RE: What went well and what didn't with surgery?

[Guest guest]

My PT and OS both said to not use a Stairmaster. Of course, I am having

problems stepping up and down a 4 inch step doing 10 reps at the moment.

Don

On 5/28/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

> My PT agreed with me (and disagreed with my doctor) that the Stairmaster,

> used a certain way, does a good job of building up the VMO, and when you use

> it that way, since the VMO is being used, the kneecap is pulled less

> laterally. You have to make sure your knee appears to be positioned

> steadily over your outer 2 toes (it's actually positioned over your

> next-to-big toe, but it appears to be over the outer toes due to parallax).

> Before PT, my knee would wobble all the way on the downstep. After PT

> (strengthening the small glutes), it was steady.

>

> However, now I appear to have a torn lateral meniscus in my good knee.

> Sigh.

>

> Ann

> Re: What went well and what didn't

> with surgery?

>

>

> The Stairmaster!!

> That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch again!

> I have grade III

>

> >

> > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery. However,

> it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now (possibly

> from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine & Chondroitin

> every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run until

> my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something that

> requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain will

> kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the gym

> w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee tape. I

> seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps -- it

> can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I haven't

> tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad foot

> on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that you

> can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up. Best if

> good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee doesn't

> turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax, it

> looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough to

> test my kneecap with it.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

> > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with people

> here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt in

> the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original pain

> go away but a new type of pain start?

> >

> > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of you I

> feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I have.

> I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the knee

> problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a citizen

> racer.

> >

> > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> encouraging.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I don't think I

could have done a Stairmaster then.

Ann

Re: What went well and what didn't

> with surgery?

>

>

> The Stairmaster!!

> That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch again!

> I have grade III

>

> >

> > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery. However,

> it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now (possibly

> from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine & Chondroitin

> every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run until

> my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something that

> requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain will

> kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the gym

> w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee tape. I

> seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps -- it

> can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I haven't

> tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad foot

> on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that you

> can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up. Best if

> good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee doesn't

> turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax, it

> looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough to

> test my kneecap with it.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

> > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with people

> here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt in

> the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original pain

> go away but a new type of pain start?

> >

> > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of you I

> feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I have.

> I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the knee

> problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a citizen

> racer.

> >

> > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> encouraging.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Ann,

I am post op by 7.5 months. I have had problems and have been in rehab for

the last 2.5 months. It is getting better, but still, I am in pain when

doing steps. Every time I get to the point that I should start doing the 4

inch step, I hav pain. I did 3 sets of 10 reps stepping up the 4 inch step

last Thursday, and had to quit due to pain.

The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant to

do the Fulkerson.

Don

On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

> Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I don't

> think I could have done a Stairmaster then.

>

> Ann

> Re: What went well and what

> didn't

> > with surgery?

> >

> >

> > The Stairmaster!!

> > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch again!

> > I have grade III

> >

> > >

> > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery. However,

> > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now (possibly

> > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine & Chondroitin

> > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run until

> > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something that

> > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain will

> > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the gym

> > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee tape. I

> > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps -- it

> > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I haven't

> > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad foot

> > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that you

> > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up. Best

> if

> > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee doesn't

> > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax, it

> > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough to

> > test my kneecap with it.

> > >

> > > Ann

> > >

> > >

> > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with

> people

> > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt in

> > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original pain

> > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > >

> > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of you

> I

> > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I

> have.

> > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the knee

> > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a citizen

> > racer.

> > >

> > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> > encouraging.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Re: What went well and what didn't with

surgery?

> The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

> Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant

> to

> do the Fulkerson.

Would he do both proceedures at the same time?

Mike

MT

[Guest guest]

The plan would be to do the scope to get the cartilage to send to Carticel.

If I were a good candidate, he would get the cartilage and close. The

Fulkerson would follow this when the implants had grown. If I was not a

good candidate, he would do the Fulkerson at the time that he would have

taken the cartilage for the Carticel implant.

It is a little nerve racking to be put under not knowing if I was just have

the scope done or the full Fulkerson.

Don

On 5/29/06, Mike Bernhardt <mlbernhardt@...> wrote:

>

>

> Re: What went well and what didn't

> with

> surgery?

