Re: Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

[Guest guest]

Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

> My reg. doc was back in town so I saw her for a 2nd opinion. She said

> Chondromalacia is basically a woman thing, and it has to do with our

> knees being made differently than a man's.

Arthritis or Chondromalacia are more prone to be a female problem especially

earlier in life, but not specific to women.

She prescribed 200 mg

> Celebrex - one a day. This has not helped at all, but I have only been

> on it a week. Does it take longer to kick in?

First of all, I am not an expert, I am male, and can only repeat my own

experiences and what I have read. I have tried Celebrex and Tylenol too

with no avail. I am now taking Vioxx at 25 mg. and it is currently

eliminating most of the pain.

> Can anyone tell me if this sounds like Chondromalacia, or have I been

> misdiagnosed.

I have read where after the age of 40 Chondromalacia is just called

arthritis. Just repeating what I have read.

>

> Also, I walk 3 miles a day and lift light weights (5 mins. a day).

> The docs have not told me to quit. Should I quit?

I wouldn't quit exercise unless you are sure it is the exercise causing too

much pain. Over the long haul, I have had better luck with exercise

eliminating my pain than anything else. If the doctors are sure that there

is a definite functionality problem with your knees they can fix, then this

may be the route you want to take. If a person is over weight, that may be

a route to try and resolve, as I am currently doing.

Take care,

Mike Bernhardt

Park City MT

[Guest guest]

Hey Kate:

It could be CP, but there is no way for us to know without more

details.

It sounds like your doctors are just guessing. What kind of doctors

are they? What led them to diagnose CP? Are your kneecaps out of

alignment? Did they give you a thorough exam?

Give us some more info and maybe we can help. Is the pain on your

shin? Your calf? Inside or outside of your lower leg? It sounds

like it goes away after you move around a little bit. Is it possible

that it is muscular?

I'm not trying to confuse you -- I'm just letting you know that there

are a million things that could be " wrong " with your knees. The

problem could even be in your feet, ankles, hips or back.

Do some research. Learn everything you can about your anatomy and

all the possible causes of joint pain. You've got to become your own

expert, and with the help of a " good " doctor, you'll figure out what

to do.

The fact that your doctors could only come up with " take some drugs

and go away " is shameful. Our " drug & cut " medical system is an

embarrassment. Most doctors simply don't have (or take) the time to

give a thorough examination and try to get to the root of the

problem. They simply treat symptoms as the underlying problem gets

worse and worse until, eventually, you " need " surgery. So sad.

Wow. Sorry for the rant.

Give us some info and ask some questions. We can help you, but

mostly you have to help yourself. Fortunately, the Internet can make

that much easier than it was a few years back. Try to focus on how

to fix what is wrong, not just how to keep the pain at bay.

Good luck,

Doug

dougfromct2002@...

> Help please! I have seen two docs for pain in my right leg. It

only

> hurts in the early morning, and starts from my ankle and runs to my

> kneecap. I also have crepitus (crackly knees) of the knees.

>

> I was diagnosed as having Chondromalacia. First doc said to take

two

> Tylenol Arthritis right before bedtime. This did not help at all.

>

> My reg. doc was back in town so I saw her for a 2nd opinion. She

said

> Chondromalacia is basically a woman thing, and it has to do with our

> knees being made differently than a man's. She prescribed 200 mg

> Celebrex - one a day. This has not helped at all, but I have only

been

> on it a week. Does it take longer to kick in?

>

> I called today to see if I can up my Celebrex to 400mg per day. The

> pain was very bad last night, and not much sleep. So far, no call

back

> from my doc.

>

> Can anyone tell me if this sounds like Chondromalacia, or have I

been

> misdiagnosed. Any suggestions as to which meds. may work?

>

> Also, I walk 3 miles a day and lift light weights (5 mins. a day).

> The docs have not told me to quit. Should I quit?

>

> Many thanks in advance. I posted before and did not get any

replies,

> so I am keeping my fingers crossed as this sounds like a very

> supportive group of great folks.

>

> Thanks in advance.

