My husband decided to take a day off of work and travel with me and the children to my doctor's appointment with another Orthopedic surgeon (I decided to see a doctor that has been specializing in knee surgeries for the last 30 years). The goal of the day was to have a consultation visit and get on his surgery schedule before the end of the year (since we've reached our family deductible with the children's hospitalizations in March).
The appointment went as expected. Meaning, I knew he wouldn't do an MRI or any X-rays, and that I would leave with little to no new information. However, he did surprise me when he said he thinks** I have a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn meniscus (70% likelihood that when you tear your ACL, you also tear your meniscus). Both!!!I didn't want to hear this. Mainly because I've been thinking this whole time that it is only a meniscus tear (based on the expertise of another surgeon and a physical therapist). The news was crushing, because that means a lot longer recovery time from surgery (six to twelve weeks versus one week). So, now I don't know what I'm going to do.
The game plan is to schedule an MRI shortly after the baby is born so we can determine the extent of the damage. If the MRI shows a meniscus tear, I'll keep the surgery appointment and get it fixed this year. If it shows an ACL tear, I'll more than likely cancel the surgery and try to rehab my knee through swimming and biking for the next two years. Once the baby is a little bit older, I'll get it fixed. I might have to stay away from volleyball and softball in the meantime (which will probably be impossible), but I can't come up with any other options.
How am I supposed to be laid up with three young children for any length of time? To think it might take 6 weeks or more before I am mobile is laughable. For three months? That's hysterical! There isn't any way I could do it, and I don't have the luxury of living close to my mom, or any other family members to get the help I'd need.
So, new game plan for my knee, but I'm ready to focus on the next step, and that is delivering a baby. Three weeks to go! Woot! (We haven't decided on any names, yet. I just found out today that Austin isn't very keen on the idea of the name 'Grayson' for a boy. He says it isn't masculine enough. Took him long enough to share that opinion, don't you think?)
**I am hoping that my ligaments, joints, muscles, and tendons just felt a little looser to the doctor today because I am 37 weeks pregnant. I am definitely in the stage where everything is loosening up, and I know that is one reason why they don't advise knee surgery while pregnant (you usually have to do it again after the pregnancy because the body changes so much). So, if I hold on to that hope, maybe when I have the MRI I'll get the good news that it really is just a meniscus tear. Since the other two people shared their opinion very early on in the pregnancy, and right after the knee injury. Here's to hoping!
2 comments:
Oooh...good luck with the knee. Court had an ACL/meniscus surgery in the past. No fun. Hopefully you will just be repairing the meniscus. Fingers crossed...
What a bummer! I really hope that you get good news when they can finally get some scans. In the meantime, you have a great excuse to kick up your feet and relax. And eat ice cream. 9 months pregnant PLUS a knee injury is a good excuse to get out of anything you don't really want to do. Take advantage!
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