Monday I went back to the knee doctor to find out the results of my MRI. Although I had the images on a CD, I did not have the radiologist's report so I didn't know what it found. I was honestly hoping it something was torn so that they could just go in and fix it. Although I really don't want to have another surgery, and I really have NO time for surgery or recovery this summer, I just want an actual fix to my knee pain. There was a day recently when I considered chopping off my knee... My pain has been bad!
The report basically said there were two places that are inflamed but nothing serious is wrong like a tear, etc. I'm really glad there's nothing serious wrong, but I was slightly disappointed there wasn't going to be an easy fix. The doctor gave me a prescription for 4 more weeks of physical therapy. He said I could be more aggressive than I have been and suggested I really focus on quad strength before my trip to Europe - which is only about 4 weeks away.
I feel so defeated over this. Physical therapy didn't work for the first eight weeks, so why would it suddenly work in four more? I don't believe it will. I just really hope more strengthening will help the pain, especially in time for walking through Europe. Ahh! But I have to trust if my doctor is good enough to be a Redskin's team physician, he knows what he's talking about... Now I'm just debating if I want to get back into physical therapy for a couple weeks, or I just want to start walking and exercises on my own.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
MRI
Last week on Thursday I had my MRI on my knee. It was not fun. When I had the one for my ankle, I don't remember being upset by it. But when only your ankle has to go into the huge machine, you're far enough out of it that I guess you don't care. But when you think about it, your knee is quite a bit closer to your head than your ankle...
An MRI machine is a HUGE machine that you have to go into and it makes A TON of noise. So much so that you have to wear ear plugs. At times it sounds like an electronic version of a jack hammer, and then it changes to other insanely-loud noises. It's crazy. I also have a weird, irrational fear machinery, so although I am not claustrophobic, going into a noisy machine terrifies me. Last time, my entire upper body was out of the machine and I could see the timer counting down for each sound. This time my stomach was in, so I was closer and could not see the screen. And after the first scan the machine suddenly, and without warning, moved me a few inches closer in! It might as well have been a few feet. I was so anxious the rest of the time that I was going to have to move in further!!
After about 30 - 40 minutes in the machine it was finally over. The technician came in to get me and I got to take my ear plugs out and get out of the machine and the freezing cold room! I hope I never need an MRI again, and I REALLY hope I never need one of anything further up on my body!
An MRI machine is a HUGE machine that you have to go into and it makes A TON of noise. So much so that you have to wear ear plugs. At times it sounds like an electronic version of a jack hammer, and then it changes to other insanely-loud noises. It's crazy. I also have a weird, irrational fear machinery, so although I am not claustrophobic, going into a noisy machine terrifies me. Last time, my entire upper body was out of the machine and I could see the timer counting down for each sound. This time my stomach was in, so I was closer and could not see the screen. And after the first scan the machine suddenly, and without warning, moved me a few inches closer in! It might as well have been a few feet. I was so anxious the rest of the time that I was going to have to move in further!!
After about 30 - 40 minutes in the machine it was finally over. The technician came in to get me and I got to take my ear plugs out and get out of the machine and the freezing cold room! I hope I never need an MRI again, and I REALLY hope I never need one of anything further up on my body!
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| This picture doesn't do justice to how large and scary MRI machines are. |
Saturday, May 18, 2013
April Knee Doctor Appointment
Well my appointment with the knee doctor last month was pretty disappointing to say the least. They took an x-ray and told me what I already knew: that my knee caps are tilted. This is not new news. He also said that he thought I had not spent enough time in physical therapy yet. So although he gave me a prescription for an MRI so that I wouldn't have to come back for another appointment just for that, he wanted me to go to PT for four more weeks before using it.
I debated with myself what to do, because I really believed my knee was not going to get better. But I decided to follow the doctor's instructions and continue PT before getting the MRI. Well we are at almost 4 weeks later now, but my knee is not really better. Over the past week I have noticed a slight improvement, but that is mostly because I have been really sick and resting more and doing less. I know that as soon as I'm back to more activities, my knee will kill me again. So I am planning to schedule the MRI ASAP so that we can see what's really going on in there. I only wish I had followed my intuition and done it sooner.
I have to get my knee better soon because not only am I moving to New Orleans this summer, I'm also traveling to Europe where I will need to do a lot of walking!
I debated with myself what to do, because I really believed my knee was not going to get better. But I decided to follow the doctor's instructions and continue PT before getting the MRI. Well we are at almost 4 weeks later now, but my knee is not really better. Over the past week I have noticed a slight improvement, but that is mostly because I have been really sick and resting more and doing less. I know that as soon as I'm back to more activities, my knee will kill me again. So I am planning to schedule the MRI ASAP so that we can see what's really going on in there. I only wish I had followed my intuition and done it sooner.
