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October 17, 2007
The latest report
I was changing in the locker room at the gym tonight and I thought about how long it's been since Wednesday night (or Tuesday) meant "track night." I almost can't believe that I am the same person who did everything possible to clear her schedule to be able to make it to track. I've gotten used to the "new me," but every so often, I think about it and I get frustrated.
Anyway. So this morning's run was a little better than yesterday's, but very similar. It wasn't yet hot but I could feel the humidity creeping in. I continue to be without music on my runs because the latest shuffle I got never worked and I haven't had a chance to go to the Apple store--I hope to go this weekend. But I wouldn't say I'm ever bored while running, so it's not such a big deal. This morning I did my Howard U-Cardozo/Shaw loop. It goes through some gritty neighborhoods and occasionally, like this morning, people like to yell things. As long as they are somewhat complimentary (like today's, "Hey baby, I'll get in shape for you!"), I am amused.
My first stop post-run this morning was the orthopedist. I left the apartment without my MRI films despite leaving them right next to my bag and had to go back to get them, which combined with really bad traffic on my bus route, made me late. So most of the time I spent at the doctor was in the waiting room. Eventually, the doctor came in and breezed over my MRI. I was curious if they would show less of a wear pattern and more of an acute thing from my fall last spring, but he said the cartilage problems were most likely due to "normal" wear and tear. He said my knee doesn't look "terrible," but obviously it's not miraculously get cartilage back. We had the same discussion we've had several times after that, going over what he sees are my options: doing nothing; trying these injections that might increase the viscosity of the synovial fluid; cleaning up the knee arthroscopically, but he said that's not a long-term fix; or doing a lateral release, which is drastic (6 months of no running) but could ultimately change the tracking of my knee.
For now, I'm going to try the injections, but I need to make sure it will be okay with the insurance company because I don't want to get stuck with an enormous bill. I am supposed to wait a couple of weeks to fill the prescription for the stuff he would inject so that he can write a letter for insurance.
I left there feeling pretty frustrated. I almost wish someone would tell me what to do, but there aren't any clear answers here. I've heard sketchy things about the lateral release (although one of my friends did well with that) and most people who get that have pain in the IT band area. I should probably get the arthoscopic surgery, but I don't want surgery at all. Maybe I'm a baby, but I'm going to try and avoid it right now. I also have a sneaking suspicion that my left knee might actually look worse in terms of wear and tear on and MRI, and I've managed that for a long time now.
So, that's where I'm at. The same place I was before I went to the doctor this morning, basically. It's okay, though, I was distracted from thinking about it too much because I was busy at work most of the day. I went to the gym as usual but I was so hungry that I ended up cutting it short and making the earlier bus home. I think I ate too much candy corn today and forgot to eat enough real food!
Posted by becky at October 17, 2007 8:36 PM