Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I think your reaction is very normal. I was luck?? enough to not have problems until I was in my mid 40's. Hve you had a scope or MRI to detail the damage/problem? Physical therapy can do wonders. I would try everything before I had anything done in the way of surgery. Don On 8/31/06, Misty <mistyblue7404@...> wrote: > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Of course it's normal -- and at 60 too. No physically active person would welcome or even want to try to accept a pronouncement that they were going to have to stop being physically active. I've been depressed for the last 7 years with the limitations my chondromalacia have imposed on me. Since you're young, there are some avenues you might want to try (e.g. carticel implant) that I'm too old for. In my case, my menisci are falling apart, so I'm getting a new knee, and I can't wait. Ann Why me? Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 We have all been there in one way or the other. I was always waiting until the pain got bad enough, then I just thought it was a matter of getting my knees replaces in my late 40's. Then I was crippled with pain as my doctors looked at my MRIs and x-rays and telling me there was nothing wrong with me and I could just go home. Crying is good, so is begging. Just be sure to do it in front of the best doctor you know . Mike MT Why me? Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 I totally agree about the crying & the begging. It works a lot better than rushing at them with a knife, for example. Or citing numerous medical articles on the Web. And they have no respect at all for forums. Ann Why me? Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Hi Misty. I'm only 36 and I do feel the same way as you. How did you get your Chondromalacia...If you explained before, I'm sorry to have you repeat. Mine was actually from trauma...falling in the ice 8 or 9 months ago now. Some days are better than others. I surmise everyone on this forum feels the same as you from my brief time being on it. It seems there is no good treatment for this chronic condition and from what everyone here keeps saying, I would definitely not recommend the surgery. I haven't yet tried the McConnell taping as I'm waiting for the materials in the mail (Leukotape and Fixomull) but other people say it works. I've tried 2 separate injections of steroid locally and that is only a quick fix and there can be chronic problems from long term steroid injection...so don't rely on that. What kind of stretches are they having you do? Bottom line: My regimen: Exercise Treadmill. ...No incline Speed Max 3.6 Time 25 minutes 3 days per week...That keeps me healthy and thin Stretch when I can McConell taping to come Probably should consider Orthotics evaluation with Podiatry Hope this was helpful Deanna Misty <mistyblue7404@...> wrote: Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 If you can do 25 min at 3.6 mph 3 times a week w/o tape, you should be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound with tape. Good luck. Hope it works! Ann Re: Re: Why me? Hi Misty. I'm only 36 and I do feel the same way as you. How did you get your Chondromalacia...If you explained before, I'm sorry to have you repeat. Mine was actually from trauma...falling in the ice 8 or 9 months ago now. Some days are better than others. I surmise everyone on this forum feels the same as you from my brief time being on it. It seems there is no good treatment for this chronic condition and from what everyone here keeps saying, I would definitely not recommend the surgery. I haven't yet tried the McConnell taping as I'm waiting for the materials in the mail (Leukotape and Fixomull) but other people say it works. I've tried 2 separate injections of steroid locally and that is only a quick fix and there can be chronic problems from long term steroid injection...so don't rely on that. What kind of stretches are they having you do? Bottom line: My regimen: Exercise Treadmill. ...No incline Speed Max 3.6 Time 25 minutes 3 days per week...That keeps me healthy and thin Stretch when I can McConell taping to come Probably should consider Orthotics evaluation with Podiatry Hope this was helpful Deanna Misty <mistyblue7404@...> wrote: Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 I don't know if we are affected differently, but I think I could do 25 minutes on a treadmill and I know I can't leap a tall building. I do 15-20 minutes on a bike, then 15 minute on a palatte (sp?) machine, about 10 minutes stretching. 5 minutes on a thera-band, and 20 minutes on my EMPI NMES machine. My BIG problems are when I walk on any kind of uneven ground. Stairs are impossible. Walking in grass is NOT good. In the last few weeks I have been in agony when I did not see a 1/2 inch crack in a sidewalk and stepped off of the GIANT 1/2 step. Lately I cannot pick my leg up off of the floor when driving my car. The exercises do help a bunch and I feel much better when I do them. My goal is to be walking in grass without pain one year from now. It will be nice to be able to do the things around the house that I should be doing. My wife (God Bless Her) has picked up where I have not been able to do things. I will Never be able to pay her back. Especially for what she is about to go through with my Carticel implant. Anyway, exercise is VERY important. The point is that (At least for me) I can do a lot pf exercises, but in real life I have substantial limits that I have not been able to overcome in the past year. I imagine it is harder to accept if you don't have proof of the damage in your knee. Once I saw the pictures of the shredded cartilage, I knew exactly what I was dealing with and knew that there was no way this would get better without some type of surgery. Enough ramblings for now. Don On 9/1/06, Ann <ruby2zdy@...