Back in August 2011, I had what I would consider to be my first major surgery of my life. It nearly caused me to miss VMworld in Las Vegas, but luckily got the all-clear from the doc to travel just in time and was able to attend.
A little over a month ago, NetApp held tryouts for the company softball team. Seeing as how I missed it last year due to the date I joined the company, I was super-excited to come out and get to play on the diamond again.
Had a great warmup throw-around. Jumped right into shortstop and did some fielding while people hit, and the arm (which I was most worried about) felt great. Still got the cannon.
It came to be my turn to hit, and I took about 5 swings, almost knocked one out, and then the next swing….
WHOA! Something is BURNING HOT in my knee! WTF is that!?
Took a few steps around to “walk it off” and even got back up and took another swing (I’m stubborn, I know).
BURN!
Walked away, MAD, frustrated, confused at what had actually happened and tried to walk around outside the fence a bit, but it was not getting better. I could “feel” liquid in my knee. The most awkward feeling ever.
I hobbled out to the car after taking my cleats off and went to go get some dinner while I thought about whether or not to actually go to the ER. Yes, at one point, I contemplated just going home and icing it down, thinking I had just strained something. After stopping for gas and continuing to put some weight on it, feeling it continue to get worse, I went to the ER.
X-rays were taken, and showed no bone damage. There just so happened to be an Ortho on staff and he came in and did this Mr. Miyogi – Karate Kid maneuver on my knee. Twisted it one way and then the other and all was good. No MCL/PCL injury. And then he hyperflexed it (i.e. bent it backwards, the wrong way) and I nearly lept off the hospital bed! OW! Burning pain like I’ve never felt.
For those of you that sent me well-wishes via Twitter and Facebook, thank you very much. Your thoughts and support meant a lot!
One of the fringe benefits of being in Raleigh/RTP is you’re in the heart of the ACC, including Duke and WakeMed, surrounded by some of the best Orthopedic medicine in the country. I was scheduled to see one the next day, and he determined one thing: MRI.
Went for an MRI a couple days later, and then back to the doc a couple days after that. It was one of those good news/bad news situations.
Good news: ACL was in tact.
Bad news: “Huge” medial meniscus tear
If you’re like me, you never want to hear a doctor use “huge” and “tear” in a sentence when discussing your body.
So, we scheduled surgery. What he found when he “got in there” was another good news/bad news situation. Good news, nothing was really torn. Bad news, he found what is known as a bucket-handle flip/tear.
Here’s what a good meniscus looks like between your femur and tibia…
And here’s what MY knee looked like…
One of my friends put it perfectly: You don’t have to be a doctor to notice something is FUBAR in there.
Here’s a great video I found on Vimeo of the arthroscopic repair procedure. I’m working on getting a copy of my actual surgery from the doc. In this one, he actually cuts out a portion of the meniscus. Mine was actually stitched back into place since it was recoverable. Only difference, but a great explanation.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been couch-bound on heavy doses of Ibuprofen and pain meds. I start PT on Monday for bending and strengthening, but still on crutches and not allowed to put weight on it for another month. (ugh)
All that said, I know a lot of you are anxiously awaiting some followup posts and videos from me, they’re coming! Very soon!
I hope you’ll forgive the lack of posts lately as I’ve had a tough time dealing with this and other things at work, and there just hasn’t been time.
Look for them to come in the next week.
All the best,
-Nick
- 3 Comments
- Life
- 03/28/2012
Hope you’re feeling better. Great photos.
Mine from which I’m almost recovered:
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=336653
Datto
Thanks Datto!
Is that your ankle? Lotta metal in there!
Yeah, they sold me the medieval package — at a discount. So far, TSA hasn’t complained about it which, considering the size and being stainless and all, I’m surprised.
Datto