Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to Knees/Inflammation/Arthritis ~ My Story ~
Posted 08-28-2009 at 10:58 AM by ConeyIsBabe
After making reference to my torn meniscus, several people have sent me Direct Messages asking about how I have managed the injury. Here is my story ....
Keep in mind that all knee injuries are different, especially meniscus tears, and what worked for me might not work for someone else. My injury was a horizontal cleavage tear (per the MRI). I know exactly when & how it happened; I was carrying boxes of ceramic floor tiles from the car trunk into the house and placing them on the floor the WRONG WAY. I was trying not to hurt my back so I squatted WRONG. The next day I could barely walk, couldn't walk my granddaughter to school, and called in sick for work! That was March of 1998.
I have always been against taking drugs of any kind, so when the first doctor who examined my knees prescribed a NSAID I never took the pills. I called in sick from work at least a week and stayed in bed with ice on my knees off & on, because they hurt. Now I know that NOT walking was WRONG because I lost a lot of my muscle strength around the knees and my legs became weaker from the muscle atrophy! Also, the inflammation was troublesome
When I finally got to see orthopedic surgeon #1 he immediately recommended the arthroscopy. I asked him "will I be back to normal after the surgery?" ~ his answer was "there is no guarantee"; well, at least he was honest. I've heard so many horror stories about knee surgery that I chose NOT to have knee surgery.
Three months later, knees still hurting & still inflammation ~ I was eligible for full retirement by virtue of my age 60 and my years of service so I retired. By then, arthritis had set in and that was aching, along with the inflammation. My retirement present to myself was my first home PC. I spent many hours on the computer every day researching knees ~ arthritis ~ and I learned that arthritis is an inflammatory condition that does respond to the correct nutrition. There are many books written on the subject and many web sites on it, also.
Then I went to orthopedic surgeon #2 and asked him if I could have Physical Therapy for my knees. That was the turning point!!
Eventually, with an anti-inflammatory diet and physical therapy my inflammation subsided. I never took the NSAID drugs. I've been taking glucosamine/chondroiten for ten years. I have absolutely NO PAIN in my knees, but if I walk very very fast they will start to get tired and I have to sit down and recover. Also, if I get dehydrated my knees will ache. Of course, I no longer run. I don't squat either. But on a daily basis, I have no pain and can function normally. Exercise is very good as long as it is not strenuous. Keep your leg muscles strong.
If anyone wants to know more about my anti-inflammatory diet (it has also lowered my cholesterol significantly) that's another blog
ROSALEE
Keep in mind that all knee injuries are different, especially meniscus tears, and what worked for me might not work for someone else. My injury was a horizontal cleavage tear (per the MRI). I know exactly when & how it happened; I was carrying boxes of ceramic floor tiles from the car trunk into the house and placing them on the floor the WRONG WAY. I was trying not to hurt my back so I squatted WRONG. The next day I could barely walk, couldn't walk my granddaughter to school, and called in sick for work! That was March of 1998.
I have always been against taking drugs of any kind, so when the first doctor who examined my knees prescribed a NSAID I never took the pills. I called in sick from work at least a week and stayed in bed with ice on my knees off & on, because they hurt. Now I know that NOT walking was WRONG because I lost a lot of my muscle strength around the knees and my legs became weaker from the muscle atrophy! Also, the inflammation was troublesome
When I finally got to see orthopedic surgeon #1 he immediately recommended the arthroscopy. I asked him "will I be back to normal after the surgery?" ~ his answer was "there is no guarantee"; well, at least he was honest. I've heard so many horror stories about knee surgery that I chose NOT to have knee surgery.
Three months later, knees still hurting & still inflammation ~ I was eligible for full retirement by virtue of my age 60 and my years of service so I retired. By then, arthritis had set in and that was aching, along with the inflammation. My retirement present to myself was my first home PC. I spent many hours on the computer every day researching knees ~ arthritis ~ and I learned that arthritis is an inflammatory condition that does respond to the correct nutrition. There are many books written on the subject and many web sites on it, also.
Then I went to orthopedic surgeon #2 and asked him if I could have Physical Therapy for my knees. That was the turning point!!
Eventually, with an anti-inflammatory diet and physical therapy my inflammation subsided. I never took the NSAID drugs. I've been taking glucosamine/chondroiten for ten years. I have absolutely NO PAIN in my knees, but if I walk very very fast they will start to get tired and I have to sit down and recover. Also, if I get dehydrated my knees will ache. Of course, I no longer run. I don't squat either. But on a daily basis, I have no pain and can function normally. Exercise is very good as long as it is not strenuous. Keep your leg muscles strong.
If anyone wants to know more about my anti-inflammatory diet (it has also lowered my cholesterol significantly) that's another blog
ROSALEE
Total Comments 5
Comments
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Yes, please, I would like to hear about your anti-inflammatory diet. MaryPosted 08-28-2009 at 03:13 PM by plantlover
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I worked with a woman who had a similar problem with inflammation. She was on all kinds of perscriptions for inflammation and pain.
When she went back east to bury her mother, her sister was shocked at the amount of medication she was taking. She made her promise to drink 8 oz of grape juice mixed with one tblsp of pectin (Certo)every day.
Within a month she was pain free and off all medications.
I have tried to research this on the internet but found nothing.
I know grape juice is a great antioxident, but I don't know what part the pectin plays.
Have you heard of this?Posted 08-28-2009 at 08:18 PM by yukiko11 
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yukiko...... I don't know !
I never heard of grape juice & pectin having any special healing properties so I have to say "I don't know"
I really don't drink fruit juices often because of their high sugar content and high glycemic index properties. I think I'm a sugar addict and once I get started on cheating, it ultimately causes me grief
Posted 08-29-2009 at 11:04 AM by ConeyIsBabe
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Thanks, Rosalee! I am just starting this knee journey, so it is very new to me. I need to start NOT overcompensating and using my other leg more. Yes, it is sad when the doctor says, "No guarantee surgery will work." I guess I should be grateful that I had nearly 62 years with "good" knees. Aging always brings something with it. I've also noticed (now that I have this) an awful lot of people "limping!" I realize many people have knee problems. I'm also noticing knee braces and various things people are wearing, so at least I am not alone in this, although loving to hike, it is literally a pain to have this condition.
I'm not sure how to revamp my lifestyle, so it is a challenge. It's also very disappointing to finally be out of the woods (literally) and to now have to deal with this in nicer (easier) surroundings.
I will just try some of these things and see what happens. It really pulled the rug out from under my feet, as I never anticipated anything like this.
Thanks for the insight and info!
WisteriaPosted 08-30-2009 at 11:57 AM by Wisteria
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me too !
Wisteria.... before my torn meniscus & knee story, at age 59, I was like you.... looking forward to the future & feeling great ~ but it's healthier mentally to accept ourselves as we have evolved and make the best of whatever strengths we possess
I just don't think of the things I can no longer do (hike, squat, run, jump, walk very fast & shop 'till I drop). Instead, I give THANKS for what I still can do at age 71 and for having NO PAIN ~ and I take no prescribed drugs
P.S. ..... it DID take a long time for my knee inflammation (and that tight/heavy feeling) to subside (without drugs) but I continued on the anti-inflammatory eating plan, did the physical therapy and it worked for me.Posted 08-31-2009 at 12:15 PM by ConeyIsBabe
