Multiple knee injuries

[pegasi]

Next week I go in for knee surgery #5 on the same knee. My dr has been great, keeps patching me up, but I keep managing to wreck things again. Been nearly 5 yrs since my last knee surgery, so that's not as bad as last time, when I only made it 18mos.

Anyone else continuing martial arts with multiple knee issues? I can't run or jump anymore, and my instructors are great about giving me a "pass" on the things I physically cannot accomplish, like jump kicks.

The bummer is that the damage is bad this time, more than one thing needs fixing, plus whatever didn't show on the MRI, I'm sure there's some more wreckage. I'm looking at February to resume training, if I'm lucky.

I hate being sidelined... but I'm trying to keep up on my forms anyway.

[bushido_man96]

Man, that's rough. What do you keep doing to get your knees so tore up? That seems like a lot of operations on the same knee.

[pegasi]

Unfortunately, one operation was the result of an accident 16 days after surgery, I'd jammed the knee and undid the first op,so got another 11 wks later. One surgery was unrelated, a lateral meniscus hangnail tear, nipped off and walked home from that knee op. The last one was a follow up to the two that were 11 weeks apart, 18 mos later retore meniscus. the upcoming op was a result of being kicked in the knee, I didn't do anything other than be tagged by a beginner in a no contact drill. my knee being messed up already probably made it easier to injure, especially with a direct hit to the damaged area.

[bushido_man96]

Man, that's a rough go. Just take it easy, and do only what your body allows you to. Keep your head up!

[DWx]

Wow, that must be real bummer. Kudos to you for continuing to train when lots of people would have given up. I hope all goes well with the surgery.

[pegasi]

Thanks guys, for the encouragement and good wishes. Will post later and let you guys know what happened with the surgery.

[bushido_man96]

You're welcome, and I hope that all goes well.

[pegasi]

Had my surgery, know that more meniscus is gone, removed loose chunks, and did something with the kneecap, couldn't read the detail, will know more at my postop appt. Hurts a lot, that's for sure.

[bushido_man96]

Heal it up. Get back soon!

[pegasi]

The latest on my knee is that there was more damage than the mri showed, mostly wear and tear related, but not good all the same. So, I ended up getting the back of my kneecap shaved while the doc was in there. That explains why the postop pain's been so bad. Here it is, a bit more than 3 weeks out, and I'm still on painkillers. Not as much, but still needing them. I would like to be off them, have tried to discontinue, but still to much pain. Starting rehab this coming week. Been delays with that due to insurance, but that's normal these days. I've got my range of motion back anyways, as good as I had before. It'll never be "full" range, but at least it's in the "functional" category.

Doc says I should be able to return to taekwondo, but not when. I guess that depends on me. At least he didn't say no.