Brought to my Knees
Jul 28, 2018
A year before I turned 50, I went to see an orthopaedic consultant. My left knee had started playing up a year or so before, buckling without warning and generally keeping me awake at night with constant, nagging pain. Both knees were permanently swollen and I was having days where it was difficult to get around.
I thought it would be a simple case of “washing out” some loose matter at the back of my left knee. I certainly wasn’t prepared for what I saw on the Xray. Most of the cartilege had worn away on the inner corners of both knees and it was clear that I was on my way to being bone-on-bone. Ouch!
The Consultant explained that the position of my bones showed I have a congenital abnormality, which means I am unlikely to be able to have conventional knee replacements.
“What now?” I asked him.
He shrugged.
“Come back and see me when you’re 60 and your needs have reduced,” he said.
“My needs?” I repeated, stupefied....
