IMTB Rides the Cheese

In! I've never ridden this area before.

 

Yes! Stoked to have you join us.

 

We can do more? I've squeezed more than 7k out of there.

Jennifer is interested though has yet to commit. She digs the 9am start time.

BTW what's the latest on your injury Mr. Bug?

 

Spent most of the day trying not to freak out. It was definitely worse this morning than last night, though I suppose that is to be expected. Moderately swolen, super stiff, foot wants to splay out to the right when I walk, and some bruising along the outside of the knee. It got a little better throughout the day with the help of lots of ice and a bit of Iburofen. It's not particularly painful, but the lack of ROM is unnerving. I can put weight on it though, and walked around on it quite a bit just with a pronounced limp. Still hopeful that it's just a sprain. I'm going to call an ortho first thing tomorrow to see if I can get in, and get things sussed out.

 

I have that skill....

 

I kind of can't believe I'm typing this, but I am out for the Cheese ride, and barring a miracle I'm off the bike for a good long while. Saw the ortho today, and he said based on his exam and comparison to the other knee he'd be amazed if I didn't tear my ACL, and possibly meniscus. The probability he gave was 99.9%, and I'm scheduled for an MRI to confirm either way. Probably looking at surgery in the next 4-6 weeks. Feeling pretty gutted right now. I'll turn the reigns over to @SnakeCharmer as far as what happens with the ride. No reason for it not to happen as scheduled, and I'll come hang at the trailhead, before, and/or after the ride.

 

Wow, Im keeping my fingers crossed that its not a torn ACL.

 

Well sh!t Matt, I hate this kind of news!
I’m guessing you’re wearing a knee brace, maybe even using crutches right now?
Take care amigo, will be hoping and praying for the best re your MRI results

 

That sucks. Let’s hope for the best.

 

Thanks. No brace or crutches. In fact I just came in from walking the dog, albeit with a limp. The pain really isn't bad. Just feels super unstable yet stiff. I actually felt a bit better this morning than yesterday, which got my hopes up, but the Doc said it's pretty common with an ACL tear not to have a lot of pain, and then it will feel like it's healing, but will then just plateau. Maybe worth a second opinion, but the the MRI will obviously be the deciding factor regardless. I got a good vibe from this doc, and I could tell he was kind of cringing to give me his assessment. Who knows, maybe we'll both be pleasantly surprised.

 

F@ck. And double F@ck.

 

Well crap that's not the news you or any of us wanted to hear. Lets hope it's not as bad as he thinks. You're a tough dude Matt.

 

@buggravy not cool not cool at all. Sorry to hear this rotten development.
Healing vibes sent amigo.

 

When you get the MRI, ask for a copy of the images AND report on a CD so you can take them to multiple Orthopedists. The report will be only a few pages long. Then years later, if you ever reaggrivate it and/or have follow-up imaging, you can compare diagnoses.

 

That's what I did. I ordered a CD of the MRI to take to another Ortho doc for a second opinion. Luckily my ACL was not torn.

I am sending that luck and hope your way Matt.

 

I think it's best if we postpone this group ride until further notice. It just wouldn't be the same not having the Host of a Hosted ride there leading the way. Perhaps we can reschedule this ride when the time is right as a "welcome back @buggravy" ride.

 

@buggravy bummer to hear the news. Praying for you that it is not torn. IF it is, oh well. You can get along fine w/o an ACL.

Poor some 'tussin on that knee and wrap it in duct tape.... you'll be fine.

 

Well that sucks Matt. Hoping for a speedy recovery if not better results on your follow-up.

Don't be afraid. I can help you lead if you want? I know my way around there.

 

You guys need to carry on for the Bugman!


Matt, I’ve been quiet but suspected by your descriptions that some damage occurred. Most important is to get it fixed before any additional damage to your meniscus happens. Even walking while using a brace. It’s vulnerable right now so take care.

I had a complete ACL sever and tried using a brace. No way. I wouldn't even try if it was a partial tear or bad stretch. Get the surgery, its dialed. I went back to my surgeon after 17 years with a meniscus issue. They trimmed it up and it’s pushing 10 active years. If I had not effed around and damaged my meniscus, I likely would not have needed that second session. (It was a bucket handle tear.)

Nick Yaru in Newport Beach/Hoag Hospital is my guy. Still working as a respected ortho. I’m a case study for his work, not for riding but for hiking loads around the forest, up and down primitive trails. It’s just amazing to me that I can actually do that. I tried it once with a brace and got hurt. Super dicey. Never mind listing all the reasons why you need bomber knees. You are young, have insurance, and no reason (I can see) to not whack it out and move on.

To getting wrenched up!

 

This sounds like good cop, bad cop

 

Thanks, Mike. Sage words indeed. If the MRI confirms that it's torn, then surgery really isn't even a question in my mind. I see how fragile knees can be in the best of circumstances, and trying to gimp my way through a life of adventure doesn't hold much appeal, so getting everything properly put back together is a no-brainer. Thanks for the Ortho reco as well (and if anyone else wants to chime in with a knee specialist that they have first, or close second hand experience with, I'm all ears). I've got emails out to my shoulder surgeon at SCOI and my physical therapist for their recommendations for a dedicated knee guy/gal for a second opinion and candidate for surgery if necessary.

Thanks, all, for the kind words and support. It's funny (funny WTF, not funny haha), I just had a weird feeling when I left the house on Saturday. Should have paid more attention to my instincts. Crazy how plans and designs can change on a dime.

 

That says that you are well in tune with yourself. I know exactly what you mean. Some days I feel out of sorts to one degree or another. Some days I am ready to tackle anything.

 

Oh, don't get me wrong. I almost lost it in the parking lot of the doc's office. Like, I typically cry about once every 5ish years, and I was right on the verge of tears in my car when a wave of anger washed over me and took the crybaby away. Mid/late fall is always my favorite time of the year. The anticipation of snow season (and now the best mtb conditions), combined with this feeling of peace and comfort that just always seems to come to me about this time every year. I kind of joke with my wife that this is my "power season", whatever that means. This will now, presumably, be the second year in a row that I've had a bomb dropped on this cherished time. So, I guess this post is my pity party, but hopefully the end of it. Carry on.

 

I'm just going to keep yelling "F@ck!" This isn't supposed to happen to the new guys with zealot level stoke...

You'll be back, though... Stronger, hopefully. And still full of vim and vigor.

 

Yeah, #preachit! I do believe this theory of coming back stronger, even if it’s more of a mental strength!
@buggravy dude, I held it together for hours after my knee blow out....until the drive home when I was finally alone..then I balled like a friggen baby! Let that shite out when you need to, you can even use my F bomb word whenever you want to

 

That's a bummer buggravy. One day at a time, look forward to your recovery and eventually getting back on the bike.

 

I will see Steve's F@ck F@ck and double F@ck and raise a fucck F@ck F@ck F@ck Sh!t Sh!t F@ck...

Didn't you join this forum nursing a substantial injury? You shouldn't have been back in line for another so quickly.

I am planning to do this ride - but you HAVE to be at the trailhead on one end of the ride or the other. Preferably the finish so I can buy you a beer and curse the universe together.

@SnakeCharmer and @UPSed - please keep the ride intact. It's what Matt would want if he were still with us.

Right Matt?

 

You are correct. Had rotator cuff surgery in October of last year.

I don't want anyone to cancel the ride, or force the ride to happen, on my behalf. I'd love to see some peeps that haven't ridden it before come up and enjoy the spot I love so much. I would absolutely come hang, possibly on both ends of the ride and definitely at the end to get the full report.

Thanks for all the F@cks given! Seriously, it means a ton.