Injury and Recovery: A Journey

Faith, Hope, and a Plan

January of 2012 was the time of my knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus and remove bone chips.  Dr. Ward of Grand Strand Orthopedics was the surgeon who gave hope to a hopeless situation.  I had damaged the knee while playing the game of racket ball.  “Doc, how long before I will be able to play sports again?”

The doctor was silent and slow to respond, but when pressed for an answer, he replied, ” You will know in time.”  He alluded to the possibility of compromise in my active lifestyle.  The journey to recovery had begun.

The first year was slow and methodical, going to the gym and riding a bicycle to exercise the knee while maintaining a regime of low of impact on the knee.  I could not run or move very quickly, and agility was nonexistent. Patience and persistence was all that I had to give hope to recovery.

Eighteen months into the recovery, the knee began to get stronger, I felt a change, it felt promising.  The knee was still weak but I was walking without a limp.  The exercise and optimism continued as the recovery is now into 32 months.  The knee has improved greatly, movement has returned and the ability to run has returned  although not without great effort.  Some compromises have been adopted; no high impact sports, like basketball and racket ball are being played, and a brace is worn to support the knee while playing softball.

While playing with some limitations, there has been some successes. I have returned to playing tournament softball on the big stage.  The biggest adjustment was playing defensively  with limited quickness and strength to bolt after a ground ball traveling at 90 m.p.h. through the infield.  I have moved from the shortstop position to third base. Last weekend, I was pressed into playing shortstop in a national tournament, and helped our team in winning the American Softball Association National Championship in Burlington, N.C.  I had not played shortstop for over four years, since the injury.  It was a blessed moment, and thanks be to God, I did not let down the team.  It has been a very memorable season with the winning of games and championships.  The teams have rallied around me and given support to my situation, many times running the bases to give my knee rest and time for recovery.  Especially,  come the grueling game schedule of tournaments.

My faith in God and  in myself has provided the spiritual 2014CHChampionsWorldCup_edited-1encouragement so necessary for my recovery.

An update: Please see link below for 2014 All-American Team and selection of M.V.P.(Most Valuable Player) award under 65 AA ..http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?NID=730

 

 

World Cup Medals with A.S.A. Medal in the center.

World Cup Medals with A.S.A. Medal in the center.

The Serenity Prayer

 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

 

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

 

–Reinhold Niebuhr

 

Serenity Prayer

Recovery: 52 Days of Healing

Today, I will be seen by Dr. Ward, Grand Strand Surgeon, who performed the operation on my ailing meniscus tear.  My knee has been improving, although, I am a little impatient with my walk.  I have been unable to put much weight on it.  I have been continuing with workouts and biking to maintain my energy and fitness.  Just in the last few days, I have been limping considerably less, I remain hopeful and on target for a return to sports.  Realistically, my knee has progressive arthritis and little can be done about it.  Although,on a positive note, I had some bone spurs  removed from my knee, I do feel the difference in the freedom of movement.  Today, I will be asking some questions of the doctor.  What are the recommended exercises?  Cautions?  Pros and cons?  I will journal the results in upcoming blogs.  I am keeping my freeze wrap available to me as needed. It helps with inflammation and brings needed oxygen to the knee.  Your best wishes and positive thoughts are appreciated.

Knee Surgery and Recovery: 30 Days

The recovery has been slow but sure.  I am walking but have a slight limp at times.  The doctor has recommended that I avoid running or heavy use of the knee  until my next visit on February 19th.  I am feeling some anxiety about the knee’s recovery , as I workout my upper body and ride a stationary bike.  Actually, I have attended several spinning or cycling classes in which the knee has been exercised for 45 to 60 minutes non stop.  Today, I am going to forego an early morning class of cycling for a less demanding bike ride in the neighborhood.  I have been going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week for the last 3 weeks. The change of pace will be freeing.  I still have questions about the knee, but I hold onto the hope of being able to play softball this Spring. Your support throughout the journey has been appreciated.

My Knee Injury, Surgery, Recovery, and Return to Sports: A Case in Point

Link

 

For the Love of the Game

I awoke from my knee operation wondering to myself, what now?” .

Dr. Ward of Grand Strand Orthopedics in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina had completed arthroscopic knee surgery for a meniscus tear on my knee.  The knee is one of the most commonly injured parts of the body, and the meniscus tears are often the cause of knee injuries. (www.sstrandorthopaedic.com).  His 30 years of medical experience has come to symbolize excellence among athletes and confidence among those in need of orthopedic surgery in the Grand Strand area. I highly recommend his services. Please read ” MyJournal” toward recovery and share your experiences. The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shin bone and thigh bone and distributes weight across the knee joint.  When this cartilage tears, it can cause pain and instability in the knee joint. As, a patient and recovering athlete, I will explain how the knee injury has impacted my life and my road to recovery.  Future journal postings will create a timeline of events to share with others who are experiencing  a similar recovery. Amateur and Professional athletes are always looking for new and innovative technologies as a solution to recovery from a knee injury.  For injuries of the ligaments, muscles, and tendons, blood flow is the most critical element in rapid recovery.  Blood flow brings oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the area which are required for the body to heal itself.  Unfortunately, an injured knee at rest has a restricted blood flow but all too often also results in a small but frequent re-injury. It is from my personal experience that I want to recommend a healing solution for serious knee injuries. .knee  www.kingbrand.com is the leader healing solutions and treatment for knee injuries.. This knee wrap is a state of the art technology that uses frozen gel packs inserted into the interior of the velcro wrap system to surround the knee with 20 minutes of therapy.  Multiple gel packs are included with the wrap system which will fit universally.  I have used this system with great results, especially right after the surgery, my knee was sore and suffering from inflammation.  Currently, I use the therapy after heavy physical use of the knee.  As a caution, consult with your doctor prior to using any physical activity.  With this tool for therapy, and limited knee exercises, I am beginning my journey back to better health.