Session 14

March 7, 2011

Well. this is two weeks up. So how do I feel? I feel much better than two weeks ago. That's for sure. The leg is stronger, the knee seems more stable. Nothing is near 100 percent, so who knows what's going on with the ligament. Only the MRI will reveal that truth.

So I ask the doctor when he thinks I should schedule my MRI. I notice that the first thing he jots down on my action sheet for the day is needles. Great, three days in a row. But, that's where the healing is, so better be happy. He looks up and says let's do a physical test today. Today too? I ask, we did one two days back. So he calls in Manoj and asks him for what the result of that test was. Manoj mutters a number. The doctor nods, seems satisfied and says that things are progressing.

The best part? he strikes out the needles for the day! Then he jots down the other treatment to be done and tells me that we'll do another physical on Wednesday, which would be day 16. Depending on the results of that one, I might be cleared for an MRI on Thursday itself. If not, then a day or two later.

So the moment of truth approaches. Two more days of treament for sure. It's coming up fast. I'm praying my ACL has been healing. I remember the words of the last MRI report, full partial to complete tear of the ACL. Full partial to complete tear of the MCL. I wonder what the next MRI report will disclose.

But there are procedures to be followed in the meanwhile.

Session 13 - a week to go, or less

So this is Sunday, and what have we done...

I went in spright and happy. The sun was out. Looked like winter had finally decided to leave Delhi alone. The sun was warm with an after hint of hot. I went through my routines, and then went towards the doctor's office when my name was called. To my dismay, I saw one of the ACL patients lying down on a bench with a bunch of needles in her finger! What?! I knew for a fact that she had been treated with needles yesterday, just as I had.

Could it be? Could it be a break in the one day on, one day off protocol? I found out very soon that yes, it could indeed be. The doctor even made fun of my whiny attitude towards the needles. I know, I know, no one else seems to mind or at least shout as much as I do. So poked with a bunch of needles in my middle finger this time, I went away to lay down for the prescribed thirty minutes.

Meanwhile, the guy whose turn it was to get his MRI done and bring in his report finally brought it in. He looked happy enough walking in the clinic carrying his MRI film, so I figured the news wasn't all bad. He had a complete tear before he started the treatment. And now? The radiologist said a bunch of things that were summarized by something to effect of "he has a posterior tear in ACL." Whatever that meant. We didn't know. The doctor would elucidate for him and the rest of us.

After the doctor saw the MRI, he said that you've got a thinly repaired ACL which will need care and attention and exercise for 3 months for it to become fully healed and regenerated. Sounded good to all of us. The bottomline was that the first MRI report unequivocally stated "complete tear of the ACL," whereas this one said a bunch of things but nowhere did it say "a complete tear."

So there is hope for the rest of us. Keep focused, keep taking the needles and the rest of the treatment. Then wait and see how much of the ACL seems to have reappeared. I guess each body heals differently, and also that age must be a factor, and I've crossed the four-oh. so let's see where that'll get me.

Right now, chances are pretty good that I will be doing treatment for 18 days (at least), and should most likely be scheduling an MRI for next Saturday. So that next Sunday, I can visit the doctor and get his verdict. Bottomest line: if this entire procedure allows me to get back to sports without surgery, it'll be beyond amazing!

Gotta keep the faith!!!

Session 12 - it's not as bad as before

Vibrating acupressure thingamajigs

At the end of today's session, Manoj did a superquick physical exam on my knee. I think it lasted all of 5 seconds. He flexed my leg and pulled upwards on the shin, the straightened my leg and pulled the shin gently away from the knee. Then he said, "You had a complete tear?" Yes, told him. "It's better than before." Perhaps he said "it's not as bad as before." Anyway, I didn't know how to react. I guess I was hoping for him to say something like, "wow! this is an amazing improvement!" or, "Incredible! I've never seen anything like it! Can I get your autograph?!" or, "It's a miracle! I believe!!!"

As it was, Manoj uttered what he had to utter and walked away without further ado. When I asked for more information, he said he couldn't pull/push hard on the knee so there isn't much more he can say at this point.  I just had to reconcile myself with the fact that hopefully there has been some improvement. What seems certain now is that it will be 18-20 treatments. Which means a whole bunch of needles more.

Speaking of which. today I got needles on the middle finger. They didn't hurt as much as previously. So either I'm getting used to it, or the doc didn't hit those little nerves that really hurt. Likely the latter. If so, this begs the no pain, no gain question. The next round, due on Monday, I'm sure will make up for this little lull. But while I was needled up, They put the vibrating accupressure thingamajigs under my arms, on the side of my torso, and then also gave me the laser treatment. It was like an all out assault, all stations active at once. Felt kind of good, I must say.

