Jones Fracture

It's been a while since I've had any major injuries but that streak ended in 2014 when I broke my foot last September.

I was playing in a weekend league when I landed on my opponent's foot while coming down from jump. The impact caused the base of my fifth metatarsal to break, while giving me a third degree ankle sprain as well.

The bone cracked in multiple places, but wasn't severe enough to require surgery to fix. Just had to put my right foot in an Aircast walking boot for 6 weeks. I recovered well enough to be able to resume playing after 7 weeks.

May have lost count already, but I think this was my 6th major injury (2 torn ACLs, a broken nose, 3 broken ankles and/or third degree sprains). Basketball never stops though.

POP! Goes my knee again

I just did a Michael Redd. Good thing it wasn't a Shaun Livingston though.

I fuckin' blew out my left knee again, the second time in the last 4 months, during the last play of our game last night. Leading by 11 with about 2 seconds left, I went up for an irrelevant rebound and landed awkwardly on my left leg, causing my knee to buckle and give way. For the third time in my life, I heard another of them infamous pops.

I'm out for the rest of the young season and will get surgery done probably by February.

POP! Goes my other knee

What can I say?

It was deja vu all over again.

I blew out my left knee playing hoops last night at the Moro Lorenzo Gym.

I was in pursuit trying to stop a fastbreak layup when I landed awkwardly on my left leg, twisting my knee. I did get the spectacular mid-air block but I lost my knee in return. I swear I heard it pop just like I did three years ago when I busted my right knee, rupturing my ACL.

Then I started second-guessing myself. What if I just let him go? Maybe I should've let him get away with the game-winning layup and concede the game. But that's not me. Ten times out of ten, I will make the same play over and over again.

In a few days, I will find out how badly damaged my knee is. Right now, hope is bleak and it's looking like another torn ACL for me. That would mean another 6-9 months off the court.

I've no regrets though. I'd still make that play a million times over, in true Gonzy fashion.

Trying to get back to ballin

I played basketball yesterday after a long layoff. Last time I was on the court was during the company sportsfest about a month ago. I tried playing with an injured ankle then, and I didn't last long on the floor. I could hardly move and I didn't have lift at all.

Yesterday was different. My ankle was feeling way better, though it's still a bit swollen on the lateral side. My lift is back as well and I could run with the best of them. I'd say I'm at about 80-85% match fit compared to about 50% four weeks ago.

I really need to see my doctor. It's been almost eight weeks and the swelling still won't go away.

Grade 2 sprain

I went to the Medical City to pick up my x-ray plates and have my ankle checked as well. I set up an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. Like what I mentioned previously, no fractured bones but my doctor says that with the amount of bruising and swelling of my ankle, I probably tore all three major ankle ligaments. He only sees a Grade 2 sprain though, which would sideline me for about 3-4 weeks. With proper healing, I can get back sooner though.

I'm trying to determine if I can return by September 22, which is the semifinal round of the IBS Sportsfest. I'm not convinced I'll make it in time, but who knows... I normally recover beyond expectations.

Negative for fracture

I went to the Medical City's ER a few hours ago to get my ankle checked. The findings were negative for any fracture, which is good. However, I think I'm looking at a Grade 2 or 3 sprain. Sometimes, fractures (stress or non-displaced) are better because bones heal in as quick as four weeks and it's as good as new. While major sprains, on the other hand, can take 4-8 weeks to heal and they tend to be prone to reaggravation.

I'll find out the extent of the damage by Tuesday or Wednesday when I visit my orthopedic surgeon. I've a big game on the 22nd, I'm crossing my fingers hoping I can return just in time.

Don't tell me I'm injured again

I might have fractured my left ankle earlier today. I was playing ball at Moro this afternoon when I landed awkwardly on someone else's foot after a rebound play. I heard my ankle crack, about three times I think, reminiscent of the time I broke my right ankle about two years ago. I swear I've heard those cracking sounds before.

It got swollen immediately, but the swelling wasn't as severe as it was the first time. I have inflammation the size of a pingpong ball. Believe me it was much worse when I snapped my right ankle before. This gives me a bit of hope that there's no fracture. I'll find out by tomorrow. I would've gone to the emergency room tonight but the strong rains are preventing me from going to Medical City.

I'm hoping for good news tomorrow. Crossing my fingers here.

Lip service

I busted my lip playing basketball earlier. I caught someone's elbow on the way down from a rebound battle.

Punyeta. The impact was so strong I thought I lost a tooth or two. My upper lip is swollen and cut but at least it doesn't need any stictches.

Another one of them war wounds.

Partially torn ACL

Got my MRI results this morning. I immediately took out the report as I headed over to Dr. Bengzon's clinic.

It read:

Acute partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Bone contusions, lateral femoral condyle and posterior aspect of the tibial plateau.
Minimal joint effusion versus hemarthrosis.

It was a relief knowing that my ACL wasn't completely torn. Though I'm not sure whether it was good news or bad. It wasn't the best-case scenario but it surely wasn't worst-case either. I'd take it nonetheless.

Doc said I'm lucky to have strong thighs and legs. He was astonished on how I was able to survive my valgus-abduction clip injury (a direct blow to the side of the knee) with only a partial tear. Normally the MCL and meniscus give way too. He recommends that I should undergo a 4-week rehab program to strengthen my quads and hamstrings further.

I immediately had several thoughts and concerns about the results though. I grouped them into the "pros and cons".

Pros:
- I don't have to undergo reconstruction surgery
- No need for rehab/therapy for at least six months post-op
- My muscles won't atrophy
- I can go back to playing after about a month of therapy
- I don't have to miss work
- No crutches for me
- No incisions due to surgery
- Surgery and rehab is expensive (though my insurance will pay for most of it). I still won't have none of that.

