Following January 5th pt.1

 

The weeks following the night of my injury, I stayed in a brace and walked in crutches, I also went to see my piadiatrician and as I was right they felt my injury was more severe due to how fat and inflammed by knee was. They sent me to see a specialist in Chicago and that he should surely have the answer. Going to Univeristy of Chicago Medicine on January 14th, 2022, I was excited. For one I got to miss school, and two I thought I will surely have answers now! 

Going in I was greated by a incredibly nice nurse and doctor. They informed me that they will take out all the fuild built up in my knee with a suringe and they gave me a gown. I was very nervous as I get a little anxious with needles and it operation just made me feel slightly queezy. Though they brought in the suringes and even a live x-ray that had used a tool that looked like the tools they use to see into a pregnant women’s belly. As prior to poking into my skin they numbed my knee thankfully which gave me more relief and easied the pain. I refused to look as I knew I’d freak out and maybe even faint. The doctor went in and pulled out two big suriges of fliud and blood, my mom watched and was shocked, and I felt queezy again. I was lucky enough that the pain was minimal, though it felt very werid feeling as if my knee was deflating with the suction of fluid. As he showed me my knee with my x-ray I was fascinated! Though the feeling shortly left after. The doctor after did inform me that he was afraid I may have torn my ACL and Meniscus, and unfortunately with those injuries they require surgery and take 9 months of recover. I replied in dissapoint okay’s, trying to hold in my emotion and not cry, and he responded with regret and sorryies. 

As the doctor left the room I sit down, sigh, and finally let my tears roll down my cheeks. I felt hot, and heavy as my mom also told me she was sorry as she tried to comfort me with a hug. Though I just felt frustrated and defeated as I knew I would not be able to finish the rest for my season. The doctor returned and reported he scheduled me to get an MRI and to see with another specialist to follow up. Thus, I followed with the MRI at University of Chicago medicine in my home town (Orland Park) on January 19th, and saw the my new orthopedic doctor on the 25th. 

Thankfull with this doctor I got so much more detail and information on my injury and return to play. He reported “…There does appear to be some fluid between the cartilage defect and the bone. However, there is no disc significant displacement of that cartilage piece. In addition, the MRI shows evidence of a prior patellar instability episode…along with a full-thickness chondral delamination of the inferomedial facet of the patella… Certainly, it is concerning that this piece is unstable and could dislodge. However, it is also possible that the piece of cartilage was not displaced and may heal in place… I would like the patient to rest from sports for about six weeks and can start physical therapy. However, in six weeks, she may gradually return to full activity”. Along with this he ordered another MRI in 3-4 months to evaulate how I healed, if it continues to be unstable to consider surgery. Though this all depends on if I have another accident. Though these news gave me hope. I felt soon enough I’ll be all better, I can still play lacrosse this season, with limited abilities of course, but overall my athletic life could continue on! I came to learn this feeling was unfortunately short lived.