Technological Advancements

Living in the computer age as we do we've all become somewhat used to technological leaps however the massive changes in health care have been brought front and center for me over the last few days.

Back in 1971 I injured my right knee, tearing the cartilage rather severely.  At that point in time cartilage repair surgery was a major deal  involving cutting the knee open and using forceps to physically pull out the damaged pieces.  Given the severity of the knee damage and my aversion to surgeons I elected to not have the surgery and just try and live with the pain.

Over the next decade I became a reliable weather forecaster as the loose cartilage in my knee would begin to ache anytime a weather front was coming through. I would know it was about to rain or snow a couple of hours before it actually began.

In 1984 I injured my knee again. This time I physically tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament loose from its attachment point at the top end.  I had few options this time and the knee surgery put me in a cast for 9 weeks and the scar that runs diagonally across my knee is over a foot long.

The good thing is I have learned to manage pain mentally so I don;t require a lot of drugs and I've learned how to rehab myself to get back in shape as rapidly as possible without pushing my limits too quickly.

Over the last several months I have been having some bilateral pain in both my knees which had my orthopedic  surgeon looking at my lower back. That was until early afternoon last saturday when, for no apparent reason, my right knee decided to give out. The resultant pain and swelling had me spending a portion of my Saturday afternoon in the emergency room. Once they checked me out and referred me back to my Dr. I came home and took some pain pills to try and get some sleep.

Ice, elevate the knee, and just take it easy. I do ok until the last part since I am very sued to be pretty active being completely down and mobile only with crutches really is a drag for me.

Since I already had an appointment to see the orthopedist I just kept that instead of making this an emergency and a good deal more costly for everyone.  I just left his office and I am scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery tomorrow afternoon.

How is this different? Well, back in 1971 it would have been under total anesthesia and in the hospital for at least two days with an expected recovery time of four to six weeks.  Today, it will be an out-patient procedure with three tiny holes in my knee and I'll be home by late afternoon adn probably back on my feet before the weekend is up.

So, I might make it to class but if i don't you girls have fun.