>

>

> > The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

> > Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant

>

> > to

> > do the Fulkerson.

>

> Would he do both proceedures at the same time?

>

> Mike

> MT

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Re: What went well and what didn't with

surgery?

> It is a little nerve racking to be put under not knowing if I was just

> have

> the scope done or the full Fulkerson.

Wow, not to mention possible optional post op plans.

Mike

MT

[Guest guest]

I've forgotten whether you had a LR or " just " a cartilage cleanup. After my

LR I didn't trust my knee for a year. It hurt like hell the first week -- had

to rent a wheelchair. No one had suggested PT. Finally after a year, I took a

chance & ran crossing a street. Nothing bad happened, so I started using the

semi-recumbent exercycle every work evening. Then I bought my first pair of

Nikes, which were so light they felt like they had springs on the bottom, and

made me want to run, even though I'd never run before. I ran probably a mile

every lunchtime & even took part in a race (cheated & came in quite well). So I

was doing really well there for 3 years until I got a different job, which

required me to sit w/my knees bent under a desk, and I began getting ITBS in

both knees. And apparently CP in my right knee. And the rest is history. A

long, painful, frustrating history. Now I'm ready (I've since then had to have

part of the lateral meniscus removed in my right knee, and that's when I got my

CP smoothed out, to no avail) for a TKR and behold! -- now I think I have a torn

lat. meniscus in the left knee, which is more crippling than the CP and will

have to be fixed before I can have a TKR. Sigh. Good luck with your knee.

Like you, I would be very reluctant to have a TTT.

Have you compared the tightness in your bad-leg vastus lateralis to that in

your good leg? In my CP leg, it's a lot tighter, due, I think, to scar tissue

from the LR. I haven't worked very hard trying to get the scar tissue to

stretch & relax. If I did, maybe my kneecap would stop rubbing on the femur.

I've reached a level of depression due to the crippling where I can hardly get

myself to do anything.

Hope this hasn't been too depressing.

Ann

Ann,

I am post op by 7.5 months. I have had problems and have been in rehab for

the last 2.5 months. It is getting better, but still, I am in pain when

doing steps. Every time I get to the point that I should start doing the 4

inch step, I hav pain. I did 3 sets of 10 reps stepping up the 4 inch step

last Thursday, and had to quit due to pain.

The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant to

do the Fulkerson.

Don

On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

> Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I don't

> think I could have done a Stairmaster then.

>

> Ann

> Re: What went well and what

> didn't

> > with surgery?

> >

> >

> > The Stairmaster!!

> > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch again!

> > I have grade III

> >

> > >

> > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery. However,

> > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now (possibly

> > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine & Chondroitin

> > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run until

> > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something that

> > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain will

> > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the gym

> > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee tape. I

> > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps -- it

> > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I haven't

> > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad foot

> > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that you

> > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up. Best

> if

> > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee doesn't

> > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax, it

> > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough to

> > test my kneecap with it.

> > >

> > > Ann

> > >

> > >

> > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with

> people

> > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt in

> > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original pain

> > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > >

> > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of you

> I

> > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I

> have.

> > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the knee

> > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a citizen

> > racer.

> > >

> > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> > encouraging.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Wow Ann. Thanks for the response. I did have a Lateral Release along with

the Plica Resection. I that was in October and I had no rehab until this

March. The rehab has done wonders. I do sit at a desk all day and I do get

very stiff if I do not walk around ever 30 minutes or so. I will be holding

off on the TTT to see how far I can get with strengthening.

When I started I could not walk down the driveway because of the slant. I

could not go up or down stairs. I tried to play golf, but after about 15

strokes (Maybe two holes for me), I was in pain and had to quit.

I still have pain if I walk carrying anything heavy heavy. My up and down

steps has improved, but I am just not there yet. I can walk down steeper

slants.

I bought a Pallate machine this weekend, and that should help me build the

leg strength also. I do stretches every day and can tell if I skip a day.

I really feel for you knowing how the pain affects your life. Sometime I

complain here so that I won't complain more to my wonderful wife.

Do you still do exercised daily?

I do the following:

10 minutes on my recumbent bike (level four if I have no pain and level 0 if

it hurts)

10 hamsting stretches.

