WEBSTERS DICTIONARY:
Medicine/Medical.
Also called NMR. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A non invasive diognostic procedure employing an MR scanner to obtain detailed sectional images of the internal structure of the body.
RACHAEL'S DICTIONARY:
Freakin'/Crazy.
Also called POP. Mentally Relaxing Insanity: A loud popping machine used to torture the lame and stir up thoughts of craziness. Could make one feel light headed and put extremities to sleep. Not to be used on those who have issues with claustrophobia or mental instabilities.
Look what I got to do today:
And this was an "OPEN" MRI, meaning, I didn't have to get shoved into a little tube to get the image done.
Basically, I have Chronic Patellar Dislocation. I've been suffering with it for about 20 years. I never knew exactly what it was until recently when I decided to research what was going on with my knee. For 20 years, my knee "pops" out and then "pops" back in at any given time and for any given reason (it even happens in my sleep). I haven't gone to the doctor about it in my adult years (my parents took me as a child), probably because it would correct itself and I would go on about my business, but now the last few times it has decided to stay dislocated rather than "pop" back in. I don't remember it ever being painful, but you wouldn't know it by the horrific screams I scream when it happens. My body goes into panic mode and it's just a reaction that I have absolutely no control over...Seriously!
So we have these tendons that support our knee. They help the joint function properly. The kneecap is held in place by these tendons. If for whatever reason these tendons are "stretched", their elasticity becomes greater and greater. Think of a new rubber band. It's harder to stretch a brand new one compared to one that's been around the block. Well, our tendon's are much like a rubber band. The more you pull or push at them, the stretchier they get --which then creates less support for the knee cap. Without the support from the tendons, the Patella (kneecap) slides off the joint resulting in this:
I've decided that it's time to take care of this problem. It has prevented me from doing soooo many things in my life. My knee is constantly on my mind and I always favor and protect it (especially when kids are around). I'm done with the constant worry. I'm done with the chills I get just thinking about it dislocating, and I'm done with feeling as if my knee will pop out just looking at a picture of someone whose knee has dislocated.
The MRI was one of the first steps in taking care of this 20 year old problem and it was the Devil! I can't explain to you the panic I had during the imaging. I had to push the panic button because I felt as if I was going to pass out. The vibration from the machine, the claustrophobia of my legs, the pressure from the earplugs and not being able to move made for a very crummy experience, BUT as always, I got through it because there was no way in you know where I was going to have to do that again!
I'm meeting with an Orthopedic Surgeon in a few weeks where they will go over the MRI relults, do X-Rays, an examination (which I will probably freak out with because he'll have to actually touch my knee), and a plan will be developed on what to do next. I'm not 100% for sure, but I think knee surgery is in my near future~
