Ruptured ACL - The experience was an explosion. The MRI shows a big gap. Little itsy bits remain on either end of the ACL as trace remains.
My initial thinking was:
Ok, I'll just rest for a bit and grow the ACL back.
Orthopedic Surgeon Response: (slight paraphrase)
"Uhhh....Dude...You ruptured your ACL it's not a tear...it's basically gone....a rupture is like an explosion."
Me:
Ah....ya ok - that's why the experience physically felt like an explosion.....it ruptured.
Doctor:
Both your legs seem to be hyper extended and you have more flexibility than is normal. You seem to be ok on basic stress tests....I can understand that you might not want to have surgery now...because you can start getting back into activities and see how things go.....maybe best you go back to skiing...and come back if you knee gives out.
Me:
Ya - I did just purchase a golf membership and would prefer not to be sidelined with the process of rehab that follows surgery.
Initially I had a somewhat of a skepticism towards getting surgery done. My thinking being:
"I should be able to heal myself....the body is miraculous...pretty sure I can heal myself....i'm going to explore what other treatment options are available....probably should just rush into surgery because it's the first solution presented.....Doctor has even told me there's no rush...I could even get a brace for my knee."
Long Story Short:
I started testing my ability to slowly expand in my abilities with my body/knee.
I played golf that summer. Almost every day. Did a lot of walking.
Next winter got back into skiing - took it a bit easy....kind of eased back into things...did a full ski season.
Went tree planting after the ski season.
TREE PLANTING IS REALLY AWFUL
TREE PLANTING WAS THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD
There's mixed reviews on the thoughts about Tree Planting. One point that is well regarded: It's physical intensive activity for long hours in all types of weather....and your accommodations are not the all inclusive 5 star resort lifestyle. Accommodations would be more similar to a new rock band trying to make it - grinding out a gruelling tour on a shoestring budget.
Anyways,
Did the tree planting - Performed as a top level planter....In the world of tree planting this is known as a "High Baller"....someone who performs well no matter the weather or the difficulty of the land.
Played golf throughout the planting season - and post planting into the fall.
Got a ski pass for the winter - positioned myself at Revelstoke Mountain Resort for the season.
Feel like I got to show at least a little teaser video of Revelstoke - it's some of the best skiing/snowboarding in the world.
I was skiing but I had been skiing now with this concern in the back of my mind -- that maybe I got to take it a bit easier...that I couldn't just let loose.....that if I am to just let loose and rip....I should be diligent about doing my stop checks to make sure I keep myself from riding too far on the rails/edges of my limits.
This was somewhat of a bother...
I'm starting to recognize that maybe I do need some added support....this just let the body do it's thing might not be cutting it.....maybe I can do more to support my body.
This realization was mostly not being directed...
I would ski for a bit...days....then not ski for a bit....feeling like I needed more rest....sometimes feeling a bit strained...This was kind of challenging as I was living with some of my best mates and strong camaraderie existed around getting out on the snow.
One day while in the waist deep Slack Country....
The Steep and Deep tree ski was premium in condition. It had just been puking on the mountain. This is the type of conditions that skiers live for.
In the midst of stomping a left turn...
I got a bit too loaded on right ski....
That's the experience....as my knee just kind of 'popped with a loud sound and gave out.
I had a pretty graceful dismount I must say. lol.
I knew that this was less intense then when I experienced the explosion
I figured I couldn't have ruptured my acl again because I had already done that....so I knew it wasn't as bad as it's been....but that I was in some serious shit...and the pain experience...even the it was milder than the initial explosion...it was still pretty intense...and I mean my frickin leg just gave out in the midst of making a turn!
I ended up straining everything quite a lot - had to go towards more rest and less stress testing.
Alternative Treatments
- In an ongoing way I had been exploring stem cell injections as an alternative form of treatment.
- I was hearing these stories of these old dudes who were hardcore skiers that were getting stem cell injections done...and they were back on the mountain in no time.
When I asked "regular" doctors about stem cell injections - I wasn't getting a lot of feedback. Mostly responses like - it's still very new....it's not really confirmed at all at this point.....there's no conclusive evidence.
I was a bit surprised...I was expecting more of a yes - this is the future of medicine...in fact if you want...I can get you some injections right away and we can just test things out with you.
- I had also since the beginning been exploring Cold Therapy - Wim Hoff Styles
Working with the cold as a body support opened up a whole world of support that I wasn't previously accessing.
Eventually....
I get to a point where I've looked at quite a bit and even participated within:
Stem cell doctors and blood platelets. I got blood platelet injections.
Homeopathic support - using this as an additional support...a compliment.
Surgery - I'm booked in for march the 7th - after talking with over a handful of different doctors....I've decided the best support for me and my body is to have ACL surgery.
It's kind of interesting because things for me kind of started off as an avoidance towards medical attention. I was seeing surgery as like this burden and impediment on my activities. Ironically, I ended up investigating all kinds of medical support......while now, after having done some real exploring...I've opened up a lot of new perspectives...and I think the best method in my particular situation is a combination of support points.
- Homeopathy
- stem cell/blood platelet
- surgery
- physio/rehab
- diet/nutrition
final reflection
It's interesting that so often there's a tendency to place things in comparison...from a starting point of "either or" and "versus"...like the points are in competition with one another.
It's a peculiar thing - I saw this point quite prominently expressed within the different doctors. Homeopaths, stem cell doctors, family doctors, and orthopedic surgeons...
Point is this:
Creating the best accommodations is about Harmony. I just happened to find the best harmony/support using a combination of methods available. For myself and supporting my body in the best ways possible - it's not about competition - it's simply about giving myself the best support. Ironically, it's something often coming up within my writings - "Creative Collaborations"....I think it's important for 'creative collaboration'.....my best solution just so happens to be an individualized creative collaboration!
What's that really obvious common sense saying?
Investigate All things and keep what is Good
MORE REVELSTOKE SKI PORN haha - some of the goods :)
