Saturday, February 23, 2013

results are in...

From the letter they mailed me, these are the results of the MRI.


The menisci are of normal signal and configuration without evidence for tear.
The ACL, PCL,MCL, and lateral collateral complex and extensor mechanism of the knee are intact. The popliteus tendon is intact.
No Fracture, AVN or osteochondral defect. There is horizontal orientation of the trochlea with lateral subluxation and tilting of the patella. The TT-TG is approximately 2cm. There is no edema in the infrapatellar fat. The articular cartilage is maintained tricompartmentally.
There is no joint effusion. There is a small popliteal cyst which extends superiorly. There is no muscle strain.
Impression: Menisci and ligaments intact. Abnormal trochlear configuration with lateral patellar subluxation and tilting. TT-TG of 2 cm.

so basically, my kneecap is sitting out of joint (displaced they told me on the phone) and is tilted. I have a cyst in the back of my knee.

there you have it. all those lovely words up there scored me a referral to a sports med doctor on Feb 27th. found out he's the chair of the department, so at least I know he knows his shit, right?

can it be Wednesday yet?

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

knee, MRI, and Lent...oh my!

I was finally able to schedule an MRI on my knee, that will take place tomorrow. I am really hoping some kind of answer comes from this. I need an answer.  There really aren't any good answers though that come after 3 months of knee pain, so I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.  Sometimes being a nurse and having a degree in athletic training...I know too much.

Lent also starts tomorrow. Up until about 5 years ago, I really had no idea what Lent was. I had heard people mentioning they would give things up for Lent, but I did not grow up in a church where Lent was really observed.

I've been thinking hard about what to give up.  I've already given up soda this year.  Chocolate/sweets aren't really hard for me to give up nor is alcohol. 

I have been doing some emotional eating lately. A lot of stress with the kids. With still being unemployed. Not having answers about my knee. I've been hitting the fast food/junk a lot lately. Another friend posted that he was giving up "No more drive through dining. If it isn't worth getting out of the car for, it isn't worth eating."  I think I'll go with that. I don't know if I can give up my unsweet tea, but I'll make more of an effort to brew my own or buy it at the store instead of swinging through McD's (damn them being 1/4 mile from my house). However, if I am going inside, I will sit and eat. I will not buy from the drive thru.  This will include our weekly pizza nights (with movie!). I will be making the pizza at home.

I'd also like to DO something for Lent as well.  I'm making more of an effort to volunteer, especially in my kid's classrooms. They enjoy me coming in and their teachers are extremely appreciative. If I am to be unemployed, I will make use of my time. I will put it toward serving others as much as my schedule allows. 

I will also be cutting down on my Twitter usage. I took about a week break after realizing who my true friends are. I can handle that, but I was getting depressed about it. I don't need that in my life. As much as I enjoy Twitter, my emotional health is not worth it.


So there you have it.