>

> Kate

[Guest guest]

I agree with Doug. You should see an orthopedic surgeon, preferably one who

works with professional teams (they will actually see us regular folks), and ask

for an MRI. Chondromalacia may or may not show up on MRI, but it's better than

a stab in the dark. It won't show up on X-ray.

If your knee doesn't hurt during your 3-mile walk, I'd say keep on doing it.

The pain you have in the morning is (I'd guess) from accumulation of fluid

somewhere, either in the knee or in the ankle. The reason you feel it from

ankle to knee is that pain has a nasty habit of spreading and this makes it hard

to determine its origin. Your moving around after you wake up massages the

tissues where the fluid is and it gets removed by the blood flowing through the

tissues.

I spent 4 years trying to find a doctor who would do something definitive about

my knee. Finally I found one, am having surgery soon. In addition to CP, I

have a torn meniscus. If you feel your doctor(s) aren't very interested in the

problem, try to find one who is.

Ann

Re: Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

Hey Kate:

It could be CP, but there is no way for us to know without more

details.

It sounds like your doctors are just guessing. What kind of doctors

are they? What led them to diagnose CP? Are your kneecaps out of

alignment? Did they give you a thorough exam?

Give us some more info and maybe we can help. Is the pain on your

shin? Your calf? Inside or outside of your lower leg? It sounds

like it goes away after you move around a little bit. Is it possible

that it is muscular?

I'm not trying to confuse you -- I'm just letting you know that there

are a million things that could be " wrong " with your knees. The

problem could even be in your feet, ankles, hips or back.

Do some research. Learn everything you can about your anatomy and

all the possible causes of joint pain. You've got to become your own

expert, and with the help of a " good " doctor, you'll figure out what

to do.

The fact that your doctors could only come up with " take some drugs

and go away " is shameful. Our " drug & cut " medical system is an

embarrassment. Most doctors simply don't have (or take) the time to

give a thorough examination and try to get to the root of the

problem. They simply treat symptoms as the underlying problem gets

worse and worse until, eventually, you " need " surgery. So sad.

Wow. Sorry for the rant.

Give us some info and ask some questions. We can help you, but

mostly you have to help yourself. Fortunately, the Internet can make

that much easier than it was a few years back. Try to focus on how

to fix what is wrong, not just how to keep the pain at bay.

Good luck,

Doug

dougfromct2002@...

> Help please! I have seen two docs for pain in my right leg. It

only

> hurts in the early morning, and starts from my ankle and runs to my

> kneecap. I also have crepitus (crackly knees) of the knees.

>

> I was diagnosed as having Chondromalacia. First doc said to take

two

> Tylenol Arthritis right before bedtime. This did not help at all.

>

> My reg. doc was back in town so I saw her for a 2nd opinion. She

said

> Chondromalacia is basically a woman thing, and it has to do with our

> knees being made differently than a man's. She prescribed 200 mg

> Celebrex - one a day. This has not helped at all, but I have only

been

> on it a week. Does it take longer to kick in?

>

> I called today to see if I can up my Celebrex to 400mg per day. The

> pain was very bad last night, and not much sleep. So far, no call

back

> from my doc.

>

> Can anyone tell me if this sounds like Chondromalacia, or have I

been

> misdiagnosed. Any suggestions as to which meds. may work?

>

> Also, I walk 3 miles a day and lift light weights (5 mins. a day).

> The docs have not told me to quit. Should I quit?

>

> Many thanks in advance. I posted before and did not get any

replies,

> so I am keeping my fingers crossed as this sounds like a very

> supportive group of great folks.

>

> Thanks in advance.

>

> Kate

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Wow, thanks so much for all of this info. Esp. the Viox which I may

be able to try. I am 5'4 " and weigh 125, so at least I know my weight

is not the problem.

Many thanks.

Kate

>

> Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

>

>

> > My reg. doc was back in town so I saw her for a 2nd opinion. She said

> > Chondromalacia is basically a woman thing, and it has to do with our

> > knees being made differently than a man's.

>

> Arthritis or Chondromalacia are more prone to be a female problem

especially

> earlier in life, but not specific to women.

