I can't say I blame my knee for hating me, I haven't been particularly nice to it over the years. BUT, I'd like to make peace now. This may be difficult, as it seems really peeved. A Baker's cyst, reduced range of motion and a pain that migrates around from front to back to inside-front depending on something (whim?) are the major problems. That and the occasional feeling like the knee will buckle and I'll go sprawling.

I got an MRI yesterday, and while waiting for the results, I'd like to think out loud to the smart people here.

My doc mentioned that I might be having ischial-tibial band issues - which would make sense considering the inside-front pain.

In the meantime, I'm wondering what all I can do for myself short of (obviously) surgery.

I'm doing a lot of self-directed PT in the warm pool at the gym, and also doing not-terribly-heavy weights in an effort to strengthen the muscles around the knee and give the poor overworked thing some support.

A knee brace is dangerous, given my DVT issues, or I'd wear one more often.

I'm wondering about putting spacers on my pedals. How would I know if I need the extra width, anyway? Is there a way to measure it (Q factor, I'm pretty sure it's called)? Would I cause more problems by changing my angles?

Obviously, losing weight will help a lot, but that just ain't happening before, say, 6:30 tomorrow morning - as much as I wish it would.

As it is, I zoom up to wherever I'm going, hobble around the store, go back out the the bike and zip off like the mad woman I am. It's funny, but I'm tired of hobbling part.

Thoughts? Of course the MRI will tell a lot, but in the meantime. . .

Thanks, and all that.