> wrote: > > If you can do 25 min at 3.6 mph 3 times a week w/o tape, you should be > able to leap tall buildings in a single bound with tape. Good luck. Hope it > works! > > Ann > Re: Re: Why me? > > Hi Misty. I'm only 36 and I do feel the same way as you. How did you get > your Chondromalacia...If you explained before, I'm sorry to have you repeat. > Mine was actually from trauma...falling in the ice 8 or 9 months ago now. > Some days are better than others. I surmise everyone on this forum feels the > same as you from my brief time being on it. It seems there is no good > treatment for this chronic condition and from what everyone here keeps > saying, I would definitely not recommend the surgery. I haven't yet tried > the McConnell taping as I'm waiting for the materials in the mail (Leukotape > and Fixomull) but other people say it works. I've tried 2 separate > injections of steroid locally and that is only a quick fix and there can be > chronic problems from long term steroid injection...so don't rely on that. > What kind of stretches are they having you do? > Bottom line: My regimen: Exercise Treadmill. ...No incline Speed Max 3.6Time 25 minutes 3 days per week...That keeps me healthy and thin > Stretch when I can > McConell taping to come > Probably should consider Orthotics evaluation with Podiatry > > Hope this was helpful > Deanna > > Misty <mistyblue7404@... <mistyblue7404%40>> wrote: > Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees > feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause > I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need > support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise > but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try > physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try > steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery > (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right > now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this > bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if > anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose > weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel > better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more > effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! > > ~*Misty*~ > > > > > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only > thing > > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > > > > --------------------------------- > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small > Business. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2006 Report Share Posted September 1, 2006 Hi Misty, I guess we never know why we get " chosen " for having bad knees........but we gotta make the best of it. Exercise and losing weight, two huge things we can do for our knees...and yet, a battle I know I face every day! Physical Therapy is a big part of making the muscles as strong as possible so they can take quite a load of our knees. Not only the quads and hamstrings, but also the hip muscles need to be strong to keep everything aligned. Overdoing exercise, ie, more is better....does not work for our knees. Small steady improvements seem to be the best. Taking supplements if you think that might help is good too. You've got to find what works for you. Nothing is going to be the instant fix, but with the right exercise, the right supplements and the right food intake, you'll probably find it easier to live with this condition. You might want to find out if you have a medial or lateral patellar tracking issue. If you do, then often either taping (McConnell) or a correct small brace may give you relief when you do things like getting out of a chair while holding your son. A physical therapist should be able to assist you with that. Does your knee feel hot and inflamed? If so, icing is a good thing... buy yourself a big, reusable, moldable, ice pack (available in medical supply places, and I also saw a 9 x 16 inch one at Walmart the other day), and use it when your knee is flaring up. Keeping inflamation down also keeps scar tissue down, so take care of your knee if it's inflamed. Weight loss......tough one..... most endurance exercises that are good for weight loss are usually too hard on our knees. SOme folks can tolerate bike riding pretty good (assuming a well fitted bike!). Swimming may or may not be tolerated, often depending on the stroke, or kick that you use. A fairly gentle free style kick seems to be ok, but a breast stroke/ frog kick really can tweek a knee. Water walking is usually a pretty neat exercise... Avoid any and all exercises that force your knee past the plane of your toes, that's asking for trouble. As far as weight loss, if you work your upper body with weights, you'll gradually build muscle which ends up burning more calories, so theoritically you should lose weight if you consume the same amount of calories. There's a neat website called SparkPeople.com that has some great exercises and some reasonable attitudes towards losing weight. I'm right there with you, I, too, need to drop some weight to make it easier for my knees. You can do this, and at your age, you may gain a lot of improvement. Will it be easy? NO...but if you persevere and don't let this beat you, not only will your knees thank you, but you'll gain an inner strength that will see you through anything! Good luck, nne Re: Why me? Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2006 Report Share Posted September 2, 2006 Hi Misty, I guess we never know why we get " chosen " for having bad knees........but we gotta make the best of it. Exercise and losing weight, two huge things we can do for our knees...and yet, a battle I know I face every day! It is SOOO true that aif you strengthen the muscles that control your knees & legs & hips & probably lower back, it takes a lot of stress off your knee joint. Does your knee feel hot and inflamed? If so, icing is a good thing... In my experience w/chondromalacia, any time I use my knees it causes irritation, which maybe that night or next day will manifest as pain, which I interpret to be inflammation. So I recommend using ice right after using your knees, and again later that day or next day -- whatever pattern works best for you. I can always tell when a part of me is inflamed -- I can't feel the cold of the ice as do in other parts, even adjacent ones of the knee. Ann nne Re: Why me? Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 stationary bike is ur best bet Misty <mistyblue7404@...> wrote: Thanks for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! ~*Misty*~ > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only thing > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > --------------------------------- Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Misty, Just so you know, getting up from a chair is one of the activities that gives me the most trouble, especially if I have been sitting awhile. I agree that the stationary bike is great. Don't use too much resistance though. Don On 9/5/06, Casey Strange <lifeguard_girl_1627127@...> wrote: > > stationary bike is ur best bet > > Misty <mistyblue7404@... <mistyblue7404%40>> wrote: Thanks > for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees > feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause > I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need > support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise > but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try > physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try > steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery > (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right > now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this > bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if > anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose > weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel > better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more > effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! > > ~*Misty*~ > > > > > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only > thing > > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ > countries) for 2¢/min or less. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 When I hurt my lower back, the PT taught me an easier way to get up out of a chair. Slide to the front of it and help your legs by using your hands/arms to push up out of it. I got in the habit during the year it took to recover, so that's how I get up now. Ann Re: Re: Why me? Misty, Just so you know, getting up from a chair is one of the activities that gives me the most trouble, especially if I have been sitting awhile. I agree that the stationary bike is great. Don't use too much resistance though. Don On 9/5/06, Casey Strange <lifeguard_girl_1627127@...> wrote: > > stationary bike is ur best bet > > Misty <mistyblue7404@... <mistyblue7404%40>> wrote: Thanks > for the replys!! I did my stretches this morning and my knees > feel 10 times worse then they did yesterday!! I just get so mad cause > I can't even get out of a chair if I am holding my son!! I need > support!! I feel like my mom is saying get over it and do the exrcise > but it is hard for me to explain the severe pain!! The doc said try > physical therapy for 6 weeks and if that doesn't work we will try > steroid injections and if all else fails we will attempt the surgery > (which he said is a 50/50 shot anyway) I just feel hopeless right > now!! Definately disapointed! I feel like I am too young to hurt this > bad and not be able to do anything about it!! I also wanted to ask if > anyone knew of any less strenuous (for my knees) exercises to help lose > weight because I feel if I lost some weight it would make my knees feel > better and make the exercises and stretches easier and more > effective!!! Thank you all for understanding!! > > ~*Misty*~ > > > > > > Is it normal to feel extreme anger and frustration after you are told > > that you have chondromalacia at 21 years old? And that the only > thing > > I can do right now is physical therapy? I feel like crying! > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ > countries) for 2¢/min or less. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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