deep root radial meniscal tear | River's world…..

If you’ve been a loyal reader, you’ll know that I blew my right knee out last fall. Deep root radial meniscal year with damage to my MCL. The pain was intense and it swelled to grapefruit proportions.

I had xrays and MRI’s, a cortisone shot, numerous orthopedist appointments and rehab. I tried heat and cold and massage and gentle exercising. Nothing worked. For a solid year I moaned and groaned and yes, complained.

Western medicine’s answer to the pain? Opioids, that I didn’t take. Their solution to the problem? A surgery that will put me in a cast for 3 months and on crutches for another 3. The success rate for this surgery? 25%.

Tired of being in constant pain, and tired of hearing my orthopedist say, “ It will either heal or it won’t. If it won’t? We’ll cut.” … I decided to seek alternate treatment.

So now, twice a week I lie on a table for 40 minutes and stare at the ceiling, or this.

I also know exactly what it feels like to be a Voodoo doll.

Yes, I’m doing acupuncture. And while the skeptic in me scoffed at the slightly woo woo environment….

The chronic pain ridden patient in me is beyond impressed.

After the very first treatment… I felt relief. My knee felt less swollen and tight as soon as I got up from the table.

After the second treatment, I didn’t cringe in pain when I rolled over in the middle of the night.

After the third treatment, the swelling had gone down considerably and my knee was beginning to look more like a knee again instead of the fruity ingredients for a Paloma.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still in pain and far from cured. It’s a process, and won’t be healed overnight. But any relief is progress and I’m convinced this is going to be the path forward for me right now.

Even if I do look a porcupine twice a week.