My knee hates me - long

[MomOnBike]

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.

[Zen]

Oh Mom, how well I know your pain.
The only time I can move around with any amount of speed (and pain free) is on the bike.

I wish I could help you but I think you're going to have to wait for your images.
It sounds like you're doing what you can for now.

[MomOnBike]

The results of the MRI are in.

I have a torn medial meniscus. I'll go see the ortho Wednesday.

I feared it was something like this.

[Zen]

Oh not to worry.
She/he will want to 'scope it, maybe shave a little off the edges if it's not too bad.

Then again, maybe they'll just suggest PT but probably not.
Hairdressers and surgeons just love to cut stuff.

If you do have to get it scoped start PT ASAP.

[MomOnBike]

Hey, I work in a rehab hospital. I know the value of PT, but I don't have to like it.