10 Iliotibial Band stretches

5 minutes of 10 second reps with a theraban behind my knee standing on one

foot

5 minutes os 10 second reps balanced on one foot on an exercise trampoline

4 sets of 10 toe raises leaning on a large ball

4 sets of 10 mini squates leaning on a large ball

20 minutes on my NMES machine

4 set of 10 steps up a 4 inch step

The routine will vary a bit bepending on my pain level.

**

VERY time consuming, but ithas helped a bunch.

Don

On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

>

> I've forgotten whether you had a LR or " just " a cartilage cleanup.

> After my LR I didn't trust my knee for a year. It hurt like hell the first

> week -- had to rent a wheelchair. No one had suggested PT. Finally after a

> year, I took a chance & ran crossing a street. Nothing bad happened, so I

> started using the semi-recumbent exercycle every work evening. Then I

> bought my first pair of Nikes, which were so light they felt like they had

> springs on the bottom, and made me want to run, even though I'd never run

> before. I ran probably a mile every lunchtime & even took part in a race

> (cheated & came in quite well). So I was doing really well there for 3

> years until I got a different job, which required me to sit w/my knees bent

> under a desk, and I began getting ITBS in both knees. And apparently CP in

> my right knee. And the rest is history. A long, painful, frustrating

> history. Now I'm ready (I've since then had to have part of the lateral

> meniscus removed in my right knee, and that's when I got my CP smoothed out,

> to no avail) for a TKR and behold! -- now I think I have a torn lat.

> meniscus in the left knee, which is more crippling than the CP and will have

> to be fixed before I can have a TKR. Sigh. Good luck with your knee. Like

> you, I would be very reluctant to have a TTT.

> Have you compared the tightness in your bad-leg vastus lateralis to that

> in your good leg? In my CP leg, it's a lot tighter, due, I think, to scar

> tissue from the LR. I haven't worked very hard trying to get the scar

> tissue to stretch & relax. If I did, maybe my kneecap would stop rubbing on

> the femur. I've reached a level of depression due to the crippling where I

> can hardly get myself to do anything.

>

> Hope this hasn't been too depressing.

>

> Ann

>

>

>

> Ann,

>

> I am post op by 7.5 months. I have had problems and have been in rehab

> for

> the last 2.5 months. It is getting better, but still, I am in pain when

> doing steps. Every time I get to the point that I should start doing

> the 4

> inch step, I hav pain. I did 3 sets of 10 reps stepping up the 4 inch

> step

> last Thursday, and had to quit due to pain.

>

> The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

> Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant

> to

> do the Fulkerson.

>

> Don

>

>

> On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

> >

> > Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I

> don't

> > think I could have done a Stairmaster then.

> >

> > Ann

> > Re: What went well and what

> > didn't

> > > with surgery?

> > >

> > >

> > > The Stairmaster!!

> > > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch

> again!

> > > I have grade III

> > >

> > > >

> > > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery.

> However,

> > > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now

> (possibly

> > > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine &

> Chondroitin

> > > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run

> until

> > > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something

> that

> > > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain

> will

> > > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the

> gym

> > > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee

> tape. I

> > > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps

> -- it

> > > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I

> haven't

> > > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> > > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad

> foot

> > > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that

> you

> > > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up.

> Best

> > if

> > > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee

> doesn't

> > > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax,

> it

> > > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough

> to

> > > test my kneecap with it.

> > > >

> > > > Ann

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with

> > people

> > > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt

> in

> > > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original

> pain

> > > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > > >

> > > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of

> you

> > I

> > > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I

> > have.

> > > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> > > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> > > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the

> knee

> > > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a

> citizen

> > > racer.

> > > >

> > > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> > > encouraging.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

You asked if I still go exercise daily. With both knees now painful, I don't.

I just bought a treadmill, which before I got the new knee pain, worked pretty

OK as long as I taped my knee (the right one, the one with CP). I hope the

treadmill didn't bring about what I think is a meniscal tear in the left knee --

I was having symptoms before that -- aching in the calf muscle (sorry, don't

know the name -- the one in the front on the lateral side of the tibia) from the

knee joint down about 4 " , so I think I was already getting a tear. Then I took

a long plane trip, knees bent, then when I got back I began getting really loud

clicking noises in the left knee in the lateral joint area upon ascending

stairs, then the new pain, and the clicking decreased, although I still have

some. Doing the treadmill after the change from clicking to pain caused more

pain. The more I sit at my computer, also the more it hurts. I have an appt

w/a new knee doc Friday and thought I'd irritate the hell out of it before I go

so there's no question about my symptoms, so am planning to use the treadmill

today. I recently found out I have high cholesterol and a high platelet count

and a high white count and high neutrophil count (my doc just waved it off),

which means a lot of extra solid stuff in my veins & arteries, so I need

exercise. I hope I don't die before I get my knees fixed so I can get real

exercise. I may have had a TIA a few mornings ago (no noticeable consequences)

