Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Tory, Wow, 16 with knee trouble. First of all, sorry to hear that you are having problems. I really can't imagine this at 16. The only solution I can come up with is strengthening. It just depends on the damage and details of the condition. Myself, I have torn up cartilage and no amount of exercise will make it go away. That being said, strengthening does reduce the pain level in most cases. For myself, I had to exercise to the point of " some " pain. If I went past that point, I would pay for it in the next few weeks. But, I am 49 not 16. I have never done any rowing, but I imagine that you push very hard with your legs through the entire range of motion. This cannot be very good for your knees if there is damage already there. Did they do an MRI? Did they mention cartilage damage? Hopefully, someone here can point out some taping techniques or other braces you can try. Good luck and keep us posted. Don On 8/19/06, Tory <crossed_arms77@...> wrote: > > As most new members seem to do I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia > and am looking for information as the pain has become worse. > > I am a 16y.o. and was first diagnosed with this condition in my > right knee 2 years ago. They gave me an H buttress brace to wear > while I was playing soccer my freshman year which I did do but > beyond that they said that I should " grow out of it. " I didn't > really give it a second thought. I wore the brace, dealt with the > occassional knee pain and everything panned out ok. > > My sophomore year I got into rowing crew in place of soccer. My > knees got irratated sometimes while I was ergging but I worked > through it and just kept going. There were a few instances where it > was bad but for the most part yet again, not a large problem. > > Going into the spring crew season everything went the same. We row > both fall and spring and I really had no problems this past spring > whilst I rowed. > > This summer everything seemed to spiral downward. I got a desk job > over the summer and that's where the problems really seemed to first > manifest themselves. My knees got this tingling feeling under the > kneecap whenever I sat for more than an hour or so. I like to get > up and walk around when ever I can to stretch my legs out some. > > My left knee also got progressively worse. I origionally had > problems with the right one and the condition seemed to have spread > to my left knee. I went in to see the Ortho again in late june and > they took X-rays and all that. They said that I had developed a > slight patellar tilt on the left knee. My old knee brace wore out > awhile ago and I never really used it while rowing because I have > sensative skin and the neoprine mixed with sweat really irratates my > skin. > > This time seems to have gone the same time as last. They pretty > much said that I had chrondomalacia in both knees, gave me 2 J > braces this time, a list of exersizes and sent me on my way. > > Fall crew conditioning started a few weeks ago and my knees have > been so sore. They've been getting sore randomly even on a normal > day with no exersize. It can be anything from sitting for a long > time to bending my knee to far for too long (I like to sit in my > comp chair with my left knee bent up on the side of the chair). > > I started sitting with my knees out straight instead of bent and > sleeping on my back to keep them straight. The pain seems to get > highlighted quite a bit when I try to go to sleep no matter how I > lay. > > As for crew itself ergging (rowing on the machines) has killed my > knees. A week or so ago I got off after an especially intense > rowing piece and my knees wouldnt straighten. I took 3 steps, sat > down right there, and after a few minutes got back up and rowed the > next piece at a slightly slower pace. Running on pavement, lunges, > and wall sits are absolutely killing my knees. I started icing my > knees almost every day after crew but that didnt really seem to do > much, nor did heat application. I've been conditioning in my knee > braces and they definately help but there is still pain. I am an > avid horseback rider as well. I dont know how much stress that puts > on the knee but that started hurting me this past week or so too. > Crew is probably the worse considering its alot of pressure pushing > off for the legs and involves very deep knee bends continuously. > > I've been conditioning along with the rest of my team every day. We > finally moved out onto the water and I cannot wear my knee braces > there. The pressure is less than the erg and generally they dont > hurt so much while in the boat but are still sore afterwards. My > braces have those metal springs or plastic strips sewed down both > sides of the brace and when we are not rowing we sit with our knees > bent and the oar sitting on top of our thighs. Those strips bow > inwards against my leg when I'm sitting there and they actually > bruised my legs after just one day on the water. I've only been out > on the water once this season so far and that was with my braces > on. It was then that I decided that I couldnt wear them while > rowing. I dont know if the absense of the jarring motions of > running on pavement and the other conditioning we did will improve > anything or crewing will still make it worse even on the water. > > I don't know what to do at this point. I came home crying the other > night and my mom, being a doctor, was able to sneak me in to see the > PT at her office for a quick visit. He stretched my legs in a few > different ways, poked around on my knees, and then told me that my > IT bands are extremely tight. He stretched them out and