My body is falling apart! argh!

[Helene2013]

Do you ever get the feeling that you will never be able to regain what you once had!!!! I do. But I know it will get ok and I'll be back on track. At least to some point.

Just about a year ago I had my right knee swelled so much (I had an ACL surgery about 10 years ago on it) it was like twice it's size (due to cartilage wear and tear and overused the knee). I kept going to work - which was so painfull, do PT like crazy, etc. In December 2013, since I felt better, I had the brilliant idea to register for a 135km ride challenge in June 2014. Approved by my therapist but with a very serious training program. I managed to get back on track and able to get to that event!

Now I am back to square 1 for the past month or so. Right knee started to swell, hurt, etc (MRI, etc were taken last spring and it is the same issue hunting me). So going back into PT, no more running, no more nothing but PT exercises and on crutches for a while. Of course it has improved very much but I still cannot walk a long time but at least I can cycle (on trainer at home - but no heavy pedaling) with no pain whatsoever! But it is light training for the most part. Thinking Saturday night that I was back on track. H**l no!!!!

I got up Sunday morning with cramps in the left knee /leg (the other leg that was ok and never bothering me). But I was still able to do a "small" FTP test at home and send results to my PT/Kine so we can build a program when I got to see her last night. I never imagined it would go from light "bugging me" to swelling and feeling the kneecap "floating" around.

Well that leg got worse by Monday night. My hamstring was so hard and bigger it was like a rock and oh so painful. I could feel a pull in it as well with every step. I could barely walk on that leg but I could do moves like bending and touching my hands on the floor! Go figure!. ARggggg. So happy I had an appointment with her for that night.

She worked on the leg, realigned my pevis/hip area again, told me that some of this is a result of using that leg more (more weight on it) to "protect" my other injured knee. Okkkkkk. So anyway, at some point she did a move and ouch... I felt a twiched in that muscle. Then some relief. ahhhh felt good. BUT she asked me to turn on my back and as I was doing this, that hamstring came back with that ouch pain. She loosened the muscle again and pain was gone.

Then she started to question me as she could not put the trigger on why I got that pain (cramps just as I was moving a bit) so easily when all my "body parts" are fine but had an idea in her mind. She nailed it partially that I do not drink enough, especially for someone as active as me. That type of cramp is caused very often by being dehydrated. My husband keeps telling me that I should drink way more than what I intake! She's asked me what I had for drinks in the past 2 days (when the cramps started) and it totally makes sense. Yesterday was super busy for me at work as I was in a meeting from 8am-1pm. All I took was 1/2 cup of latte coffee, and 1/2 glass of water (a small glass too - so probably drank 4-6 ounces max). Then for lunch just a chicken salad and nothing for drink. I only had another 1/2 cup of water around 3:45pm. Then I went to my PT appointment. I don't think of drinking because I am not thirsty.

She did a taping to help the swelling behind the knee. It will compress the "fluid" and it will help me walk better. Also need to take really warm/to hot bath to help relax that big muscle. And to top it off, for the next few days, I need to rehydrate myself and learn to drink more. So I have to prepare a mix of orange juice, water, salt and drink a few a day, plus regular water and other liquids.

I just hope that drinking more and keep doing the things she is recommending will help me to get back into real fun training instead of just PT. hihi

If I still feel uncomfy Friday, I can go back see her and she'll work on this some more. I get to see her anyway in another week (the Thursday night). Tonight I have a massage scheduled and she told me to tell my massage therapist to work on my lower back and that leg to loosen it up some.

I remember my ex-boss who's into compet sports (his other "job") that after 50 it's all downhill. Boy was he right. hahahaaha For those in your 20s...appreciate it. hihi Because as we get older, I find it harder to push myself and recup time is much longer. hihi I don't care getting old. In fact I prefer being in my 50s now than how I felt in my 20s. But bodywise... I miss that "youth". haha It seems it is one injury after another. All can be treated/healed so far, but to so much effort and $. Luckily I have good work group insurance that covers for all those PT and massage therapies. I'd be in the red I think without it. hahahaah

At least leg feels better this morning. Hamstring is softer but still needs to "de-cramp" some more. I could walk to get to work (bus/walking) without feeling the kneecap giving out. So on the right track. I hope. And drank 2 glasses (still small but better than nothing) of water and a coffee. Going for that orange juice combo soon.

I just hope that next Thursday, when I see her, it will be to plan my winter training program. Not just some boring PT. hihi

[Pax]

I feel for you Helene. I'm already past the point of ever being what I once was, but am coping okay with it. But that non-stop pain sure does sap the life out of us, doesn't it?

