Stupid Knee. Stupid Fat.

Monday, May 4, 2009
I was pretty active when I was a teen. Especially in the summer months, I usually spent time each day riding horses, and suffered my fair share of accidents and such as a result. Then I went into the Navy, where the environment isn't the best for joint health.

The result is a moderate chronic case of chondromalacia patella in my left knee, and a less severe case in my right. At least they were "moderate" and "less severe" the last time I had my knees X-rayed - about eight years ago.

I have previously used physical therapy to control the pain and inflammation, and have essentially been pain-free for years.

Until now.

The last couple days my left knee has been acting up, and last night the pain was waking me up and going down the stairs was a bit dicey. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take some anti-inflammatories and give it a week without the evil machine of torture to settle down.

I know what the issue is, of course. FAT. I'm too fat at the moment, and carrying around that extra weight is causing the re-emergence of the pain.

So I guess it's time to get back into weight management mode. Unfortunately, the inability to exercise in the short term isn't going to help that in any way, so I'll just have to do what I can.

Stupid knee. Stupid fat.

13 comments:

John the Scientist said...

Is swimming an option?

Good luck on that. If your doc agrees it's a good idea, a local corticosteroid shot might help the pain more than NSAIDs.

Janiece said...

John, our rec center does have a pool, and if the pain doesn't subside in a reasonable period of time I'll go back to the ortho.

I've been dealing with this issue for 20 years, though, and unless all the cartilage is gone, I can usually control it with weight loss, PT and ibuprofen.

John the Scientist said...

"PT"

So, in other words, I wasn't high when I said that a running contest might be a good thing?

::runs and hides:: :p

Anne C. said...

John, while PT is often (semi) humorously equated with "pain and trauma", I hardly think that running contests where you're trying to achieve 6 minute miles is theraputic!
:P

Nathan said...

I think we all know by now that John's got a fairly warped concept of what's "good for you".

Janiece said...

Nathan, no shit.

I will not be exercising until I puke. That's just so wrong.

Jeri said...

I sympathize! Mine is still swollen and bruised from last weekend's adventure. It is not, however, unstable or painful so I'm optimistic, just taking it a little easily on it for now. I've been dealing with mine since spring 1984. Yikes that makes me feel old.

Cindi in CO said...

"Westernaire Knee", isn't it fun? Mine hurt too, maybe I need to get FATTER.

Bah.

Janiece said...

Getting old sucks big WIENIES.

vince said...

Getting old sucks big WIENIES.Well, if you're a guy, and you have a big weenie, how is getting old bad under those circumstances?

WendyB_09 said...

vince-by then it doesn't function like a big weenie...

Janiece-I had a small, pea-sized benign fatty tumor removed from my left knee when I was 14. In order to get to it, they had to remove all the fat pads and a bit of cartilage.

Nearly 40 years later it still give me fits from time to time, and as I also fall into the pudgy catagory, it is annoying. I take daily doses of aleve to reduce the arthritus inflammation that has set up there now.

Growing old is NOT for WIMPS!!

Snap, crackle and pop does NOT refer to a cereal...it is the sound of me getting out of a chair!

WendyB_09

John the Scientist said...

"I will not be exercising until I puke. That's just so wrong."

No, no, no ur doin it rong.

You exercise until you almost puke, the acid sin;t good for your teeth. :p

Actually, I exercise until my hands start quivering gently, but uncontrollably: means I've used up every molecule of sugar in my bloodstream. :D

But you are going to start running, right. Once the pain is gone? Right? Right?

Janiece said...

But you are going to start running, right. Once the pain is gone? Right? Right?

I've heard that being delusional is a symptom of certain brain injuries, which you probably incurred by running.

Please seek help.