but at the time it didn't occur to me that that's what it might have been so I

forgot to tell my doc. I really need to be exercising. Sigh.

Ann

Wow Ann. Thanks for the response. I did have a Lateral Release along with

the Plica Resection. I that was in October and I had no rehab until this

March. The rehab has done wonders. I do sit at a desk all day and I do get

very stiff if I do not walk around ever 30 minutes or so. I will be holding

off on the TTT to see how far I can get with strengthening.

When I started I could not walk down the driveway because of the slant. I

could not go up or down stairs. I tried to play golf, but after about 15

strokes (Maybe two holes for me), I was in pain and had to quit.

I still have pain if I walk carrying anything heavy heavy. My up and down

steps has improved, but I am just not there yet. I can walk down steeper

slants.

I bought a Pallate machine this weekend, and that should help me build the

leg strength also. I do stretches every day and can tell if I skip a day.

I really feel for you knowing how the pain affects your life. Sometime I

complain here so that I won't complain more to my wonderful wife.

Do you still do exercised daily?

I do the following:

10 minutes on my recumbent bike (level four if I have no pain and level 0 if

it hurts)

10 hamsting stretches.

10 Iliotibial Band stretches

5 minutes of 10 second reps with a theraban behind my knee standing on one

foot

5 minutes os 10 second reps balanced on one foot on an exercise trampoline

4 sets of 10 toe raises leaning on a large ball

4 sets of 10 mini squates leaning on a large ball

20 minutes on my NMES machine

4 set of 10 steps up a 4 inch step

The routine will vary a bit bepending on my pain level.

**

VERY time consuming, but ithas helped a bunch.

Don

On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

>

> I've forgotten whether you had a LR or " just " a cartilage cleanup.

> After my LR I didn't trust my knee for a year. It hurt like hell the first

> week -- had to rent a wheelchair. No one had suggested PT. Finally after a

> year, I took a chance & ran crossing a street. Nothing bad happened, so I

> started using the semi-recumbent exercycle every work evening. Then I

> bought my first pair of Nikes, which were so light they felt like they had

> springs on the bottom, and made me want to run, even though I'd never run

> before. I ran probably a mile every lunchtime & even took part in a race

> (cheated & came in quite well). So I was doing really well there for 3

> years until I got a different job, which required me to sit w/my knees bent

> under a desk, and I began getting ITBS in both knees. And apparently CP in

> my right knee. And the rest is history. A long, painful, frustrating

> history. Now I'm ready (I've since then had to have part of the lateral

> meniscus removed in my right knee, and that's when I got my CP smoothed out,

> to no avail) for a TKR and behold! -- now I think I have a torn lat.

> meniscus in the left knee, which is more crippling than the CP and will have

> to be fixed before I can have a TKR. Sigh. Good luck with your knee. Like

> you, I would be very reluctant to have a TTT.

> Have you compared the tightness in your bad-leg vastus lateralis to that

> in your good leg? In my CP leg, it's a lot tighter, due, I think, to scar

> tissue from the LR. I haven't worked very hard trying to get the scar

> tissue to stretch & relax. If I did, maybe my kneecap would stop rubbing on

> the femur. I've reached a level of depression due to the crippling where I

> can hardly get myself to do anything.

>

> Hope this hasn't been too depressing.

>

> Ann

>

>

>

> Ann,

>

> I am post op by 7.5 months. I have had problems and have been in rehab

> for

> the last 2.5 months. It is getting better, but still, I am in pain when

> doing steps. Every time I get to the point that I should start doing

> the 4

> inch step, I hav pain. I did 3 sets of 10 reps stepping up the 4 inch

> step

> last Thursday, and had to quit due to pain.

>

> The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do a

> Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very hesitant

> to

> do the Fulkerson.