[ny biker]

It's not as easy to be active as you get older but I know a bunch of people who are in their 60s and 70s who cycle almost every day, do long rides and are still quite fast. It is possible, but you have take care and address problems when they happen. Sometimes health problems will force changes or slow you down somewhat, but being over 50 does not have to mean that you can't stay active and do the things you enjoy.

I haven't read them, but there are several publications available on roadbikerider.com about cycling for older people. You might find them interesting.

Re; drinking, I have a water bottle or other drink with me pretty much all the time. I have a water bottle in the cup holder whenever I'm driving anywhere, have a drink (soda, tea, water) at my desk all day at work (getting up to refill/get a new drink is a great excuse to move around so I'm not sitting still for too long), and I always have a glass of water or something on the table next to me when I'm watching TV etc. at home. Having it handy makes it much easier to make sure I'm drinking enough. Lately I've been drinking more tea at work because the flavor is more interesting than plain water, and they have some interesting flavors available in our office kitchen. I just bought some for home, too, including some caffeine-free herbal teas.

Some foods are good sources of water, too, including some types of produce (watermelon, cucumbers) and soups. A piece of fruit might not be the same as drinking a glass of water, but every little bit helps when you're dehydrated.

Good luck with the knee!!

[Crankin]

I agree, there are so many fast and strong men in my club who are 60-75, it's scary. Some have had orthopedic issues and come back, a few have had other medical things, and they recover, too. Others look like crap, but they still ride. Some of the women are still doing well, but a lot of them have slowed more than I have. I do need more recovery and everything hurts when I wake up, but more stretching, occasional bouts of PT help. I don't ignore stuff, but sometimes it's hard even for me, who is quite diligent, to do all of the stretching I should be doing. My goal is to keep riding. I am slower, but not really. What I mean is that I have chosen to not go as hard, but I can if I need to. I find I get sick, almost a reaction to the stress I am putting on my body, if I ride too hard, too much. This has something to do with my undiagnosed weird medical issues I've had for years; it's getting a bit worse, but if I take care of myself and get the rest I need, it is not as bad. I usually do one hard ride a week in the peak season, a couple of moderate to hard ones, and a slow one. I am debating about "training"more for next season, but that always seems to bite me in rear.

[BlessedB]

Oh, Crankin, I feel your pain! I had to give up Tai Chi after arthroscopic knee surgery - I mean, for heaven's sake, who can't do Tai Chi??? Couldn't do it. I'm thankful every day that the left knee allows me to ride - and I don't ride hard or long.

Yes, to some degree we do start falling apart in our 50's and it's difficult - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, to maintain the active lifestyle we need. And yet we need it, on all levels, far more than we did in our 30's. It also becomes so much more important to listen to our bodies and to treat them with gentle love when they need it. I don't know you well and I don't know what else you do for fitness, but was wondering if swimming, yoga, pilates, or even just stretch classes at the gym might prove helpful for you? Some type of gentle movement with the stretching you mentioned? I'm so glad you're drinking more as well - that can make such a difference.

Best wishes with your knee and your riding!

[Helene2013]

Right now I cannot do much. Ended up with xray and ultrasound doppler yesterday of left leg. Long story short (typing on tablet in bed is no fun) we were all afraid I may have had phlebitis on calf. It was a swollen and oh so painful. But my PT and walk-in doctor I saw did not think so from tests done but cannot see through skin. So within a few hours all was done and I am stuck with a ruptured baker's cyst. The doctor doing the ultrasound showed everything live to me. Liquid from knee went down my leg. To tell you how much it hurts since Monday morning I cannot describe. Nothing much to do for now but the RICE technique. I still had to get to work today, too much to do. You would have cut my leg it would not have hurt as much. Now I am home and resting, leg up.

Anyway, it will get better one of these days. For now knee does not hurt but knee to ankle is double size of other leg. I have to use again crutches. She had fixed my right knee but the left leg compensated so much and this is the result for me. Xray showed nothing I did not know...arthritis/wear of cartilage.

PT told me that in order for fluid to go away, to move that leg as much as possible, gently. I can do mini squats, try riding bike on trainer this weekend, use roller to massage the leg, some aqua therapy. Anything easy to help the leg. Right now I am drained from work day and just want to sleep. When she told me about cycling you should have heard my reply. Lol poor her. I can barely tolerate my own self and you are telling me to get on bike? Hihi

so this weekend is forced relaxing. Leg up, ice, Aleve pills, light moves to get all I can for leg flow circulation and get that nasty extra fluid out of leg. I want my normal leg back. Arggg

My mental must be good. At dinner was talking with hubby how much fun it would be to get fatbikes and cyclo bikes for gravel trails and how we should head to colorado next summer to cycle. Lol if only it was not so full of hills.

