a bit nervous

So tomorrow morning (6 am) I am heading to Willammette Falls Hospital to have a long needed Knee Surgery. As of midnight I can't eat or drink anything (not even my coffee!) and I will admit that I am a bit nervous. I have never had a broken bone, or stitches little lone surgery, I am a bit nervous. Because of ethical reasons Terry can't do the surgery so his partner and our friend Brad Black will be doing it and the anaesthesiologist, Dan Herr, is also a friend so I couldn't be in better hands but I am still a bit nervous. As a mom I am doing my best to keep all those dark thought of "what if" at bay but they sometimes creep in. It is not a big or difficult surgery (see the diagram and information below) so I should be home by noon and if I take it easy (just how dose a mom of 3 take it easy anyway) it shouldn't swell too much and all will be fine and I will be up and around in no time.

Lateral Release
Overview
Arthroscopic Lateral Retinacular Release is a procedure performed to correct problems with the patella (kneecap). It is performed arthroscopically, which means that the interior of the knee joint is examined using an endoscope that is inserted through a tiny portal incision.


Tracking is the term used to describe the movement of the patella with the knee. Lateral release is performed when the patella becomes misaligned and does not track properly. Tightness in the lateral retinaculum, a tissue in the knee similar to rawhide, usually causes this condition. Some patients have a genetic predisposition to retinacular tightness and laterally riding patellae. Other patients misalign their patellae with a twisting injury or a blow to the kneecap. When the patellae are injured in this way, the retinaculum shrinks and gets tough, which causes the kneecap to fall off track.

Procedure
Lateral release involves cutting the tight lateral ligaments to allow for normal tracking of the patella. The orthopedic surgeon first makes a small incision in the retinaculum through the arthroscope. He then cuts the tight ligaments on the outside (lateral side) of the patella to allow it to slide toward the center of the femoral groove. These ligaments eventually heal with scar tissue that fills in the gap created by the surgery. Lateral release surgery takes 30 to 45 minutes and can be performed under local or general anesthesia.