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Second Knee

I currently have one of the knees that I was born with; the left one was replaced due to arthritis in May 2021.

I spent the previous 10 months or so in 2020-2021 in pain when I walked, using a cane. I wanted to wait until I was vaccinated against COVID before entering a hospital for surgery, and after that I wanted to wait until after my classes were done for the academic year to leave a good deal of time for my rehab.

On Wednesday of this week something loudly went pop in my right knee as I stepped down from a curb in a parking lot. I believe that I was stepping normally without any particular torsion; it's so much fun getting older. 

I had a good deal of pain for the rest of the day and went to Orthopedic Urgent Care after I left work. They suspect a damaged ligament or tendon but since they found advanced arthritis in that knee as well they proposed treating the symptoms until I could replace that knee. I pulled out my cane, put on a knee brace, and am taking prescription anti-inflammatories.

The latter seemed to have helped, and as I write it I am having a good day in terms of knee pain. Until I deal with the arthritis I suspect I will have good and bad days.

Back in 2020--2021 I had to prepare myself mentally for having anyone take a bone saw to me but I am there already for this knee to be replaced. I've had three pretty good years with my artificial left knee and know what to expect in terms of rehab, so that helps a good deal.

I would have preferred coming to this point when I didn't have to wait nine months to move forward, but I am affluent with good medical insurance and so I don't complain too loudly.


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