For most of my life my right knee has been my "good" knee. My "bad" knee was the left because I injured it in a playground accident at age 9 and, for the next 15 years, the kneecap would spontaneously dislocate at inconvenient times. Admittedly, there is rarely a convenient time to be in intense pain. In my twenties, I had "Lefty" surgically repaired and it became the "ugly" knee because of the scar that looks like a giant, white millipede crawling down my leg. My left kneecap no longer did it's disappearing trick, but it was still the bad knee because it was weaker and more arthritic than the right.
Three weeks ago I replaced Lefty with a shiny new knee. The giant millipede scar will have a smaller earthworm scar to keep it company. While it is healing, Lefty is still the bad knee but, theoretically, after healing is complete my left knee could become the good knee. I am hoping to be able to ride a bike again, maybe even jog. The problem is, after all these years of carrying the onus of my bonus weight, "Righty" is now creaky and arthritic. The good news is, the arthroscopic surgery I had in October for Righty's torn meniscus should buy me a few years before it needs replacement. The bad news is, I will have to bike/jog in a circle. That could get ugly.
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