Anne's Update for my Orthopedic Surgeon Appt 4/25/2012

April 25, 2012

I am cheating, this is what I wrote on my caringbridge site this evening

when we got home, because every time I think about having to be in a

wheelchair I want to cry, so if you are subscribed to my caringbridge page,

this will be a repeat of that...

Well I went to the orthopedic surgeon today, and found out that I am

multi-talented... this is NOT really a good thing by the way. As you may

know I have Avascular Necrosis in multiple areas of my legs bones... well

I fell (tripped over the pants I was wearing at the time) last week and

twisted both my ankles and hit my shins on something as I landed face and

legs first into the pile in my closet.

Well I didn't break anything (AVN wise) instead I bruised the periosteum

that surrounds both my tibias. I also bruised the bone under the

periosteum. Yes, I am multi-talented. I have AVN in both tibias above and

below this area that I bruised so it is going to take a LOOOONG time for it

heal. And on the front of your shin bones (tibias) you don't have muscle

so the periosteum and bone basically took a direct hit.

For those who are wondering what the periosteum is, it's a dense membrane

composed of fibrous connective tissue that closely wraps all bone except

that of the articulating surfaces in joints, which is covered by a synovial

membrane

But here are some websites about it too, if you want more info....

The orthopedic surgeon also gave me referral to the University of Minnesota

to see if they have any other ideas on what can be done for my AVN (dying

bones). So I get to go collect all the MRI's tomorrow from United and

Summit Orthopedics that were done last year when I was first diagnosed to

take with me to the U of M on Monday May 7th. And I am seeing a doctor

( Cheng MD) that already knows my family history because he did my

Mom's 1st ankle surgery back in... a long time ago! LOL

The only treatment for either of the issues I am having AVN and now my

bruised bone and periosteum is rest so I may have to be in a wheelchair

soon or get a scooter. Hoping that Mom's old scooter is latex free so I

won't have to fight for months with my insurance companies about getting

one of my own.

He offered me a walker, but for the moment I am sticking with the crutches

because really I don't have a good leg to stand on with a walker either so

I might as well just keep going like I am and doing a lot of resting as I

go.

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