Okay. Sqeemish alert. Might wanna school past this picture if you are a baby :P
Okay. So there it is, you can see the little patella chillin' up on the femur, and that isn't right! A good knee is all lined up and the little patella sits on the "pillow" in the right hand picture.
NOW. Little did I know that there were things called "partial dislocations". This is caused when the knee cap is literally "on the fence" about going out. The knee will usually look a tad funny for just a second, and find its way either IN the proper placement or OUT of placement, depending on what the unsuspecting victim is doing at the time.
My last major dislocation was in August, just a few months ago. I was just dancing in my room and that little sucker popped out, and then went back in again on its own accord. Nowadays, dislocations like this don't affect me too much. My ligaments are probably really stretched by now, so I don't have much soreness, and there isn't really bruising when it is only out for a second. Good?
LITTLE DID I KNOW. I have been a victim to "partial dislocations" pretty much all of my life! I have described it before as knee-buckling, feeling like I can't put weight, sharp pain when trying to straighten or bend- AND you guessed it, that strange twang of the ligaments that I have been having lately. In all of these cases, my gut reaction is to hit my knee (which looks really stupid when I walk everywhere....) and also I will take my knee in my hands, slowly bend and straighten with my hands keeping my knee from going out. I usually feel or even hear just a little click or pop and then I am good again (until the next 10 steps).
Dislocations also cause lots of destruction of the cartilage which could be an issue in my case (little pieces hanging out in there that makes me want to cry when I run). It is also possible that I have a combination of problems with my joints so really, that is what the doctor is for.
I have been a tad distressed lately, realizing that the solution to these problems is surgery. First off, I am worried about the success rate. I am worried that this will always be a problem for me. Secondly- and this may be completely shallow of me- I don't want the scars. Now I know they are just little, but really. Anytime I put on a swimsuit, wear a pretty dress, slip into some shorts for summer- there they will be. I guy can just cover it up with all his leg hair, but girls, come on! I already have enough negative thoughts about my body, I honestly don't want another.
But then I started thinking what I would do.
I would take a dance class
I would run further
I would throw frisbees and footballs with my friends
I would hike, and not worry
I would go skiing
I would be able to sit in a movie without thinking how badly my knees hurt being all bent :(
I would do lunges
I would do more yoga
I would run faster
I would dance crazy with my friends
I would be free to chase my future kiddos at the park
I would be able to walk around disneyland without ibuprofin
I would be able to have fun now without pain later
I would be happier
I would be healthier
I would do all the things I've had to quit.
I am so excited to start the process of getting this taken care of, so I can finally do all the things I want to do!
So true. Your old orthopedist always said this needed to be addressed once you were fully grown but it didn't seem as bad. But now is the time and you definitely need to be able to do all that fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteHey! Maybe I can actually comment now.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry too much about the scar potential until you talk to the doctor. They can sometimes do a lot through some pretty tiny holes.
Anyway,that's a great list of things to look forward to. :-) I can't wait to hear what they say on Monday.
Having a working knee is way better than not, even if you have a little scar. As long as you take care of the incisions they won't be nearly as bad. The only mark you can really see on Nick's knee is one that somehow got reopened before it healed all the way. The others aren't even noticeable.
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