Knee problems changed how the world is experienced. Freedom was once found in longboarding and hiking. Now, the world feels smaller, limited to short walks in local woodlands or the city. Yet photography allows for an appreciation of the beauty that remains — through intuitive observation, remarkable moments can still be found in everyday scenes.
▒▒▒▒ Personal Updates ▒▒▒▒
🦵 A nearby hospital orthopaedic specialist was found, who confirmed the ACL rupture and severe chondromalacia. The private consultant had suggested procedures such as ligament reconstruction (to restore stability) and microfracture surgery (to stimulate new cartilage growth), but the hospital doctor took the stand that these steps would no longer be effective, as the damage is too advanced. The only surgical option left would be a knee replacement. Because of my relatively young age (52), the hospital doctor was clear that a replacement should not be performed at this stage. Outcomes vary: Knee replacements typically last only 10–15 years, and revision surgery is more complicated. Some people still experience pain when walking after replacement, while others are fortunate and pain-free. The next step is to return to the orthopaedic consultant, where the follow-up treatment will most likely be conservative in nature — monitoring, pain management, physiotherapy, and supportive measures such as a knee bandage or orthotics.
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Significant knee issues: severe chondromalacia¹ and an ACL rupture². The next step had been to visit a specialist clinic for an evaluative arthroscopy³ to determine or perform the best course of action/potential treatment. (This step, however, proved too difficult due to logistical problems, including the significant distance requiring lengthy train travel with a challenging knee condition and the expectation of limited mobility post-treatment.)
1.✨ Chondromalacia III & IV:
— Refers to the degeneration of the cartilage beneath the kneecap. In severe cases (grade III–IV), this condition can involve significant thinning, with grade IV representing complete cartilage loss (i.e., a hole in the cartilage) and exposure of the underlying bone. This results in pain and reduced mobility. Specific treatment is usually determined based on arthroscopic findings.
— Refers to the degeneration of the cartilage beneath the kneecap. In severe cases (grade III–IV), this condition can involve significant thinning, with grade IV representing complete cartilage loss (i.e., a hole in the cartilage) and exposure of the underlying bone. This results in pain and reduced mobility. Specific treatment is usually determined based on arthroscopic findings.
2.✨ ACL Rupture:
— Indicates a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament, a critical stabilizer of the knee. ACL reconstruction is commonly performed to restore knee stability and function.
— Indicates a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament, a critical stabilizer of the knee. ACL reconstruction is commonly performed to restore knee stability and function.
3.✨ Arthroscopy:
— A minimally invasive procedure that allows the surgeon to inspect the interior of the knee joint with a small camera. This evaluation helps in precisely determining the extent of cartilage damage and other internal issues, guiding the decision on the most appropriate treatment.
— A minimally invasive procedure that allows the surgeon to inspect the interior of the knee joint with a small camera. This evaluation helps in precisely determining the extent of cartilage damage and other internal issues, guiding the decision on the most appropriate treatment.
░░░░ Previous Events
A major computer failure once halted photo processing and uploads.
Repairs turned out to be more extensive than first expected, requiring new hardware components and a clean OS install to meet the demands of modern editing software.
The rebuilt system performed excellently and was expected to support creative work for years to come.
Engagement on social media gradually resumed, though a backlog of photos still awaited culling and post‑processing.
Repairs turned out to be more extensive than first expected, requiring new hardware components and a clean OS install to meet the demands of modern editing software.
The rebuilt system performed excellently and was expected to support creative work for years to come.
Engagement on social media gradually resumed, though a backlog of photos still awaited culling and post‑processing.
When knee problems first began to surface, little was known of how much they would grow to shape daily life. Mobility narrowed, focus shifted toward home-based projects and much shorter walks.
Website project began: July 23, 2024