>

> Don

>

>

> On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

> >

> > Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I

> don't

> > think I could have done a Stairmaster then.

> >

> > Ann

> > Re: What went well and what

> > didn't

> > > with surgery?

> > >

> > >

> > > The Stairmaster!!

> > > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to touch

> again!

> > > I have grade III

> > >

> > > >

> > > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery.

> However,

> > > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now

> (possibly

> > > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine &

> Chondroitin

> > > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even run

> until

> > > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something

> that

> > > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp pain

> will

> > > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in the

> gym

> > > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee

> tape. I

> > > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small steps

> -- it

> > > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I

> haven't

> > > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better VMO

> > > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with bad

> foot

> > > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is that

> you

> > > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up.

> Best

> > if

> > > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee

> doesn't

> > > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for parallax,

> it

> > > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this enough

> to

> > > test my kneecap with it.

> > > >

> > > > Ann

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag with

> > people

> > > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it hurt

> in

> > > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the original

> pain

> > > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > > >

> > > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many of

> you

> > I

> > > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back as I

> > have.

> > > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor say

> > > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47 and I

> > > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past the

> knee

> > > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a

> citizen

> > > racer.

> > > >

> > > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is really

> > > encouraging.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Ann, hang in there and please don't go and die on us!!!! I know what you

mean about making the symptoms worse before seeing the Doc. I am terrible

with docs and have done the same thing you are doing so that the symptoms

are clear.

Unfortunaltely, there doesn't seem to much that is clear about knees and

knee pain.

Let us know what heppens.

Don

On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

>

> You asked if I still go exercise daily. With both knees now painful, I

> don't. I just bought a treadmill, which before I got the new knee pain,

> worked pretty OK as long as I taped my knee (the right one, the one with

> CP). I hope the treadmill didn't bring about what I think is a meniscal

> tear in the left knee -- I was having symptoms before that -- aching in the

> calf muscle (sorry, don't know the name -- the one in the front on the

> lateral side of the tibia) from the knee joint down about 4 " , so I think I

> was already getting a tear. Then I took a long plane trip, knees bent, then

> when I got back I began getting really loud clicking noises in the left knee

> in the lateral joint area upon ascending stairs, then the new pain, and the

> clicking decreased, although I still have some. Doing the treadmill after

> the change from clicking to pain caused more pain. The more I sit at my

> computer, also the more it hurts. I have an appt w/a new knee doc Friday

> and thought I'd irritate the hell out of it before I go so there's no

> question about my symptoms, so am planning to use the treadmill today. I

> recently found out I have high cholesterol and a high platelet count and a

> high white count and high neutrophil count (my doc just waved it off), which

> means a lot of extra solid stuff in my veins & arteries, so I need

> exercise. I hope I don't die before I get my knees fixed so I can get real

> exercise. I may have had a TIA a few mornings ago (no noticeable

> consequences) but at the time it didn't occur to me that that's what it

> might have been so I forgot to tell my doc. I really need to be

> exercising. Sigh.

>

> Ann

>

>

> Wow Ann. Thanks for the response. I did have a Lateral Release along

> with

> the Plica Resection. I that was in October and I had no rehab until

> this

> March. The rehab has done wonders. I do sit at a desk all day and I do

> get

> very stiff if I do not walk around ever 30 minutes or so. I will be

> holding

> off on the TTT to see how far I can get with strengthening.

>

> When I started I could not walk down the driveway because of the slant.

> I

> could not go up or down stairs. I tried to play golf, but after about

> 15

> strokes (Maybe two holes for me), I was in pain and had to quit.

>

> I still have pain if I walk carrying anything heavy heavy. My up and

> down

> steps has improved, but I am just not there yet. I can walk down

> steeper

> slants.

>

> I bought a Pallate machine this weekend, and that should help me build

> the

> leg strength also. I do stretches every day and can tell if I skip a

> day.

>

> I really feel for you knowing how the pain affects your life. Sometime

> I

> complain here so that I won't complain more to my wonderful wife.

>

> Do you still do exercised daily?

>

> I do the following:

>

> 10 minutes on my recumbent bike (level four if I have no pain and level

> 0 if

> it hurts)

> 10 hamsting stretches.

