Medical Marvels!!!

As some of you know I love motorcycles but seem to have a difficult time keeping the rubber side on the road. Well my brother and I went to look at a dirtbike we were considering purchasing and, to cut to the chase, I wrecked the thing before we even bought it. I was only going 7-10 mph and didn't damage the bike, but learned a valuable lesson that dirt tires don't grip pavement when leaned over in a corner so it's best to stay off the gas until the bike is more upright. Anyway I managed to bang my right knee up pretty good to the point where I couldn't bend it the next morning when I tried to get out of bed......Not cool!

On a side note. I am not real big on going to the doctor or taking medicine. It just seems to be a waste of money most of the time unless you know something is broken. I typically just go to http://www.webmd.com and diagnose myself. It's much cheaper, but you don't get a doctor's note for work.....that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Anyway so I follow webmd's directions: R-I-C-E Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate.....except I neglected the compression part. The mishap occurred on thursday and saturday it felt like it was getting better so I didn't bother worrieing about and was going to suffer through the mild pain and let it run its course.

Today at work I started thinking about what might happen if it heals wrong and then I am stuck with a screwed up knee for the next 75 years. That means no air force, no motorcycles, no traveling and I am stuck at wal-mart FORRRREEEEVVVEERRRRRRR(in the voice of the boys from "Sandlot"). So at the thought of my whole life being ruined I broke down and bought a brace, fully not expecting it to help one bit.

I must say I now have more open mind about off the shelf rehab products. The moment I put it on the stiffness and pain went away. I walk with a more pronounced limp, but I'm okay with that. I don't quite know why a little compression makes such a big difference, but I am a believer in R-I-C-E and the miracle brace. That's $14 I wish I would have spent on Friday.

I am going to go focus on the Rest portion again while you enjoy some pics from our cruise. http://www.charles-roe.com/gallery2/v/Cruise2008/