Fix My Knee

On Thursday night after tutoring, David & I were riding the 6-train home. At one of the downtown-ish stops a girl got on the train, and as the train started moving she twisted her knee - hard. It was like déjà vu! Several people asked if she was OK, and she said she'd dislocated her knee, and that it hadn't happened in years. We got off with her at the next stop (Astor Place), which has a Kmart conveniently located right off the station. She bought an ice pack and an Ace brace, and we packed her into a cab and sent her home (to Park Slope, of all places).

Today she called to thank us, and I gave her the link to this blog. As I was giving her the info, David was mouthing, "Tell her yours was the meniscus, too!" Because, yeah, this site was soooo depressing! Anyway, hi Cara! It really, really isn't that bad. I'm 4 1/2 months post-op and I went to the gym today, did a full workout, and even swam a little! And really, who cares if you can't run in the park when it's -4°C.

Well, it finally happened: My insurance company is denying coverage for further visits to physical therapy. I called them this morning and I have to file an appeal. I'm putting that together today. I've also been warned that the appeal can take up to 3 weeks to be resolved, and during that time while I may opt to pay out-of-pocket, I might not be reimbursed.

Dr. Nestor's office will fax me a letter of medical necessity, and I've already called my primary care physician for another referral. Besides a whiny letter about not yet having my quad back yet, I'm not sure what else to include in the appeal.

My last covered visit is tonight. I'll talk to Melissa then about what I should do, both about the appeal and about ongoing therapy, and perhaps she can give me a regime to tide me over until I can (hopefully) resume treatment.

Wish me luck!

A co-worker just sent me this excellent Flash movie! Check it out!

It's been exactly four months since surgery. I feel fantastic. Rehab is going swimmingly (literally - I started swimming!).

The weekend in Toronto was awesome. On Saturday morning my cousin Katherine & I went swimming, and she taught me how to do a proper front stroke (she's a lifeguard and swim instructor). Sunday morning I woke up early to work out in the hotel gym - I ran on the treadmill, then did wall slides, lunges, and leg press. Not a complete session, but pretty good for having squeezed it in.

Yesterday morning I saw Dr. Nestor. He is very happy with my leg at this point, even my quad. I bit the bullet and asked him about my left knee, which also has a torn ACL. He checked the MRI results (from two years ago, when that knee was bothering me) and did a clinical exam of my knee. He is recommending that I have the left knee repaired as well. I'm going to think about it, and if I do decide to go for it, I'll schedule surgery for late-Fall (so I can at least enjoy the summer!). Rehab for my left knee will be easier, as without the meniscal repair I'll be allowed to weight-bear immediately following surgery. My mom already offered to come again, even!

I see Dr. Nestor again in April. I'll continue rehab until then, and after that I'll likely be on my own again! I'm already planning to train for a triathlon or two this summer - that will also help me get in shape for the second surgery, if I decide to have it.