knee problems (rider)

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

Hi all.  O.K. Sorry for posting so much tonight, but I'm sitting around
with a dislocated knee and have nothing else to do but catch up on
ridecamp (SCHOOL'S OUT FINALLY!!!!)

Question for those who've had knee surgery.  I have an old torn ACL that
causes my knee to occasionally jump out of joint.  In the past I've
always been able to flex the joint all the way, then straighten it slowly
and put it back in.  Last night (while stooping to turn off the computer)
it went out and refuses to go back "in".  So, whereas yesterday I was
fairly sound, today I can't even straighten my leg.  It's not really
*painful* just disgusting, so long as I don't try to straighten it.  

I've tried every position in the world to get it to pop back in and it's
starting to swell now.  What's really bad is that I did a fast 50 Sunday
and my thighs are on fire.  Here I was hobbling around with baby steps
and going down stairs backwards and now I'm trying to do deep stretches. 
OUCH!!!!!!!!!!

Now.  I've been told before that I'm a little old (38) for ACL surgery
and that it would heal slowly.  Lately, however, I've been told of people
older than myself who've had arthroscopic ACL replacement!  I've been
waiting for Kaboot to have a long term lameness that I could use as a
good time to consider surgery, but he's been really sound and it just
seems stupid to take time off when he's going great. 

 The loose joint has only bothered me walking, but doesn't hinder my
riding so I was leaving well enough alone.  Now I feel like I'm only one
"pop" from being O.K. but that "pop" won't come.

Any suggestions?  Feel free to respond privately, since the list is going
fine with the bit debate right now.

Angie

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