I have to get my knee better soon because not only am I moving to New Orleans this summer, I'm also traveling to Europe where I will need to do a lot of walking!
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| My knee has to get better in time to explore Prague this summer! |
Saturday, April 20, 2013
My Stupid Knee
Today the damage to the skin on my knee after my frost "nip" incident is FINALLY, almost looking normal. Here's today's lesson: Never get frost bite (or frost nip).
My knee overall is not doing well. I have been going to physical therapy for four and a half weeks and my knee is not better. If anything, it's worse. And so I have decided to go to the doctor to have it really looked at. Dave (PT) thinks I need an MRI at this point. The problem is that my ankle surgeon is only an ankle specialist, and his entire practice is only for feet and ankles. It was awesome to know that I had an ankle expert working on my ankle, but now that my ankle has affected my knee, it means I have to find a new doctor to look at my knee.
I found a practice that accepts my insurance (the one that was recommended to me did not accept it) and was able to make an appointment with a knee specialist. Luckily, they had an appointment pretty quickly. I am scheduled to see the doctor on Monday (4/22)! Hopefully I can get this looked at, find out what's wrong, and get moving again! Not only do I want to get back to working out (I had to cancel my remaining appointments with my trainer), I have some big plans for this summer and I don't want to be in pain!
My knee overall is not doing well. I have been going to physical therapy for four and a half weeks and my knee is not better. If anything, it's worse. And so I have decided to go to the doctor to have it really looked at. Dave (PT) thinks I need an MRI at this point. The problem is that my ankle surgeon is only an ankle specialist, and his entire practice is only for feet and ankles. It was awesome to know that I had an ankle expert working on my ankle, but now that my ankle has affected my knee, it means I have to find a new doctor to look at my knee.
I found a practice that accepts my insurance (the one that was recommended to me did not accept it) and was able to make an appointment with a knee specialist. Luckily, they had an appointment pretty quickly. I am scheduled to see the doctor on Monday (4/22)! Hopefully I can get this looked at, find out what's wrong, and get moving again! Not only do I want to get back to working out (I had to cancel my remaining appointments with my trainer), I have some big plans for this summer and I don't want to be in pain!
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| HAHAHAHA!! |
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Frost Nip
Yesterday was my birthday, but it was Wednesday so I also had to go to PT. There are just some things you shouldn't have to do on your birthday!
I was still sore after PT on Monday, and doing too much walking while shopping on Tuesday. They pushed me hard, but not quite as hard as Monday. Everything was normal until I got hooked up for e-stim. I could tell the ice was a little too cold, but it soon numbed my knee and I was happy about that. When I stood up my knee was still numb and really frozen. I looked at it and saw why - it was REALLY frozen. There was ice actually stuck to my knee. I was freaking out. Duffy looked at it and tried to melt the ice off with his hands, but it wouldn't really come off. Dave and Duffy seemed unconcerned about it, so I left and assumed it would warm up later. But it had really freaked me out.
Later when I looked at my knee again, the ice had melted off and a big red mark was now in its place. As the night went on, my knee was redder and hurt more. I couldn't bend it because my skin hurt so bad when I tried. Even once I went to bed, if I moved and tried to bend my knee in my sleep I woke up because it hurt so bad.
This morning it is slightly better, but there is still a large red welt on my knee and a few other smaller red areas. I put in a call to Dave because after many, many PT treatments like this, I have NEVER had this problem before. Duffy called me back and asked me a bunch of questions about the red mark on my knee. He determined that I most likely have "frost nip," which is like frost bite lite. Basically they think that the skin is damaged, but the tissue underneath is not. So it's good news and bad news I guess. He said it should continue to get better. In the meantime, I can take Tylenol for the pain (except I can't take acetaminophen) and I should NOT ice my knee.
All I can say is... really? REALLY??
I was still sore after PT on Monday, and doing too much walking while shopping on Tuesday. They pushed me hard, but not quite as hard as Monday. Everything was normal until I got hooked up for e-stim. I could tell the ice was a little too cold, but it soon numbed my knee and I was happy about that. When I stood up my knee was still numb and really frozen. I looked at it and saw why - it was REALLY frozen. There was ice actually stuck to my knee. I was freaking out. Duffy looked at it and tried to melt the ice off with his hands, but it wouldn't really come off. Dave and Duffy seemed unconcerned about it, so I left and assumed it would warm up later. But it had really freaked me out.
