So, just as I was entering the heart of Summer paddling season, I injured my recently replaced right knee during a power walk. I stepped in a pothole and hit it just as all the weight of my stride was transfering to my right leg. I felt my knee buckle and down I went. I was able to put weight on it and finish my walk.
As the weekend wore on, my knee felt worse and worse. On Monday I called my orthopedic surgeon and he had me get an x-ray and come in to see him. He told me he saw a slight crack in my patella (knee cap) but was not able to get a clear view of it because me knee replacement hardware shows up as a solid mass on the image. He had me get a CT Scan, which took a couple days to schedule.
Once he had the CT he sat me down and started off by saying "I don't think you will need surgery, which is good because the recovery on that type of procedure is six months". Yikes! I asked what is the recovery without surgery? He explained I will need to have my leg in a full length brace for 3 months. Well $hit, that takes me right up to my already scheduled left knee replacement!
So, the rest of my 2021 is all mapped out for me. Three months of recovery for my fractured kneecap. then a two week break followed by knee replacement surgery on my left knee, and the three months of recovery and rehab after that. I'm really bummed that my kayaking season is over for 2021. The good news is I'll be rested, fit and ready for the Cumberland River through paddle starting in April 2022.
