Day started off shitty

Didn't sleep well. No matter what position I got in, the pain in my knee would wake me up. So, I was cranky from being tired.  I had laid out my clothes last night, and quickly got cleaned up and dressed, and ready to go.  I got the scaffold, and was going through the routine of putting in on,and tightening the straps in order.  This is were 'shitty' came in. One of the clips snapped while I was tightening it.

(Insert bad words here)  I took an unbroken clip from upper thigh strap, removed the broken clip and replaced it with the one I took off the top thigh strap.  I then repositioned the velcro tab on the upper thigh strap, and pulled it tight, clove hitched it to where the clip was supposed to go, then pushed the velcro tab onto the strap.  It worked, but was easily loosened.

Saw Dr B, the endocrinologist. It seems my thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) and uptake levels have normalized. He couldn't put me on the scale because of the scaffold, but I told him how I had been measured, and have lost 8cms (about 3.5 inches) from around my butt, same from around my waist, and 2.5 cms from around each thigh. Also my clothes are too big, and some that were too small I can wear. 

Off to see Mr S, the osteopathic surgeon (retired from surgery, but still consulting and referring) and this is where my day got better.  He read the MRI, layer by layer and the good news is I do NOT need any surgery. I will, however, need an ultrasound guided injection of cortisone under local anesthesia.  Appointment has been made, but I have to wait a few weeks.

I spoke to Hayden regarding the scaffold/brace clip breaking. Even he said it shouldn't have.  He took photo of broken clip, and the model of the brace on my leg.  What he did really surprised me. There wasn't an extra clip in storage, but he did have some sample braces that Mr S had been given, AND he had a used one the he heartily recommended.  I got the the used one on now, and my knee feel so much better. It's an above the knee, mid-calf and I can lock the brace to zero degree of bending, keeping it completely straight.  The other 'sample' brace is a lockable one, but it is upper thigh to mid calf.  If I need it, it's there to be used. 

I hate that scaffold, I really do.

Saw Simon the Sadist today. Remedial massage on thigh, and checked how mobile the knee is. It's like this; I can bed it 130 degrees without any issue. No pain no worry. But straightening it out made me clutch at the edges of the exam table, digging my fingers into it.

Not much can be done until I see Mr S next week. But, Simon did agree with Jace the podiatrist, that half crutches would be better to use than the cane. This way, I take pressure/weight off my right prosthetic knee and heel. Since bending my knee causes the pain, putting weight on my left leg/foot is ok.

Simon has said to wear the scaffold when I am out and about, if I have to do any walking. But at home, or short 'in and out' quick trips.

Well... shit

Saw Jase, the podiatrist. A rather wasted appointment, because until I get my knee seen to, not much can be done regarding it. 

Ah, the knee: Jase at least gave me the skinny on my knee. I have a meniscal flap tear. Loki, in a freaky accident, landed just right on my knee, making the knee cap 'shave' a flap of the meniscus, like a tongue, hanging off the meniscus. No wonder it was blindingly painful.

To see what can be done for or to it, I have to wait until I see Mr S *. Because if I have to have surgery on the knee for a temporary fix, it might be better all around to have Left Total Knee Replacement (LTKR) for a number of reasons. For one major reason, to stop the undue strain on my RTKR. Because of my left knee being so painful, I am leaning a lot of weight on my right prosthetic, speeding up wear and tear (and the need for a revision).  Another, I have asthma. Putting me under for surgery again, and again is dangerous.

I know what I would look forward to feeling and going through with a TLKR, as I have been through it with the right knee. We already have the bathroom revamped (rails in the shower, shower hop lowered, 'rehab' chair already in bedroom etc etc).

I can speculate all day, and get myself all worked up, but no decisions can be made until I see Mr S.

*Mr S,orthopedic surgeon extraordinaire, after a long career of knee/hip surgery is retiring. But he hasn't abandoned his patients, as he still is there for consultations, diagnoses, and referrals.

Not quite what I expected

I ordered another knee brace, one that is mid-thigh to mid-calf, rather than from upper thigh to ankle scaffold.  It arrived today... and it wasn't quite the one I thought/saw it would be.  Oh well, at least it is serviceable.  My only issue is I can't have both front and back of brace at 0 degrees, aka straight as a board.  At least I do have some the flexion stops to prevent most of the bending.

Will just have to be aware, and not force my knee to bed.

Reaching end of the line for me

I am getting fed up with all the pissing contests, the one upmanships people see to have to do, and humble-bragging on Facebook.

Fucking sick of the games, the attempts at making cliques to belittle and insult someone.  I had enough of that crap when I was in high school, I sure as hell do NOT need it NOW!

So much for a simple problem

MRI results. It's not patella tendinitis. Loki managed to damage some of the remaining meniscus.

That didn't last long,

Less than two days. My Medical Mutiny (wearing smaller knee brace vs the upper thigh to ankle brace) is over. Knee hurts like hell, so put the scaffold back on. Keeping it totally straight, Zero degree bend is needed. (insert many swear words here) Pardon me while I go have a good cry.