Session 10 - And the preliminary news is...

The rubber pads and apparatus for electric current therapy

 Nothing.

Well, not nothing as in nothing to be felt or seen on the ACL front, but nothing as in the doctor didn't suggest I do a preliminary manipulation test to see if there was evidence of progress. I didn't suggest such a test either. We did talk about my progress, and he feels confident as always that I'm on the right track. I mentioned I feel a bit better everyday, that the swelling is less but still there, that there is stiffness around the MCL, but all in all, I feel greater stability around the knee area. Good signs, right?

Yup, he concurred. Then he reassured me that the needles' magic makes it so that bones and ligaments have no option than to heal. The needles are irresistible! He mentioned two prominent Indian cricketers (Sreeshanth, Yuvraj) who had hairline fractures that healed in one, yes one, day of needles and treatment. Granted, they were hairline fractures, but they healed in a day. So I guess that's why the unhealable ACL takes an eternity of 15-20 days to heal.

Anyway, day 10 is the day that the healing should be happening in earnest, so I am going to be extra careful these next 5-7 days. I'm anxious for the day he tells me to get the MRI for verification. Another fellow, who is on day 18 today, said he would come back for treatment tomorrow even though he was cleared to get MRI done tomorrow. Why rush, he says, might as well get the MRI on day 20. I guess so. Though I think I won't be that patient when I'm told to get mine done. That' assuming I get the clearance closer to 15 days and not 20 days.


Today, I got the royal treatment. I noticed that one of my quads had lost some size, so I got electric pads applied for some shock therapy. I had those vibrating thingamajig accupressure devices on my sides and on my gut. I had the needles on my forefinger (I never can quite manage to get used to the pain--I shouted and remonstrated at the universe all over again). And of course, there were those magnetic things too.

I haven't mentioned the best part of my experience here--I am at home with my parents and they're really pampering me as if I were an invalid. Oh wait, I kind of am. Oh well. Anyway, it's great to be looked after while all this is going on. Thanks mom, thanks dad.

So, day 11 (no needles), day 12 (needles), day 13 (no needles), day 14 (needles), day 15 (no needles).

Who knows how many total needles await in my future...