> 10 Iliotibial Band stretches

> 5 minutes of 10 second reps with a theraban behind my knee standing on

> one

> foot

> 5 minutes os 10 second reps balanced on one foot on an exercise

> trampoline

> 4 sets of 10 toe raises leaning on a large ball

> 4 sets of 10 mini squates leaning on a large ball

> 20 minutes on my NMES machine

> 4 set of 10 steps up a 4 inch step

>

> The routine will vary a bit bepending on my pain level.

> **

> VERY time consuming, but ithas helped a bunch.

>

> Don

>

>

>

> On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

> >

> >

> > I've forgotten whether you had a LR or " just " a cartilage cleanup.

> > After my LR I didn't trust my knee for a year. It hurt like hell the

> first

> > week -- had to rent a wheelchair. No one had suggested PT. Finally

> after a

> > year, I took a chance & ran crossing a street. Nothing bad happened,

> so I

> > started using the semi-recumbent exercycle every work evening. Then I

> > bought my first pair of Nikes, which were so light they felt like they

> had

> > springs on the bottom, and made me want to run, even though I'd never

> run

> > before. I ran probably a mile every lunchtime & even took part in a

> race

> > (cheated & came in quite well). So I was doing really well there for

> 3

> > years until I got a different job, which required me to sit w/my knees

> bent

> > under a desk, and I began getting ITBS in both knees. And apparently

> CP in

> > my right knee. And the rest is history. A long, painful, frustrating

> > history. Now I'm ready (I've since then had to have part of the

> lateral

> > meniscus removed in my right knee, and that's when I got my CP

> smoothed out,

> > to no avail) for a TKR and behold! -- now I think I have a torn lat.

> > meniscus in the left knee, which is more crippling than the CP and

> will have

> > to be fixed before I can have a TKR. Sigh. Good luck with your

> knee. Like

> > you, I would be very reluctant to have a TTT.

> > Have you compared the tightness in your bad-leg vastus lateralis to

> that

> > in your good leg? In my CP leg, it's a lot tighter, due, I think, to

> scar

> > tissue from the LR. I haven't worked very hard trying to get the scar

> > tissue to stretch & relax. If I did, maybe my kneecap would stop

> rubbing on

> > the femur. I've reached a level of depression due to the crippling

> where I

> > can hardly get myself to do anything.

> >

> > Hope this hasn't been too depressing.

> >

> > Ann

> >

> >

> >

> > Ann,

> >

> > I am post op by 7.5 months. I have had problems and have been in

> rehab

> > for

> > the last 2.5 months. It is getting better, but still, I am in pain

> when

> > doing steps. Every time I get to the point that I should start

> doing

> > the 4

> > inch step, I hav pain. I did 3 sets of 10 reps stepping up the 4

> inch

> > step

> > last Thursday, and had to quit due to pain.

> >

> > The OS seem to think I may be a carticel candidate, but wants to do

> a

> > Fulkerson in order for the carticel implant to take. I am very

> hesitant

> > to

> > do the Fulkerson.

> >

> > Don

> >

> >

> > On 5/29/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote:

> > >

> > > Are you post-op? My CP was so irritated by my operation (2001) I

> > don't

> > > think I could have done a Stairmaster then.

> > >

> > > Ann

> > > Re: What went well and

> what

> > > didn't

> > > > with surgery?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > The Stairmaster!!

> > > > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to

> touch

> > again!

> > > > I have grade III

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery.

> > However,

> > > > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now

> > (possibly

> > > > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine &

> > Chondroitin

> > > > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even

> run

> > until

> > > > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something

> > that

> > > > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp

> pain

> > will

> > > > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in

> the

> > gym

> > > > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee

> > tape. I

> > > > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small

> steps

> > -- it

> > > > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I

> > haven't

> > > > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better

> VMO

> > > > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with

> bad

> > foot

> > > > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is

> that

> > you

> > > > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up.

> > Best

> > > if

> > > > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee

> > doesn't

> > > > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for

> parallax,

> > it

> > > > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this

> enough

> > to

> > > > test my kneecap with it.

> > > > >

> > > > > Ann

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag

> with

> > > people

> > > > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it

> hurt

> > in

> > > > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the

> original

> > pain

> > > > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > > > >

> > > > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many

> of

> > you

> > > I

> > > > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back

> as I

> > > have.

> > > > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor

> say

> > > > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47

> and I

> > > > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past

> the

> > knee

> > > > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a

> > citizen

> > > > racer.

