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February 24, 2006

Crunchy Knees

So I picked up a copy of my knee MRI today, they burned it to a CD for me how cool is that, and they also included a copy of the radiologist's preliminary report.

"Grade 3 chondromalacia is identified in both the medial and lateral compartments of the tibiofemoral joint. There is grade 2 chondromalacia patellae."

See here for the definitions, but basically it means the cartilage in my knee is well on its way to being totally shot. As in worn, torn, used and abused.

Like duh. I already knew that. I imagine my right knee would show something similar. That's why when I bend then straighten my leg, my knee sounds like someone walking on Rice Krispies. Which is fun to really freak people out with too, btw. Not that I would do that. Much. Heh.

Anyway, it doesn't appear that there's anything in my knee that would be causing nerve pain in my leg. So unless the neurosurgeon tells me differently on Monday, I'll prolly be scheduling me some back surgery in the very near future.

Anything to make this stop.

Posted by Rita at February 24, 2006 12:32 PM

Comments

Sounds awful. Have you considered acupuncture? I have never tried it, nor can I figure any basis for it to work, but I thought someone would ask you that question, so it might as well be me. :-)

Posted by: Jim - PRS at February 24, 2006 07:27 PM

I've tried acupuncture a couple of times, though not for this. It worked amazingly well on a pulled muscle but that was about it.

I have no idea why.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 26, 2006 07:02 AM

UGH. I don't know what to say. The idea of back surgery is scary, but then what else is there to do? Matt and I will continue to pray that your problems will resolve soon and that you will no longer be in pain.

Posted by: Vicky at February 27, 2006 08:31 AM

Well, the neurosurgeon said I basically had two choices:

1) Have the surgery & hope it worked;
2) Learn to live with it.

I would prefer not to do #2. My mom tried that, and it didn't work out too well.

The surgery doesn't sound too terribly major. He said I could do it outpatient if I was a good girl and didn't have any complications.

I'll keep you posted.

Posted by: Rita at February 27, 2006 08:53 AM