OT: My contract status is in danger

[forty_three]

I will have to undergo some physical therapy but will be able to avoid surgery and be ready to go for camp. Time for Eklund to start the rumor mill about the size of my contract and the need for me to be traded.

But I ain't going nowhere. I have a NMC, and will not waive it for anyone except Ottawa.



I have been experiencing some pretty serious pain in my right knee and was worried that the Surgery I avoided when I was 18 had finally caught me, what with the increased road bike regimen I've been on, the fact that I have been back on a BMX bike and skated a lot this year. It really looked like I was gonna be laid up for the start of hockey season this year.

But the MRI shows no tears or severe damage. Other than some major arthritis, two rough flat spots and a split on the side of my kneecap that has branched into a bone spur poking at the ACL (or the MCL, whichever one is on the inside of the knee) I should be good to go with just PT, less bike riding for a few months until PT strengthens the area around the knee and an oil change (Cortizone).

The doc did tell me that while the rest of my body is 42 years old, my knees just hit mandatory retirement age. And they will both probably have to be replaced by the time the rest of my body is 55. Arthritis sucks.

I walked in today;
Doc "How's it feel?"
Me "Worse than last time."
Doc "Oh? That's odd. Lets have a look at it..."
Me "I'm sure it's because of the 100 mile bike ride on Saturday"
Doc <glare>... "Nah, there's gotta be some scientific reason. Is it a full moon?"

 

[pixburgher66]

*shakes head* You athletes never change. What was your youthful injury that you avoided surgery? If you don't mind my asking that is. (And yes, it's the MCL on the inside of the knee.)

 

[forty_three]

*shakes head* You athletes never change. What was your youthful injury that you avoided surgery? If you don't mind my asking that is. (And yes, it's the MCL on the inside of the knee.)

A vicious crash that led to a very major sprain. Doc believed at the time that there was ligament damage and scar tissue from a previous wreck. I kept putting it off, and eventually it felt better. I think I've had major sprains on every joint in my lower extremities as well as both shoulders and one wrist. I bent. I rarely broke. Just my jaw.

It's really just the culmination of the abuse over years. Had to come up with this history for this new doc:
BMX racing and freestyle ages 7 - 24, back on the bike this year
Ice Hockey, Goalie ages 8 - 18, 26 - 34, 37 - present
Baseball, Catcher ages 6 - 18
Volleyball, Outside hitter ages 13 - 17
Volleyball, beach Ages 16 - 25
Diving, 3 and 5 meter springboard ages 13 - 16
Road biking ages 35 - present
Mountain Biking ages 26 - present
Snowboarding ages 14 - 25

Also was a swimmer during the competitive diving years. Plus all the associated gym rat time for all that. Sometimes I wonder how I am even still walking.

 

[banditshcky11]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT let the doctors do a lateral release if they can't find a specific reason for your injury.

I've had bad knee problems over the past 3years(tore my ACL and minicus that have been repaired). I also had this thing called a lateral release which my basic understanding is they cut whatever is holding your patella(knee cap) to the rest of your joint in an effort to stop grinding(pain). It was the worst idea ever IMO. I spent so much time in the ER afterwards having it drained and looked at and I believe it's what has caused any recurring problems/pain I've had. Oh yea and the worst part is that it heals and when it does(which is usually within a few years) it will not feel right at all.

My best advice is really research whatever doctors you're going to and make sure they don't have any pending lawsuits against them for malpractice. Other then that good luck getting it all taken care of.

 

[pixburgher66]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT let the doctors do a lateral release if they can't find a specific reason for your injury.

I've had bad knee problems over the past 3years(tore my ACL and minicus that have been repaired). I also had this thing called a lateral release which my basic understanding is they cut whatever is holding your patella(knee cap) to the rest of your joint in an effort to stop grinding(pain). It was the worst idea ever IMO. I spent so much time in the ER afterwards having it drained and looked at and I believe it's what has caused any recurring problems/pain I've had. Oh yea and the worst part is that it heals and when it does(which is usually within a few years) it will not feel right at all.

My best advice is really research whatever doctors you're going to and make sure they don't have any pending lawsuits against them for malpractice. Other then that good luck getting it all taken care of.

They...don't do that one much anymore. Rehab is where it's at. Always rehab before you get surgical. I know a lot of people would rather the lazier route, but man surgery should always be the last option. Lateral release is done because you were probably tracking laterally and it caused grinding under the patella, because you were out of the groove. The thing is, if you rehab the muscles on the medial part of your thigh, you *should* have the same results. But yeah, if the issue is arthritic, then it's rehab to strengthen muscles, cortizone as a band-aid, and the eventual path to knee replacement. HUZZAH!

 

[4thstreet]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT let the doctors do a lateral release if they can't find a specific reason for your injury.

