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MV Wanderlust · 14-10-2018, 14:02

Well, buggers.

We trailered our dinghy over to the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater, FL yesterday to go out for a little spin. Unfortunately, the ramp was extremely slimy. I slipped on the ramp, sliding further down into the water, scraped my shoulder, left a two inch cut on the bottom of my right foot, and wrenched my right knee. Overnight, it was badly swollen and stiff. And I needed to get a new phone, too. It was in my pocket when I went down into the water and now it is dead.

Just came back from the ER. Woke up about 2:00 am and knew the knee thing wasn’t a simple twist. X-Rays showed a fracture on the tibial plateau. However, the CT scan said otherwise. Doctor feels it is a torn ACL and referred me to an Ortho. Will call tomorrow to set up the appointment. Gave me a tetanus shot and two antibiotics for the cut on my foot and a leg brace and crutches for the knee issue. The Ortho will probably want an MRI. It’ll be interesting to see if there are any ligament tears. 

And replaced my trusty-but-waterlogged iPhone 6 with a the new iPhone Xs.

Ugh.

Be careful on those ramps out there!

CaptTom · 14-10-2018, 15:27

Ouch! Hope it all heals well. Good reminder for all of us!

Steadman Uhlich · 14-10-2018, 15:52

OUCH! That hurts in more than one way!

That sound like an EXPENSIVE slip and fall!

It makes me wonder what the total bill will be for all the tests and such, given the high cost of medical treatment today. Wow!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Tayana42 · 14-10-2018, 18:12

See, we knew trailer boats were dangerous.

**JPA Cate** · 14-10-2018, 21:56

John, golly, what a deal! We knew another guy who slipped on a boat ramp, bringing his dinghy ashore. Compound fracture of that skinny arm bone that rotates. Kept him off the boat for months, just slime, but man, it IS a hazard.

I hope you learn what's wrong and have quick healing from whatever you decide to do. Have a friend who has had about 95% recovery from an ACL tear at age over 60.

Ann

zeehag · 15-10-2018, 06:49

dang. confirms my knowledge of slimey launch ramps. i bring my dink ashore via woman power an d occasional beg for mercy from muscular males..
clean on dock and launch with a grande splash.no ramps.
i may get hernia but my feet will be intact.,. go figger...
be safe out here. is dangerous.
watch your foot carefully there are bad bacteria in waters.

MV Wanderlust · 15-10-2018, 07:30

Thanks for the thoughts and concerns, everyone. Seeing the Ortho today at 1:00 for the knee but, yeah, it's the cut on the foot that's really causing me concern. It doesn't feel infected or anything. The ER gave me a tetanus shot and two antibiotics that they said are specifically for fighting bacteria from cuts in salt water (didn't realize there was such a thing). The water at the ramp was nasty-smelling and dirty. Really hoping the antibiotics kick whatever was in that water.

tuffr2 · 22-10-2018, 02:26

You guys with the big boats that spend time around the dock and not the boat ramp be extra careful at the ramp. At the water line starts the slippery slim. Remember that, be ready to slip.

Ouch, sorry to heard that. ACL surgery is not fun. Even with the new methods it is a 4 - 6 month recovery. The day after surgery you will be on a machine to work your knee. I almost punched the Dr. when he pushed and pulled my leg to test his surgery skills. It is not fun...hang in there.

Oh, the worse part. When I would put my leg down it would throb and hurt like crazy. Like getting off the bed to go pee. Took a few days for the pain to be tolerable.

gonesail · 22-10-2018, 04:56

just wondering: were you wearing flip flops (or bare footed) when you did this? an aggressive rubber soled athletic or hiking shoe may have helped to avoid some of your misery. be careful out there.

MV Wanderlust · 22-10-2018, 06:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

ACL surgery is not fun. Even with the new methods it is a 4 - 6 month recovery. The day after surgery you will be on a machine to work your knee. I almost punched the Dr. when he pushed and pulled my leg to test his surgery skills. It is not fun...hang in there.

Oh, the worse part. When I would put my leg down it would throb and hurt like crazy. Like getting off the bed to go pee. Took a few days for the pain to be tolerable.

Good to know. Waiting to hear the results of the MRI now.

MV Wanderlust · 22-10-2018, 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonesail

just wondering: were you wearing flip flops (or bare footed) when you did this? an aggressive rubber soled athletic or hiking shoe may have helped to avoid some of your misery. be careful out there.

Knew I was going to have to wade down into the water so was wearing flip-flops. The slime actually sucked them off of my feet and I slid the better part of ten feet down the ramp on bare feet. I agree about better shoes might have prevented some of this but I needed something that could be submerged. Wifey says she's going to get me shoes with suction cups on the bottom.

**a64pilot** · 22-10-2018, 06:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Ouch, sorry to heard that. ACL surgery is not fun. Even with the new methods it is a 4 - 6 month recovery. The day after surgery you will be on a machine to work your knee. I almost punched the Dr. when he pushed and pulled my leg to test his surgery skills. It is not fun...hang in there.

I was in an accident when I was 17 I think, serious burns, fractures etc.
My left hand was pretty much completely reconstructed.
Dr said that were it not for the then new antibiotic Keflex, they would have amputated.
Every day the Dr. would show up with this huge orderly, the orderly would hold me down while the Dr would flex my hand and fingers to tear the scar tissue loose from my tendons so I would have use of my hand after it healed.
It got so that just the sight of the orderly would have my eyes watering

MV Wanderlust · 22-10-2018, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I was in an accident when I was 17 I think, serious burns, fractures etc.
My left hand was pretty much completely reconstructed.
Dr said that were it not for the then new antibiotic Keflex, they would have amputated.
Every day the Dr. would show up with this huge orderly, the orderly would hold me down while the Dr would flex my hand and fingers to tear the scar tissue loose from my tendons so I would have use of my hand after it healed.
It got so that just the sight of the orderly would have my eyes watering

Damn!

WanderingStar39 · 22-10-2018, 06:50

Good luck with your recovery. Medicine today is amazing, my mom has had both knees and a hip replaced, and was up walking pretty quickly.
Yeah, sailing can be dangerous. In the last seven years I've dislocated a shoulder, chip fractured a shoulder, and stuck a knife through 1.5 fingers. I try to remember to take one extra second to do everything now that I'm closer to 60 than 50.