Two bad knees
I am a 27-year-old former high school football player and weight lifter. I have a history of joint problems, and of those, my knees are the worst. About 10 years ago, I had ACL/PCL, and Medial Collateral reconstruction on my right knee. Additionally, in a diagnostic arthroscopy, the meniscus was removed almost completely. This was all due to a traumatic blow to the lateral side of my knee. Before that, I had a history of water on the knee, torn meniscus, and Partial ACL tear on my left knee. I had an exploratory arthroscopy 2 years ago, and the surgeon explained that mine were the worst 25-year-old knees she had seen in 15 years of performing surgeries of that nature. The ACL on my left knee is now gone, and the joint is completely unstable. Also, as you can imagine, the osteoarthritis on my right knee has eroded the joint to the point where I now face joint replcement if I want to continue any kind of active lifestyle.
I have done the ACL recovery before, and was up and walking within a few days (with crutches). I imagine the replacement will require even more down time for recovery.
Now, being fairly young, I don't want to spend 2 years on crutches or with a cane, but I want to get back to some portion of my active lifestyle. How should I approach my recovery? Facing this every few years has been incredibly depressing, and I have even taken a job that keeps me seated to alleviate some pain.
I hope you can lend some insight.
Mark
From:
b00per@aol.com
