On Sharing
Posted on December 14th, 2010 in My Favorite Polack
Me: Dad, I just got back from the doctor.
Dad: AND?
Me: He thinks the knee is okay but it’s possible I TORE MY ACHILLES TENDON.
Dad: OH MAN. You need an MRI?
Me: January 3rd at the NYU Dancer’s clinic.
Dad: OH MAN.
Me: I know, right? All this time I was wondering why it was bugging me so much. But who knows. It might be nothing.
Dad: WELL JUST SO YA KNOW, I GOT A WALKA*, A WHEELCHAIR AND A CANE IF YOU NEED ‘EM.
Me: Thanks. You and me. 2011. We’ll mend together.
Dad: DAT SOUNDS GREAT.
*Walka = Brooklyn for “Walker”
Ouch. Uh, I don’t have a walker, a wheelchair, nor a cane, but I do have a charming disposition that I’d be happy to share with you. I also have tons of The Who concert DVDs that are renowned for their healing properities. Tons. I also have some James Taylor if you’re ever in need of a sleep aid. And a hovercraft.
I’m comparing my lack of progress on a sprained ankle (sprained Saturday before Veteran’s Day) with your lack of progress wondering how much of mine can be attributed to age (63) and simple slower healing processes. I haven’t been to a doctor. What do you do differently if your achilles HAS been torn?
I have a walker, a moon boot and a pair of orthopedic shoes, alternating between them but favoring the walker because I can go barefoot and do toe-curling-type rehab exercises that I can’t do in the protectives.
I’m finding comfort in delightfully silly movies. Alice in Wonderland was my first. Yesterday, I enjoyed Karate Dog.
Oldnovice – I am not actually sure! My appointment isn’t until January. If I tore it, it’s a very slight tear I imagine because a large tear would…cause me to scream in pain, I think? Maybe? I assume small tears just need to heal on their own and don’t require surgery but I’m not 100% on this. The doctor I saw yesterday suggested staying off it as much as possible, taking an Aleve twice a day, avoiding stretching and most physical activity. So, harumph. Movie watching it will be for me too.
I repeatedly injure my left knee and I will normally ice it for a while and eventually it will feel a bit better. Then last week when I injured it again, I used the “Icy Hot Sleeve” and it felt 10x better than using just ice. Just thought I’d suggest it.
In case your dad can’t supply you with all of the equipment you need (WALKA, etc), my moms is a physical therapist so I can pass you some braces and stuff on the sly.
And yes, I doubt you have a full on major rupture- I would think you probably have tendinosis, which is multiple micro-tears of the tendon- this is the most common exercise injury, unless you’re a basketball player or something. Are you secretly a baller?