>

> She prescribed 200 mg

> > Celebrex - one a day. This has not helped at all, but I have only been

> > on it a week. Does it take longer to kick in?

>

> First of all, I am not an expert, I am male, and can only repeat my own

> experiences and what I have read. I have tried Celebrex and Tylenol too

> with no avail. I am now taking Vioxx at 25 mg. and it is currently

> eliminating most of the pain.

>

> > Can anyone tell me if this sounds like Chondromalacia, or have I been

> > misdiagnosed.

>

> I have read where after the age of 40 Chondromalacia is just called

> arthritis. Just repeating what I have read.

>

> >

> > Also, I walk 3 miles a day and lift light weights (5 mins. a day).

> > The docs have not told me to quit. Should I quit?

>

> I wouldn't quit exercise unless you are sure it is the exercise

causing too

> much pain. Over the long haul, I have had better luck with exercise

> eliminating my pain than anything else. If the doctors are sure

that there

> is a definite functionality problem with your knees they can fix,

then this

> may be the route you want to take. If a person is over weight, that

may be

> a route to try and resolve, as I am currently doing.

>

> Take care,

>

> Mike Bernhardt

> Park City MT

[Guest guest]

Hey Mike:

Again, for useful info., and I thank you.

I first had x-rays on my knees 3 mos. ago by a orthopedic doc. He

said my knees showed just a slight bit of arthritis, and basically my

knees were good.

Then, two mos. ago this pain started in my right leg. It only hurt

between n 4 - 6:30a, and the minute I got up, it would disappear.

The last two nights have been horrible with almost constant pain, and

now it last during the day as well. It starts at the knee cap, and

works it way down (this is just the last two days). Before that, it

would start at my ankle and work its way up to my knee. The pain is

always on the top of my leg (doubt it is sciatica).

The second doctor I saw was a family practice doctor, who does surgery

as well. The third person was an ARNP as my regular doc was out.

She has helped me the most.

Is this something most of you live with forever? Does it ever go into

remission? Have any of you ever had Restless Leg Syndrome, which I

had for about a month, four years ago.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

Kate

> > Help please! I have seen two docs for pain in my right leg. It

> only

> > hurts in the early morning, and starts from my ankle and runs to my

> > kneecap. I also have crepitus (crackly knees) of the knees.

> >

> > I was diagnosed as having Chondromalacia. First doc said to take

> two

> > Tylenol Arthritis right before bedtime. This did not help at all.

> >

> > My reg. doc was back in town so I saw her for a 2nd opinion. She

> said

> > Chondromalacia is basically a woman thing, and it has to do with our

> > knees being made differently than a man's. She prescribed 200 mg

> > Celebrex - one a day. This has not helped at all, but I have only

> been

> > on it a week. Does it take longer to kick in?

> >

> > I called today to see if I can up my Celebrex to 400mg per day. The

> > pain was very bad last night, and not much sleep. So far, no call

> back

> > from my doc.

> >

> > Can anyone tell me if this sounds like Chondromalacia, or have I

> been

> > misdiagnosed. Any suggestions as to which meds. may work?

> >

> > Also, I walk 3 miles a day and lift light weights (5 mins. a day).

> > The docs have not told me to quit. Should I quit?

> >

> > Many thanks in advance. I posted before and did not get any

> replies,

> > so I am keeping my fingers crossed as this sounds like a very

> > supportive group of great folks.

> >

> > Thanks in advance.

> >

> > Kate

[Guest guest]

Kate:

If you can find an OS who will give you a thorough exam and take an

interest in your case, then fine. However, in my experience (and the

experience of many others in this Group), orthopedic surgeons usually

give you about 10 minutes and aren't very helpful for people like us.

I saw an OS at the Hospital for Special Surgery (one of the most

prestigious orthopedic centers in the world) and he was completely

useless. If they can't do surgery on you, they just want to get rid

of you. It's not their fault. That is how the system works. They

get paid to do surgery, not " waste " their time trying to help you.

There initial consultations are scheduled about 15 minutes apart, so

they just try to scoot you out the door to stay on schedule.

Wow. Another rant. Sorry. I guess I'm fired-up today!

