Let's go back to the beginning.....
Last October, there was a perfect Sunday afternoon. Until I came crashing down from the attic and set this whole thing in motion. Yes, the day included me writhing in pain, crying over having to miss the hiking trip I had been planning, x-rays, crutches, etc...
Being the type of person that I am, I really don't like to go to the doctor. And everyone said "ankle sprains take forever to heal". So I believed them and waited for the ankle to heal. That was my first mistake. I should have insisted on having an MRI.
After 6 months of bitching and moaning, I finally visited my favorite orthopedic surgeon. He knew that I wanted to take the least invasive (aka least expensive) route first. That was my second mistake - I should have insisted on having an MRI. So he suggested the cast.
So off I went in a cast for a month. Then an aircast for a month. And lots of physical therapy.
It still hurt. But being the person that I am, I thought it just needs more time. And everyone knows that sprains take forever to heal. And that was my third and final mistake - I should have insisted on having an MRI.
Lesson for the day: If you sprain anything, INSIST ON AN MRI. Yes, they are expensive. But I have wasted an entire year of my life trying to heal something that could never heal on its own. Something that would have been seen with an MRI!!
So after finally having the MRI, I finally got a diagnosis. I gave you the short version last night.
The long version:
I have torn my anterior talofibular ligament completely in half. Due to my year of trying to heal it, all frayed ends have been chewed away by my ankle joint. No wonder my ankle feels unstable!!
And there has been considerable damage to the cartilage on the bone underneath the ligament. Probably initially from the fall. But also from my year of trying to heal. The cartilage was having to bear weight and impacts that it was not designed to bear.
So to repair the cartilage, the doctor will scrape all the frayed pieces away and then drill into my bone. This will stimulate the bone marrow to form repair tissue.
To repair the ligament, he will be doing a modified brostrom, which is a procedure in which he takes local tissue and forms a new ligament out of it. Rather than making an incision elsewhere and stealing a piece of ligament.
The surgery is scheduled for Sept 21. And the doctor estimated a 12-week recovery time. And we are still buying the house and moving. So I think I really need a Knee Walker!!
Isn't that just the coolest thing ever? Adjust it so your knee is resting on the 'seat'. And off you go! No crutches. No weight on your injured foot. And it has a basket!! Have you ever tried to carry anything while on crutches?
19 comments:
I'm glad you had the MRI and are getting if fixed! I love the knee walker!
Ouch! I have to agree, you should have gotten better testing sooner, poor thing.
OMGosh!!!!
I FEEL your STRESS and your Pain!!
Will definately be thinking of you and praying all goes well with the surgery! 12 weeks will go by quickly, especially since it's been a "year" of dealing with the pain and inconvience!
SO GLAD you FINALLY broke down and had the MRI!!!!
It's definitely good to know what's wrong and that it can be fixed, even if the recovery time is long. But that knee walker is totally cool. And before you know it you'll be doing everything you want!
It's perfect...unless your worn out parts happen to be your knees, like me. I think my next step is a scooter thing...Lord help me!
Oh, and Woody, you can put Dixie in the basket.
Yuck city. That knee walker looks like it could be lethal after a few drinks;)
Wow. When it rains, it really pours. I forgot about the moving part...uggghhh. I am just glad that something can be done to help you.
I have seen those walkers, they are cool. I think you need one with flames and a big ol' horn.
I have seen one of these being used. It is very neat looking. Lots safer than crutches, just hope you don't have any steps.
Aaah .. sounds like my eighteen months of trying to heal my broken rotator cuff tendon. The surgeon had to go digging for it, since the severed end had shrunk away back up my shoulder. *Sigh* Docs kept saying 'rest it' or 'physio'! Physio gave me press ups to heal my back because he said that was the problem. Press ups!! On a torn rotator cuff!!
It has been nearly a year and it is just beginning to feel as if it's healing right. Now the left one is torn, but at least I saw the surgeon promptly this time.
I hope your surgery goes well, and you heal fast! I've torn ankle ligaments too - though nothing like as badly as you - and it's no fun.
I certainly remember you going through all of this Woody--and I am so sorry. You really need to keep getting your story out there so that others won't go through what you did.
Your little 'gadget' is adorable... Keep us posted, woody. I know it's going to be a hard 12 or so weeks.
Hugs and Prayers,
Betsy
Now that is SERIOUSLY the way to travel Miss Woody! You will be the talk of the town! I hope you heal quickly! God bless!
Just get this behind you!
At least you will be able to get around. Keeping you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
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Just get this behind you!
At least you will be able to get around. Keeping you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
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Ohmahgah, you could totally pimp that ride out!!
o.k., I'm a lurker...yup it's true! I just had to de-lurk to tell you that I used one of those knee walkers for several months after some reconstructive surgery on my foot and it was the best. It was rather fun too, nothing like leaving your hands free to do other things, like clean and fix dinner, and the basket...oh my..take care.
I met someone with a knee walker last year. She admitted that she had run over a few toes and feet, but she felt very stable using it. Okay, Woody. I'm praying for a trouble-free surgery and healing.
I think you should paint the number "24" on your Knee Walker;)
Glad to hear you have finally gotten some answers!!!!! That seems to be the hardest part, doesn't it?
I definetly think you need one of these! I totally hear ya on the getting the MRI right away instead of messing around. That's what I did too so your not the only one! I totally forgot you are moving too. Hope you have lots and lots of help!
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