then told > me to scrap the strengthening exersizes from my ortho and focus on > the 2 he gave me. He's been having me do 2 exersizes, 5 sets of each > on each leg in the morning, before I exersize, and then before I go > to bed. He's having me go back in next wednesday once again. > > My ortho didnt really tell me anything. The PT finally told me how > to start fixing this problem but I am concerned about rowing this > season. I know that I can do it and work through the pain because I > love the sport whole heartedly. But I dont know if I should. > Everyone here seems adamently against working through the pain, but > neither my ortho or my PT advised me against crew. Any advice at > this point is appreciated. I've done all the research I have been > able to and I'm stuck. So many people here wish they would have > caught it sooner. Should I be making a bigger deal out of this than > I am? And should I be doing anything differently? > > I really appreciate any help that you guys could offer and thank you > for taking the time to assist me. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Hello Tory, I read your post a couple of hours ago and had to sit and think about it for awhile. My compliments to you for writing a very well thought out post. Not sure how your ortho diagnosed chondromalacia...was it through x rays, mri, scope? And what " grade " of chondro are you looking at? Is it grade 1 with some wear, or grade 4 with the cartilage basically gone ? That would be my first step, to find out just exactly how affected your knees are. Depending on how involved they are you have options. I'm just making some totally uneducated opinions here, but maybe it'll give you some things to think about... Start off with a little detective work. How were your knees in soccer, when did they hurt the most, what kind of overall conditioning were you doing? What other activities did you participate in? Did you remember any knee pain from anything else?? Next, think about rowing. When you row recreationally (not for winning speed) do your knees hurt? Do they hurt excessively when you do other things? How soon do your knees feel better? Immediately if you stop the exercise? A couple of hours later? A day or two later? A week or more?? I ask this because often you overdo ONE thing and you end up with a cycle of inflammation in your knees, and unless you rest and treat the inflammation, it'll just " stay " with you during all your activities. Once you have a clear picture of when they hurt the worst....start looking (maybe with the help of a REALLY good sports physiotherapist) at what muscle groups you use for that activity that makes it hurt....is it possible you've created a muscle imbalance with rowing? Could your quads be overloading the hamstrings? Are your hip muscles strong? Any and all muscle imbalances can show up as more/worse knee pain. A good therapist should be able (and willing) to watch you row and see if your alignment is good for your knees. Don't underestimate those hip muscles, because they exert quite a pull on the lateral side of your knee. You're very smart to start thinking ahead for your knees. I don't think knee problems are black and white....rather a continual gray area that you constantly should monitor and adjust things as necessary. Some of the things you can control......weight, is one....never easy, but not being overweight will help your joints. (This, BTW, was my big downfall....I've always been very active, but I'm also what they used to call a " big girl " . Sure, I had the muscles, but the extra weight didn't help my knees. Ironically, people who are more overweight than I, who did/do not do sports/activities have better knees than I do....sigh......) Another are you can control and that's staying well hydrated at all times...Nope, it won't cure anything, but it's easier on the joints if you have plenty of water intake. Another is a good program of stretching and staying limber and agile. It's something I wish I had invested more time in when I was younger. If you have created a great habit of staying limber (whether through stretching or something like yoga) it will serve you well as you age, since we all lose some natural flexibility as we age. I've started a modified yoga plan for me and again, it's not a cure, but it seems to make my whole body feel better. Another area to think about is your posture, gait and feet. If you're slightly flatfooted, some arches might give your knee a better alignment, and might help, sometimes heel supports help. If you have knee pain, you also need to find your own treatment for it. By that I mean, either taking some anti-inflammatories when needed, taking glucosamine, eating well, drinking tons of water, icing at the right times, and yes, resting and laying low when the pain threatens to turn into an inflamed joint. (You can bet your knee is inflamed if it swells, or if it's warm to the touch). Lastly, the question of what you should do....no one can really answer that, however, I can give you my take on it. With the help of your ortho (and you need to ask them point blank) and a good PT, you can work out a plan that will allow you to do whatever activity you want and only amend them if a certain set of criteria are met (excessive pain, different pain, more intense pain, etc etc).Unfortunately, chondromalacia doesn't magically get better. There are surgical options, but those also don't magically make it go away (although there are more and more surgical advances for chondromalacia and arthritis). You need to balance the activities you enjoy with the knowledge that you need to protect your knees for your future. If one activity ruins your knees for doing all the