

1. An Acute and complete tear of the ACL.
2. An Acute \"Bucket Handle\" tear of the Meadial Maniscus.
3. A partial tear of the Meadial Patelar Wachamacallit, that I can't even pronounce, much less spell.

So Tuesday, I'm off to see the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knees, elbows and shoulders. I should have more for you on this next week.

Man, it SUCKS getting old.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Whatever happens, you have my warmest wishes of good luck, my friend.

Be safe and we will be thinking about you.

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Good luck Tuesday.
We are no young gods anymore,
getting older and older is a road with bumps.

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73-1664

Went to see the specialist today. He gave me the options as follows.

1. Do nothing. Most of the pain is gone now that the swelling from this last tear is gone, and the little pinch I get when I walk is a reminder to treat it with TLC. Physical Therapy won't help in this case as it doesn't fix tears.

2. Scope the knee and just fix the Maniscal tear. In older folk like me who don't play football and such, don't really rely on the ACL that much. The Pateler tear is not causing pain and not really something that can be repaired. By just repairing the Meniscus, the recovery time is only about 6 weeks.

3. Scope the knee and fix both the meniscus and ACL. This will give me about a 6 MONTH recovery time.

After he told me this, I started thinking about the oder of injuries, and I told him that I believed the ACL was the first to go, and that by not having it, my knee is not stable enough for what I do and my size, and that its probably this instability that is causing the other tears. So, it seems to me that to repair the meniscus without fixing the ACL will just leave me open for further injuries in the future. So, as soon as I get some bloodwork and an EKG done, I'll be scheduling the surgery, probably in about 3 weeks. I'll be off of work for a couple of weeks after that and then wearing a knee brace for the next 5 to 6 months. With luck, by spring time, I'll be back fully on my feet.

_________________
Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Just do what you need to take care of yourself. Make sure during that recovery period you stay off your feet at all costs.

Be safe.

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Good period to do a surgery. Okay i try for you a positive few on it.
Wintertime, the whole day sitting and staying home and not so much walking outside, because snow and ice. Reading books and watch dvd's and making the family crazy
Good luck.

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73-1664