Knee recovery

I have never before now had to have an emergency operation of any kind.  Operations, yes! Emergency, no!

On Monday, 11 July I went to work with crutches and then went to the doctor. At the doctors office (knee specialist) I was told to have an emergency surgery that day - after they sent me for a g-scan (new style MRI scan).

Ok, let me start at the beginning...

In April 2008 I fell from my scooter basically on my right knee in the street.  I went to the emergency unit and they did x-rays, but nothing was broken or fractured (yay for me).  I then went to see a physio as I could not bend or straighten my knee from the position it was in.  The physio was of great help and soon enough I could walk normally again.   

But I found that every now and again my knee sort of "popped" out of place - it would hurt bad for a few minutes and then be ok again mostly. 

Then one December (2010) I went to the beach (Clifton) with friends and was walking from the one beach to the other and at one point you have to climb over rocks to get to the next beach and at the end of that I jumped from the rock to the sand (not very high and sand looked nice & soft) and landed correctly on both my feet, my knee badly popped out of place and walking was excruciating.

I then went back to the physio who then informed me that I have movemement in my knee that should not be there. I could either have a surgery (that won't fully fix it and will be very expensive or I can do specific exercises he gives me).  So, as I did not have the money for an expensive surgery and did not want to have one if it could be fixed on its own, I opted for the exercises.

So, I tried to be careful with my knee - no running or jumping.  But every now and again it still popped out.  I must admit that I was battling to always do the exercises - my fault!

Then, on Sunday I went with some of my family to Kirstenbosch for a lovely picnic and then played with my nephew - throwing a tennis ball to each other.  One of my nephew's throws went a bit wide, but I caught it, but in order to have done that I had to step to the side.  That is when my knee popped out again - but BADLY this time.  I had such a mission to get back to the car.  I did not think of the fact that Kirstenbosch would offer a wheelchair so said to my sister I'll push the pram as that will help me to walk as well.  The most painful walk in my life - Ilse even took a video clip of it!

Then, when I got home I phoned my flatmate/friend and asked him to bring my crutches from upstairs (3rd floor flat - no lift in our building) down so that I can get up to the flat and such.  Yes, for those who didn't know - I do actually own crutches - the same pair I got when I origininally hurt my knee... and knowing me... I kept it.  It has been useful.

Anyway, then I got to work on Monday with my crutches and then my one boss suggested I go see a specific knee specialist and hey presto - here we are! 

So, that is the story about my knee injury.

Now, it seems I have a meniscal tear (right knee).  See http://www.ssoc.co.za/meniscal-tear.html or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tear_of_meniscus for more info on that.

I have quite a bit of rehab time ahead of me as I am not allowed to drive for at least 2 weeks (to be determined if I may drive when I go for my next check up).  I am also going to go for regular physio for a while at least.  I did damage some of the bone in my knee, which nothing can be done about.  My knee was not in the greatest state unfortunately.

Here's for hoping for a speedy (and painless as possible) recovery!

Till next time!