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Probably tired of hearing this but...


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Just got back from the doctor, turns out my fears were true -- I need yet ANOTHER operation on my knee. It will be my sixth since August of '03. Ridiculous. I dunno, I guess I'm taking it alright (all things considered), but I'm definitely feeling pretty down about everything right now. Hopefully this will be the last for a long time, but who knows with me. I'm trying to stay positive, but after the SIXTH time hearing "you need to schedule surgery", it gets tough. I'll pull through though, I always manage.

So this time I'll be having my knee manipulated and cleaned out through means of scope. The scope isn't that big of a deal, but I'm concerned about the MUA. An MUA on a reconstructed tendon (especially only three months out of the reconstruction) is VERY risky. Thank God I have one of the best orthopedists/knee specialists in New Jersey (hell, even the COUNTRY! You know, he was the team doctor for the Detroit Lions and Tigers back in the eighties). I completely trust him, but I'm concerned nonetheless. He told me not to be concerned, it only makes things worse :P

Surgery is scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow. I'd have it sooner but you really shouldn't have operations less than six weeks apart from each other (my last being mid-October). Also, I can't be operated on until my opened incisions close a bit more (which two weeks should be fine).

I'll keep you guys updated on everything, as always. All I ask is that you guys and gals pray for me. :pray: Thanks. *sigh* :saddevil:

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Oh man RD, sorry to hear that you will need surgery again :(

But like you said, keep your thoughts positive and take things as they come, just think about all that you have been through and conquored already..you have a good attitude about this and that is a huge help.

My prayers are with you :pray: Wishing you all the best

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RD, I'm so sorry to hear this. How long do you think you'll be off your feet???

Also, what is MUA...it that short for the manipulation of the knee???

Good luck, RD (btw, you did know that Foster left the Norfolk game with an injury, right??? It's HIS fault!!!)

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RD, I'm so sorry to hear this.  How long do you think you'll be off your feet???

Also, what is MUA...it that short for the manipulation of the knee???

Good luck, RD (btw, you did know that Foster left the Norfolk game with an injury, right???  It's HIS fault!!!)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, basically an MUA is a manipulation. The full medical term is Manipulation Under Anesthesia, but doctors usually shorten it to either MUA or plain old manipulation.

And if you were wondering, a manipulation is when the surgeon will knock you out through means of general anesthesia and basically stretch the knee until the patient reaches a certain degree point in range of motion (or ROM). It's a very tedious procedure for the surgeon, it usually takes multiple tries before breaking the scar tissue up. Basically, the consistancy of scar tissue is very similar to bone. It's VERY difficult to break up, and VERY painful for the patient to try to break up as well (by means of non-surgical treatment). It actually takes a LONG time for the MUA to be done because of the difficulty in breaking the scar tissue up.

And on top of the MUA, I'll be having my knee cleaned out as well. Usually the surgeon will scope the knee first and clean out as much scar tissue as possible and THEN do the MUA because it's less risky. MUAs aren't as popular as they used to be because of all the possible complications that can arise after surgery, including broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons, or other types of post-operative changes. Unfortunately for a person like me, who already HAS a reconstructed tendon, it makes the procedure even MORE risky.

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Cool.. you are right.. very good surgeons.. I went there.. but my orthapedic Surgeon was Dr. McBride.. although I met with Dr. Hurley several time cause during recovery Dr. Mcbride was on vacation.. i remembered all the pictures on the walls of football players so when u mentioned that.. it sparked a memory.... i actually had two friends with knee problems who went there too.. everyone rants and raves about them.. good to know u are in good hands!!

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Cool.. you are right.. very good surgeons.. I went there.. but my orthapedic Surgeon was Dr. McBride.. although I met with Dr. Hurley several time cause during recovery Dr. Mcbride was on vacation.. i remembered all the pictures on the walls of football players so when u mentioned that.. it sparked a memory.... i actually had two friends with knee problems who went there too.. everyone rants and raves about them.. good to know u are in good hands!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I actually have seen McBride before myself. Was just before my last surgery, I needed to get into the office for an emergancy appointment and my doc had the day off (he never takes the day off, either! :P ). So, I saw McBride and I was initially on the schedule to have surgery with HIM THAT DAY! However, when McBride called up my doctor, he ended up coming into the office just for me. I felt all special :wub:

Dr. Hurley is definitely one of the best in the business, I love him because he's treats his patients as though they were his own blood. Definitely a great quality to possess, me thinks.

Hurley actually has his own office in that building now. Tri-County is on the second floor while Hurley has his own space next to HealthSouth on the first floor. Works well for me since I can just see Dr. Hurley and then go across the hall to HS for physical therapy :P

But yeah, that whole office in general is great. I've had experience with two of the other doctors as well, Dr. Willis and Dr. Lombardi. Both are nice guys. What's especially nice about Tri-County is that they seem to have a specific doctor that specializes in each particular joint. I know McBride specializes in hands, shoulders, and chest-related injuries. Doctor Hurley (my doctor) is the knee specialist (he also works with a lot of shoulders as well).

Hell, I'd reccommend ANYONE at Tri-County, they're all great. :)

...okay DM was right...I really do sound like an advertisement :P

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Thanks for all the well-wishes, guys. Definitely means a lot. :)

I'm basically going to spend the next two weeks trying to work on strengthening without overworking the knee. Can't afford to rupture the tendon again or tear something else. I'm already screwed enough as it is with my knee, I'd rather not do any more damage.

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Good luck, i would probably freak if i need fixing on my knees, that would mean no playing hockey for me. Playing hockey grows even more important to me with stupid lockout.

I hate surgery, especially on my legs.

anyways enough rambling good luck!

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Good luck, i would probably freak if i need fixing on my knees, that would mean no playing hockey for me. Playing hockey grows even more important to me with stupid lockout.

I hate surgery, especially on my legs.

anyways enough rambling good luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're telling me. I'm a very athletic person, it's been killing me that for the past two years I haven't been able to do ANYTHING. I've always had knee problems, part because of genes, part because I go all out when I'm playing whatever sport I'm playing. Unfortunately it seems like all the years of being insanely-aggressive in sports (particularly basketball and soccer) has caught up to me. Oh well.

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