Cons:
- Since there is a partial tear, I'm afraid that there's a high probability of completely tearing it in the future
- Knowing that I have a partially torn ACL might get into my head. It's just as difficult mentally as it is physically
- Should I stop playing strenuous and physically-demanding sports to prevent further damage?

I think the pros outweigh the cons so far. I'm grabbing myself a new pair of Jordans, and will have myself ready to play ball soon.

Watch out.

On MRI; Second opinion

Had my MRI done yesterday afternoon. Man, that was like the longest 45 minutes of my life. The machine was noisy, my headphones weren't enough to muffle the sound. The music aided though, but the songs weren't exactly my choice. Anyhow, glad it's over and done with. The results will be ready by tonight. Still thinking whether to get them later or over the weekend.

I went to another orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Bengzon, to get a second opinion. He's an Atenean, and I've friends who were his patients already. I felt more comfortable with him than the first doctor. Dr. Quintos was kinda aloof and nonchalant, while Dr. Bengzon was more hands-on. He actually took time to explain and answer my multitude of questions.

Going back to his thoughts, he said that my right knee was bit looser compared to my left one but that it wasn't obvious at all. He said he's looking at a partial ACL tear, or best case, just a badly bruised knee. He also said that he would recommend having the MRI done too, just like Quintos.

I'll reserve judgment until I get the MRI results.

Crossing my fingers.

ACL tear(?)

I went to see an ortho-surgeon yesterday over at Medical City to have my knee checked. Initial diagnosis is that liquid or water is building up. It resulted in my knee flaring up but not to the extent that it needs to be aspirated. Doc says it should go away within the next week. Aside from the water build-up, he said that my right knee was loose as compared to my left one. There is a possiblity of an ACL tear, but that has yet to be confirmed. That's just looking at a worst case scenario. Best case is that my knee is just badly 'bugbog'. I'm supposed to go back after a week when the swelling goes down for an accurate diagnosis.

Damn. My heart sank upon hearing that. I guess hearing those three letters comprises an athlete's worst nightmare.

Regardless of what happens during my next checkup, friends are telling me to get a second opinion. Possibly even a third. Then reach a consensus afterwards.

Til then, I'm keeping my hopes up.

Knee Scare

I busted my knee yesterday afternoon playing ball over at Moro. Wasn't even an hour into the games when someone cut me and hit my right knee just as I was about to takeoff for a fastbreak layup. I never had a chance to jump. I felt my knee give way and buckle down as soon as it was hit. The collision made me fall right to the floor with no ability to cushion my landing.

It was hella painful. Couldn't walk for about 30 minutes or so. Had to be carried off the court. Initial signs seem to be positive. I was playing with people who have had torn ACL's before, and they said it didn't look like an ACL injury. Still had enough mobility to move my knee around. Just the same I need to have it checked asap. Too bad though it was a weekend, thus no orthopaedic specialists available. My girlfriend kept pressing me to go to the ER, but I said that wasn't needed. No offense to the ER personnel, but I bet they don't know jack about sports injuries that are not bone-related. It was just going to be a waste of time and effort.

I'll be going to see a specialist tomorrow. I'd like to go see Dr. Jose Canlas, as he's the resident sports medicine specialist of Ateneo, as well as the national team. I think he's regarded as the best in Asia too. But I don't think he's part of my healthcard's network so that means I have to pay. Knowing that worst case scenario will be a potential ACL tear, that's gonna be damn costly. I'd have to pass on him then. I'm sure there are good and capable specialists that are part of Intellicare's network of doctors so I'll go check them out.

I'm actually scared to have my knee checked as I don't know what they'll tell me. Nevertheless, I've been hurt and injured so many times already that it's really no big deal anymore. I'm sure I'll bounce back regardless. Injuries never get to my head anyway. They have no psychological hold on me. Hmm. Come to think of it, it only shows that I'm either fearless or stupid. I'll take the former. I just don't back down, especially not with my daredevil ways.

I play for contact. Bring it on.

Injury List

Since I've had quite a number of major injuries the past few years, I might as well jot them down here.

Come to think of it, I played soccer competitively for CSA and Ateneo for about 10 years or so, and I've never had any injuries whatsoever. I never had to miss time to nurse an injury during that span. However, the past 3 years have resulted in a number of injuries due to playing recreational basketball. How strange.

February 2003 - Fractured Nasal Bone (Broken Nose). Needed closed reduction surgery.

November 2004 - Corneal Abrasion (Scratched Cornea). Treated at the St. Luke's ER.

July 2005 - Fractured Lower Fibula (Broken Ankle). Immobilized for 6 weeks.

November 2005 - Dislocated Right Middle Finger.

January 2006 - Dislocated Left Middle Finger.

I guess I flash the finger too often that's why they got messed up.

Flash Me the Finger

Injuries seem to be loving me, as I keep getting something twisted, tweaked or broken one body part after another. The latest being another jammed, dislocated finger courtesy of a basketball gig a few days ago.

I've jammed a lot of fingers already. I think every single finger I have has been sprained during one time or another. But this one's different. It's actually not as painful and swollen as my previous ones. So it seems like a good sign right? However, it's the ugliest looking sprained finger I've ever seen... the joint near the fingertip is crooked. Yes, it's downright nasty. I can't straighten the joint out. I have to keep a splint tied onto it to keep it 'normal'.

Experts say it should heal and straighten itself out in about a week or two. No need for extra special care, just the splint will do.

Of course, it didn't stop me from continuing to play, as I already played last night. A broken nose didn't deter me from playing, so what's a disclocated (or possibly fractured) finger gonna do?