Here we are with another long overdue update…
For those who need a 2024 update, I’m about 10 months post elbow reconstruction surgery (the second one) and 7 months post manipulation under anesthesia. I spend 3 days in the hospital post manipulation in the CPM machine 24 hours a day (even while sleeping), which I can honestly say were some of the more challenging hours I’ve had over the last 3.5 years. They then injected Botox into my tricep in hopes that it would shut it down (temporarily) and allow for everything else to fire properly to help with getting flexion. While they were able to increase my flexion during the manipulation (a BIG deal), I’ve unfortunately had a difficult time getting it back actively (even with a bit of help from my botoxed tricep), which is what I need for long term functional movement.
Since mid summer I’ve had another sneaking suspicion that something didn’t feel quite right, as my motion wasn’t progressing and it was locking on occasion. I continued to strengthen it as much as it would allow, but my 100% success rate of knowing when something is wrong was confirmed yet again last month. I found out I now have “post traumatic arthritis”, due to the amount of trauma the elbow has been through, and from the dislocation. Because of this, I’ve now developed bone spurs in areas where I shouldn’t have any bone.
So, enter ROUND 6! Yes, you read that right. Next week I’ll head back to Mayo Clinic where this time they’ll scope my elbow to remove the bones spurs, and look for anything else that could explain the lack of motion. There’s no guarantee the bone spurs won’t grow back, but I’m remaining hopeful that they’ll learn they’re not welcome here and stay the fuck away 🙃.
In an effort of full transparency, I’m beyond exhausted. While I’ve made progress in many ways, and come a long way, it’s been an unbelievably taxing journey. While many days it’s hard to believe this is the reality, I’m too stubborn (and pissed) to accept that this will be my “new normal” quite yet, especially given that my gut hasn’t been wrong, so now starts the next round of the fight. One day at a time… 1,206 days and counting 💪🏼
Until I bend again,
Mo
