Camryn Quinn is finally getting what she wants...sort of. Moving into a dorm and away from her not so supportive father is a good first step, but like everything with him, it comes with strings. She must attend the college of his choosing for at lea...
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I'm reading the word medial meniscus on a model of the human knee when the doctor knocks on the door twice, and then comes in. He's an older guy with grey temples, large glasses, and the type of shoes that are strictly for comfort. But he's one of the best surgeons in the city, and has worked with the team for over half his career.
"So how is the new ACL feeling?" Dr. Kramer asks as he pumps hand sanitizer into his palm.
I extend and retract my right leg a few times, "It feels good, strong. I finally started squatting more than my grandma again this week."
Dr. Kramer shakes his head and laughs, "Against doctor's orders, but how did it feel when you did?"
He finds the stool on wheels and brings it within an arms reach of where I sit on the exam table. He sits, but doesn't move to examine my knee. Instead, his arms cross over his chest as he waits for my report.
"Like it always does. No stiffness or popping," I lie.
My knee was so stiff the next day that the athletic trainer had to stretch me for almost an hour. I decided that it was just a side effect of adding more weight along with a shit diet over the summer. Everyone has lectured me about easing my way back in, but I was growing restless. Even if I can't fully practice, I needed to know I could still train in a different way.
Dr. Kramer leans forward, cold fingers gripping onto either side of my kneecap and shifting slightly. He examines my incision more closely, noting the good color it's transformed into. I watch in silence as he manipulates my entire leg now, bending and extending while feeling different spots.
I've done this dance with him too many times since I tore both my ACL and MCL during the championship game this past January. The first few visits were more analysis than anything, and then coming up with a surgery and recovery plan.
I didn't want to have to rush into the surgery. I've heard of plenty of guys playing on the tears if they keep up with wearing a brace and physical therapy. Apparently my tear was too severe for him to recommend anything other than repairing it right away. Plus, I don't think my mom would have let me put it off any longer.
Still, my first couple of post-op visits were a little more stressful. It took a couple of trips here to realize how Dr. Kramer works. He's a quiet guy, but intuitive. He gives just enough small talk, but likes to get right to the point which I appreciate. Like now, he quickly finishes his exam and then moves back to the tablet he left on the counter when he first came in.
"Things feel great, but let's take a look at your latest scans."
Dr. Kramer clicks a few times on his screen and then a digital image fills the one hanging on the wall opposite me. It's split into three separate pictures, a blend of black, grey and white making up an image that I know is my knee. The first is right after the tear, the second right after surgery, and the last is from the scan I had a few days ago.
