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A Pain in the...

 ...leg. 

I'm feeling a dull discomfort in my left leg. At times, it feels like a hamstring strain. It can crawl around the leg to emanate from above my knee or settle near the hip joint. The hip pain concerned me as the self-diagnosis of hip replacement haunted me in the ten days I waited for my appointment with the orthopedic doctor.

My new orthopedic doctor showed me why it's happening. Leaving all the details in the file, the pain results from the repair to my patella tendon. The cadaver material they use is stretching with use, and it will not retract. He explained that I could have surgery to tighten up the tendon, but I'd end up with the same problem in a couple of years. So given the surgery, rehabilitation, and the short benefit period, He didn't recommend it, and I agree.

So I'm more or less stuck with using anti-inflammatories to control the discomfort. It took me a couple of days to figure out that ibuprofen was raising hell with my stomach, and the Tylenol was working fine without the stomach problems. So now all I need is some warmer weather to get rid of the ice and snow to do some more walking.

Notice: As the years move on for me, I'm becoming less of a football fan. Make no mistake, I'm still a Packer fan, and I can't imagine not caring for my team. This year I might even have a bit of concern for Matthew Stafford, the former Detroit QB that's helped the Rams get to the Super Bowl. Safford labored mightily for a terrible organization and deserves a moment in the spotlight. But I won't be watching the Super Bowl. (Stafford succeeded. Sometimes, the good guys win.)

Instead, I'll be sweating David Tennant's depiction of Phileas Fogg's attempt to circle the globe in 80 Days. Strange when you think of it. We do not know who will win the Super Bowl, but I know Fogg will succeed. Yet to me, the latter seems more entertaining. Is it because we know we won't get a peek at Janet Jackson's breast? I doubt it.

Shameless demonstration of pride in my great-grandkids.



Progress Note: Jonny and Ledger.

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