I've had bad knee problems over the past 3years(tore my ACL and minicus that have been repaired). I also had this thing called a lateral release which my basic understanding is they cut whatever is holding your patella(knee cap) to the rest of your joint in an effort to stop grinding(pain). It was the worst idea ever IMO. I spent so much time in the ER afterwards having it drained and looked at and I believe it's what has caused any recurring problems/pain I've had. Oh yea and the worst part is that it heals and when it does(which is usually within a few years) it will not feel right at all.

My best advice is really research whatever doctors you're going to and make sure they don't have any pending lawsuits against them for malpractice. Other then that good luck getting it all taken care of.

don't trust doctors-just like mechanics,they need you for return business.

I have never had any surgeries or major injuries from years of hockey,lacrosse,baseball,wrestling,etc.Work out daily,and loosen up before any physical activity.

 

[banditshcky11]

They...don't do that one much anymore. Rehab is where it's at. Always rehab before you get surgical. I know a lot of people would rather the lazier route, but man surgery should always be the last option. Lateral release is done because you were probably tracking laterally and it caused grinding under the patella, because you were out of the groove. The thing is, if you rehab the muscles on the medial part of your thigh, you *should* have the same results. But yeah, if the issue is arthritic, then it's rehab to strengthen muscles, cortizone as a band-aid, and the eventual path to knee replacement. HUZZAH!

Yea I found that out a year after the surgery... I made the mistake of trusting a doctor who worked with the US ski team and didn't seek a second opinion because I thought he was credible, big mistake.(I did do extensive rehab before my surgery) He basically thought along the same lines you stated, however once I had the surgery everything was fucked up. I've had 2 more since to repair damage that was supposedly(what 2 other doctors have told me) a result of a "careless and unnessecary lateral release". The reason I was saying not to allow surgery before they have a definitive cause for the pain is because I was told that after a surgery is performed it can be harder to pinpoint the original problem if said surgery does not take care of said problem.

For the record: I am not, nor due I claim to be a doctor & I rarely have a clue what they're talking about. The purpose of sharing my experience is to solely warn you that if you trust the wrong doctor you can have recurring and more serious problems.

 

[Vadered]

For the record: I am not, nor due I claim to be a doctor & I rarely have a clue what they're talking about. The purpose of sharing my experience is to solely warn you that if you trust the wrong doctor you can have recurring and more serious problems.

I think the hot lady avatar gives you more credibility on these boards than any number of certificates or degrees ever would.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

I think the hot lady avatar gives you more credibility on these boards than any number of certificates or degrees ever would.

I've pretty much been basing any major life decisions and core principles around what him and beantown say.

 

[wings-pens2166]

A vicious crash that led to a very major sprain. Doc believed at the time that there was ligament damage and scar tissue from a previous wreck. I kept putting it off, and eventually it felt better. I think I've had major sprains on every joint in my lower extremities as well as both shoulders and one wrist. I bent. I rarely broke. Just my jaw.

It's really just the culmination of the abuse over years. Had to come up with this history for this new doc:
BMX racing and freestyle ages 7 - 24, back on the bike this year
Ice Hockey, Goalie ages 8 - 18, 26 - 34, 37 - present
Baseball, Catcher ages 6 - 18
Volleyball, Outside hitter ages 13 - 17
Volleyball, beach Ages 16 - 25
Diving, 3 and 5 meter springboard ages 13 - 16
Road biking ages 35 - present
Mountain Biking ages 26 - present
Snowboarding ages 14 - 25

Also was a swimmer during the competitive diving years. Plus all the associated gym rat time for all that. Sometimes I wonder how I am even still walking.

have you ever given any thoughts to triathlons? I've been a runner since about the 6th grade and been road biking for about 15 years now. I recently started doing tri's and have really enjoyed it. I suck in the water (very, very slow), but I crush the bike and still do a better then decent run (knees just aren't what they used to be). It's great picking off one fast swimmer after another.

 

[forty_three]

have you ever given any thoughts to triathlons? I've been a runner since about the 6th grade and been road biking for about 15 years now. I recently started doing tri's and have really enjoyed it. I suck in the water (very, very slow), but I crush the bike and still do a better then decent run (knees just aren't what they used to be). It's great picking off one fast swimmer after another.

Running is a major issue for me. It's actually what kept me out of the police academy when I was 18. I just can't do it for any sustained period.

I am fast as hell in the water and on a bike, but the run would be the end for me.

 

[dare2be]

For the record: I am not, nor due I claim to be a doctor & I rarely have a clue what they're talking about. The purpose of sharing my experience is to solely warn you that if you trust the wrong doctor you can have recurring and more serious problems.

Ok, Dr. Recchi.

 

[banditshcky11]

Ok you guys caught me I didn't want to bring it up but...

"My dad's a gynecologist. He looks at vaginas all day long."

 

[DevilishWon]

I think the hot lady avatar gives you more credibility on these boards than any number of certificates or degrees ever would.

true story