Going in to my orthopaedic follow-up appointment, my knee felt great! I was hoping the knee pain was all in my head or at worst I'd be facing a torn meniscus. I was wrong. The MRI of my right knee showed cartilage damage and fissures. I am facing a knee replacement. At only 28 years old, I was shocked--but I could clearly see what the doctor saw on the MRI. At the rate that knee surgery is progressing, Dr. Aoki's advice is to avoid him for as long as possible. (Google says that replacing the cartilage with special polymers, rather than using cadaver cartilage, is coming online!)
According to Dr. Aoki, I have to "get as much mileage out of that knee as possible." I need to cut out high impact activities, but I have virtually none. I can go to physical therapy or just do patellofemoral exercises at home. I need to strengthen the muscles in my leg to help take some load off the cartilege via gliding eliptical machine or bicycle. For most people, losing weight would be an easy option, but I am already underweight. I can continue to take daily antiinflamatory medication like Aleve.
I am a bit depressed over the news. I'll start to do the exercises and look into buying a bike. I never thought about using the first floor bedroom for myself, but I guess that will have to become a possibility. What gets me most upset about this is, that about going to the doctor, Matt was right! ;)
did you hurt yourself doing something? or did the pain start all of a sudden at random???
ReplyDeleteI went to the doctor because I couldn't extend my leg or put weight on it. My knees have been hurting since high school actually. So, an old basketball, track or soccer injury was likely the genesis. But for years my Mom told me, "You are too young for your knees to hurt!" Well, I have the knees of an 80 year old woman now, so I guess that makes me old enough? ;)
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue with my entire right side...yay. It's frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI know what you are going through, hon! I've got arthritis in my knees. We're too young for this sh*t!
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping the blog up to date. I am always checking in on you guys and you are in my prayers! xoxo