One knee, two knees

penlynwilson

I'm having problems with my right knee.  Saw the doc, had an MIR (something is not right in the pictures), and have another appointment with the doc to talk about what it is and treatment.  This all started when training for the Paris marathon.  I've been having some pains in my left knee, too.  Non-specific for the most part.  Should I bring the left knee up to the doc or could it be sympathy pains?

 

Michele Cellai

Bring it up. It could be caused by compensation for the issues going on in the other side. Depending on the plan for treatment, it might benefit both knees. Or it could be something new and different. Only way to know is to ask.

Kitboo

Bring it all up! Any hip, ankle, foot, calf, back tweaks or niggles? Let the doc know. If he/she send you to a PT, let them know too. It will increase you chances of someone figuring out if there's a biomechanic problem causing your knee pain instead of chalking it all up to "overuse injury" and telling you to rest and take NSAID's.

penlynwilson

I did bring it up. Going to get an MRI on it Monday. Right knee has an osteochondral defect and a pilca. Choices of: 1) do nothing, 2) arthroscopic surgery, or 3) big, huge, scary knee surgery. Option 2 is most likely. At least that way he can get in and see how bad it is, etc. Hopefully, fix it. Worse case, it doesn't get better. I can't see doing #3 unless I couldn't walk.

Thanks guys!

Leigh Boyle

Hey Penny,

Good call bringing it up to the doc!! never good to let one knee get worse while you "deal with the other". they'll just feed off of each other. 

Did he/she say if the defect was under the plica or elsewhere??

The good news is that there are lots of options for the defect before getting to the big scary operation. Will be interesting to see what the MRI for the right knee shows. 

penlynwilson

Leah: sorry for the late reply.

He said the defect is on the underside of the patella. Not sure where it is in relation to the plica. Surgery is tomorrow (6/10). He estimates treadmill running in 6 weeks.

The MRI of the left knee showed a bit of damage but nothing he thinks needs to be fixed right now. We'll see if the pain stops after I get the right knee done. I'm wondering if my gait has changed - I think it has because I catch myself walking funny sometimes.

Fingers crossed all goes well tomorrow.

Coach Patrick

fingers, knees and toes crossed for you!

Nemo Brauch

Good luck tomorrow Penny!!!

gina

Hope all goes well tomorrow, Penny.

Barbara Spitler

Good luck tomorrow Penny!

jwpicciotto

All,

Penny's surgery went very well. She is up and about, but a little unsteady with the pain meds. Now I just have to keep her from over doing it.

Sincerely Mr. Wilson

penlynwilson

Hi Gang,

I've been working up to 15 minutes on the stationary bike. Woo Hoo! Having the follow-up appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning. Looking forward to PT and getting back in the pool. I should be able to run in 4 - 5 weeks - starting out on the treadmill.

Thanks for all the good thoughts everyone!

gina

Penny- What did you have done to the knee?? (From one that had an MRI today)

penlynwilson

Gina: I had a plica removed and some cartilage damage cleaned up. It also revealed a hole in the cartilage on the patella which means the bone is exposed there. Kind of scary. But, it already feels great on the bike. There is some damage on the left knee but not enough to need repair right now. Running in a little over 4 weeks.

Nemo Brauch

Great to hear the update Penny- the recovery must feel like it's taking forever, but you'll be running again soon!

Barbara Spitler

Take care Penny! Glad you are feeling better!