other activities that you enjoy, you may need to re-examine just how important that activity is to you. You have lots of options...just being aware of your knee pain and the severity of it will guide you to which path you need to take. Do remember, there are lots of people out there with chondromalacia that do EVERYTHING under the sun....it's a nuisance to them because sometimes they need to " baby " the knees abit, but in general, once they get the routine down, there's nothing stopping them. I hope you find a good sports physiotherapist, who will work with you in the long run. Strong, balanced muscles, are the best protectors your knees can get. Sorry for the long post, keep asking questions here and everywhere. One thing you'll learn is that YOU are your own best advocate when it comes to your knees. Keeping good, logical track of events (which you sound like you're doing) will go a long way to getting any and all help you need. I fervently wish you the best of luck, and hope you'll post to let us know how you're doing. take care, nne New to the community -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.9/417 - Release Date: 8/11/2006 __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 At your age, there's some chance that the articular cartilage might heal, but I would suggest that you think about helping it along with chondroitin and glucosamine. That seems to have prevented arthritis in my knees, although, at my age (59-64 for the chondromalacia), it hasn't helped heal the damaged spots. A tight IT band could be pulling your kneecaps over, which could cause and aggravate chondromalacia. There's a good ITBS group on . There's surgery for that in addition to various stretching routines. My experience is that, in general, PTs know better than OS's what exercises you need for ITBS and chondromalacia. Have you tried knee tape? This could help a lot, keeping the kneecap off the femur. I hate to say this, because you're an athlete, but you may need to cut back on your activity to rest your knees while the glucosamine & chondroitin do their work. It's really hard to cut back on activity when you're an athlete, but it could save you great heartache in the future. You should only do what doesn't make your knees hurt (don't cut out activity altogether -- that's just as bad). People will probably suggest pool exercises, but the problem is bending the knee so the kneecap rubs on the femur, so if you're in the pool, bending your knee, it's still going to rub. For me, knee tape has helped the most. I posted instructions on using kneetape here. It's in the archives. Your PT should also know how to do it. You can buy knee tape on line and some PT offices sell it. Also, there's hope. Probably sometime in the next 10 years the FDA will approve the SaluCartilage plugs (see http://www.salumedica.com/technology.htm). These are plugs that are inserted in holes the OS drills out where the chondromalacia worn spots are. They've been in use in Europe for 4 years now and in Canada for 1. The FDA likes to wait until European patients have " tested " a device or procedure for about 20 years before they approve them here. If they were available in the US, it would be a Godsend for those of us in this list. I'm old enough to have a TKR and that's what I'm going to have to do to get my knee function back. But you're so young, you'll probably have to wait for the SaluCartilage plugs. If you can't wait, and you have $19,000, you can have them done in Europe or Canada (15,000 euros is what the one doctor I corresponded with in Italy charges -- I don't know about other doctors in Europe, or what Canadian prices might be). Good luck. It upsets me to hear about some your age getting this condition. Ann New to the community As most new members seem to do I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia and am looking for information as the pain has become worse. I am a 16y.o. and was first diagnosed with this condition in my right knee 2 years ago. They gave me an H buttress brace to wear while I was playing soccer my freshman year which I did do but beyond that they said that I should " grow out of it. " I didn't really give it a second thought. I wore the brace, dealt with the occassional knee pain and everything panned out ok. My sophomore year I got into rowing crew in place of soccer. My knees got irratated sometimes while I was ergging but I worked through it and just kept going. There were a few instances where it was bad but for the most part yet again, not a large problem. Going into the spring crew season everything went the same. We row both fall and spring and I really had no problems this past spring whilst I rowed. This summer everything seemed to spiral downward. I got a desk job over the summer and that's where the problems really seemed to first manifest themselves. My knees got this tingling feeling under the kneecap whenever I sat for more than an hour or so. I like to get up and walk around when ever I can to stretch my legs out some. My left knee also got progressively worse. I origionally had problems with the right one and the condition seemed to have spread to my left knee. I went in to see the Ortho again in late june and they took X-rays and all that. They said that I had developed a slight patellar tilt on the left knee. My old knee brace wore out awhile ago and I never really used it while rowing because I have sensative skin and the neoprine mixed with sweat really irratates my skin. This time seems to have gone the same time as last. They pretty much said that I had chrondomalacia in both knees, gave me 2 J braces this time, a list of exersizes and sent me on my way. Fall crew conditioning started a few weeks