[thekarens]

Sounds like relatively decent news and I agree your PT has a good suggestion, ease back into it.

[Catrin]

Sounds good, and it IS very good to have an idea what is going on. Keep on doing good work!

[Helene2013]

Thank you.

Funny today we went to the bike shop as my husband had issues with his bike chain that kept skipping on/off when he was changing gears. Not good on a $6000 bike he got last Spring. They had changed the gear (or cog - whatever is the name of that thing) just in early November as hubby found it hard with certain gears. He was like stock in-between too easy climb and not able to do it. Anyway, it ended up being that his chain needed to be changed for a new one as the current one has already over 2000km on it. He's training now and he says it is working fine. Happy hubby on bike makes a happy wife. hihi

Back to bike shop...the bike fitter I was talking to while waiting for the bike to be fixed (as he was asking if I do my trainer) told me his ex-girlfriend had a ruptured baker's cyst too. Happened while they were trekking in the winter and they were a day and a half from main road. She was climbing a steep hill when all of a sudden they heard a crack in her knee. Like a tree branch you'd snap in 2. She said she was not feeling any pain. But he decided to come back down instead of moving more up. They set up their tent and during the night, the unberable pain and leg swelling started for her. They had no clue what had happened as she did not have warnings before (just like me!). He had a compass and knew the area so he used the compass taking a shorter route, but harder one due to trail challenges. He carried her on his back as she could not put weight on the leg, all the way down the mountain until they were able to flag for paramedics to help her. He said she mentioned it was the most pain she had to endure in her life. I sooo believe her.

Everyone tells me that when the cyst ruptures, you generally hear a snap and it is loud. I never heard that popping noise. But it could have happened while I was doing something (either on bike or treadmill) and the music being so loud I never heard it. And since you do not feel pain nor hot liquid moving around you don't know. But trust me you do know a few hours/day later when the swelling starts. You cry and panic! hihi

But now it seems I'm back on track and it will take a while to get all my parts working together but we'll get there. hihi And if I see by end of winter that my knees are still troubling me, I will ask my doctor to get some synvisc again. It was over 10 years ago when it was done last. I never really felt the need for that but now it is time I think. That and trying to lose more weight by then. 10 pounds makes a lot of difference when you are having such issues.

I'm so lucky to have such a good PT and the fact she is also a kineologist, and a tri-athlete. She had knee surgery and a foot stress fracture. So she can feel your pain when you are unable to practice sports or activities as much as you'd like. She is also an excellent listener and motivator. It makes a difference between moving on or crying in a ball in your bed. haha

And to say some people find every possible way to avoid working or exercising. And me, I fight my body all the time to get up and go to work, and exercise. haha

Today I just could not find the energy to move. I did all my errands and house cleaning and cooking that was needed. Tomorrow is a day for walking my dogs and get the much needed fresh air now that the cold front is gone and get back on the bike (just a little spin on trainer).

[Helene2013]

Went to my PT/Kin on Tuesday night. I have her "Go" to start training again. She will build me a gradual one to start smoothly. It's unbelievable how much you lose by just stopping (or really limiting) physical activities. My cardio is the worst. Oh...the muscle aches too. hihi

I will have some gradual bike trainer program, but mostly it will be working on the muscle mass (lower body to regain strength and keep building strong cores) and work on getting my overpronation (feet) to be refocused properly (through hips/knee work out). It is not easy as it changes your walking/standing pattern and your brain has to think all the time. But this will help realign pelvis and knee.

Overall it was a good visit. I still hurt in the knee. She wanted to see how I climb/down stairs as I said I hurt when I go down the stairs. So we practiced this (hip/foot moves) to avoid stress on knee and she saw the swelling start (a small lump on upper outer side of knee). It went away as soon as I was relaxed in the evening.

So not out of the woods, but the program will help me gradually back to sports and hoping for no re-injury. I will still think of those synvisc injection if by end of winter the knees are still bothering me. So much I can do by myself and I'd want to avoid a knee surgery down the road. One was enough.lol

[OakLeaf]

As long as you're doing foot/hip work ... hope you don't mind my once again HIGHLY recommending this 60 minute routine: https://www.yogaglo.com/class/3866

It's a subscription site ($18/month) but you can get a 30 day free trial and do the class as many times as you want until you have it memorized and then decide whether you want to cancel or continue. Your PT might want to check it out.

Good luck with the return to action!