You are better off, in my opinion, trying to find a " whole body " type

doctor -- an osteopath, a doctor of physical medicine & rehab, a

doctor of applied kinesiology, a pain resolution specialist, etc.

Your initial consultation should be at least an hour, preferably 90 -

120 minutes.

A good place to start is:

http://www.aaomed.org

and click on " Find a Doctor " on the left side.

And regarding MRIs, get one if you can, but bear in mind that they

are notoriously inaccurate (false negatives and false positives).

Furthermore, just because the MRI shows something (like a torn

meniscus, for example) does NOT necessarily mean that your pain is

coming from there. A good doctor, and I mean a REALLY good doctor,

should be able to locate the source of your pain using his fingers

and palpating the painful areas.

HTH,

Doug

dougfromct2002@...

> I agree with Doug. You should see an orthopedic surgeon,

preferably one who works with professional teams (they will actually

see us regular folks), and ask for an MRI.

[Guest guest]

Re: Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

You might even ask around if you know people in the area who have had

problems with their knees, any type of problem, for a doctor referrence for

a doctor who has really helped them. An orthopedic surgeon is the main one

who comes to mind, but you might also find a DO, arthritis specialist, or

pain specialists that has had good results in your area. You might also

demand an MRI from a good doctor, but there are some who claim they can

actually see Chondromalacia problems better on regular x-rays or even a cat

scan. Good Luck!

Mike

[Guest guest]

Wow, sounds like Doug is more informed than a lot of doctors . Sounds

like he has been around the block, too.

Mike

Re: Diagnosed with Chondromalacia

> Kate:

>

> If you can find an OS who will give you a thorough exam and take an

> interest in your case, then fine. However, in my experience (and the

> experience of many others in this Group), orthopedic surgeons usually

> give you about 10 minutes and aren't very helpful for people like us.

>

> I saw an OS at the Hospital for Special Surgery (one of the most

> prestigious orthopedic centers in the world) and he was completely

> useless. If they can't do surgery on you, they just want to get rid

> of you. It's not their fault. That is how the system works. They

> get paid to do surgery, not " waste " their time trying to help you.

> There initial consultations are scheduled about 15 minutes apart, so

> they just try to scoot you out the door to stay on schedule.

>

> Wow. Another rant. Sorry. I guess I'm fired-up today!

>

> You are better off, in my opinion, trying to find a " whole body " type

> doctor -- an osteopath, a doctor of physical medicine & rehab, a

> doctor of applied kinesiology, a pain resolution specialist, etc.

> Your initial consultation should be at least an hour, preferably 90 -

> 120 minutes.

>

> A good place to start is:

> http://www.aaomed.org

> and click on " Find a Doctor " on the left side.

>

> And regarding MRIs, get one if you can, but bear in mind that they

> are notoriously inaccurate (false negatives and false positives).

> Furthermore, just because the MRI shows something (like a torn

> meniscus, for example) does NOT necessarily mean that your pain is

> coming from there. A good doctor, and I mean a REALLY good doctor,

> should be able to locate the source of your pain using his fingers

> and palpating the painful areas.

>

> HTH,

> Doug

> dougfromct2002@...

>

>

> > I agree with Doug. You should see an orthopedic surgeon,

> preferably one who works with professional teams (they will actually

> see us regular folks), and ask for an MRI.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mike. What little I do know I've picked up from this Group, a

few books and the Internet -- all within the last two years. As I

always say, you have to become an expert to get better.

And as far as the docs go, they aren't " bad " people, they just have

their specialties and that is all they know. Unfortunately, there

are no specialists in CP (at least as far as I know).

And yeah, I saw my share of useless docs and physical therapists

until I stumbled upon a " good " doctor. He was outraged (and I mean

OUTRAGED) at the treatment I got at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Keep learning and keep asking questions. As my good doc said, no one

should have to live with chronic pain.

- Doug

dougfromct2002@...

> > > I agree with Doug. You should see an orthopedic surgeon,

> > preferably one who works with professional teams (they will

actually

> > see us regular folks), and ask for an MRI.

> >

> >

> >

> >