ago and my knees have been so sore. They've been getting sore randomly even on a normal day with no exersize. It can be anything from sitting for a long time to bending my knee to far for too long (I like to sit in my comp chair with my left knee bent up on the side of the chair). I started sitting with my knees out straight instead of bent and sleeping on my back to keep them straight. The pain seems to get highlighted quite a bit when I try to go to sleep no matter how I lay. As for crew itself ergging (rowing on the machines) has killed my knees. A week or so ago I got off after an especially intense rowing piece and my knees wouldnt straighten. I took 3 steps, sat down right there, and after a few minutes got back up and rowed the next piece at a slightly slower pace. Running on pavement, lunges, and wall sits are absolutely killing my knees. I started icing my knees almost every day after crew but that didnt really seem to do much, nor did heat application. I've been conditioning in my knee braces and they definately help but there is still pain. I am an avid horseback rider as well. I dont know how much stress that puts on the knee but that started hurting me this past week or so too. Crew is probably the worse considering its alot of pressure pushing off for the legs and involves very deep knee bends continuously. I've been conditioning along with the rest of my team every day. We finally moved out onto the water and I cannot wear my knee braces there. The pressure is less than the erg and generally they dont hurt so much while in the boat but are still sore afterwards. My braces have those metal springs or plastic strips sewed down both sides of the brace and when we are not rowing we sit with our knees bent and the oar sitting on top of our thighs. Those strips bow inwards against my leg when I'm sitting there and they actually bruised my legs after just one day on the water. I've only been out on the water once this season so far and that was with my braces on. It was then that I decided that I couldnt wear them while rowing. I dont know if the absense of the jarring motions of running on pavement and the other conditioning we did will improve anything or crewing will still make it worse even on the water. I don't know what to do at this point. I came home crying the other night and my mom, being a doctor, was able to sneak me in to see the PT at her office for a quick visit. He stretched my legs in a few different ways, poked around on my knees, and then told me that my IT bands are extremely tight. He stretched them out and then told me to scrap the strengthening exersizes from my ortho and focus on the 2 he gave me. He's been having me do 2 exersizes, 5 sets of each on each leg in the morning, before I exersize, and then before I go to bed. He's having me go back in next wednesday once again. My ortho didnt really tell me anything. The PT finally told me how to start fixing this problem but I am concerned about rowing this season. I know that I can do it and work through the pain because I love the sport whole heartedly. But I dont know if I should. Everyone here seems adamently against working through the pain, but neither my ortho or my PT advised me against crew. Any advice at this point is appreciated. I've done all the research I have been able to and I'm stuck. So many people here wish they would have caught it sooner. Should I be making a bigger deal out of this than I am? And should I be doing anything differently? I really appreciate any help that you guys could offer and thank you for taking the time to assist me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Great post! Very well said. Ann New to the community -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.9/417 - Release Date: 8/11/2006 __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 My advice to you is to find a sports medicine clinic in your area and go see them. They know what they are doing and will help you. Luck Tory <crossed_arms77@...> wrote: As most new members seem to do I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia and am looking for information as the pain has become worse. I am a 16y.o. and was first diagnosed with this condition in my right knee 2 years ago. They gave me an H buttress brace to wear while I was playing soccer my freshman year which I did do but beyond that they said that I should " grow out of it. " I didn't really give it a second thought. I wore the brace, dealt with the occassional knee pain and everything panned out ok. My sophomore year I got into rowing crew in place of soccer. My knees got irratated sometimes while I was ergging but I worked through it and just kept going. There were a few instances where it was bad but for the most part yet again, not a large problem. Going into the spring crew season everything went the same. We row both fall and spring and I really had no problems this past spring whilst I rowed. This summer everything seemed to spiral downward. I got a desk job over the summer and that's where the problems really seemed to first manifest themselves. My knees got this tingling feeling under the kneecap whenever I sat for more than an hour or so. I like to get up and walk around when ever I can to stretch my legs out some. My left knee also got progressively worse. I origionally had problems with the right one and the condition seemed to have spread to my left knee. I went in to see the Ortho again in late june and they took X-rays and all that. They said that I had developed a slight patellar tilt on the left knee. My old knee brace wore out awhile ago and I never really used it while rowing because I have sensative skin and the neoprine mixed with sweat really