Happy Monday: Broken nose and knee injury

[Catrin]

I hope so as well Oakleaf. I am trying to stay off the "symptom" websites - you know, the ones that always wind up telling you that your wounded body part will fall off or that you are going to die?

Today was my first full day back at work and I am exhausted. I did pick up a sleeve type of knee brace and it seemed to help and used a cane for the very slow 2 block hike from my car, but man my knee was swollen when I got home.

I DID go to my KB training group last night...I figured that was safer than being antsy from inactivity around my kettlebell herd. Coach had me do things seated, very short sets that didn't impact my lower body. As light as it was, I could tell what has happened to my overall energy levels - likely from my body healing from the multiple insults done it Monday.

I talked with workman's comp adjuster today and she has approved the MRI, I should hear from their selected provider on Monday to get it scheduled.

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, good plan to stay off THOSE websites. But, a good anatomy chart has always been super useful to me in communicating with practitioners and identifying to myself what exactly is bothering me. Rest and heal ...

[thekarens]

My doctor told me long ago to stop consulting " Dr. Google." ☺

[Catrin]

My doctor told me long ago to stop consulting " Dr. Google." ☺

Indeed, always a good idea. My only problem with the anatomy charts is I wind up being more confused than when I started. Something about them, guess it is good I didn't try to go into medicine or physical therapy I AM working on a better understanding of knee anatomy.

[OakLeaf]

Make sure you use an updated chart then that shows the anterolateral ligament. They only definitively identified it a couple of years ago!

[Blueberry]

Indeed, always a good idea. My only problem with the anatomy charts is I wind up being more confused than when I started. Something about them, guess it is good I didn't try to go into medicine or physical therapy I AM working on a better understanding of knee anatomy.

See I love them! Of course, my current thinking is that I'll try to match in ortho after med school, so one would hope Part of the problem with looking at the charts is they don't necessarily tell you when I'll feel pain if one or the other structure is injured.

Hang in there, and I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this much frustration! I actually had a WC knee issue about 6 years ago (fell going into the building) - and I remember the mess that was scheduling the PT, MRI, etc. with their providers. Total headache.

[Catrin]

I tried to look up images related to the anterolateral ligament and could really only find actual surgery images....shiver. My coach seems to think it likely a meniscus injury but time will tell. I am walking a bit easier, but still wind up hopping downstairs and the knee just doesn't feel right. I do wonder about the actual patella and the two collateral ligaments. Hopefully I've simply bruised the inside patella lining and p'od my "runner's knee" and arthritis. At least, once this is done, we will know exactly what is wrong with my knee.

All in all, given what has happened, I consider myself to be quite lucky. The overall scale and scope of injuries could have been far worse given a full force face plant on concrete!

[Catrin]

MRI in a couple of hours, should have the results by Friday morning at the latest.

It really is very strange. While it IS working better, and there is much less pain and swelling, I still get sharp pains in the knee. Mechanically speaking, I no longer have to hop downstairs like I did, but it is apparent that my knee isn't operating like the other one. As the day progresses I get more discomfort - and LOTS of numbness in my calf/IT Band, down the outside of my lower leg in the afternoon when in the office. While I HAVE stopped going to my KB group until I get the results (it felt too much like playing with fire), I did some very light work last night at home and yeah, there were issues. Really hoping that this is something that doesn't require surgery and they tell me that I can still workout...this forced inactivity is about to drive me up the wall.

Send me good thoughts and prayers that this is "just" something like internal bruising

[thekarens]

Good luck! Wishing you a simple recovery even if it's not quick.

[Crankin]

Glad you were able to work that little problem out!
Now, sending lots of good thoughts that it means no surgery and back to all of your activities asap.

[OakLeaf]

Haha, reminds me of having my hand in a cast during the blizzard of '78. I caught mono two weeks after breaking it, so it took twice as long as it should've to heal, then when I went to get my should've-been-final X-rays they had no electricity, and when it was finally time for the cast to come off the saw was broken and the doctor had to cut it off with tin snips.

Glad you got it done anyway, hope the doctor gives you good news!

[emily_in_nc]

Hoping for a good MRI report for you, Catrin. Shame it's causing you so much discomfort and pain, and having to curtail your normal activities. That is frustrating, for sure. Keep us posted!

[Catrin]

Considering what I COULD have heard, I consider this good news - and not a surprise.

While I knew I had some arthritic changes in that knee, and also a bit of chondromalacia patella which meant I already had tracking problems with that patella. Unknown to me, my arthritis in that knee had deteriorated enough to now considered to be "Moderate to Severe", and of course I've lost some cartilage. Basically, I hit the ground with enough force to seriously aggravate this underlying condition. Considering the extent of my face injuries, I now suspect that my knee took the brunt force of my fall, and only then my face. Yes, I had a broken nose and open wounds on my face (including my lips), but if my face had truly taken the full force of my fall, I think the damage would have been much worse.

So, no surgery. They gave me a very tight sleeve for my knee which feels wonderful! I've also been referred to physical therapy for a few sessions to work on that knee. I can also do whatever I want fitness wise - as long as it doesn't hurt. So, while this has likely put the kabosh on my August competition, I still consider this good news. At my age things take longer to heal, and it is great to know that I CAN continue with my preferred method of training and to work with my training group. I also don't know what I COULD have replaced it with, given other injuries have taken me off the bike and I can't run!

I also seem to be racking up quite the collection of arthritis: moderate-severe arthritis in knee, thumbs/wrists, and cervical spine. Moderate arthritis in hip. Yikes! Thankfully, at least, the one in my hip doesn't hurt/impact me. Personally, I think I am a bit young for all of this, but perhaps 55 isn't THAT young. Even if I do feel, usually, like I am aging backwards

[thekarens]

All in all very good news. Yay!

[emily_in_nc]

Whew, no surgery, no tendon or ligament tears. Yep, could be worse. Arthritis happens to most/all of us. I've got it in my big toe joints, lower back, and probably other areas as well. But I walk, run, ride, and do yoga, all within the limits of my abilities. Glad the brace feels good and that you'll be able to get back to your training!