Later when I looked at my knee again, the ice had melted off and a big red mark was now in its place. As the night went on, my knee was redder and hurt more. I couldn't bend it because my skin hurt so bad when I tried. Even once I went to bed, if I moved and tried to bend my knee in my sleep I woke up because it hurt so bad.
This morning it is slightly better, but there is still a large red welt on my knee and a few other smaller red areas. I put in a call to Dave because after many, many PT treatments like this, I have NEVER had this problem before. Duffy called me back and asked me a bunch of questions about the red mark on my knee. He determined that I most likely have "frost nip," which is like frost bite lite. Basically they think that the skin is damaged, but the tissue underneath is not. So it's good news and bad news I guess. He said it should continue to get better. In the meantime, I can take Tylenol for the pain (except I can't take acetaminophen) and I should NOT ice my knee.
All I can say is... really? REALLY??
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| "Frost nip??" Ain't nobody got time for that! |
Monday, March 25, 2013
Back to Physical Therapy
On Wednesday last week I was reevaluated at physical therapy for my knee and hip pain. I am less than thrilled to have to go back to PT again. It's a good thing I like Dave, my physical therapist so much. He's awesome!
So Dave has a new intern with him now. I wish I could remember his name, because he is awesome, and he is the one who actually did a lot of my eval. They asked me a million questions and did a bunch of tests. In the end they identified two problems.
The lesser of the two problems is my right hip. They don't think anything is actually wrong with my hip, they believe it is just weak from not being used after the surgeries. So I have a few exercises to strengthen my hip.
The bigger problem is my right knee. Again, a result of my life after surgery. They initially thought I might have torn my meniscus, but after evaluation decided that was not the case. Thank God! The problem is my knee cap is not tracking, and a myriad of other problems going on with my leg affecting my knee. My quad needs to be strengthened and my hamstring stretched. My glutes need to fire at the same time as my hamstring, and right now they are firing way after my hamstring, causing further problems. Basically, my leg is a mess after my ankle surgeries.
The WORST news of all? I AM BACK ON ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS. AGAIN. I am only allowed to do these really basic PT exercises. I can't do any lower body workout - so no treadmill, bike, or even elliptical, or working out with my trainer. I can't even swim unless I only pull, and I'm not sure my shoulders are up for taking all of the burden right now. I might try it though, because my only other cardio option is the hand bike. Ugh.
So Dave has a new intern with him now. I wish I could remember his name, because he is awesome, and he is the one who actually did a lot of my eval. They asked me a million questions and did a bunch of tests. In the end they identified two problems.
The lesser of the two problems is my right hip. They don't think anything is actually wrong with my hip, they believe it is just weak from not being used after the surgeries. So I have a few exercises to strengthen my hip.
The bigger problem is my right knee. Again, a result of my life after surgery. They initially thought I might have torn my meniscus, but after evaluation decided that was not the case. Thank God! The problem is my knee cap is not tracking, and a myriad of other problems going on with my leg affecting my knee. My quad needs to be strengthened and my hamstring stretched. My glutes need to fire at the same time as my hamstring, and right now they are firing way after my hamstring, causing further problems. Basically, my leg is a mess after my ankle surgeries.
The WORST news of all? I AM BACK ON ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS. AGAIN. I am only allowed to do these really basic PT exercises. I can't do any lower body workout - so no treadmill, bike, or even elliptical, or working out with my trainer. I can't even swim unless I only pull, and I'm not sure my shoulders are up for taking all of the burden right now. I might try it though, because my only other cardio option is the hand bike. Ugh.
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| Never thought I'd miss the treadmill! Darn knee... |
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Another Knee Update
After trying to rest my knee for some time, it's not really getting better. In fact, it is now worse than ever. Not only can I not exercise without pain, I also cannot even walk up the stairs without pain at this point. My knee makes this awful clicking noise that I feel with every step. It's so bad. So last week I finally did what I had been trying to avoid but knew was coming: I made an appointment with physical therapy to be re-evaluated for my knee pain. Unfortunately Dave could not see me until this Wednesday, March 20th, so I am just waiting until then.
It's really frustrating and overall really sucks. There's no other way I can describe it right now. But hopefully Dave will have some ideas and I can get my hip and knee in alignment and working well again. I'm hoping to be back to real work outs soon. Let's see how it goes!
It's really frustrating and overall really sucks. There's no other way I can describe it right now. But hopefully Dave will have some ideas and I can get my hip and knee in alignment and working well again. I'm hoping to be back to real work outs soon. Let's see how it goes!
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| I'm a sad cloud over my knee again. |
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