irratates my skin. This time seems to have gone the same time as last. They pretty much said that I had chrondomalacia in both knees, gave me 2 J braces this time, a list of exersizes and sent me on my way. Fall crew conditioning started a few weeks ago and my knees have been so sore. They've been getting sore randomly even on a normal day with no exersize. It can be anything from sitting for a long time to bending my knee to far for too long (I like to sit in my comp chair with my left knee bent up on the side of the chair). I started sitting with my knees out straight instead of bent and sleeping on my back to keep them straight. The pain seems to get highlighted quite a bit when I try to go to sleep no matter how I lay. As for crew itself ergging (rowing on the machines) has killed my knees. A week or so ago I got off after an especially intense rowing piece and my knees wouldnt straighten. I took 3 steps, sat down right there, and after a few minutes got back up and rowed the next piece at a slightly slower pace. Running on pavement, lunges, and wall sits are absolutely killing my knees. I started icing my knees almost every day after crew but that didnt really seem to do much, nor did heat application. I've been conditioning in my knee braces and they definately help but there is still pain. I am an avid horseback rider as well. I dont know how much stress that puts on the knee but that started hurting me this past week or so too. Crew is probably the worse considering its alot of pressure pushing off for the legs and involves very deep knee bends continuously. I've been conditioning along with the rest of my team every day. We finally moved out onto the water and I cannot wear my knee braces there. The pressure is less than the erg and generally they dont hurt so much while in the boat but are still sore afterwards. My braces have those metal springs or plastic strips sewed down both sides of the brace and when we are not rowing we sit with our knees bent and the oar sitting on top of our thighs. Those strips bow inwards against my leg when I'm sitting there and they actually bruised my legs after just one day on the water. I've only been out on the water once this season so far and that was with my braces on. It was then that I decided that I couldnt wear them while rowing. I dont know if the absense of the jarring motions of running on pavement and the other conditioning we did will improve anything or crewing will still make it worse even on the water. I don't know what to do at this point. I came home crying the other night and my mom, being a doctor, was able to sneak me in to see the PT at her office for a quick visit. He stretched my legs in a few different ways, poked around on my knees, and then told me that my IT bands are extremely tight. He stretched them out and then told me to scrap the strengthening exersizes from my ortho and focus on the 2 he gave me. He's been having me do 2 exersizes, 5 sets of each on each leg in the morning, before I exersize, and then before I go to bed. He's having me go back in next wednesday once again. My ortho didnt really tell me anything. The PT finally told me how to start fixing this problem but I am concerned about rowing this season. I know that I can do it and work through the pain because I love the sport whole heartedly. But I dont know if I should. Everyone here seems adamently against working through the pain, but neither my ortho or my PT advised me against crew. Any advice at this point is appreciated. I've done all the research I have been able to and I'm stuck. So many people here wish they would have caught it sooner. Should I be making a bigger deal out of this than I am? And should I be doing anything differently? I really appreciate any help that you guys could offer and thank you for taking the time to assist me. Have A Great Day AMBER M MINGUS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Tory; there is some good advice being given to you here from our members ... a) I would most certainly ask for an MRI (high definition 3D images) for your knees as this will tell you straight away if you have done cartilage damage and it will show up any tearing and thinnning of the cartilage behind the knee cap. (chondromalacia patellae).. I would say though that you are in a very good position at 16 years to recover from this!! A sports physio or sports doctor is a very important and good idea at this stage .. especially if they have experience with fitness fanactical teenagers whose bodies are still growing madly..!! c) Do not think about going for surgery at this stage ... you need to get the soreness under control... if you are having sharp pain (like electrical shock) .. just stop and rest. d) Most of the teenagers here in Australia (who are also a generation of fitness fanatics) are taking regular supplements such as fish oil and chondroitin) which are great for joint linings and inflammation! Mark. > > As most new members seem to do I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia > and am looking for information as the pain has become worse. > > I am a 16y.o. and was first diagnosed with this condition in my > right knee 2 years ago. They gave me an H buttress brace to wear > while I was playing soccer my freshman year which I did do but > beyond that they said that I should " grow out of it. " I didn't > really give it a second thought. I wore the brace, dealt with the > occassional knee pain and everything panned out ok. > > My sophomore year I got into rowing crew in place of soccer. My > knees got irratated sometimes while I was ergging but I worked > through it and just kept going. There were a few instances where it > was bad but for