The results are in....

I went and saw my orthopedic surgeon on Monday, and we discussed my MRI results. It shows I have torn my meniscus in the same spot I previously did. So, my doc doesn't know if I tore it again, or if the radiologist is simply seeing where my surgeon cut the meniscus out previously. There is no MRI to compare it to. It also shows 2 spots of full thickness chunks missing from my cartilage which are from my original injury. The surgeon said this is common, but most knees compensate for their defects, but for some reason mine isn't. My surgeon then proceeded to tell me that the pain I am having is real, it's not in my head. I instantly said back at him that I knew my pain wasn't in my head. I knew it was real. He could tell I was a little offended and said that a lot of people come in thinking the pain is in their heads and that I am having swelling which isn't normal so he knew it was real. Whatever.

So we discussed options, and I kinda got on the attack with the doc. I asked him why he didn't see these things in my original surgery and maybe done something then. He got a little defensive and said he wasn't perfect and no one can predict how the knee will turn out. I should have had my dad or Mike come with me to the appointment because I didn't understand a lot of what he was saying about the future of my knee and what it would be like when I got older if I did or didn't do something now. In the end, we decided to stop playing soccer (for 6 weeks), hit the weights and see him in December. If it's not better by then, there is some surgery he can do where he will drill holes in the bottom of my femur and hopefully fibrous tissue will grow in place of the cartilage and create a new cushion. Well, that's sounds pretty invasive doesn't it? I asked what rehab time are we talking afterwards. He said 6 weeks on crutches!!! Are you kidding me? That's worse than the original ACL surgery.

After crying all Monday after the appointment, I made the decision to get a second opinion. I have an appointment in November with another doc that supposedly did Tiger Wood's knee. I just want to see what other options are out there. I know I am kinda being a baby about not being able to play soccer, but I can't even run or go up and down the stairs without my knee hurting. Good thing I live in a two story huh? I also hear about all these people that go back to skiing or playing their sports like nothing ever happened. I can't imagine myself ever skiing or wake boarding again!

So the saga will continue and I will let everyone know what I find out in November. Hopefully it will be good!