Started PT today. Told my PT the exit goal is a pistol squat (aiming high). Sutures out yesterday, still swollen, but walking with no crutches or brace. Slightly encouraged, thoroughly confused.PT began. Exit criterion filed: one pistol squat. Sutures out, knee leaking, still walking under protest.
The story, onceThe case file
So I never have to re-explain it. The quick facts, and how it actually happened.So I never have to recite it. Facts on file, events as recorded.
The quick versionThe facts on file
- The injury
- Recurrent patellar (kneecap) dislocation. First in 2023 while bouldering, again in May 2026. A partial MPFL tear both times.Recurrent patellar dislocation. 2023 (climbing) and May 2026 (dancing). Partial MPFL tear. Repeat offender.
- The surgery
- July 17, 2026: an arthroscopic look inside the knee, plus a cartilage biopsy toward a possible future MACI cartilage repair.July 17, 2026. Arthroscopic investigation and cartilage biopsy, filed toward a possible future MACI procedure.
- What they found
- Full-thickness cartilage loss on one region of the patella, a loose fragment floating in the joint, and an MPFL that's still partly damaged. Everything else looked healthy.Full-thickness cartilage loss on the patella, one loose fragment loitering in the joint, MPFL still compromised. The rest of the knee: annoyingly fine.
- Recovery plan
- PT started July 29. Follow-up with the surgeon in late August to decide next steps.PT commenced July 29. Surgeon follow-up (sentencing) in late August.
How it happenedStatement of events
This goes back to the tail end of my PhD, when I picked up rock climbing, something that genuinely terrified me, which was the whole point. Bouldering one day, I dropped into a deep drop-knee, pushed off my foot, and dislocated my kneecap. I was still on the wall, looked down, and was certain my leg was broken from the angle of it. I came off, reset it myself, and an MRI later showed a partial MPFL tear. Six weeks of PT and I was completely fine. Better than fine, actually. I got seriously into fitness, got strong, dropped weight, and felt more stable in my body than I ever had. Then, end of May 2026, I was out dancing, several drinks in, and just stepped wrong. Same kneecap. I woke up the next morning unable to straighten my leg, thinking: here we go again.The record begins at the tail end of the subject's PhD, when she took up rock climbing voluntarily, for personal growth. Bouldering one day, she dropped into a deep drop-knee, pushed off, and the patella left its post. She was still on the wall, convinced the leg was broken. She came down, reset the joint herself, and an MRI confirmed a partial MPFL tear. Six weeks of PT, full recovery, no lesson retained. She proceeded to get strong, fit, and dangerously confident. Then, end of May 2026, on a dance floor, adequately inebriated, she stepped wrong. The same kneecap dislocated. She woke unable to straighten the leg. The court was not surprised.