the most part yet again, not a large problem. > > Going into the spring crew season everything went the same. We row > both fall and spring and I really had no problems this past spring > whilst I rowed. > > This summer everything seemed to spiral downward. I got a desk job > over the summer and that's where the problems really seemed to first > manifest themselves. My knees got this tingling feeling under the > kneecap whenever I sat for more than an hour or so. I like to get > up and walk around when ever I can to stretch my legs out some. > > My left knee also got progressively worse. I origionally had > problems with the right one and the condition seemed to have spread > to my left knee. I went in to see the Ortho again in late june and > they took X-rays and all that. They said that I had developed a > slight patellar tilt on the left knee. My old knee brace wore out > awhile ago and I never really used it while rowing because I have > sensative skin and the neoprine mixed with sweat really irratates my > skin. > > This time seems to have gone the same time as last. They pretty > much said that I had chrondomalacia in both knees, gave me 2 J > braces this time, a list of exersizes and sent me on my way. > > Fall crew conditioning started a few weeks ago and my knees have > been so sore. They've been getting sore randomly even on a normal > day with no exersize. It can be anything from sitting for a long > time to bending my knee to far for too long (I like to sit in my > comp chair with my left knee bent up on the side of the chair). > > I started sitting with my knees out straight instead of bent and > sleeping on my back to keep them straight. The pain seems to get > highlighted quite a bit when I try to go to sleep no matter how I > lay. > > As for crew itself ergging (rowing on the machines) has killed my > knees. A week or so ago I got off after an especially intense > rowing piece and my knees wouldnt straighten. I took 3 steps, sat > down right there, and after a few minutes got back up and rowed the > next piece at a slightly slower pace. Running on pavement, lunges, > and wall sits are absolutely killing my knees. I started icing my > knees almost every day after crew but that didnt really seem to do > much, nor did heat application. I've been conditioning in my knee > braces and they definately help but there is still pain. I am an > avid horseback rider as well. I dont know how much stress that puts > on the knee but that started hurting me this past week or so too. > Crew is probably the worse considering its alot of pressure pushing > off for the legs and involves very deep knee bends continuously. > > I've been conditioning along with the rest of my team every day. We > finally moved out onto the water and I cannot wear my knee braces > there. The pressure is less than the erg and generally they dont > hurt so much while in the boat but are still sore afterwards. My > braces have those metal springs or plastic strips sewed down both > sides of the brace and when we are not rowing we sit with our knees > bent and the oar sitting on top of our thighs. Those strips bow > inwards against my leg when I'm sitting there and they actually > bruised my legs after just one day on the water. I've only been out > on the water once this season so far and that was with my braces > on. It was then that I decided that I couldnt wear them while > rowing. I dont know if the absense of the jarring motions of > running on pavement and the other conditioning we did will improve > anything or crewing will still make it worse even on the water. > > I don't know what to do at this point. I came home crying the other > night and my mom, being a doctor, was able to sneak me in to see the > PT at her office for a quick visit. He stretched my legs in a few > different ways, poked around on my knees, and then told me that my > IT bands are extremely tight. He stretched them out and then told > me to scrap the strengthening exersizes from my ortho and focus on > the 2 he gave me. He's been having me do 2 exersizes, 5 sets of each > on each leg in the morning, before I exersize, and then before I go > to bed. He's having me go back in next wednesday once again. > > My ortho didnt really tell me anything. The PT finally told me how > to start fixing this problem but I am concerned about rowing this > season. I know that I can do it and work through the pain because I > love the sport whole heartedly. But I dont know if I should. > Everyone here seems adamently against working through the pain, but > neither my ortho or my PT advised me against crew. Any advice at > this point is appreciated. I've done all the research I have been > able to and I'm stuck. So many people here wish they would have > caught it sooner. Should I be making a bigger deal out of this than > I am? And should I be doing anything differently? > > I really appreciate any help that you guys could offer and thank you > for taking the time to assist me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 I wanted to extend a grateful thank you to everyone who gave suggestions and advice. I go in for a second PT appointment on wednesday and thats probably when I can sit down with my PT and ask him some of these questions and go from there. The one last thing I was wondering is what is the price range for an MRI? I've heard that they can be quite expensive. Thanks again, Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 MRI's cost approx $300 in Australia per session but if your parents are in a health fund it is usually only a few dollars... The two part approach by using a sports physio is to ensure they watch and feel your patellae tracking through its full range