Knee pain from walking events

[Steve Slater]

5 weeks ago I noticed problems of knee stiffness, lack of flexion, pain and some slight swelling. Made the mistake of taking 2 workouts weekly for several weeks in both the yoke and farmers on light- medium- heavy cycled workouts. Along with log press and truck pull caused my knee cartilage to blister and knees to swell. Post workout Ice and 800mg ibuprofen (as Dr. suggested offered very little relief.) Then reduced the yoke and farmers to once a week (Sat only). I have been going to therapy with results leaving me with less pain prior to the workout. The post workout pain and problems would increase even greater than after the last workout. I finally stopped doing yoke and farmers and was unable to Squat or any leg work. I went to a surgeon mon for fear of Meniscal Tears. She told me I have a slight Meniscal Tears in LT Knee but that the overuse or abuse caused very painful blister like wounds on my cartilage that never healed prior to the next workout, they continued to get worse and go into a downward spiral, I have rested from the yoke and farmers for about 2 weeks now and just received shots in both knees. The shots helped TONS with in 2 hours but still have a feeling of weakness. Next week I’m going to a different therapist becasue shots won't help for long. Just wandering if anyone has had this type of experience. I know most of us have some sort of knee pain but I have never heard of blister wounds on cartilage.

[craig kruse]

I have honestly never heard of blisters on someones cartilage.
How old are you? Did the MD say your damage was on your articular cartilage lining the bone? How much arthritis?
Did the MD talk with you about a series of injections called Synvisc or Hylagan? They are 5 weekly injections of a lubricant type substance that has helped some (50-75%) patients with mild to moderate arthritis.
What are they doing in therapy? Stretch your hamstrings, calves, quads. Strengthen your VMO to ensure your aren't having patellofemoral problems.
I would ask them to perform every treatment they can- phonophoresis, electrical stimulation, iontophoreis, and ice.
Try doing some workouts in the water if you can.
I don't know if seeing a different therapist will help all that much if the problem is a articular cartilage one.

craig

[Steve Slater]

Craig, I'll mention this to the MD. Starting therapy next week thanks for the info. Went into the Hawaii after injections for the pain but had no leg drive. Injections wore off pain is back but overall they seem to be getting better.

[Ben Booker]

I heard the injections are bad for you if you don't ABSOLUTLY need them. Take a break and rehab it (R.I.C.E = rest ice compress elavate). Injections are like back surgery, if you can avoid it then avoid it. I would start taking a glucosamine and condroitent (I started taking it every morning and up to three times a day and couldn't feel better). I get the glucosamine in liquid form (mixed berry flavor). It tast good and it goes well with milk or water.

If you aren't doing stability (light to no weight one legged stuff and balance stuff), stretching, and self mioflastic release (a self massage for the muscle to relieve tightness basically) then I would start (this also helped me tramendusly).

good luck bro...

[craig kruse]

there are two types of injections that people think they know about. Only the MD will be able to give the most educated opinion and I dont really know how good of an opinion that is but it is better than ours.

Cortisone will decrease the inflammation. It is small local dosage. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a cortisone injection. It will only help.
A long time ago, people would receive numerous cortisone injections (I mean a lot). Too many cortisone injections can damage the joint surface and weaken other structures (tendons) but one wont do any damage and will only help to decrease the inflammation. If someone (an 80 year old man) had severe arthritis in their knees and knee replacement is the only solution, the MD may offer several injections to help the person live better until he decides to have the surgery. You cant hurt severe arthritis.

The Hylagan injections are a lubricant. THey are not bad for you. Your MD will determine if you are a candidate. They can help the symptoms of moderate arthritis. They aren't going to cure anything. They can settle things down a little. Typically they arent for 20 or 30 year olds but if a person in their 30's had moderate arthritis I would see a MD offering this before a cortisone shot.

Neither of the injections are bad for you.