I was born with hereditary Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia, Schmid Type which means that I am very petite, am big boned and have various malformed bone structures. Most recently, I've discovered that I could have said 'yes' to those young minds that queried if I was a dwarf in my childhood, as this disorder does include short-limbed dwarfism. Obviously growing up I was as desperate to try and fit in as much as everyone else and adamantly denied being anything other than just a bit shorter than my peers.
Of course, this wasn't the case and presently being in my late thirties and a good nine inches shorter than the average for a woman in the UK, I look up the nose or into the chest of pretty much everyone.
The kink in my neck is alas the least of my troubles. Throughout the years I have struggled with back ache, sore hips, shoulder pain and most recently poorly knees. Most pains come and go, but unfortunately my right knee has decided it's not going to improve.
So, next month I'm having surgery. Having for the first time last year been given the opportunity to study my x-rays alongside my new consultant, I've discovered that my right knee is positioned at approximately 74 degrees, and you guessed it, knees should be parallel to the ground at 90 degrees. Comparing the scan of my left and right knees, it is clear that the angle of my left knee isn't quite as 'off' as my right knee, which is the reason my doc seems to think my right knee is causing so much pain. What he intends to do is to cut out a chunk of the femur and tibia which will enable my knee to straighten and hopefully ease the pain.
I have very mixed feelings about this operation. I've been dealing with the pain in my knee so long, that I will almost be confused by its absence, but equally walking everywhere with a stick and considering stairs my nemesis has got to stop.
Apparently I won't be put in a cast, and given that I am used to pain, shouldn't be in a terrible amount of pain post surgery, but I will be sore where the wounds are and will have permanent pins and plates. The main worries are that I won't be able to drive (or probably even get out of the house much) for two months and I'll either have to have an instep added to all my beautiful left shoes or in the not too distant future have my left knee operated upon as this surgery is going to make my right leg about 1.5 cm longer. I don't know what's worse, as I LOVE shoes and doubt I'll be able to get an instep that will fit them all.
Of course, this wasn't the case and presently being in my late thirties and a good nine inches shorter than the average for a woman in the UK, I look up the nose or into the chest of pretty much everyone.
The kink in my neck is alas the least of my troubles. Throughout the years I have struggled with back ache, sore hips, shoulder pain and most recently poorly knees. Most pains come and go, but unfortunately my right knee has decided it's not going to improve.
So, next month I'm having surgery. Having for the first time last year been given the opportunity to study my x-rays alongside my new consultant, I've discovered that my right knee is positioned at approximately 74 degrees, and you guessed it, knees should be parallel to the ground at 90 degrees. Comparing the scan of my left and right knees, it is clear that the angle of my left knee isn't quite as 'off' as my right knee, which is the reason my doc seems to think my right knee is causing so much pain. What he intends to do is to cut out a chunk of the femur and tibia which will enable my knee to straighten and hopefully ease the pain.
I have very mixed feelings about this operation. I've been dealing with the pain in my knee so long, that I will almost be confused by its absence, but equally walking everywhere with a stick and considering stairs my nemesis has got to stop.
Apparently I won't be put in a cast, and given that I am used to pain, shouldn't be in a terrible amount of pain post surgery, but I will be sore where the wounds are and will have permanent pins and plates. The main worries are that I won't be able to drive (or probably even get out of the house much) for two months and I'll either have to have an instep added to all my beautiful left shoes or in the not too distant future have my left knee operated upon as this surgery is going to make my right leg about 1.5 cm longer. I don't know what's worse, as I LOVE shoes and doubt I'll be able to get an instep that will fit them all.
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