Chuck Kasson

Past couple days:

I got an MRI on my Left Knee to see if I can figure out what is happening. I have an appointment with one of my Ortho Guys (yeah I have more than one) on wednesday morning. Here is what the results were from the imaging center:

Impression:
1. Focal full thickness cartilage fissuring and irregularity medial patella facet.
2. Disruption of femoral attachment medial patellofemoral ligament.
3. MCL Strain
4. Small anterior lateral femoral condyle bone contusion.
5. Abnormal increased T2 signal intensity within the anterior horn lateral meniscus consistant with contusion or small tear.
6. Moderate joint effusion
7. ruptured popliteal cyst.
8. Shallow trochlear groove suggesting mild dysplasia.

What does this all mean?

It looks like a lot, but I'm feeling much better now. The best news is that there is no cruciate ligament damage. That would mean 6 months of rehab. Depending on what my ortho finds I could luck out and not need any surgery. I would say worst case scenario right now if I do have a lateral meniscus tear or patellar defect that warrants surgery, I would be out a month and a half tops.

What am I doing right now?

I've been mostly working on ROM because this patellar stuff hurts like a bitch. Every time I bend my knee under a load past about 45 degrees I almost drop. I can bend it almost all the way right now, unweighted, and I have full extension so all these are big + signs.

What about lifting?

Thursday I tested my bench max and hit 325. I think this is a PR since I never train bench. I will be implemementing 5/3/1 to see if I can magically become good at benching and we'll see how that goes. I set my max at 300 just to see. I'll go through the first two weeks as a build up and start my real Week I in december. I also will be doing the 5/3/1 scheme for strict overhead to see if I can build up. My goals are 400 for bench and 300 for strict overhead. Do I have a long way to go? Oh yeah. These are definitely long term goals. I also plan on testing the deadlift and my knee. I feel like since I don't have to bend it very far to get to the bar, I may be able to keep my DL moving even with the knee injury. Squats are definitely out for a while so DL will be my main lower exercise.

Yesterday was a kettlebell day and I just worked with the 35 and did a myriad of sillyness until I was breathing heavy and sweating, then I did a little bit more and called it a day. I was cold and my knee hurt.