Heading out to the wilderness to camp with the family for a few days. Then onto a cabin at a lake resort for the remainder of the week. Maybe some running to test the body!
Doctor said I could try to trigger the meniscus tear to lock up again to give more insight into the nature of the knee injury. So I decided to give it try by moving a truckload of mulch to my backyard one bucket at a time. Since I live on a huge slope there is 20 or so stairs to travel up and down with each load.
If the tear in my lateral menisci is not healing, in theory it should be trigger again with this type effort. So after more than an hour of unloading the mulch, I tested my knee with some deep squats. No swelling, no pain, no clicking noise, no nothing. This is good news I think, surgery still on the books but maybe I can have a out here.
Could be this…… no surgical intervention necessary. Still scheduled for my birthday cut, but actively seeking more information. Thanks to everyone for the awesome support either way.
Love this irony….. I am scheduled to have surgery for a meniscus repair on the day I turn 40! I met with Dr. Mandt today, he has excellent credentials especially for knee injuries. He has been the team doctor for the US ski team, so I am in very good hands.
His diagnosis is a lateral meniscus tear. Unfortunately the location of the tear is not in the “normal” place one experiences a tear so a easy clean it up approach is not going to work. He will need to suture the tear back together which means I am on crutches for 6 -8 weeks. The good news is the damaged meniscus is in the outer portion, this is the only part that has a decent blood supply so a complete healing is possible.
There is outside chance that since the tear is n the location with blood supply that it may be healing on its own. I have not run a step since bailing out at mile 27 in my race 17 days ago. I will work on my recovery and maybe just maybe over the next 21 days enough healing will occur that the surgical option is set aside.
Happy birthday!!! SURPRISE
The knee has been pain free for a week now which is great. I have not run a single step on it which is a little sad. A quick review of the MRI by the sports med doc. says no meniscus tear. Still recommends that I keep my appointment with the orthopod to discuss bone and cartilage.
I have had a lot of feedback that this forced rest is a good thing and maybe it is. As the stars aligned I had a huge product evaluation I am managing at my largest hospital account that has kept me there from 7:00am to 10:00pm the last 3 days and will continue over the next 4 at least. Sleep is barely opti0n much less running.
I thought I would work on my guns since I cannot do any thing that involves my knee. Focused my efforts on my Lats, pecs, bi’s and tri’s. Not as fulfilling as time on the road.
Workout:
- Type: Strength Training
- Date: 08/02/2008
- Time: 07:30:00
- Total Time: 1:00:00.00
Had my MRI for the right knee injury. I tend to be claustrophobic so I was a little worried. It turns out that the MRI capsule with its loud noises along with the need to stay perfectly still was extremely relaxing. I don’t normally stay quiet and still in my day (not even while sleeping). I think it was the nicest experience of my week.
I will not have the report to my sports medicine doctor until next week, but the unofficial results based on a quick look is meniscus tear and more concerning a severe bone bruise. From what, I am not sure. The bottom line for me right no is no activity. The worst part is the terrible calf cramps I am getting as my muscles begin to atrophy, not fun.
Will try to occupy myself this weekend with my other favorite activity besides running…working.
Digg! this story.
