Kirt saw the surgeon yesteday, and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow afternoon. Yikes! This is a little more complicated than we first thought. It involves scopes, extenders, bone graft and staples. Double yikes!
The tibial plateau is flat, and the femor about it is like an arched bridge. When Kirt hit, the left side of the femoral bridge hit the flat plateau, cracking one side of the "t" off, and making a divot in the top of the flat plateau. It could heal on it's own, but Kirt would have major trouble in 5 years. We were hoping this would be an outpatient thing, but our surgeon will go in, open the leg, and do all the repairs, including filling in all the cracks and holes. It will take about 2 1/2 hours, so as you can see, it won't be an outpatient thing.
What is good news is this--the ER doc had told Kirt that he would probably be in a hard fiberglass cast for 8 weeks, but he won't! He'll be in a stiff brace for 12 days, then a brace that will allow the knee to move. He'll start physical therapy at that point, riding a stationary bike with no tension every day. He'll also be able to ride in the front seat of the car again. In our last few car rides, he has truly been a "backseat driver." I appreciate his tips, hints, and directions.
Of course, that's as soon as he's no longer taking pain medication!
He will ski again, although tennis for the summer is more than likely out!
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