You are feeling sleepy... very sleepy. That's because you are reading another one of Val's insufferable tales that could turn an insomniac into Rip Van Winkle. It has nothing to do with hypnosis. Just a HICKnosis.
Hick had an appointment with the orthopedist on Wednesday. Well. With the orthopedist's nurse practitioner. They looked at his MRI of the left knee that he injured when he fell on the Bargain House sidewalk a while back. The NP showed Hick how his left knee has degenerated due to age and arthritis. Hick explained it as his right knee having so much space between the top and bottom bone, and the left knee having maybe a third of that space.
The NP said that Hick will eventually need a knee replacement. That the orthopedist could operate to clean up the knee, getting rid of the rough particles, and shaving off the "horn" on the cartilage which is a new tear since his previous surgery years ago. HOWEVER, such surgery could actually speed up the degeneration, because it would be removing some cartilage that Hick still has left. She advised putting it off as long as he could.
"She said that if I'd come in right when I fell, they would have put me in a long brace to immobilize the knee, and said to stay off of it for a while. But now, she said the best thing would be for me to get a brace. She said they could give me one there, but I could get one way cheaper at Walmart or Walgreens. But to be sure to get the kind with straps."
"I can understand that. Tightening the straps on the brace will shift where that pressure is the most on your knee when you're standing."
"Yeah. She said to especially wear if if I'm going to be standing for a while. And then she gave me a shot in my knee."
"What was it?"
"I don't know. That white stuff."
"I can't imagine what that would be. I was asking to find out if it was a steroid."
"I think maybe it was cortisone."
"Which IS a steroid. So don't be surprised if you can't sleep tonight."
Whatever it was, Hick was able to stay awake past 8:00, to watch a show about the mini sub that imploded. He put on his brace that cost $12.48, and walked around, saying that made his knee feel better. At least Hick knows there's no immediate need for surgery on his knee.
Very glad to see he got good advice and a cortisone. So he'll wear the brace just all the time now, or ?
ReplyDeleteFor a few weeks, to see if it feels better. Mainly when he's on it a lot. Which is every day for Hick! The hope is that it will have a chance to heal a little so the pain won't be so bad.
DeleteHe should be careful (if that's possible). Knee surgery as one grows older can be a coin flip.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hick is always pushing for me to get a knee replacement, citing a handful of his friends who have recently done so. I am not eager to go under the knife, nor do I wish it for Hick.
DeleteThank goodness for braces that help, hold off on surgery as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteHick didn't wear his brace yesterday, but put it on this morning for a day of selling at his SUS2.5. He says the brace makes it feel better. He was walking with less of a limp.
DeleteI hope the shot and the brace help Hick's knee a lot.
ReplyDeleteHick is walking better, and groaning less. I think it's helping.
Delete