Lean On Me

In 2016, my partner and I were deeply in love, and it felt like I was living in a dream. I was with the man of my dreams, and despite aging, my commitment to self-care had bolstered my self-esteem. During my accident, we were enjoying a lovely vacation on the island of Crete.

One evening, we opted to dine at our seaside apartment, sharing a bottle of wine while listening to the waves crash below. Although a few glasses of wine don’t usually cloud my judgment, we were perhaps a little euphoric from the wonderful evening and decided to venture into town for cocktails—taking the beach route.

This was a poor choice, as my night vision is nearly nonexistent, and we neglected to bring a flashlight. As we approached the stone steps leading to the shore—some of which were crumbling—my partner nimbly descended them like a mountain goat.

I thought, "What could possibly go wrong? I’ve navigated these steps before in the daylight." So, I followed suit, ignoring my poor visibility.

“Look before you leap…” — Aesop

Look? My ego convinced me that if he could navigate those steps gracefully, so could I.

I managed to reach the second step when I suddenly began to fall sideways towards the rocky beach ten feet below, having dislodged an unstable stone.

That was quite a drop. In those fleeting seconds, various thoughts raced through my mind. For a moment, I feared I was about to meet my end on the jagged rocks beneath me. But, as luck would have it, I noticed the bright shirt my partner was wearing through the darkness and managed to twist my body to land on him. We both tumbled onto the beach stones, but he cushioned my fall somewhat.

As we lay there for a moment, relief washed over me; I hadn’t hit my head or broken any skin or bones. However, my right leg was in excruciating pain.

Honestly, I was content to delay facing the situation, but my partner insisted we get up and continue our evening plans. Trying to ignore the pain—hoping it would fade—I complied. I think shock had set in for both of us.

He helped me to my feet, and I leaned on him for support. This worked for a moment, but when I attempted to take a step with my right leg, it simply collapsed beneath me.

The cocktails would have to wait.

Climbing back up the steps was impossible, and I couldn't even put weight on my partner’s arm. My right leg was utterly useless. While we could have managed with a stick, our minds weren’t functioning clearly. Instead, we found a slope that would take us to street level. I had to scoot backwards on my rear.

This was a long and painful journey, especially with my bare legs against the rough ground. At last, we reached our room. Examining my knee, it was evident I had a severe injury. It was already swelling to the size of a football, so we wrapped it in ice-filled towels and attempted to sleep.

That night is etched in my memory. The pain was unbearable, and I sensed my life was about to be on hold for a significant time, rendering my independence impossible.

I would need to rely on my partner, both literally and figuratively.

And I was right.

Assessing the Damage

After a restless night, we awoke to the sound of crashing waves and sunlight streaming through the window. I needed assistance to get to the bathroom and back. My right knee resembled a rugby ball, and the skin around it was tightening and turning various shades of purple and blue.

We were scheduled to fly home in four days, but it was clear that traveling was out of the question. One of the main issues was my inability to bend my leg at all.

Fortunately, the owner of our holiday rental agreed to let us stay longer, but we needed to switch rooms. I contacted the airline, and they allowed us to change our flight date, promising accommodations for my injury.

With our computers on hand, we researched my knee injury. All signs pointed to some form of cartilage damage. Given that we were in a remote part of Crete, seeing a doctor was not feasible.

The silver lining was that we had an extended vacation. The downside was my immobility.

I was also fatigued, likely from both the pain and my body entering a state of conservation for healing.

My partner traveled to a nearby town and consulted a pharmacist who recommended strong painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication, and continued ice treatment.

Help Available

The Cretan people are genuinely kind, known for their resilience. Locals from a tavern we frequented arranged transport for us to and from the restaurant and set up a special table so I could stretch my leg. Their generosity left a lasting impression on me, and I would have gladly remained among them.

Our journey home was relatively smooth; I was given a wheelchair, boarded the plane last, and disembarked first, with expedited security.

Upon arriving at our local hospital in Wales, I was seen immediately.

Wales has an efficient healthcare system. After examination, the doctor suspected a meniscus tear that had become trapped, preventing my knee from bending or straightening.

The consultant recommended hospitalization for an emergency MRI scan and proposed immediate surgery. Recovery would take several months.

