Arthritis Archives

chrondomalacia patella

What can I do to improve my knees. About two years ago I was at work walking across a trench ( indoors and covered), the cover buckled and there I fell 5ft. or so onto my knees. I continued to work and the realpain started a month or so after the injury. It has since become a workmans comp case. Through all the legal mumbo-jumbo I believe I have not recieved the best of treatments. Within these two years I have not been able to go back into my trade (drywall & framing). I live upstairs and the stairs have put a lot of strain on them. They are forever hurting, grinding, giving way, and aching with sharp pains every now and again. And since have given birth so I ahve not have had the option of taking any medicines because I breastfeed. What can I do?

Follow Ups:

• Re: chrondomalacia patella (Archive in arthritis.) Walt Stoll 10:45:26 11/30/00 (0)

In Reply to: chrondomalacia patella posted by Heather G. on November 28, 2000 at 14:55:36:

Hi, Heather.

First of all, walking up stairs is the worst thing you can do. You have to move (or move your bedroom). Next, only underwater exercises will help and not harm and you need to get started with them ASAP.

Taking the essential fatty acids on the home page will help heal this and so will glucosamine (750 milligrams twice a day). Look into MSM as an additional substance that seems to help this condition. Finally, some people say that chondroitin also helps--I am not convinced about that one.

You MUST not be overweight and you have to look at your knees as having just so many steps left in them for your lifetime. SO, every (weight bearing) step you make is one less step you will have until you have to have a knee replacement (if you live long enough).

Let us know how you do.

Walt