Today was Saturday, so it was a day session. I wonder if a day treatment has better energy to it than a night session.

How strongly will the sun be shining on me after day 20?

Session 11

No doctor in the house today--and I didn't have needles scheduled anyway. Just as well, I didn't lose any ground in this recovery process. I did all the other routines from yesterday and, because of the handheld laser machines being only two, and patients needing to be treated by it seeming to be over one million, the process took inordinately long.

Other than that, I'm going to keep this short and simple. Saturday is a morning session. So is Sunday. Tuesday is day 15.

When will my MRI day be?

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...

Session 9

March 2, 2011

Well, tomorrow is the day that I might have to do my first test to see if there is any semblance of an ACL in my knee. Today wasn't a needle day, except for one in each leg. However, the doctor did wrap up my ring finger, the one that was last pierced, with a sprinkling of fenugreek seeds and told me to keep the bandage on for 24 hours. All the better to season it for the needles. He didn't actually say that, but that is what I thought for sure.

Other than that, I was given a new thingamajig treatment. Two accupressure vibrating machines were held to my torso for about 10 minutes. I'm guessing that they're for stimulating my nerves or my energy flow or chi or something. The good thing about this treatment is that you don't think, don't ask, you just do. Kind of takes the pressure off.

Just do and believe.

The doc did ask me how I'm feeling today, to which I replied with the usual "feel a bit stronger, but am doing zero movement and exercise as directed." I also added that straightening my leg has been feeling better every day, so that today was my best day with a straight leg. That's a good sign for the ACl, said he. I sure hope so.

I marvel at the small clinic, the number of patients, at how patient the assistants/physiotherapists are, at the great work Dr. Jatin Chaudhary does, at the fact that the pricing is so reasonable even by Indian standards. I marvel at this and much more. This place seems disorganized and chaos, but it functions because everyone checks their ego at the door. And the staff is hugely responsible for this. They are always cheerful and polite. caring and respectful. Hats off to them.

Come to think of it, a physiotherapist is a pretty cool job to have. You help people get better, see tangible results quite soon and under your supervision, and generally don't have to deal with any blood and gore the way a physician has to. Not bad, eh?

Anyway, the doctor's the man, especially if he can regenerate ACLs. Let's see. Day 10 is tomorrow, and soon, there will be no more suspense.

Sometimes suspense gives greater comfort than imminent revelation.

Session 8 -- it's too early to tell, but soon

So I walk in with the biggest of grins into the doctor's office. What's the big smile for? he asks. Isn't it needles today? Yes, it is, I confirm. The big smile is to mask my palpable sense of fear. He asks me how I'm doing. I tell him I'm fine, as far as I can tell from not walking or going anywhere and staying put in the house as much as possible for as long as possible. I think it's stronger. The swelling is still there, but when I tighten my leg in full extension, it doesn't look too bad compared to the right knee and right leg. Now remember, the right knee is scarred from ACL resconstruction 17 years ago. So basically, you're looking at two pretty shoddy knees, all said and done.

What day of treatment is this, he asks as he consults the file. I say, day 8 today. Too early to do a strength test to see if you've started rebuilding the ACL. We'll have to wait for at least 10 days. Day after tomorrow? I ask, somewhat excited, incredulous, anxious, hopeful yet not wanting to hope too much. Yes, he replies, before 10 days there's no point. Cool. And now, why don't you just bring on the needles and pain.

The entrance to Sharnam Clinic, up one flight

And he does. This time, the rotation of fingers takes me back to the ring finger on the left hand (it's always on the left hand). I think he puts only about 8-10, of which 3 hurt a lot. For all the others, I whinge and whine expecting a lot of pain. When there is actually a painful sensation, I make sounds of resentment, like, "whAAAT THE F@*#&!!! Then I apologize. Then when it's over, I say thanks and sheepishly head out of his office.

Well, Thursday or Friday might prove to be interesting. I'll get a sense of whether anything is having an effect or what. I am walking a bit straighter now, following Lochan's advice on how to walk. But since I'm not really walking anywhere, it's hard to say if I've gotten over my fear of ACL absence which forced me to limp in the first place. Anyway, like I said earlier, this is a patience game and as such, it's not even that bad a wait. 15-20 days to heal the ACL is pretty ridiculous or amazing, or both, or neither if it doesn't heal at all.

Time reveals all mysteries but waits for no one.