> > > > >

> > > > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is

> really

> > > > encouraging.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your wishes. I feel like I'm doing this balancing act hoping I get

my knees fixed so I can get aerobic exercise soon enough to avoid a stroke. I

can't even wave my arms around to be aerobic because of shoulder injuries. I'm

only 15 lb overweight, so that's good, but CV problems abound in my mother's

family.

Thanks again.

Ann

Re: What went well and

> what

> > > didn't

> > > > with surgery?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > The Stairmaster!!

> > > > That was the one machine my conulatant told me never to

> touch

> > again!

> > > > I have grade III

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Mine hurt the same way & the same place after surgery.

> > However,

> > > > it's been 2 years and I'd have to say that it's better now

> > (possibly

> > > > from lack of use). I do take big doses of Glucosamine &

> > Chondroitin

> > > > every day. I can walk farther than 2 years ago, and even

> run

> > until

> > > > my lungs give out (pretty soon). However, if I do something

> > that

> > > > requires major knee-bending, like hike through brush, Cp

> pain

> > will

> > > > kick in pretty fast. I can do everything I need to do in

> the

> > gym

> > > > w/knee tape and have begun experimenting doing it w/o knee

> > tape. I

> > > > seem to be able to do the treadmill & Stairmaster (small

> steps

> > -- it

> > > > can still be aerobic) w/o tape, but not the elliptical. I

> > haven't

> > > > tried leg extensions w/o tape because my PT told me a better

> VMO

> > > > exercise is -- well, I'll have to describe it: stand with

> bad

> > foot

> > > > on a thick phone book or a low Step, whatever the height is

> that

> > you

> > > > can manage. Step down backwards w/other foot, then back up.

> > Best

> > > if

> > > > good foot rests on floor for a second. Make sure bad knee

> > doesn't

> > > > turn in. Should be right over toes (but allowing for

> parallax,

> > it

> > > > looks like it's outside the toes). I haven't done this

> enough

> > to

> > > > test my kneecap with it.

> > > > >

> > > > > Ann

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > So it's clear to me that surgery has been a mixed bag

> with

> > > people

> > > > here. For those of you who didn't have good results, did it

> hurt

> > in

> > > > the same way and same place after surgery? Or did the

> original

> > pain

> > > > go away but a new type of pain start?

> > > > >

> > > > > Also I have to say after hearing the experiences of many

> of

> > you

> > > I

> > > > feel really lucky to have regained as much of my life back

> as I

> > > have.

> > > > I especially feel for those of you that have had the doctor

> say

> > > > things like " your getting old, what do you expect? " I'm 47

> and I

> > > > still hope to ski marathons: first I hope to just get past

> the

> > knee

> > > > problems, and second, when I'm seventy I still want to be a

> > citizen

> > > > racer.

> > > > >

> > > > > Clearly the people here haven't given up and that is

> really

> > > > encouraging.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

You know Don, following your situation, I would still strongly suggest you

at least consult with a doctor who is familiar with an Anterior Interval

Release. When I had my LR, it helped a lot, especially sitting, but the

best way I could describe the feeling was that the job was only half done.

A TTT and/or Carticel surgery might still be your best bet, but could still

be done. After both a LR and AIR on both knees, I do not foresee further

surgeries for the time being. I understand they will do both a LR and AIR

at the same time if a LR hasn't already been done. In fact, the doctor

extended the LR in my left knee when he did the AIR.

Mike

MT

Re: What went well and what didn't with

surgery?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mike. I will look into the Anterior Interval Release.

Don

On 5/29/06, Mike Bernhardt <mlbernhardt@...> wrote:

>

> You know Don, following your situation, I would still strongly suggest

> you

> at least consult with a doctor who is familiar with an Anterior Interval

> Release. When I had my LR, it helped a lot, especially sitting, but the

> best way I could describe the feeling was that the job was only half done.

>

> A TTT and/or Carticel surgery might still be your best bet, but could

> still

> be done. After both a LR and AIR on both knees, I do not foresee further

> surgeries for the time being. I understand they will do both a LR and AIR

>

> at the same time if a LR hasn't already been done. In fact, the doctor

> extended the LR in my left knee when he did the AIR.

>

> Mike

> MT

>

> Re: What went well and what didn't

> with

> surgery?

>

>

>

>

>

>