Mick Knee(ds) To Go Under the Knife

Two weeks ago, Mick injured his knee while playing soccer with his indoor team. He was running for the ball ("hauling ass" as one of his teammates recalled) when he heard a crack in his left knee and pretty immediately felt pain. Somehow, he was able to drive home & operate the clutch in the car but then was pretty immobile. Ice and elevation helped a bit but putting any weight on his leg while bending it was excruciating.

One week later, following x-rays, a giant brace that immobilizes his knee at a locked extension (zero bend), and an MRI, we saw the orthopaedic specialist and discovered that Mick has a torn patellar tendon and a fractured kneecap. Today, he is in for surgery to have everything repaired and then we'll look to about a 4 - 6 month complete recovery period. He told me that, over the last 10 years, this is the part of his body that has given him the most trouble, so he's not surprised it has finally failed him. I had forgotten that he had a similar injury (though not as severe) in 2005 that was treated through physical therapy.

The injury has put a bit of a kink in our plans as we've had to cancel our February trip to England and he's been grounded (no travel for work) until early March. We are all learning to live with each other full-time and are immensely appreciative for all of the help we are getting from family & friends. My dad is with the kids today while Mick has his operation, Ed (Mick's dad) is coming across to stay with us for a week on Sunday, and Mick's mum is likely to visit in February to lend a hand.

Mick's objectives are pretty simple: he wants to be able to walk and to bend his leg without pain. The doctor has informed us that Mick will probably be able to bend his knee to about 90 degrees in about 2 months, an otherwise unimpressive feat but one for which Mick will be grateful. He has sworn off soccer (well, for now, at least... though he has suggested he may play in goal from time to time) and just wants to be able to run around with the kids and not worry about another injury.

Just before he went into surgery, I asked him if he was nervous at all about anything. (He did make a point of providing me with account numbers & passwords to all of our financial accounts, "just in case..."). He responded in classic understated & sensible Mick fashion: "No, I'm just excited that the doctor is going to get in there to have a look around and tidy things up a bit." What a guy.