Three Rights Make a Left

This section will be in "diary" form and I've included this entry largely for my own perspective, though I hope it will be of interest to others who have had quadriceps tendon repair. It's just my own experience -- if there's anything I've learned it's that each individual progresses at his own pace. January 16, 2015 "Operation Day" Early day -- 6:00am at the venue where my surgery would be performed: Texas Orthopedics in northwest Austin. I don't really remember much about this day other than they knocked me out and when I came to, I had a big bandage on my right leg. I had opted for a "nerve block", so I could feel absolutely no pain at the incision. Somehow, Dana managed to get me piled back in the car, and we picked up the prescribed pain meds on the way home -- Hydrocodone  for pain, and Diazepam for potential muscle spasms. I was pretty much out for the day. January 17, 2015 "The Day After" I slept... the ner...

I've written a series of posts related to my recent knee injury. I wrote that for several reasons: 1. They'll explain what happened and why I'm absent from my gigs; 2. They'll be a helpful resource to others with similar injuries; 3. They'll be characteristically witty and entertaining to read, and not become known as "Stringer's Pity Papers"; 4. I don't really have much else to do while I've been lying around waiting for this knee to heal; 5. And last, a chronicle for myself and family... the first three won't change much... the last two, I'll try to keep up to date. PART I - What Happened PART II - What is a Disrupted Quadriceps Tendon PART III - Getting Treatment PART IV - Recovery and Hurdles Along the Way PART V - Some Life Lessons I would appreciate comments and reposts. Thanks --Jim

How I Did It vs. How it Should Be Done I injured my knee on the evening of December 26, 2014. I had surgery to repair the injury on January 16, 2015... exactly 3 weeks. All the authoritative sources say you should 1) be taken to the emergency room; and 2) surgery should be performed as soon as is possible. The tendons and muscles begin atrophy almost immediately and the repair becomes more and more difficult, and less and less effective! So... what happened? First... I'm an idiot musician -- the show must go on. I felt that I need to play the show at Belly Up, regardless of the fact that my role was a bit part. In my nearly 55 years of playing gigs, I can count on one hand that shows that I've cancelled because of health issues. I played my Hall of Fame show in 2007 with a 104 degree fever and walking pneumonia!!! In a snow storm!!! In sub zero weather!!! Geez... you get the picture? Second... as I mentioned, I have a history of pulled muscles. I sort of fig...