of movement when they fully bend it to see if there is any laxity and/ or abnormality; they are also listening and feeling for noise such as cracking or crunching etc,.. which usually indicates a problem to be identified.. Then if they can easily identify an issue you won't usually need the MRI as it could be very obvious to them..!! Its when they can't put their finger on the problem that you should go for the MRI scan and that will produce visual identification of any lesions or softening and thinning of cartilage..!! Rowing is the ultimate leg strengthening exercise so I doubt you have any issues at your age with poorly performing quadriceps .. ask the physio to look and feel for any bone spurs or bony growths along your shin area ... as these can cause referal pain back to the knee cap region... Another great site for knee drama's is at www.kneeguru.co.uk which a few members here use as well. Good luck...!! Mark > > I wanted to extend a grateful thank you to everyone who gave > suggestions and advice. I go in for a second PT appointment on > wednesday and thats probably when I can sit down with my PT and ask > him some of these questions and go from there. > > The one last thing I was wondering is what is the price range for an > MRI? I've heard that they can be quite expensive. > > Thanks again, > Tory > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 MRI's are over $1000 (here in WA state, US). Do you have insurance? Ann Re: New to the community I wanted to extend a grateful thank you to everyone who gave suggestions and advice. I go in for a second PT appointment on wednesday and thats probably when I can sit down with my PT and ask him some of these questions and go from there. The one last thing I was wondering is what is the price range for an MRI? I've heard that they can be quite expensive. Thanks again, Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Yeah, I have insurance but even then the price makes you cringe. I think that I'll hold off on an MRI for awhile and see how just PT works. I think that the IT band stretches are helping somewhat and I haven't had as many problems with my knees while rowing in the last week or so. If it gets worse I'll ask him or my OS about it though. -Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 I'm looking at a statement from my insurance (California BC/BS through State of CA, who was my employer). The original charge for an MRI of my knee was $1019, and my copayment (at 20% of the allowed charge) is $157.24. Not bad. Ann Re: New to the community Yeah, I have insurance but even then the price makes you cringe. I think that I'll hold off on an MRI for awhile and see how just PT works. I think that the IT band stretches are helping somewhat and I haven't had as many problems with my knees while rowing in the last week or so. If it gets worse I'll ask him or my OS about it though. -Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Mine was not covered at all, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin. $1300. Actually, I had called to verify it was covered and they said it was, and then didn't cover it. Philip - http://xcskiwinn.org/community/blogs/panmanphil Re: New to the community Yeah, I have insurance but even then the price makes you cringe. I think that I'll hold off on an MRI for awhile and see how just PT works. I think that the IT band stretches are helping somewhat and I haven't had as many problems with my knees while rowing in the last week or so. If it gets worse I'll ask him or my OS about it though. -Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Did you get it pre-approved? Usually the doctor's office calls in & says it's medically necessary & gets the official OK. So far BC/BS hasn't refused to pay on any of my MRI's, and I've had quite a few. Next year, in their contract with my ex-employer, I'll have to get pre-approvals. I'm sure BC/BS would kill me off if they could. I'm a very expensive patient. Ann Re: New to the community Yeah, I have insurance but even then the price makes you cringe. I think that I'll hold off on an MRI for awhile and see how just PT works. I think that the IT band stretches are helping somewhat and I haven't had as many problems with my knees while rowing in the last week or so. If it gets worse I'll ask him or my OS about it though. -Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Philip: I don't know if it is too late, but keep fighting the insurance company! Be very polite, but don't give up. Remind them that they said it was covered. And not that this helps you, but for everyone else, if you ever get a person on the phone to commit to anything, get his or her full name and make a note of the date that you spoke to the person. Gives you some ammo when you invariably have to fight them. Take care, Doug > > Mine was not covered at all, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin. $1300. Actually, I had called to verify it was covered and they said it was, and then didn't cover it. > > Philip - http://xcskiwinn.org/community/blogs/panmanphil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 OK, you have convinced my to challenge the denial! Thanks, I hope. Philip - http://xcskiwinn.org/community/blogs/panmanphil Re: New to the community Yeah, I have insurance but even then the price makes you cringe. I think that I'll hold off on an MRI for awhile and see how just PT works. I think that the IT band stretches are helping somewhat and I haven't had as many problems with my knees while rowing in the last week or so. If it gets worse I'll ask him or my OS about it though. -Tory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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