Sports Injuries Support Group

Hi, I am just starting to go through a knee problem. I was doing track with students and on basketball courts I tripped. didn't think it was bad but it is, cause being on my feet and walking all day just kept getting worse. Puffy, and more walk more pain. I will see a ortho doc next and they said I need an MRI fro better evaluation. Did you get an Mri?? good luck deeeeee

hi i can relate i can relate these dang gone knees of mine and shoulders are bad but my knees are at the point know that i need knee replacements in both but they really dont want to because of my age they like to see people around 50 or 60 i just turned 40 in june of this year and im barley gettin around. the gym i can only do certain things. the spinning class is to hard on my knees so i stick with the stationary bike. even the treadmill docs told me not because of the constant pounding will irrate it. i get the same way when i cant get to the gym its like your body needs to excersise to get the juices flowing. i mostley lift weights and ride a bike but now they want me to do water aerobics because the impact is to much on my joints i just dont want to put on a swim suit i no that sounds stupid but that is just hard for me one day im going to do it just dont know when. i also have rhematoid arthritis w lupus an the fatigue gets really bad where im at the gym struggling but my mind tells me i have to finish my rotinue. sorry so long i get carried away sometimes. all i can say is take one day and one excersise at a time and i wish you nothing but the best. i do understand what you are going through

Hey, i have Chondromalacia Patellae, so i know where your coming from, its complete agony, iv had it since i was 11, the problem with it is, if you over work your knees (like i have) it can lead to worse problems such as knee dislocations, the best thing i found to do was just to exercise in consideration, stopping when there was pain and resting and iceing it, there are certain exercises you can do that help with the pain, and physiotherapy really helps.

I was just diagnosed with Chrondomalcia patella as well and I can relate to your pain for going down the stairs.

I was told water aerobics is best...but there really isn't pool nearby that I can use that doesn't have a nagging fee.

So I have been working on the elliptical machine.I stop when my knees start to hurt...that is my limit. If the pain continues, I take alleve which helps with pain and swelling.

I start physical therapy next week and I will let you know if it really helps.

Here's my update on the above.

I went for Xrays first to eliminate any bone abnormalities. That came back as OK, no problems at all.

I did go the physio route, but after months of that, it just was not getting better and I was advised to request an MRI.

I went to a sports med specialist who sent me for the MRI. The MRI showed a good sized tear in the meniscus which would definitley need to be trimmed off. The appt was to be made for surgery, I was told on a Friday, but he was booked pretty solid as he's the ortho for a pro football team so I was looking at a wait of months. I did not mind because I had found my own workarounds and knew my limits, low as they were.

I got a call the very next Monday! He had a cancellation and could I come in the next day?? Are you kidding me? What a choice - get the knee fixed tomorrow or wait for another 8months? Naturally, I jumped on it!

Surgery was on Tuesday, trimmed the meniscus, cleaned out some crumbs and pieces under the knee cap, and sent me home. I was up and at physio 3 days later on Friday and was also getting around fine on the day of surgery.

That was on June 23/09. I was also dx with Chondromalacia Patellae 3rd grade or something, so that's still a concern. I am back at spinning and was told by the instructor that my form is totally correct now, unlike just before surgery. The muscles surrounding the knee are still needing work, but I am back on the leg press in the gym with my trainer, and we are definitely making good progress.

I don't foresee any cardio by running up and down flights of stairs which I used to do, but would like to try the stair master soon.

After putting up with the pain for so long before finally taking action, then finding how quickly I feel like I have a brand new knee, I wish I would have pursued the repairs sooner. I find dental work more hurtful and traumatic than this arthroscopic surgery. I would recommend it to everyone.

Just the Chondromalacia Patellae to be dealt with now, but I can function fine now.

SweetBrooklyn, I had a horrible time on the treadmill just walking and also on the elliptical before surgery, but the upright bikes were fine. I found that seated was a better workout for my knees and also good cardio, but with less pressure on the knees like the elliptical.
Standing puts more weight on your knees, so maybe try the bikes at your gym and see if it's less troublesome on your joints.