Doing The Happy Dance !

Well, I set the alarm and was up early to head off across town to the Orthopedic Doctor.  After filling out a pile of forms, I was ushered into a little exam room, given a pair of disposable navy shorts to put on.  After thumbing thru the June 2008 issue of "House Beautiful" the thin, small doctor walked in & introduced himself.  He asked me how long my knee has been bothering me and I told him about the incident in March.  But really this goes way back...like to 6th grade.  I told him about my knee swelling, mom would take me to the doctor, he'd wrap it with an elastic bandage, write a note for me to be out of P.E. for a month.....it went on all thru Junior & Senior High School. I told him as a young mother I could never kneel down on the floor with my little ones and play with them.  My knees (the right one has always been the worst) hurt so bad, that I couldn't bend them back by kneeling like that. 

So then he pulled the MRI films out of the jacket and put them up on the light panel. First of all, I do have a meniscus tear but only slight and not in the normal place where they do surgery. The big problem is the patella (kneecap) on my right leg is not where it belongs..it is way over to the outside of my leg and is rubbing bone on bone with the femur. He went on to say that my right knee cap was probably off to the side when I was born.  He suggested the "pop" and pain I felt in March was probably a muscle or tendon pulling when I was knocked over and lost my balance.  So for right now he wants me to continue to wearing the soft brace, to still take it easy in climbing steps, etc and if the pain increases he'll consider some cortisone shots (oh those feel good~I've had them in my hip joint) and someday it will come to a knee replacement.

I said "so no surgery right now?"  "Nope, not now" was his reply.  I am soooooooo very happy !!!  I can deal with the discomfort~ice, Ibuprofen & tylenol will help with that. But I did not want to go under the knife again.  I've had enough of that to last a lifetime! 

 

It's barely 50 degrees and raining here in the lovely Pacific Northwest today.  But...the TV weather guy said we can expect sun & temperatures in the high 70's by the end of the week. 

Meanwhile, Barbara is coming over soon and we're going to an afternoon movie.   Until next time.....Happy Linda !

P.S. a friend of mine sent me this link.  Sort of a follow up to Mother's Day.  I hate that you have to watch a commercial before getting the actual video but it's worth it...the video is great.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/09/assignment_america/main4085323.shtml