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Discussion: Knee problems
Subject: Knee problems By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-01-04 14:14:26 Message: Happy New Year everyone! It has been a few weeks since I have posted anything. Much to my dismay, I think I have developed a baker's cyst behind my right knee. I did have an MRI a few weeks ago and they did find a few issues, none of which have ever really caused any trouble until just recently. I finished a 31 mi trail run Dec 10 and felt wonderful (however fell three times on that knee - don't know if this contributed to prob) and am tapering for Houston marathon Jan 16. I am so bummed because, though, it does not actually hurt while I run - it hurts like heck afterwards and I can not bend my knee all the way. Any one have any history or experience with anything like this. I hate having to lay off the sport. What a bummer! Mary C
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: jane s. Written on: 2006-01-04 16:40:05 Message: Sorry to hear about your troubles. I just had knee surgery on 11/29/05, have been very very intensely rehabbing with the help of my surgeon who is a marathon runner and my PT team, I go for PT three times a week in the pool and once in the gym. Plus I do my own training as well. I have had EIGHT knee surgeries on the same knee since a softball injury when I was 19. The last one I had before this was an ACL repair which is big league stuff and very frequently a female problem. My problems prior to having this cartilage surgery was that I could run, do the stairmaster, swim, bike and whatever BUT afterwards it swelled and hurt like mad. I could not stand motionless for very long without swelling and tennis was OUT. I would ask your ortho surgeon to recommend PT and build your quads and other supporting muscles as much as possible, that may help you to do that marathon. HOWEVER I would also ask him or her if doing the marathon will cause you irreparible damage and if you did the rehab or Maybe had surgery to fix your problems you would be better in the long run. I could not tell you either way, you gotta go to the doctor and tell them your issues. Don't be foolish and push yourself to do a race your knee may not be able to do, talk to your doctor first! Jane S.
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: Gary D. Written on: 2006-01-04 17:46:23 Message: Rehab would be my first choice as well. Even if you have surgery on your knee, rehab would be better post surgery if you did rehab before. This gets the muscles stronger and essentially have a head start as compared to having weaker muscles and beginning rehab. As a PT myself, it is interesting to see athletes come in to rehab with surprisingly weak muscles. Good luck.
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-01-04 23:47:58 Message: Have you Googled "bakers cyst" yet? I am not a doctor or a therapist, but I do Know that if you have swelling or pain after running it is usually best to ice it right away. Do not put ice directly on your skin, wrap it in a towel or something. Swimming easy or walking or just hanging out in a cool swimming pool can also help. I suggest that you consider why you run. For example I am competitive but my health comes first. What you do is up to you. Good luck
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: A T. Written on: 2006-01-08 11:11:46 Message: You might also want to consider some structural work. Rolfing, although intense, can help with alignment of the muscles, and often times remedy lower body pain.
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: Steph M. Written on: 2006-01-12 03:09:36 Message: How interesting, I have just logged on to this topic, and I have a bakers cyst in both my knees. I have had extensive orthopaedic surgery, on 1 hip and 1 knee, I have Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility syndrome which means my joints are very lax, a bit like the bendy man. The knee has got progressively worse since I went kayaking on a school trip with my son. I am unable to flex my patella fully, and straighten my right leg fully. It aches when I'm not using it!! I love cycling, and all multisports, and find the biking has helped with my quads, I swim as much as possible, and have done a few triathlons over the past 3 years. I am aiming for a half ironman in December this year. Am waiting to see the orthopod, an ex NZ rugby doc and into sports related injuries, so should get some good advice. I find the more I use my knee the better it is. I also do a lot of horse riding which doesn't affect it. PS I can't run, my hips are too bad!!
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: Mary C. Written on: 2006-01-12 09:35:02 Message: Thanks for all of your advice and understanding. I did see the doc this past Mon and he said to go ahead and run on Sunday - he did not think the tear (if it is a torn minescus - though a small bakers cyst was detected on an MRI I had a while ago) was that bad and the worst thing that could happen is I could be in some pain. I have taken this entire week off from running - swimming and very little walking and lots of rest. I am not in any pain today and hope I can make it through the marathon w/ relatively little. I will definitely get this looked at and taken care of after the race so I can be ready for tri season of which my first will be in April or May. Mary C
Subject: RE: Knee problems By: Philip S. Written on: 2006-01-15 17:28:31 Message: Try the Chi Running method, it has worked well for me and several of my friends. We all run marathons, and train heavily. I do caustion you to the side of if it hurts afterward thats not good, the body releases pain numbing hormones during exercise, especially when it is cold. You can cause further injury, and in women the release of hormones is higher.
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