Knee Stiffness...inflamation...therapy

[62S-R-S]

Without a knee injury, I never understood why the left knee plagued me 20 years ago doing some rotor or brake work, with real stiffness the next few days. Having the left knee folded 'indian style' with left foot under the butt while working on the floor, aggravated it often. Gradually, I chose wearing knee protection and not compressing, folding the knee, if possible. Stiffness still reminded me that all was not well in the joint. Kind of baffled, but walking and running were not overly hampered, so did not obsess about until...

Some years ago, the knee swelled - which was new and different. Started looking for alternative therapy that might help. Lying on my back I discovered a 'yoga' style flex with foot toward the groin, which immediately caused audible chiropractic 'pop' at the joint. Right away it felt better, but not that much. However, about 5 - 7 days later inflamation was 50% reduced. It got better soon..

Good for 6 years -- then an issue in 2015 to the point where walking was affected, trying to finish stride and propel forward, which was a problem.

Not fond of physicians, but no choice and up against it, I called in for 'Arthroscopy' prognosis. ALL of them were booked [ 2 - 3 months ] in advance...and if a meniscus is torn or not, it's about 12 - 14 G, for a procedure that requires about 15 min of their time. Not sure if 30 - 40 are done in a week...but those are some nice returns.

Since the yoga maneuver had run it's course, a new search took place. I DID find something else FWIW : Standing up with the foot planted down, against a dining room table leg, and rotating the upper body in the 'opposite' direction of the foot, it creates a twisting action similar to ringing out a wash cloth. Doing this in both directions does in fact, 'flex' the joint, in a way that it normally does not see. Although some pain appeared the next day on the outer portion of the knee...motion improved.

Chronic pain subsided. Inflamation went down. Not a panacea for every problem, but I absolutely wish I'd tried it sooner.

If there is stiffness in the knee and you decide to stretch, don't go too far too fast. Gradually build up to it.


Phil

[NZVW]

Feeling you Phil.
28 yrs ago I was crossing the road on a crossing ( green walking man illuminated) and a drunk ran me over.
Knee was totally reconstructed and has always caused me grief
Roll on this Jan and I stupidly thought I could keep up with the 12 yr old kids.
Saw the specialists.
Knee joint replacement required.
The hardest thing of it all is juggling affairs around to accomodate the recover time.
IMG_0048.jpg
Mark

[62S-R-S]

Hey Mark, hopefully the worst is behind you, after that category of calamity. I'm sure your therapy is more involving than mine.
Btw, the swelling I experienced happened during visitation of family at a nursing center. A large number of folks were convalescing after knee replacements. Most I talked with had not had injuries either, which made the 'drumbeat' over my shoulder much louder. Apparently, there's a need for replacement for some earlier than 70 or 80, which I hadn't expected.

[mfitton]

The older I get the more I realize how important it is to stretch right out of the box, if you own a dog watch what it does first thing. I have had a frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis recently and the rehab is intense stretching exercises.

[Frank Beck]

... if you own a dog watch what it does first thing.

So what you're saying Mike is that we should lick our butt first thing in the morning so our knees feel better?

[mfitton]

So what you're saying Mike is that we should lick our butt first thing in the morning so our knees feel better?

Ok, maybe the 2nd thing.

[RSTarga]

Best thing in the world for bad knees is strengthening quadricepts. I am not as flexible as Frank. ��

[RSTarga]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...neExercise.JPG

[michaelaiellosr]

When I stopped training as a distance runner some years ago, my logbook had recorded 74,374 miles. The knees had taken a hit with cartilage damage and needed repair. Healed fine ,but soon after wound up with moderate arthritis. one of my close college friends , an orthopedic surgeon , joint replacement specialty, says not to worry, typical age related malady..... take them to the grave. Knee replacement as an absolute last option. Mike

[Haasman]

Just passed the 10 year mark on our weekly yoga class.

OK, great .... whatever ...

.... but I am finding that my flexibility continues improve, amazingly. It was my wife who continuously to insist that we not loose our flexibility. Instead of the age inevitable reductions in one's movement, one can actually improve it no matter what age. In class it is what I can do, what I can improve that keeps me coming back.

OK and it does help that the instructor is beautiful and has a fabulous life attitude. "You can do it".<script type="text/javascript" src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d4fcf728/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/d4fcf728/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js"></script>