Tom
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Posts
- 51,924
No, this is not a math discussion.
Prior to the Qz rally I had managed to tear the cartilege/meniscus in one knee. The orthopedic surgeon gave me the option of a cortizone shot or arthoscopic surgery. I was concerned the shot would mask what was happening, and declined. Also, having had the surgery on my other knee, and having experienced a long recovery period to become mobile again, I declined the surgery.
I spent approx 2 weeks in a recliner, day and night - the only way I could relax and not be in a lot of pain. I didn't want to miss Qz, and made myself as comfortable as I could be for the the trip. While at Qz I hobbled around the RV tent and came across someone demonstrating a Tens machine. It's a little box with wires that hook up to a couple of conductive gel pads applied to the skin, and applies electical stimulus via the conductive pads to tell the brain to block out the pain. I was walking the next day, although I still had a tough time sitting in a car or driving.
Things continued to improve (or be masked) by the regular use of the Tens machine. I still get days when it's painful, but I merely inject an additional use of the machine. I talked with a physician friend on the weekend and related the story, half expecting him to tell me to have surgery. But his reaction was "as long as you're not in pain, don't worry about it".
I thought the little machine was expensive at the time but, given the relief it's given me, I have to say it was well worth the money.
Prior to the Qz rally I had managed to tear the cartilege/meniscus in one knee. The orthopedic surgeon gave me the option of a cortizone shot or arthoscopic surgery. I was concerned the shot would mask what was happening, and declined. Also, having had the surgery on my other knee, and having experienced a long recovery period to become mobile again, I declined the surgery.
I spent approx 2 weeks in a recliner, day and night - the only way I could relax and not be in a lot of pain. I didn't want to miss Qz, and made myself as comfortable as I could be for the the trip. While at Qz I hobbled around the RV tent and came across someone demonstrating a Tens machine. It's a little box with wires that hook up to a couple of conductive gel pads applied to the skin, and applies electical stimulus via the conductive pads to tell the brain to block out the pain. I was walking the next day, although I still had a tough time sitting in a car or driving.
Things continued to improve (or be masked) by the regular use of the Tens machine. I still get days when it's painful, but I merely inject an additional use of the machine. I talked with a physician friend on the weekend and related the story, half expecting him to tell me to have surgery. But his reaction was "as long as you're not in pain, don't worry about it".
I thought the little machine was expensive at the time but, given the relief it's given me, I have to say it was well worth the money.