I felt overwhelmed. Everything was happening too fast. I was terrified and reluctant to undergo surgery. But would my partner want me to stay and have the procedure? I knew I would be reliant on him in this condition for months, and I had heard stories of others who had knee surgery and never fully regained their mobility.

My intuition urged caution; we needed to discuss our options first.

Fortunately, my partner agreed.

MRI Scan ~ Meniscus Tear

We inquired about alternatives and were told I could be an outpatient. They would send an appointment for an MRI scan in the coming weeks, and we could proceed from there. We left with crutches and a knee brace, along with instructions to ice, elevate my leg, and avoid walking for about a week.

The MRI scan was scheduled a couple of months later, and the results confirmed the consultant's diagnosis. My knee was otherwise healthy, except for a torn piece of meniscus cartilage that was obstructing movement. This also indicated the injury wasn’t due to wear and tear.

I was informed about the surgical procedure and would receive a date soon. With this type of injury, time was not of the essence; surgery today or in six months would yield the same outcome.

I was still uncertain about my next steps, but this gave me time to evaluate the situation. I began researching both the medical aspects of my injury and exercises that could aid in my recovery.

This research empowered me. I had always valued my independence, and now I required help even for basic tasks. By becoming informed, I felt I was regaining some control over my situation.

Taking Control

I discovered that individuals who avoid surgery typically achieve a good recovery only two out of ten times. The doctor confirmed this statistic.

I pondered: could I be one of the exceptions and heal on my own?

I thought physiotherapy would be a good starting point, so I called a clinic. To my surprise, they informed me that no therapy was available for my type of knee issue. Perplexed, I turned to the internet.

It’s essential to remember that the internet is like a vast library—much like some newspapers—not all information is accurate. After narrowing down a few therapists with YouTube videos, I reached out to a friend in the health field who reassured me that the exercises I found would not worsen my condition. Initially, I focused only on those I could perform while lying down.

Three times a day, I committed to these exercises. This routine gave me a sense of control over my circumstances.

About a month later, I began to maneuver more with my crutches. It was challenging since I couldn’t use my injured leg for support, but gradually, the swelling subsided, allowing me to use my toes to assist in movement, even though I still couldn’t bend my leg.

Meniscus Heal Thyself

The appointment for surgery arrived, five months post-accident. Twelve weeks had passed, and while I hadn’t made significant progress in terms of flexibility, I was managing to get around better. I contacted my local swimming pool, which agreed to allow me to swim with assistance getting in and out. Thus, I began swimming twice a week. This not only supported my leg but also allowed me to work on my upper body, while the endorphins boosted my mental health.

I was still frequently fatigued. Healing requires energy, and it was natural to feel tired. I began napping in the afternoons, incorporating swimming, laying down exercises, standing exercises, and rest into my routine.

As my surgery date approached, I noted significant improvement. My leg wasn’t fully healed, and I primarily relied on one crutch, but I could occasionally walk unaided, especially in my wellies across uneven terrain. My work in horse care involved traversing muddy fields, which contributed to strengthening my knee.

I made a significant decision: to continue my self-healing journey.

I informed the hospital that I would not require the surgery. The receptionist was understanding and rescheduled me for six months later, assuring me she would cancel if I didn’t return.

I never contacted them again.

Thoughts

In my view, it’s crucial to thoroughly contemplate surgery, especially if the condition isn’t life-threatening. My knee was slowly improving with each passing day, and I practiced patience. After two years, I only had a minor limp.

Today, it has been five and a half years since my accident, and I believe my knee is 99% as it was before the fall—a miracle in my eyes. The consultant could not guarantee such a recovery even after surgery. Many individuals who underwent the procedure took months to recuperate, some not regaining full functionality.

Perhaps the reason the statistics indicate only two out of ten recover without surgery is that few possess the determination or time to wait and see if the meniscus heals naturally.

Most are rushed into surgery within months of the injury, skewing the statistics. I was fortunate that no additional damage occurred to my knee; it hadn’t worn down over the years.

Surgery

The proposed surgery would have involved trimming the meniscus to alleviate the blockage. However, through consistent exercise and walking, I seem to have worn down the obstructive cartilage. Now, I enjoy nearly complete flexibility in my knee joint once again.

I do not advocate that everyone with a knee injury should self-treat before seeking medical intervention, but I encourage you to carefully LOOK at your situation BEFORE making a final LEAP.