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Based on what I've read so far (I know how to filter internet, thank you) I may have to deal with an unstable knee for the rest of my life.... in spite of anterior cruciate ligament tear being the most common form of knee injury, there seems to be only one way to correct it and that is replacement of the ligament. After that little non-option comes the notes that "unless you're involved in a severe-stress activity (like pro sports), you don't need the ACL"..... WTF?! I translate that as "unless you make buko bucks in a career that depends on full motion of the knee, don't bother replacing the ligament". Not an answer I want to hear, really. To make matters more 'interesting', there's no real understanding about how a 'partial tear' works, which is likely what I have. No indications that the ligament will mend, no mentions of anti-inflammatory meds or other methods to reduce the symptoms, nothing. I will also note that usually in sports-injuries, the ACL isn't the only part injured on the knee, just the most important part, so perhaps as a side effect of working on the mild edema and cartilage thinning the MRI shows, the ACL can be helped.
Now, I'm no stranger to the 'no-option option'.... Many years ago, right after Thanksgiving (I believe it was a Saturday), I had a gall bladder attack. Having never experienced that much pain in that location, I looked in bad shape and coug'r rushed me to an urgent care ward. It was my first experience on morphine, but all I can tell you is that I still felt pain just didn't care about it. After the diagnosis came back that I had a gall bladder attack but they didn't see any stones, I went to my primary care doctor the next week with the news. She sarcastically said "congratulations" then proceeded to write me up a referral for having my gall bladder removed. I balked at that, especially seeing there were no stones in the tests. She allowed me to not get the surgery immediately but warned me if I got another attack I'd need it. I can proudly say I still have my gall bladder intact, and had only one other 'attack' since that first scary event but now I know how to deal with them in a way that prevents surgery. (For the curious, a lemon juice and olive oil treatment, and a shift in diet did it)
So... here's crossing of fingers I can find a way to avoid expensive surgery to stabilize my knee.
Tags: medical
Current Mood: 
anxious
Current Music: "Walk like an Egyptian" by the Bangles
