Surgery Date

Okay, so last night I got a message from my OS office letting me know that they had November 8th, a week from Monday, available for surgery.  So ... what can I say other than I'll let everyone know how it went once I regain my composure from the anesthesia and when the pain is under control. Until then .......

Moving Forward



An MRI image - but not mine!



So, I had my latest visit with my new OS and I was very impressed!  He actually put my MRI on the screen and went through it with me as well as the resident who was working with him.  The word "mush" came into play when he was showing me where my ligaments used to be!!!!  Since I am in a "chronic" state (greater than 4 weeks from accident) his goal is to take this three ligament injury ( AKA knee dislocation) and turn it into a one ligament injury.  He is doing ACL, MCL reconstruction, fixing the meniscus and cleaning up the scar tissue in the very near future.  Since he can't harvest enough tissue from my leg to do two reconstructions, I will be having an allograft (achilles donor tendon) to reconstruct my MCL and an autograft (my own tissue) for my ACL.  There was the option of taking a graft from my good leg but I passed on that one.  Let's leave the good leg alone please!!!

He is concerned about the PCL but at this point feels as though surgery will not get my PCL any better than it is right now.  PCL reconstruction has average outcomes and the newly reconstructed ligaments tend to stretch out.  It is a very difficult surgery drilling into the back area of the knee. It is something that he will monitor and if it's required, it may be done down the road.

I've gone into the hospital for my pre-op visit and all the paperwork is done.  His secretary told me to be on call and ready because I may find out the night before my surgery.  Sooo ... everything is in order and I'm ready to go!  I'll be staying overnight in the hospital to monitor pain etc...  I will let everyone know when the big day is ... I'm thinking in the next few weeks because initailly he was hoping for TODAY but it wasn't approved!  Here we go!

Nervous Feeling

Today is October 19th, 2010, almost 10 months from my skiing accident.  I'm seeing my new surgeon tomorrow and I'm a bit nervous.  I know that he will do surgery, but which surgery and when?  I'm so accustomed to leaving my appointments with very few answers.  However, tomorrow I feel that it will all be set in stone as to what he feels I need done.  Ah Well, I'm in good hands!

Appointment Date

Okay, so today I received a call from a top OS and he will see me on October 20th for a second opinion.  He is known as one of the top knee gurus and I am anxious to see what he proposes to do about my knee.  I'm wondering if he's going to want to touch the PCL since I know it is a problematic surgery for Orthopedic surgeons.  Anyhow, I'll keep everyone posted and I'll be posting the outcome of my October 20th visit that evening.  Until then .....