I've Gone Lame -- UPDATE..Doing Better!

[Chocomare]

It was the end of a long day yesterday and the sun was setting. Just me and another boarder were at the barn to feed. Gave the mares their dinner, filled up the water trough and was headed in to grab a bale to put out.

I should have turned on the main barn light, not just the side lights.... cuz in that 1/2 darkened state, one cannot see a pallett on the hay covered dirt floor, especially when 1/2 the pallett is buried under old hay.

My right foot caught under said pallet and down I went--my left knee taking all my weight RIGHT ON A SOLID OAK OLD PALLETT. Oh geez that hurt. I almost threw up. #10_5_3#

I lay there groaning, seeing stars when the other boarder hears me and runs over. I hand him the cell phone and tell him to call the hubby to come take me to the ER. I knew this was bad. #traurig7#

Four hours later, X-rays showed no fracture Thank God, but I'm in a knee immobilizer, on crutches with a referral to an ortho because I probably blew out every ligament....seing as how the knee moved sideways/laterally which is not the way God intended it to move.

Oh well...there goes my early spring conditioning of Penny and Tank. There goes teaching for a while.

Hmmm, wonder what God wants to teach me in this. Could it be patience? Nah, no way.

[shadowsrider]

Oh, dear, I have one of those knees. I was kicked in the side of the knee by a Hanovarian. And yup, I thought I was going to vomit.

My knee wobbles around like a weeble and is worse when my leg muscles are tired or weak. The only think holding my joint together at this point is the surrounding muscles. There is no ligiment support whatsoever. My orthopedic doctor says he's not sure he's ever seen one so bad, lol.

All in all, though, it's something I can still live with. Been about 16 years since it's happened, and although it's had it's ups and downs, it's not been that bad. Not as bad as some people's problems, so there is hope for your knee. I have a brace that I can use for certain situations (when I'm out of shape and will be walking a lot like at an amusement park) and I have to wrap it with an ace bandage and pull a slip-on ace knee brace on over that in order to ride. In the last five years or so, I have had to stop jumping at the level I used to, my knee will not support me at anything over three foot, nor can I practice the amount that is needed to jump well at that level. So, now I stick to mostly smaller stuff, and ocassionally work up a three foot session (after which I can barely walk for a few days, lol). But I can still trail ride all day long, and that is where my heart is now. And when I am in shape better, it can do more for longer, too.

So, what I'm saying is, your knee may never be right again, but it can certainly be livable for a very long time. It's been over 16 years for me, and I am no where near needing any operation or anything, yet.

Take care, take your time, don't be in a rush to get back on your feet. Please keep us posted (now that you will have a lot of time to sit at the computer!)

[Chocomare]

Good news! Just got back from the ortho. Nothing's broken and I didn't tear anything. Got close but didn't.

Three to four weeks of physical therapy and I should be good to go! #clap#

[tawna24]

So happy to hear this Choco!! I will be praying for a quick recovery for you!!

[Chocomare]

Thank you my dear! Right back atcha!!!! #prayer# #df228d72#

[shadowsrider]

Good news, indeed!

[ixyshua]

I'm so glad to hear your good news that there is no destructive damage. Just take it easy, if you can, and you'll be back at it in no time.

[Chocomare]

Ugh. I start torture....uh.....I mean therapy today at 1pm. NOT looking forward to it.

Oh well. Pray I get a gentle therapist

[Chocomare]

Well it wasn't so bad. I think the therapist was just lulling me into a false sense of security tho #lmao#

I got some gentle electro-shock and ice therapy. Some exercises to do at home and orders to keep it iced. There's still a lot of swelling.

I go back every Wednesday and Friday, starting next week, probably for another four weeks.

[Chocomare]

I had my third round of therapy today and it was great. I've been cut back to only once a week, HAVE BEEN CLEARED TO RIDE!!!! and if I'm doing much better by next Friday's appointment, I will be cleared to just get rechecked by the ortho.

The knee is feeling much, much better. I can finally do stairs like a normal person, with just the slightest twinge. The only remaining pain is when the bone to the inside of the knee is directly touched....that's where I hit so the bone is very bruised still.

Thanks for the prayers!